Page 44 of Stalk Me

My world collapses around me as the implications hit. Erik received an invitation. He's excited about it. And according to this, he's already told me, and I tried to stop him.

None of that happened. Which means it's about to happen. They're watching, waiting for Erik to tell me about this amazing opportunity he's received. And when he does, they'll be recording my reaction, making sure I don't warn him about what really awaits him.

Was this message sent on purpose? Do they know I've accessed my father's email account? Do they know I'm going to warn Erik about the danger he's in?

A knock on the door shatters my thoughts. I leap to my feet, spine stiffening. The only thing keeping me from spiraling is focusing on each situation and the course of action I need to take. With forceful steps, I move the chair and unlock the door.

Professor Austin stands in the doorway, two coffee cups in hand, watching me with a mixture of concern and resignation. "Find anything interesting?"

"They're going to hurt him," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "They're going to use him to get to his father, and they're going to make me watch while they break him."

He walks into the room and sets one of the cups beside my laptop, the scent of expensive coffee wafting up. "Who is 'he'?"

"Erik. Erik Stone. They've sent him an invitation to one of their parties. They're calling it a networking opportunity, but it's not. It's—" I break off, unable to articulate the horrors that await. "I need to warn him. I need to stop this."

Professor Austin studies me for a long moment. "Luna, these people—your parents—they're powerful, connected. Whatever you're thinking of doing… it could be dangerous."

"They're going to drug him," I hear myself saying, the words tumbling out faster than I can control them. "They're going to use his past addiction against him. They're going to make him compliant, like they did to me. Then they'll use him to get to his father, some congressman. They'll record everything, use it as blackmail."

I turn the screen so he can see the emails, the surveillance photos, the cold, clinical discussion of our lives as if we're nothing but chess pieces in their game of power and control.

His face pales as he reads. "Jesus Christ, Luna. This is… this is organized criminal activity. This is a conspiracy to drug someone, potential blackmail of a political figure…"

"Welcome to my family," I say, the bitterness in my voice surprising even me. "This is what they do. This is who they are. And they've been doing it for years."

He scrolls through more emails, eyes widening as he takes in the extent of my parents' operation. "There are names here—judges, CEOs, politicians. This isn't just about you or your friend. This is systematic exploitation on a massive scale."

"I know." I've always known, even if I couldn't admit it to myself. The parties, the connections, the power my father wields—it all comes back to this network of corruption and control.

"We need to go to the authorities," Professor Austin says, already reaching for his phone.

I grab his wrist, stopping him. "No! You don't understand. They are the authorities. Or at least, they own enough of them that it wouldn't matter. The moment you try, they'll know. They'll destroy you, and then they'll accelerate whatever they have planned for Erik."

His mouth flattens into a grim line. "Then what do you suggest?"

"I need to warn Erik. I need to show him this." I gesture at the screen. "We need proof, evidence they can't make disappear."

"That drive I gave you—it has everything from the last six months. Emails, attachments, all of it." Professor Austin takes a deep breath. "But, Luna, this is bigger than just you and Erik. Your parents—they're dangerous. If they find out you've seen this…"

"They'll what? Hurt me? Drug me? Force me to perform for their friends?" I laugh, the sound hollow even to my own ears. "They've been doing that for years. There's nothing they can take from me that they haven't already taken."

Except Erik. They can take Erik. And they will, if I don't stop them.

The realization crystalizes in my mind, focusing my thoughts. For the first time since coming to Shark Bay, I have a clear purpose, a definitive goal. Save Erik. Stop my parents. Break their power once and for all.

"I need to save these emails," I say, reaching for another USB drive to make sure I have more than enough copies. "Then I need to find Erik before they do."

Professor Austin nods, taking the seat next to me. "I'll help you keep at least one copy safe. But, Luna… be careful. Whatever you do next, don't underestimate how far they'll go to protect their interests."

"Oh, I know exactly how far they'll go," I reply, plugging in the drive. "That's why they've never seen how farI'mwilling to go to stop them."

We work in silence, copying every incriminating email we can find. By the time we're done, I have enough evidence to bury my parents and their entire network—if I can figure out how to use it without getting caught.

"There's one more email you should see," Professor Austin says quietly as I'm about to leave. "It might explain why they've been so focused on controlling you specifically."

He pulls up a message from several months ago, around the time I was sent to Shark Bay. The subject line reads: "Re: L's Future Value."

The girl has proven increasingly difficult to manage,my father writes.Recent incident with boy at previous school demonstrates dangerous tendency toward independence. Recommend immediate separation and recalibration.

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