Page 48 of Stalk Me

He studies me for a long moment, those storm-gray eyes seeing straight through my defenses. "Because you're worth fighting for, Luna. Because what's happening to you is wrong. And because…" He hesitates, vulnerability flickering across his features. "Because I care about you. More than I should."

The admission hangs in the air between us, delicate and dangerous. I don't have the words to respond, my throat tight with emotions I've spent years burying.

"I'll see you at the cliffs," I say softly, slipping out the door.

Once alone in my room, I sink onto my bed, the reality of what we're planning crashing over me in waves. The idea of standing against my parents is simultaneously terrifying and exhilarating. For so long, I've been playing defense—reacting to their moves, trying to minimize damage. Now, for the first time, I'm taking the fight to them.

I gather what I'll need: the USB drive, of course, and copies I've hidden around my room. A small amount of cash I've been squirreling away. The burner phone I bought during my last trip to the mainland, which was never activated until now.

As I work, my mind keeps returning to Erik's words:You're worth fighting for.The simple assertion cuts through years of conditioning, of being told my only value lay in my usefulness to my parents' schemes. Like water eroding stone, his belief in me carves new pathways through the bedrock of my self-hatred. The idea that someone would risk everything for me, not for what I can provide but simply because I deserve better, is almost too much to comprehend.

I check the time—forty minutes until I need to leave for the cliffs. Enough time to take one more precaution. I pull out a notebook, writing down everything I know, everything I've discovered. Names, dates, methods. If something happens to me, to the digital evidence, this will ensure my parents can't simply bury the truth.

I seal the pages in an envelope, addressing it to Professor Austin with clear instructions: If something happens to me, send this to every news outlet in the country. It's a poor insurance policy, but it's better than nothing.

With minutes to spare, I make my final preparations. I change into dark clothes that won't stand out against the landscape, practical shoes for the potentially treacherous path to the cliffs. I consider the makeup on my vanity—my usual armor—but leave it behind. Where I'm going, who I'm meeting, I don't need masks anymore.

The hallway is clear as I slip out, the envelope tucked into a book I'll drop at Professor Austin's office on my way. The setting sun casts long shadows across the campus, the gothic architecture of Shark Bay looking more beautiful than menacing in the golden light. Funny how different things look when you're finally taking control.

I leave my phone in my room, turned off, SIM card snapped in half. They'll notice its absence soon enough, but by then, I hope to be well into our planning. The knowledge that I'm defying my parents, actively working against them, sends adrenaline coursing through my veins. It's terrifying, yes, but also strangely freeing.

As I cross the courtyard, I spot Belle emerging from the library, head bent over her phone. For a moment, I consider confronting her, demanding to know how long she's been feeding information to my parents. But that's a complication I can't afford right now. I duck behind a tree, waiting until she passes before continuing on my way.

Professor Austin's office is empty, the door locked. I slide the envelope under it, whispering a silent prayer that it never needs to be opened. Then I turn toward the path that will take me to the cliffs, to Erik, to whatever future we can carve out of this mess.

The trail grows steeper, rockier, as I move away from the main campus. The sound of waves crashing against the cliffs grows louder, drowning out my thoughts. Salt spray fills the air, tangling my hair and dampening my clothes. The physical exertion helps calm my racing mind, focusing me on the immediate goal: reach Erik, make a plan, survive.

I veer off the established path as directed, pushing through the underbrush that scratches at my arms and face. The terrain becomes more challenging, forcing me to use my hands to steady myself against rocks and tree trunks. But the difficulty is a good sign—it means others are less likely to follow, to discover our meeting place.

Finally, the trees thin out, revealing a small clearing at the edge of the cliff. Erik is already there, silhouetted against the setting sun, looking out over the vast expanse of ocean. The sight of him, solid and real, sends a rush of relief through me so intense it's almost painful.

He turns at the sound of my approach, tension visibly easing from his shoulders when he recognizes me. "You made it."

"No one followed me," I confirm, moving to stand beside him. The view from here is breathtaking—endless blue waters stretching to the horizon, waves breaking against jagged rocks far below, the sky painted in vibrant hues of orange and pink as the sun begins its descent.

"It's beautiful," I murmur, suddenly struck by the contrast between this natural splendor and the ugliness we're planning to confront.

"Yeah, it is." But when I glance over, he's not looking at the view. His eyes are on me, soft with an emotion I'm afraid to name.

I look away, my heartbeat an unsteady percussion beneath my sternum, each thud a countdown to whatever comes next. "We should get started. We don't have much time."

Erik nods, all business now. He pulls a small notepad from his pocket. "I've been thinking about how to approach this. We need to be strategic."

"Agreed." I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. "The first priority is ensuring your safety. You can't go to that party, Erik. No matter what."

"But if I don't?—"

"They'll find another way," I cut him off. "Trust me on this. The invitation was just one option. If that falls through, they'll move to Plan B, C, D—they've got the whole alphabet covered."

He considers this, frowning. "Then what do you suggest?"

"You need to leave Shark Bay. Today, if possible. Go somewhere they can't find you."

"And leave you here alone?" He shakes his head vehemently. "Absolutely not."

"I'll be fine," I insist, even knowing it's a lie. "They won't hurt me. I'm still valuable to them."

"No." His voice is firm, unyielding. "We're in this together, Luna. I'm not abandoning you."

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