Page 49 of Stalk Me

I want to argue, to make him see reason, but the determination in his eyes tells me it would be futile. And a selfish part of me is relieved—the thought of facing my parents alone again is terrifying.

"Fine," I concede. "But we need a solid plan. Something they won't see coming."

We spend the next hour outlining possibilities, contingencies, and escape routes. Erik's strategic mind surprises me—he thinks of angles I missed, weak points in my parents' operation that could be exploited. Together, we craft something that might actually work. It's dangerous, with countless ways it could go wrong, but it's the best chance we have.

"So we're agreed," he summarizes as the light continues to fade. "I contact David tonight and send him copies of the evidence. You maintain normalcy and keep them thinking everything's on track. And then…"

"Then we make our move," I finish. The plan is set, and the wheels are in motion. There's no turning back now.

As darkness falls around us; the temperature drops. I shiver, wrapping my arms around myself. Erik notices, shrugging off his jacket and draping it over my shoulders before I can protest.

"Thanks," I murmur, surprised by how comforting his lingering warmth feels.

We sit in silence for a moment, the gravity of our situation settling between us. The stars begin to appear overhead, pinpricks of light in the vast darkness. I find myself wishing we could stay here forever, suspended in this moment of potential, before the chaos that's sure to come.

"Luna," Erik says softly, breaking the silence. "If this works—when this works—what then?"

I turn to look at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"After we expose them, after it's over. What do you want?"

The question catches me off guard. For so long, my focus has been on survival, on getting through each day without breaking. The concept of a future beyond my parents' control is almost too vast to comprehend.

"I don't know," I admit, voice barely above a whisper. "I've never really let myself think about it."

Erik shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine. "Maybe that's the first thing we do, then. When this is all over. We figure out what you want."

The simple kindness in his words, the gentle understanding, brings unexpected tears to my eyes. I blink them back, unwilling to show weakness even now.

"I should head back," I say instead, starting to rise. "We shouldn't be away too long. They might notice."

Erik stands with me, concern evident in his expression. "Will you be okay tonight? Should we come up with a signal in case something happens?"

I shake my head. "Too risky. Just focus on contacting your brother and securing the evidence. I'll meet you back here tomorrow night, same time."

He nods but hesitates as I turn to go. "Luna, wait."

I pause, looking back at him.

"I need you to know something." His voice is earnest, his eyes serious in the dim light. "Whatever happens, whatever we find out, whatever we have to do—I'm with you. All the way."

The declaration settles in my chest, a warm weight against the cold fear that's been my constant companion. His words glow like embers in the hollow spaces where trust was stripped away years ago. I don't trust myself to speak, so I simply nod, hoping he can read the gratitude in my eyes.

As I make my way back through the darkened woods, the plan we've crafted repeats in my mind like a mantra. It has to work. It's the only way out, not just for me, but for Erik, for anyone else my parents might target in the future.

The campus is quiet when I return, most students in their rooms or the library at this hour. I move quickly, staying in the shadows, avoiding the open areas where cameras might capture my movements. My heart thunders in my chest, every sound making me jump, certain that at any moment someone will step out of the darkness to stop me.

But I make it back to my dorm unchallenged. The room is exactly as I left it, with no signs of disturbance. Belle's side remains untouched, her bed still empty. I wonder briefly where she is, what reports she might be making to her family and to mine. Now more than ever, I'm glad she's been staying with her friends.

I hide the USB drive again, this time in a new location—a small slit I cut in my mattress, invisible unless you're looking for it. Then I retrieve my phone, turn it on, and place it on my nightstand where it would normally be.

As I prepare for bed, going through the motions of my nightly routine, a strange calm settles over me. For the first time since arriving at Shark Bay, I'm not just reacting to my parents' machinations. I have a plan, an ally, a fighting chance.

Tomorrow, everything changes. Tomorrow, we begin to dismantle the cage that's held me for so long.

I climb into bed, Erik's jacket still wrapped around my shoulders like armor. Despite the danger ahead, despite the countless ways our plan could fail, I fall asleep more quickly than I have in years.

For once, my dreams aren't haunted by parties or pills or the cold, calculating eyes of my parents. Instead, I dream of cliffs and open skies, of storm-gray eyes that see me—really see me—and of a future I might finally be brave enough to claim.

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