Page 16 of Neighbor DADDY

He doesn't text back but calls in less than a second. His voice is tight, and I can hear the wind blowing against the phone speaker as if he's outside rushing somewhere. "Kelly, I didn't send those flowers."

"Oh," I say slowly. "Then who did?"

"Kelly, listen to me. I want you to leave your house right now. Get back in your car and go somewhere busy. Stay where there are lots of people around you."

I go cold all over, and my hands feel so numb I can barely hold the phone. "O-okay. Cam?—"

"I'm calling the police as soon as I hang up, and I'm on my way. Just get out of the house."

"I'm leaving now," I whisper, tears burning my eyes.

"Good girl. I'll be there as fast as I can."

"Okay."

My hands shake as I grab my keys, but a feeling of total dread washes over me all at once. I can feel eyes on the back of my neck, and I know in my bones that if I turn around, someone is going to be standing right there in the dining room looking at me.

"Oh, Kelly. What's the rush?" Frank says, his voice sickly sweet. "It's been so long. Why don't you take a seat, and we can catch up?"

I whirl around, my heart pounding. "Frank? How … how did you get in here?"

"That's not important. Come here and sit down with me, sweetheart." He gestures towards one of the dining room chairs, not with an empty hand, but with a small, silver pistol. My heart thunders in my chest at the sight.

No, no, no.

I shake my head, my entire body trembling. "No. No, Frank. I don't want you here. I don't want to see you. Please just leave."

He scowls, and for a brief moment, I'm terrified he's going to shoot me on the spot. "Sit down."

I glance down at the phone in my hand, still clutched tightly. Cam hung up, and I desperately want to call him back, but I have a feeling it would only end badly.

"What do you want?" I whisper.

"You," Frank says simply, his eyes traveling over me. "I've wanted you since the first time I laid eyes on you, Kelly."

I feel sick to my stomach.

"But we never had a chance. Now we do. You're soldier isn't here, and we have all the time in the world. SIT DOWN, Kelly."

The last two words are so harsh, so commanding, that I have no choice but to sit. My entire body trembles, and I feel like I might be sick.

"So beautiful," Frank says softly, staring at me. "And all mine."

I feel a sob build up in my throat. This can't be happening. I think of all the beautiful moments Cam and I have shared, how spending time with him has made this new phase of my life the happiest ever, and I don't want it to end. I don't want Frank to touch me, but I'm afraid that if I fight back, he'll shoot me.

The police will be here soon, I tell myself, the police AND Cam. You just have to stall!

"Frank," I say slowly, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "Frank, I need to use the restroom."

"No. You're not going anywhere. You're staying right here, with me."

"But Frank?—"

"I said no!" His voice is loud and angry, and when he takes a step towards me, I let out a little cry, jumping to my feet.

"Kelly!"

"Stay away from me," I whisper, my voice shaking.

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