Page 35 of Deadline for Love

“It was around midnight, and he was just banging on the door like a psycho. I went outside to catch a glimpse, but he rushed off.”

I grabbed Janette by her shoulders, my eyes wide and my body so tense that my grip was a tad tight.

“Did you see him?” I almost shouted.

Her expression seemed confused, and she tried to free herself from my grip. “Yes—well, no, I couldn’t see much. He was wearing a hood, and it was dark in the corridor. Speaking of our lights, they haven’t worked since Friday. It's ridiculous.’’

“Janette! It’s really important! Have you seen him? Can you describe him?”

She tore herself away from me. “What’s wrong with you? Are you nuts?”

“Please! Try to remember!” I begged, quickly taking my phone out of my pocket to record her description.

“First, tell me what’s going on!”

If I told her that the killer might have been there, she would never believe me. “I think I have a stalker, so I need a description, please.”

“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry. I used to have a creep like that, but I hit him so hard on the head with my baseball bat that he didn’t dare come near me anymore. The police won’t do anything. So, fight back.”

I nodded to her statement but asked her to give a description again.

“Hmm... Well, he was probably five-five, he was thin... I couldn’t tell from his clothes if he was muscular. He didn’t look strong... he was wearing all black, and I couldn’t see his face because his hood was pulled over his head, and I think he was wearing a face mask.” She tilted her head and stared at me with those clear green eyes. “You know what, kiddo? If I see him again, I will chase him away with my baseball bat.”

Fear spread through my whole body, I got goosebumps, and my heart beat fast. What if he hurt her?

“Janette, don’t do that. Be careful. That guy can be unpredictable.”

But she waved me off. “I just told you what I used to do. I’m older now, but my strength is still there, and he didn’t look solid.”

I swallowed hard and stopped the recording on my phone, then clenched the device tightly in my fist. “Janette... did you hear about the murders?” My voice was hoarse, and I blinked rapidly several times.

“Yes, who didn’t hear about it? It’s terrible… Hopefully, he’ll be quick—”

“I think my stalker is the murderer.”

Janette stopped talking. She stared at me as if she had misheard, and she blinked once, twice before turning. “Don’t try to scare me.”

“Janette… It’s just my guess, too, but—”

“Stop, stop! I don’t want to hear that. I can’t afford to leave this apartment. I don’t have anywhere to go. So don’t scare me. This is my home, and I want to stay here. Take care of your stalker, and keep rumors like that to yourself!”

“I—”

“No, I don’t want to hear another word. I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear anything.”

She stomped over to her door and opened it forcefully. Then she walked in and slammed it shut without turning again to give me a chance to explain.

I stood in the same spot momentarily, not knowing what to do. But then I gathered my courage and walked the few meters to my front door. I glanced left and right before unlocking it, and as expected, I found a letter on the floor.

I entered the apartment with a queasy feeling and locked my door. Then I slid my back down on the floor, leaning against the hardwood, and took the letter in my hand. Only my name was written on the envelope. The Aster flowers decorated the pages and carried their scent.

I gazed up, scrolling through my tiny home, and I started feeling bad. It was so quiet and so scary right now. The fear a creepy guy could be standing behind my front door at any moment sent a shiver down my spine.

Trembling, I opened the envelope and found a new poem.

I apologize for my deeds and won’t let anger breed.

I can’t stand to see you with another, it’s true.

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