Page 25 of The Ripper

more specific?

Unknown number:

G.

My heart began to pound as I re-read the texts to make sure I wasn’t imagining things, then, with trembling fingers, I replied.

It immediately dawned on me.

G.

The one who sent me food every time I skipped a meal. The one who sent me the incriminating photos of the guys I was seeing. The one who had never, until now, even attempted to contact me.

I dropped my phone as I heard my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Suddenly aware of how exposed I was, I pulled the robe tighter around myself as if it would protect me and mindlessly chewed my lips as I frantically scanned my surroundings for any suspicious movements.

When I picked my phone back up from the rug, my eyes fell on the dark alley right in front of my balcony.

For a second, I felt it again. That crippling feeling that made every hair on my body stand on end, the cold shiver running down my spine as sweat covered my skin.

I was being watched.

I looked at every window across the street, but there was no one in sight who looked out of place.

Unknown number:

You don’t have to be afraid

of me.

Me:

You’ve been stalking me.

Unknown number:

I’ve been protecting you.

This man had stalked me for God knew how long. I should have been scared out of my mind, but as I re-read his last text for the fifth time, I realized that he was right. He had, indeed, protected me. A few years had passed since the first takeout box had been delivered to my door, so he had to have been watching me for at least that long, and if he wanted to hurt me, he surely would have done it by now.

And I also realized that what I was feeling wasn’t exactly fear, but excitement, so I saved his number and finally replied.

Me:

Why?

G:

Because you take care of everyone,

yet nobody takes care of you.

Me:

Are you watching

me now?

G:

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