Page 26 of The Ripper

Yes.

Me:

Can I see you?

G:

Not yet.

Me:

When?

G:

A little impatient, are we?

I was about to reply when another idea occurred to me.

Somehow, I wanted to thank the stranger — G or whatever his name was — for opening my eyes countless times, for sending me food and generally looking after my welfare.

It was a stupid idea, a reckless one which went against everything I believed in, but since he wouldn’t step out of the shadows and let me see him, I chose to execute the plan, because if that didn’t make him up his timeline, nothing would.

I stubbed out the cigarette and stood up, then leaned against the door frame and looked straight into the alley. It was still pretty dark outside, and most of the neighborhood was still fast asleep, the windows across the street empty of people.

Right there, obscured by the double doors, I straightened my back as goosebumps covered every inch of my skin and, after a deep breath and an audible gulp, I pulled at my silk robe until it fell off my breasts, exposing myself to the eyes of whoever was lurking in the shadows.

I don’t know how long I stood there, unmoving, waiting, watching… hoping?

What for was unknown to me, but since these texts were the first thrill I had in years, I wanted to make it last for as long as I could.

It made me feel alive, knowing that someone was so obsessed with me that they wanted to take my pain and make it their own, knowing that a stranger watched my every move as though it was their reason for living.

It was the boldest move I had ever made, but I believed that whoever this “G” was didn’t exactly care much about my looks. If he didn’t like it, he wouldn’t have followed me around for so long, right?

A sharp intake of breath filled my lungs as the cool wind blew over my nipples, hardening them, and yet… Nothing happened.

I sighed as I covered myself up and went back inside the apartment, where I knew he couldn’t see me anymore, all the while mumbling to myself about being so stupid.

After throwing myself on the couch, I shook my head and gave myself a mental scolding for my idiocy, plus a few mental slaps.

What the hell was I thinking? Exposing myself like that?

When I looked back at my phone, I found a new text.

G:

You shouldn’t have done that.

Me:

Take it as a thank

you for the takeout.

G:

What if some creep

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