Page 49 of Fallen Princess: Shadow Stalker

“Then don’t trust them. I’ll text you a message when Brittney gives the all clear.”

I end the call as I step off the curb to cross the street. Storm pulls me abruptly, and a car comes speeding past. The pull of my dog is powerful enough for me to stumble on the curb and go crashing backward to the sidewalk.

I hear wheels screeching and a vehicle speeding off.

What the fuck? Storm is barking like crazy and breaks free as he chases the car. I get up and start screaming at him to come back.

Shit, shit, shit.

“Storm! Come back! Storm!” I’m yelling and shouting, and as he slows down, probably realizing his old legs got the better of him, I grab the leash attached to him.

“What the fuck, Storm?” I say, trying to catch my breath. He’s never disobeyed my demands.

But what the fuck just happened?

I was nearly run over, but he saved me. Perhaps I was distracted by the phone call and didn’t see the car as I stepped onto the street. But I hardly expected some warped speeding vehicle in this otherwise tranquil neighborhood.

“Come on, we’re going home.”

Just before I turn, I gaze at the corner road ahead and stop dead in my tracks as I see a car slowly pull out.

I didn’t catch the car color or make it earlier as I was in the middle of trying not to break my tailbone and struggling to understand what happened, but I think it was dark, just like this one now.

It almost hesitates at the corner as if it’s waiting.

Not wanting to wait around, I quicken my pace back to the house with my senses on high alert. The soft rustle of leaves that seemed tranquil earlier have now morphed into hushed whispers, playing tricks on my nerves. I fumble with my keys, then position them between my fingers in case I need to protect myself. Glancing over my shoulder every five seconds into the shadows of the wild trees and shrubs that seem to stretch and contort, concealing potential threats.

The eerie silence amplified the rhythmic thud of my heart as we finally reach the property gates. The sight of the house offers a little solace, and I glance back once more.

A flicker of movement in the bushes across the gates catches my eye, and my breath catches in my throat. A barely discernible silhouette stands by the side of the metal dumpster opposite the road.

Panic surges through my veins. I pull hard at the dog leash as Storm barks at whatever’s there. I hold tight this time as fear grips me and dash straight through the gates, dragging Storm with me.

I jump with fright, seeing Callum out front having a smoke.

“You alright, luv?” he asks as he stubs out his cigarette and follows me through the already-opened front door.

“Close the door and lock it,” I demand without looking at him.

My heart’s still pounding, and maybe the fear etched on my face still lingers.

He grabs my forearm and grips it tight.

“I asked you a question.”

I finally look up at him, and he sees my anxiety.

“I thought I saw someone following me, and they were standing opposite the big dumpster across the street.”

Without a second thought, he dashes unexpectedly outside. I let Storm free from his leash inside the house and chase Callum out.

He reaches the street and runs around the dumpster, frantically looking around.

“If someone was here, they’re gone now.”

We both hear a rustle behind a large, overgrown shrub, and he runs towards it without an ounce of fear. He’s a pretty fast runner, and as soon as I approach his back, he abruptly turns and smashes straight into me.

For a second time, I find myself in an uncontrollable episode where I’m crashing to the ground, except an arm reaches out and wraps around my body, pulling me up before I reach the tarmac.

---