Page 24 of The Brigadier

The stop came and I was the first one bolting off, not bothering to look behind me before I took very long strides up the stairs to the street level, heading down the sidewalk with purpose.

After a few seconds, I dared to shift against one of the buildings, glancing over the crowd.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

The hooded man was there, following me. I was positive of it. Goddamn it, I had heels on, but I took off scurrying like I’d never done before, barely making it across a side street before the pedestrian sign turned red.

Vehicles honked. People screamed out their windows, but I couldn’t care less.

Seconds later, I looked again. How had the fuck managed to keep up with me? My heart was in my throat, my mind trying to remain calm, but I had to admit I was terrified.

A bolt of lightning streaked and I almost screamed, forced to bite my lower lip. Within seconds, the rain started, not too heavy at first but with the clouds almost black, I knew it was just a matter of time.

I was right. I was one block from my apartment and it was as if the sky gave out, torrential rain falling. I could barely breathe, refusing to look back one more time before shoving my key into the outer lock of the building. As with any horror movie, my shaking hands almost made me drop my keys, but as soon as I snarled, the shaking stopped.

I don’t think I could have raced up the stairs any faster, hissing the entire time I unlocked the bolts. I flew inside, slamming the door and locking every lock, backing away as if the boogeyman was going to slide in from underneath the door.

This was insane.

I’d bitten off more than I could chew.

I continued to back away until I almost tripped over the couch. My breathing was ragged, my mind still trying to process the last hour or so. Frustrated, I groaned and resisted stomping my foot on the floor, heading to the window instead.

This time, I stayed on the side, peering out the glass and holding my breath. I couldn’t see anything. The street and sidewalks were not only too busy with activity, the rain was also falling in sheets.

I moved away, immediately heading to my bedroom to dry off and change. I had no clue what I was going to do from here, but I knew I couldn’t stay holed up in my apartment for the rest of my life. However, for right now, I was perfectly content with remaining behind locked doors.

An hour passed.

Two.

Three.

I continually looked at the window, seeing nothing.

I made a sandwich, barely able to eat. I grabbed a water, trying to chug it and almost choking.

Two more hours. It was getting dark, my fears increasing.

I paced and paced some more, trying not to just stare out the window. But when darkness settled in, I returned to the window. Oh, my God. There he was, standing just under the streetlight looking directly at my apartment.

In his hoodie.

In the rain.

I couldn’t take it any longer. I was terrified, no longer guessing I’d been followed. It had been confirmed. Backing away, I raced to my purse, grabbing my phone. I was shaking all over when I tried to call my father. I knew he was back in LA but I needed to talk to a voice of reason.

“Hey, baby girl. How’s the new job?”

“Daddy.” It was the only word I could get out of my mouth.

“What the hell is wrong?”

“I quit. The man was a pig. But someone has been following me. He’s standing right outside my apartment. And Sonya warned me and I don’t know what to do.” I’d never been prone to hysteria in my life but I was close to hyperventilating, my mind spinning to crazy possibilities including murder.

Bloodshed.

“Whoa. Calm down. When did this start?”

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