Page 154 of Hunt for You

SleepingBeast:Stop worrying. Our annoying little friend has been marginalized. He won’t be coming for you again.

DeadGirlWalking:I know.

SleepingBeast:How do you know?

DeadGirlWalking:I know because you aren’t the only one talking to other people. Look, there are other people in my life—nothing to do with you—that are dangerous. And I can’t riskthem finding out about you. But one of them is going to show back up in two days. Let’s just say, he’s very unimpressed with Ronald’s conduct. And mine for getting involved with him. And now he’s got a fire under his ass to “check on me.”

SleepingBeast:Bridget, what the fuck is going on?

DeadGirlWalking:I can’t tell you. But it doesn’t involve you. I just hope you’ll help me solve the problem. Because if you don’t, the day after tomorrow, someone else is going to. Except, they won’t fix it the way I want them to. I refuse to let anyone put me in an institution.

SleepingBeast:Why would anyone do that?

DeadGirlWalking:I’m sorry, have we met?

SleepingBeast:This isn’t a joke, Bridget. You’re changing the game. I don’t change the game. No prep means things get dangerous. What are you doing?

DeadGirlWalking:I don’t know how to answer that. I’m definitely not explaining all of this online. I need you. I need to see you.

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I waited, biting my lip. But he didn’t send anything, and he wasn’t typing. With every passing second, my skin got tighter and it got harder to breathe.

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DeadGirlWalking:Look, I’m not changing the rules, just setting a timeframe. I always told you I wanted this done quick. And I told you why. It’s up to you. Here’s the deal. I’m going to be home all day tomorrow. But if it gets dark and you aren’t here,then I’m going to the park. Where we met the first time. If I make it to dawn without you, then… I guess you’re saying no?

[SleepingBeast is typing a message…]

SleepingBeast:I don’t like being told what to do.

DeadGirlWalking:Then don’t do it. But I’m telling you the truth. You said “Soon.” Tomorrow is soon. Any day after that will be too late. Please, Cain. I’m actually begging here. No shit.

SleepingBeast:Is this fucker going to kill you?

DeadGirlWalking:No. But he’ll ruin my fucking life.

SleepingBeast:I need to think about this.

DeadGirlWalking:As long as you get your thinking done before midnight tomorrow, we’re golden.

SleepingBeast:What the fuck, Bridget?! That isn’t how this works!

DeadGirlWalking:If you decide to come and it’s the final time, can I see your face? It’s not like I’ll be around after to turn you in. I wouldn’t want to. But I want to see you. I want to know you, Cain. You’re going to be the most important person in my life when I die. Can you please show me your face?

[SleepingBeast has left the chat.]

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I gaped at the screen, but that little green dot blinked out and I was left sitting there, willing him to come back. Willing him to not just leave me hanging like that.

“No! Fuck!”

Was this it? Was he leaving me for real?

I pushed away from the screen, shaking my head. He couldn’t.

He wouldn’t.

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