Page 56 of David's Love

“Do you need help with that?”

“I’m good. Besides, you have one to carry yourself,” I say, pointing to his backpack. “All right. I need to go now. It was nice seeing you,” I add in haste.

“Same here,” he says as I’m already pulling away from him.

That smile is back on his lips. Like he knows something I don’t know.

I had the same feeling when I talked to James last night. That he knew something I didn’t know. And no, I didn’t tell David about it.

I may bring it up tonight.

The thing is, I didn’t get weird vibes from James like I get from Keith and his stupid smiles.

I make a beeline for the sidewalk, zipping across the lawn like my pants have caught on fire. I’m tempted to look back but crush that impulse.

Despite that, I still feel Keith’s stare on my back.

I step on the sidewalk and walk quickly to the shopping center where I parked my car when I look back.

He’s no longer there.

Good.

I practically run to the parking lot and frantically search for my car. There are so many cars that I get lost for a moment.

Finally, I spot it and slide into the driver’s seat.

I feel much better when I turn on the ignition and steer my ride away, but as I glance in the rearview mirror, that anxious feeling swiftly returns.

A car peels off the parking lot and slowly traces me.

It could be anyone, frankly.

People are shopping today. It’s Friday, and Halloween is tonight. So yeah, it could be anyone.

That doesn’t mean I’m calmer than before.

I veer left. The car, which is dark like mine, follows me. I spend more time peering in the back mirror than looking at the road in front of me.

The glare from the sun makes it difficult to see who is behind the steering wheel in that car.

But… I can make out the silhouette of a man. He wears sunglasses. Go figure.

Of course I can’t see his face.

Swerving to the other lane, I try to lose him.

I zip through an intersection just before the lights turn red, and he slows down, makes a right, and I finally leave him behind.

A long sigh leaves my chest.

It can still be a coincidence, and me becoming paranoid about these things doesn’t help, but the voice inside my head is of a different opinion, shaking her head dismissively.

No. It’s not that.

That’s what I thought.

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