Page 80 of Hunting Pretty

UNKNOWN: Didn’t I warn you to stop investigating?

My stalker knew I was digging. He knew I was close to uncovering something big.

My eyes darted from empty table to empty table, abandoned aisle after abandoned aisle, my blood turning to ice. He wasn’t in sight. But neither was another living soul to come to my aid.

Me: Leave me alone. I’ll call the police.

My phone vibrated again. I checked the message as my heart thudded in my chest.

UNKNOWN: You won’t.

Me: And why not, asshole???

I barely had time to register the shock before another text appeared on the glowing screen.

UNKNOWN: Because you know not to trust them.

A panic gripped me as it felt like the ground gave way under my feet. What my stalker was suggesting was more terrifying than being threatened by him.

Somehow the police were involved in a cover-up.

If I took this information to them, they’d make sure I was silenced.

This wasn’t a game.

UNKNOWN: Return those files. Stop digging. Or else…

A surge of anger flooded me. How dare he threaten me? How dare he refuse me my right to know my past?

I stabbed out a response and regretted it the second I sent it.

Me: You don’t scare me.

Fuck. I shouldn’t be baiting him.

I began to tremble as I looked into all the dark corners surrounding me once more. My stalker was watching me.

I couldfeelhim.

UNKNOWN: You won’t like what I’ll do to you if I catch you.

A sweat broke out across my brow as my phone vibrated on the table again. I glanced down at the illuminated screen.

UNKNOWN: Ready or not, here I come.

Fuck. I’d done it now.

My breathing grew harsher with every second that passed without his appearance.

It was like Iwantedhim to come get me. It was like I secretly ached for him to punish me again.

I stood, my weight in my toes as I scanned the dark aisles, the electricity in my limbs making me unable to sit still.

I searched around for something to use as a weapon. But I was surrounded by paper, files, and books.

I heard a creak and I spun, my heart jamming into mythroat. He was coming for me, hunting me, stalking me. Circling me like I was prey.

A giddy feeling bubbled up inside me and I almost giggled, but I repressed it.

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