Page 11 of Haunt Me

The realization of the danger I was in hit me like a wave. I had no idea what this man was capable of, and it terrified me. I was fucking scared. What would I doif he came back? Correction,whenhe comes back—he had made that very clear. What kind of sick person derived pleasure from stalking others?

I had studied enough about psychopaths to understand that someone like him needed to be stopped before things spiraled out of control. If he thought he could put me in the same vulnerable position as he did tonight, he can think again. The next time I see him, he would find himself in handcuffs, seated in the back of a police car.

Fucking psycho.

Chapter 7

Starlet

Chloe and I aresprawled out on my couches, engrossed in the movies playing on the screen. Last night, I tossed and turned, unable to find any sleep, and today in class, I struggled to keep my eyes open. I was so exhausted that I couldn’t even keep a clear head and ended up dropping a full plate of food at the diner.

“Are you alright, Star?” Chloe asked, concern evident in her voice. “You’ve been spacey today.”

“Yeah, I’m good, just feeling a bit groggy from not getting enough sleep last night, I guess.” I cannot tell her about what happened last night. She would freak out and call me stupid for not calling the police already.

Once the movie ended, Chloe made the decision to head home, so I could get a good night’s sleep—or ‘beauty sleep’ as she would say.

As we say our goodbyes, I double-check that my door is securely locked, casting a cautious glance through the window, searching for any sign of that psycho lurking outside.

But nothing. I don’t see him.

But let’s be honest here if he wanted to be seen—he would’ve.

Great, so he’s probably out there watching me and I’m oblivious.

I grab a glass of water before heading to bed. Making sure my window is closed and locked, I turn the lights off and slip into my comfy bed. I can physically feel how my body praises me for giving it some rest.

I’m going to sleep like a baby tonight.

A sudden breeze of cold air hit my face and I slowly pry my eyes open.

Shit.

My limbs go numb as I see my bedroom window open with a light wind blowing through the curtains. Just as I get my eyes to focus on my surroundings, I gasp as I see a dark figure sitting at my desk.

He’s back. Just sitting there—watching me sleep.

How the fuck did he get in?

“What the hell are you doing?” I snap, my voice laced with newfound confidence. The words echo through the room, reverberating off the walls. I can feel the intensity of my words in the air, a palpable tension that hangs between us.

“You were so much more captivating when you were asleep,” he remarks, his voice dropping to a low, seductive tone. The sound alone caused me to suck in a breath and like a cold breeze caressing my skin, goosebumps rise on my arms.

Creep.

“Well, that’s not weird at all,” I retort sarcastically, my words dripping with disdain. The room fills with a brief chuckle, a sound that breaks the silence. It’s asmall, almost sinister sound, like a predator toying with its prey.

“Are you always so witty?” he asks, a glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes. His stupidly attractive face holds a mischievous charm that both infuriates and captivates me. I resist the urge to slap him, my hands curling into fists as I cross my arms over my chest.

“Are you always so stalkish?” I bite back, my words laced with venom. The air grows heavy with tension, a thick fog of unease settling in the room. The smell of fear hangs in the air, mingling with the faint scent of cologne that clings to his presence.

“Just for you, baby,” he says, his words hitting me like a punch to the gut. My heart sinks, a heavy weight dragging it down. In a matter of seconds, my anger dissipates, replaced once again by fear. I frantically scan the room for my phone, my eyes darting from corner to corner, but then it hits me—I left it on the couch where Chloe and I were watching movies last night.

Shit.Shit.Shit

I swear this man can read my thoughts because almost immediately he says, “Don’t.” His piercing gaze locks onto mine. Ignoring his warning, I abruptly jump outof bed, my bare feet hitting the cold floor as I sprint towards the door.

Before I can even reach it, strong hands seize me by the waist, causing a startled scream to escape my lips. My feet are lifted off the ground, leaving me suspended in mid-air, and with a forceful motion, he throws me back onto the softness of the bed, pinning my trembling hands above my head. Panic rises within me, making it hard to breathe as I gasp for air. His gaze trails down my scantily clad body, and I berate myself for not being more covered up while sleeping.

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