Page 13 of Date Night

At least that's what my therapist tells me.

With my intense need somewhat sated I turn ready to walk out of the house until I realize I'm still holding on to the panties.

I could take these back with me and put them in my keepsake box but I don't want to do that. Starla should have them. Something for her to remember me by even if she doesn't know it. The thought of leaving them here causes a surge of thrill to course through me once again.

Walking back to the small laundry basket I drop the soiled panties right on the top where she'll see them but I reach deeper and grab another pair for me to take home.

My actions are concerning. I thought I was through with this but I know this is exactly how I usually get started.

Just one trophy for my box back at home. I just want one piece of her to remind myself.

I don't want to go down this path again but she's not giving me much of a choice.

How was I ever supposed to stay away from a beauty like Starla.

I have to make her mine. One way or another.

Chapter 7

Starla

It's a new day, so why do I still feel so uneasy?

I sit up in the bed, the light of the sun streaming through the still closed drapes.

It takes a second for me to remember what I was so scared about last night. The knife I brought to bed with me is still safely placed in my palm. Gently, I lay it down on the side and look in the direction I heard the noises coming from last night.

I'm happy that nothing came from it but I'm still pissed that someone would try and scare me like that. Quickly my tiredness disappears and it's replaced with anger. What if they vandalized the house? Could that be what all the tapping was?

"Goddamit!" I jump out of the bed leaving the knife right there on the side. Surely noone is going to be waiting for me outside in the day time. I don't need it.

I throw on my robe and make my way outside to where I heard the tapping coming from last night.

A wave a relief washes over me when I get outside and see absolutely nothing on the outside wall. I don't even see any footprints.

How strange.

My eyes take in the surrounding area and I watch as a stiff breeze rocks one of the large shrubs from side to side. It grazes the back wall.

"You silly girl." I reprimand myself and chuckle slightly. All that fear and panic over a little tree. How ridiculous is that.

That's what was making all that noise last night, it wasn't anyone out here to get me. It was just the wind.

Taking a deep breath, I make my way back into the house. Even though I know what was making the noise last night I'm still a little uneasy like there's a new entity in the fabric of the home I'm staying in. I'm praying once I get my day started I can shake the severe case of the willies I seem to have gotten.

Getting into my morning routine, I move a little faster as I realize that I'm already late to get to the library. I'm sure no one is going to care but I still like to make sure that I keep things professional.

When I get to the library I notice that everyone's already here. I'm super late.

I push open the heavy library door, the familiar scent of old books wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. My heels click against the polished floor as I make my way to the back, where the dim light barely reaches. I’m lost in thought about the upcoming event when?—

“Boo!”

My heart jumps into my throat as I spin around, eyes wide. I scream, the sound tearing from my lips before I can stop it.Liora stands there, her face obscured by a replica Scream mask. She pulls the mask up and I see her grinning like she’s just pulled off the best prank in history.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I yell, my voice a mix of anger and fear. Laughter bubbles up around me—everyone thinks it’s hilarious.

But my heart races, pounding in my ears, drowning out their amusement. I can’t shake the adrenaline coursing through me, the remnants of shock still clinging to my nerves.

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