Page 4 of Stalker's Toy

Good.

This lesson must be... personal.

With a flick of my wrist, I ignite the match.

The flame dances, hypnotic and beautiful.

For a moment, I'm transfixed, seeing in its flickering light echoes of my own inner fire.

"Burn," I breathe, tossing it onto the fuel-soaked ground.

The fire erupts with a whoosh, racing along the trails I've laid.

I step back, admiring my handiwork as the flames climb higher, licking at windows and doors.

From my vantage point across the street, I watch intently.

Minutes pass.

Then, a crash of breaking glass, followed by desperate shouting.

"Help! Oh God, help me!"

The man stumbles out onto the lawn, coughing and singed.

Our eyes meet briefly across the distance.

Does he recognize the judgment in my gaze?

The power I hold over his fate?

I turn away, melting into the shadows.

"Choose wisely," I murmur. "Your next mistake may be your last."

A sense of righteous satisfaction washes over me.

I've delivered my message.

Now, we wait to see if he heeds it.

If he’s like the others, he’ll fall in line.

If not, the next time will be his last.

CHAPTER ONE

Mia

I press harder on the charcoal sticks, causing it to snap.

“Fuck.”

A girl two easels down glances over.

Her gaze lingers on the scar peeking through my left sleeve.

I tug the cuff past my wrist bone.

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