Page 25 of Sinner

It was one promise I’d made to myself after the… incident. I would always have my keys in my hand. The elevator seemed slower than normal in getting from the fifteenth floor to the lobby and my nerves were edgier than normal. By the time I headed into the lobby, I was holding my breath.

At least there were a few people leaving at the same time from other companies. The cool night air hit me, the tall parking lot lighting providing bright white light to almost every corner of the lot. Something else to be grateful for.

With at least six people heading to their vehicles, I didn’t run like some scared kitty cat. As soon as I opened the door, I took a deep breath, tossing my purse onto the passenger seat.

Then I heard a sound. No, it wasn’t a sound exactly. I had a series of sensations. My breath skipping, I lifted my head studying the small clump of trees and the road parallel to the lot. There were a few cars and trucks driving by, and a couple of shops across the street still open, including a restaurant I sometimes went to for lunch.

There were people out and about.

That wasn’t the feeling I had. He was here. I was positive of it, just like I’d been a few times in the past couple of days. He was watching me. Maybe the fucker was worried I’d go to the police.

I refused to be intimidated by a bastard who wouldn’t show his face. My attention was drawn to the clump of foliage, certain I noticed a slight glow shining from the thick trees. I wanted nothing more than to lift my middle finger, but I wasn’t that naïve. Challenging a freak like him would only keep me in his line of sight.

Or worse.

I got into my car, taking several deep breaths before starting the engine. The sooner I was home and behind locked doors the better. I drove in silence, skipping turning on the radio, which I normally did. Every few seconds, I glanced into the rearview mirror, but couldn’t see any indication he was following me.

Yet I still felt him.

I could still sense his hunger.

Even after turning on the heat, I remained cold, shivering to the point my fingers were white while clutching the steering wheel. How had one person gained so much power over me in such a short period of time?

The thought disgusted me and I pressed down on the accelerator, exceeding the speed limit just enough I believed I could tell if I was being followed. Once I left the commercial neighborhood, there were fewer vehicles, none of which drew my attention.

The moment I turned down my street, I slowed, constantly checking every mirror. There was no one. Maybe it was just my imagination running away with me. I stopped in front of the mailbox, feeling shaky as I eased from the car, jogging around the front and grabbing the mail. With no garage, I suddenly felt more in the open than I’d ever experienced.

I parked, barely cutting the engine before yanking the keys from the ignition. Thankfully, my house keys were on the ring. The light was still on outside the door just like I’d left it. Within seconds, I was inside, trembling by the time I closed and locked the door.

The way I was reacting was ridiculous. Even my breathing was more labored than normal. I laughed softly before heading into the kitchen, dumping the mail and my purse, yanking off my jacket. After hanging it in the hall closet, I headed for my already opened bottle of wine, almost dropping the glass as I dragged it from the cabinet.

One sip wasn’t enough. I took three, taking the glass with me as I headed toward the bedroom, stopping long enough to turn on a light in the living room. Maybe I’d take the advice I’d been given and watch a comedy movie tonight instead of playing a single game.

Before I was able to make it past the opening to the living room, something caught my eye. I had a bookshelf filled with mostly books, one shelf holding three of my favorite photographs.

A lump formed in my throat as I took slow steps closer. Within inches of the shelf, another sick feeling pooled in my stomach. One of my frames had been turned upside down. After a brief hesitation, I closed the distance, lifting the picture of me standing with Ashley and Stephanie during a short summer trip we’d taken together.

With the frame in my hand, I turned around slowly, scanning the rest of the room. Nothing else seemed out of place. Was it possible since I’d dusted only a couple of days before I’d accidentally turned it over? Maybe.

Exhaling, I returned the photograph in the correct position, backing away as if the shelf was on fire. I wasn’t going to fall into some crazy moment. That wasn’t the kind of woman I was. Besides, there were locks on every door and window, the deadbolt on the front door incapable of being picked.

I headed into the bedroom to throw on a pair of sweatpants, gulping a sip of wine first before placing it on the dresser. The moment I opened my closet door, I froze.

The clothes hung on one side were exactly opposite of the way I kept them.

Fuck.

A wave of fear swept through me. He’d been in my house. My. House. The bastard had invaded my private space. How dare he. What did he want from me? What?

I turned around just like I’d done in the living room, fearful he’d done something to my bed. I moved closer, seeing nothing but after a few seconds, I yanked the covers. Seeing nothing, I breathed out, fighting the fear and replacing it with anger. The bastard wasn’t going to win. This was some kind of sick fucking game.

Hissing, I yanked a pair of sweatpants and a sweater from a shelf in the closet, tossing my heels on the floor inside and quickly changing. Now I was enraged he’d broken in. I knew better than to contact the police. The guy was too smart to leave any fingerprints. Plus, what little I had to go on would make me look like a crackpot. I wasn’t eager to have my good name sullied because I was panicking over nothing.

But I knew better.

The masked man wanted me on edge. I wasn’t going to allow that to happen. I returned to the kitchen, standing against the counter while I nursed my wine. Finally, I noticed the mail and tried my best to laugh it all off, yet I was formulating a plan. What? I didn’t know yet. Maybe I could lay a trap for him in one of the gaming rooms.

Which one remained the question.

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