Page 58 of In The Dark
Watching me when I can’t see you?
Hunter
Maaaaybe.
By the way, that dress looks beautiful on you, angel.
I turn my attention to the bathroom. I pick the knife back up and wrap my hand around the knob of the half ajar door, shoving it fully open. I pull back the shower curtain and lower the hand holding the knife, stabbing the air.
“Got you, asshole,” I seethe, but the bathtub is empty.
My phone buzzes with another text, and my chest heaves with adrenaline.
Hunter
The shower? Really? Way too obvious. I have to make you work for it.
Me
I’m going to kill you. This behavior is so inappropriate.
Hunter
Is that why your nipples are so hard right now?
“Mother fucker,” I hiss. I look down at my shirt and cross my arms over my chest. “I’m not kidding. I will murder you and make it look like an accident. Everyone will believe me, and you’ll rot in hell.”
Hunter
You don’t want to hurt me. And I’d never want to hurt you.
I stalk out of my room and slam the door. I run to the kitchen and grab a dining chair, lodging it under the knob so wherever he’s hiding, he can’t escape. His name pops up as a FaceTime call and I answer, grinning because I know I’ve caught him.
“Sorry. You’re going to be stuck in my room for a while.” I hold up my middle finger. “But I’m not going to let you out until the police get here. It’s what you deserve. What iswrongwith you?”
“Let me out?” he asks, and I frown at the image on my screen. He’s leaning against the exterior of a building, a leg kicked up behind him. The motorcycle helmet he’s wearing hides his face, and my pulse jumps. “I’m not in your house, Max.”
“You’re not?”
“I was in your house. But I’m not anymore.”
“It was you who did my laundry?” I whisper.
“Yes.”
“And filled the fridge with food?”
“Mhm. Can’t forget the new mattress I bought you.”
“You…” I swallow and rub my forehead, anxiety clawing at the base of my spine. “You watched me get off. Howdareyou? I didn’t consent to that, you fucking pervert.”
“Didn’t you?” He tips his head to the side. “You opened your curtains. You mentioned wanting me to watch you touch yourself. Guess what? I did.”
I don’t know if I want to scream or laugh. I don’t know if his actions are predatory or sweet. My head hurts from trying to justify what he’s done but my body is hot from his words, the truth slipping out.
“I need to go,” I say, and the disappointment in my voice surprises me. I should be ending this call and getting on the phone with law enforcement. Replacing my locks then finding a new place to live.
Hunter tries to say something else, but I hang up before he has the chance to defend himself.
