Page 45 of Taken Off Camera
My fingers tremble as I tear open the seal. Inside is a screenshot from my last livestream three days ago. Myface is circled in red marker, with the words “MINE ONLY” scrawled across it in jagged capitals. Bile rises in my throat as I turn it over to find a message on the back
“No one else should touch what belongs to me.”
Does that mean he saw Sebastian in my apartment? Or Saint?
Sebastian takes the photo from my shaking hands, his jaw tightening as he examines it. “This is escalating.” He places the photo back in its envelope and adds it to his bag to take with him. “He’s becoming more possessive and explicit in his demands.”
Cold seeps through me, replacing the anger from moments before.
“Wait,” I say, stopping him before he can zip the bag closed. My hands still tremble, but I reach for the envelope, tugging it back toward me. “I want a copy. Photos, scans, whatever. If this escalates again, I need proof.”
Sebastian studies me for a long moment. “You’re right. We’ll document everything.”
The resolve in my own voice surprises me. “Good.Because I won’t let this guy make me helpless in my own home.”
The words sound strong, but my hands tremble, and my throat tightens. Brave words don’t change the truth staring back at me.
“I’ll stop camming, for now,” I whisper, my earlier resistance crumbling under the weight of this new threat. “But it’s my decision, Sebastian. When I go back online, it’ll be when I’m ready, not because you said so.”
I tell myself it’s only temporary, but every day I’m offline is another day my account doesn’t refill. Views mean rent. Subscriptions mean groceries. And right now, I’m choosing safety over both.
But what use is going live if I’m too scared to perform?
“It won’t be for long,” Sebastian says, as if he can read my thoughts. He moves to sit beside me, his arm wrapping around my shoulders. “We’ll find him, Micah, I promise.”
I lean into his warmth, seeking comfort in his solid presence. “How?”
My own efforts hadn’t pinned Travis down. The man has gone off the grid.
“I have resources beyond the police,” Sebastiansays with absolute certainty. “And I’m not the only one who wants to protect you.”
As if summoned by his words, my phone lights up with a text.
Saint
Can we talk?
I show the screen to Sebastian, who hugs me closer. “See? You’re not alone in this. You should call him and talk it out.”
“He badmouthed you,” I grumble.
He kisses my temple. “Bros before beaus.”
I snort out a laugh. “Oh, you think we’re dating now?”
He nibbles on my ear. “No?”
I elbow him.
“Yes?”
I turn my head to catch his lips. “Better.” Then I pull back. “So, we’re doing this?”
“Yes, we’re doing this,” he says, his expression softening. “So, reconcile with your best friend and make sure he understands I’m going to be around for a long time.”
“It won’t be easy,” I warn him.
“Nothing worth having ever is.” He nudges thephone in my hand. “Go on. I’ll wait until he’s here before I leave.”
