yn's

asked man racing through my mind. It has been two days since I saw him standing in my backyard, his

n the darkness of my backyard and watch me like a hawk, making his presence known. He's keeping his features concealed for a reason, so I'm unable t

ch the past two days for fear that I would see him in my dreams. He hasn't shown himself since the night in the parking lot, but that doesn't mean he isn't around, watching me from the shadows. W

at the masked man is going to ap

es, are y

clients after I became a registered psychologist and has been coming to see me once a week to talk through his feelings and thoughts. He has a l

laws its way up my throat as I force a smile onto my lips. "I'

s father isn't a good man, to put it simply. He's verbally abusive and doesn't understand his son. My jo

d man, I tell myself.

the back of my mind. Jayden is grateful for my advice as he leaves my office, wh

he receptionist's desk typing away on her obnoxiously loud keyboard. When I step toward her, ju

en, so her youthful appearance brings a certain calmness to the office. I had my doubts about her to begin with, c

her gaze. "I am. Are my clients for t

ent in with your last client, something about getting food p

"Thank you, Lissa. You should head

r the next day is one of the ways I like to stay on top of everything. As soon as I

eem to be good together, so I have no doubt he'll keep her safe. I wish I could ha

be safe. I'll see you bright

night,

e at him. He returns the gesture and goes back to playing a golf game on his phone. The sidewalks

I have someone to talk to on the phone while I walk, saving me from calling my mother again. Th

, a smile tipping up the corner

into the phone. "How have

round of chemo went smoothly a few days ago, and she's responding well to the

're both doing well. I was actually calling to suggest we go out for drinks tomorrow night if you're free.

g to eat in the girls' bathroom because my friends at the time decided to ditch me to go sit with the popular boys. So, we decided to sit in the bathroom and eat our lunch togeth

ot of mischief, but it's a lot more

nd. "With how busy work has been lately,

e to hear," Raya cheer

ther myself, standing upright. "That shouldn't be a problem. Liam is catching up w

so I'm free as a bird also. He told me to tell you tha

ce and not the blood rushing in my ears. "Yeah, that sounds good to me. Maybe we can host this time since

onths and had decided not to have a party since you were too consumed with planning the wedding. It

st my rib cage as I walk further into the darkness. I find it hard to focus on Raya's words because of the sense of dread that washe

here

y from me, his intimidating stance backlit by

an. My throat is thick with lead, and I'm stru

ngs through the phone.

errifying, especially when paired with the piercing blue eyes gazing at me from behind the mask. They hold me capti

o the side, his hands clenching

anic settling in her tone. "A

eart about to leap out of my throat. He's wearing the same clothes as two nights ago-a blac

live, I need to do something. Now. My best option is to turn and run back to the busy sidewalk. He wou

this point. I just pray I'm

ay. I was never the best runner in school, but I'm hoping the adrenaline and fear coursing thr

d man does too. The pounding of his footsteps against the c

ng on me-a

e calling loudly through the phone gripped tightly in my hand. I just need to make it to th

m the safety of the busy sidewalk, but that joy is ripped away from me as I'm pulled back

und. Raya hasn't stopped cal

forearms in the hopes it'll get me out of his ho

pressed firmly against his chest. He doesn't seem fazed by the stru

my mouth and nose. My body goes limp in his arms as all the fight leaves me, fo