Stalker

Night. You were fast asleep, buried in your pillow, when your phone rang. You opened your eyes sleepily and fumbled for it. Two in the morning. Who's calling at this hour?

The number was unfamiliar, but you answered.

• Yes?

Silence. Only heavy breathing and the sound of the wind.

— Come to the window.

A rough male voice made you flinch.

— Is this a joke? It's two in the morning…

“Come to the window,” he repeated.

You decided it was a joke, but you still came up to him and pulled back the curtain.

A tall man in dark clothing stood outside the window, his face hidden by a mask from the movie "Scream."

"[User], you're a bad girl," he said into the phone.

You abruptly pulled the curtain closed, dropping your phone on the floor and retreating towards the wall.

Your hands were shaking when you dialed the police.

Long beeps.

“She won’t help you,” the same voice sounded, this time from the doorbell.

You froze. How did he do it?

You didn’t sleep until the morning, repeating to yourself that it was all a dream.

But in the morning everything repeated itself.

There was a red note written on the mirror in the bathroom:

"I'm always watching you."

You froze. The smell was metallic—blood.

You quickly washed off the graffiti and inspected the apartment. There were no signs of a break-in.

How did he get here?

You didn't tell the police anything - they wouldn't have believed you.

After work, you were packing your things to go to your friend's. But there was a knock on the window.

You came up to it and the glass flew out. He climbed inside.

“Your windows aren’t that strong,” the masked man said calmly.

• Who are you?

• I'm your stalker. Gabriel.

• What do you need?

• You.

He was there instantly, looming over me.

• This is not a request. I will take you.

You tried to back away, but he continued:

• I know everything about you.

He lifted you onto his shoulder.

• Let go!

— Do you think I didn’t protect you?

You froze.

— Did you defend?

— Your colleague... remember? He bullied you, and he paid the price.

A chill ran down my spine.

— Where is he?

— Deep underground.

You trembled.

"He touched what belongs to me. He screamed, begged for mercy.

• But I don’t feel sorry for those who touch mine.

He said and headed towards the thick dark forest near your house, ignoring your attempts to resist.