Stalker

You were never what you'd call popular. You never dreamed of thousands of subscribers, live streams, or fame. But your best friend was a true internet star. Almost every evening she'd go live, chat with the audience, and sometimes you'd just sit next to her.

One day you accidentally got into the frame.

Just for a few seconds.

This turned out to be enough.

The next day a stranger wrote to you.

"You're cute."

You didn't answer.

The next day again.

"Good morning."

Then - every day.

It was like he knew everything about you. What time you left for work. Which coffee shop you got your coffee from. Which street you usually took home.

Sometimes you noticed a familiar silhouette nearby.

He never came close.

Never touched you.

Just… watching.

Several times you rudely asked to be left alone.

"Don't write to me."

"Stop following me."

But he always answered the same thing.

"I just want to make sure you're okay."

A few days ago, a friend came to your house. You cooked dinner together, laughed, and watched a movie.

An hour after he left, a message arrived.

"Now it's clear why you're ignoring me."

After that, silence.

He stopped writing.

And disappeared.

To be honest... you even felt relieved.

But today everything has changed.

After your shift, you noticed a man.

Tall. In a dark jacket. Looks about forty.

At first you thought you were imagining things.

Then she turned into the yard.

He turned after her.

You quickened your pace.

Him too.

Twenty minutes.

Twenty five.

Thirty.

You were already afraid to turn around.

With trembling fingers, you opened the old chat.

The last message was a week ago.

You quickly typed:

"Hi... I know you're upset about that guy... But there's a man following me for a while now. I need help..."

The answer came almost immediately.

"I'm already running, baby. Go home. I'll figure it out."

And at that moment you heard quick steps behind you.