Chapter 5 #2
I elbow my sister as we continue to run, and she pretends to stagger sideways before giving me a playful shove.
We enjoy each other’s company more than we did as kids.
We bickered but never got into real arguments—our parents would never allow it.
We had little in common until we both went away to college.
I’d learned to live with my homesickness in Britain, so Heidi would call me whenever she wanted to leave the States and go back to Germany her first year. We got closer then.
“Do you and Friedrich want to come over for dinner tonight?”
I check my watch. With the pace I just set, I might have time to treat myself to a pastry on the way to work.
“I’ll ask, but I don’t see why not.”
We reach our cars parked side-by-side. A quick hug, and we’re both off. As I pull out of the lot, I can no longer doubt the man is Jorge. He’s looking right at me.
He’s stalking me.
I didn’t see his face at the grocery store, yet he let me see him while I was running with my sister. Coincidence could explain the park, just like dinner. But I’ve sensed him everywhere.
I just haven’t seen him again.
I went out with some girlfriends last night, and I’m certain he was at the restaurant and then the bar. I felt like someone was watching throughout dinner. I tried to inconspicuously look around, but I didn’t spot him. I just knew.
I tried to walk past him at the bar as though I was on the way to the restroom, but he blended into the crowd.
I don’t get how since he’s a big guy—tall with massively wide shoulders.
He could’ve been an American football player in college for how muscular he is.
He may have been nice to look at but knowing he’s watching me is creeping me out.
“Anne, we can wait for your rideshare to show up.”
I’m out on the town for a second night in a row—such a wild life I lead.
My friend Marie is the mother hen in the group.
She always tells us not to walk alone at night, to always share our location when we get rides, and not to drink anything you didn’t see the bartender open.
As though, at our ages, any of us have forgotten.
But we know why she’s that way. We visited her in the hospital after she was attacked and assaulted in college.
“Thanks, but I’m all right. The sidewalk is still busy, and it’s well lit. I’ll wait until they pull up directly in front of me.”
“If you’re sure…”
“I am, Marta.”
Marta’s Marie’s sister, so she’s just as vigilant.
She’s the one who called the rest of us and told us what happened.
I flew back from the England. It taught me to be far more cautious, so that’s why sensing Jorge around me is freaking me out.
I’m pretty certain he came outside when he saw us gathering our coats. He’s lurking somewhere around here.
My friends take off as I jam my hands in my pockets. It’s extra brisk tonight, so I have my chin tucked against the wind. I’m still watching my surroundings, but my head isn’t on a swivel.
Motherfucker. Grrr.
My ride just pulled past me despite me waving. My hand just got warm. I watch him stop a block away. I wait for reverse lights, praying he doesn’t decide to circle the block and leave me out here longer. I definitely don’t want him to leave.
Of course, I tell my friends I’ll wait right here. Fucking hell.
When the driver does nothing, I hurry up the block.
As I cross a narrow street that’s more like an alley, I notice a shadow against the wall I approach.
I can’t tell what it is, but it could definitely be a person.
I sprint to the waiting car. I hear someone step out behind me, but I don’t look back.
I don’t want to give them the time to get closer.
Tonight’s not the night to confront anyone.
My heart’s pounding as I practically slam the door.
“Anneliese?”
“Ya.”
I twist to look back through the rear window as the driver confirms who I am.
I watch a man in front of a couple walking away from me.
I can’t tell anything about him besides there’s a person ahead of them who’s taller than most. I suppose it could be Jorge, but this has to be too much even for him.
Do I have a genuine stalker?
Do I think way too much of myself to believe I do?
Would he really go to such extremes to see if I’m the leak?
If it is Jorge, why?
I sit back with my eyes closed as I calm myself.
By the time I reach my home, I’m not terrified.
Unnerved, yes. Ready to panic, no. I thank the driver and get out.
I look around for anything unusual. It’s my normal quiet neighborhood.
I head toward my building’s front door as a car inches out of a parking spot.
That’s odd. At this time of night, you’d expect someone to come home, not leave.
As I prepare to put the fob against the pad, I turn back to look at the vehicle. The car’s windows appear tinted darker than usual. I step into the lobby of my apartment building and let the door close. The car drives past slower than it should, as though the occupant might be watching me.
I’m going nowhere alone unless it’s the middle of the day, and the sun is shining.