Chapter 1
Kitlyn
The last three months' drama frayed my nerves. Even though my mystery stalker has backed off these past few weeks, I'm still not feeling warm and fuzzy. I don't think he's done with me.
I feel jumpy and out of sorts today. For some reason, I feel full of doom and gloom. Thoughts like that send me over the edge. I called my best friend Becca. I needed someone to talk to before I went crazy. After three rings, she finally answered.
"Hey, Kit…how are things going with the case? Do the police have any leads?"
Caller ID was a great invention. I don't know how older generations lived without it.
I love knowing who's on the other end, so I can decide whether or not I want to talk to the person.
A knot formed in my throat, and my heart is fluttering.
My body is super jittery. I need to get some shit off my chest. I took a deep breath, exhaling into the phone.
"I don't know, Becca; they don't know who this nut job is. I am nervous about this guy, but I am not willing to uproot my whole life because of some creep who likes to beat the shit out of any man who shows an interest in me."
My bestie laughed. "You mean all the men that are interested in you, Ms. Kitlyn Menard? You're a hottie, and you know it."
I sighed, feeling a slight blush warm my cheeks. "Oh, come on, Beck, that isn't true."
My friend cackled again. "I beg to differ. No matter where the hell we go, they all flock around you. It's like you have some sort of power over the opposite sex."
I shrugged even though my friend couldn't see me. "I think you're crazy, Becca. It isn’t like you’re chopped liver yourself. Many guys are attracted to your red hair and blue eyes, and your freckles are adorable, so spare me.”
Becca snorted on the other end.
“Maybe, Kit, but men fawn all over you, and you know it.”
I inhaled deeply. I didn’t take compliments very well.
It made me feel uncomfortable.
“Thanks for the analogy of my sex appeal, but let's get back on track. Every guy I have come in contact with has gotten the shit kicked out of them by some psychopath who has been harassing me."
I huffed, feeling frustrated.
“How about Brian? The stalker knocked him out in the parking lot of the restaurant we visited. The creep must have been watching us because Brian and I had fought, and he left before me. When I walked to the car, he was out cold on the concrete. I’m not saying he didn’t deserve to get punched in the face because he was an asshole, but it was still unnerving. And what about Gary?"
I had to take another breath because I was getting angrier the more I talked about it.
" He sustained a concussion a month before when we were at the club. He yelled and pushed me into the table. When Gary left, he was assaulted in the parking lot and ended up in the hospital. It's terrifying to know that someone is watching my every move."
Becca's voice took on a serious tone.
"Well, those two idiots were losers. They deserved what they got. Moron one and two."
I agreed with her, but that still didn't make it right.
I droned on and on in my best friend’s ear.
"I changed my cell number three times, Beck, and he always gets his hands on them.
It's annoying to call all my contacts to update them with the new one every time I change it.
I have filed multiple police reports since this nightmare began.
They can't help me. I am at a dead end. There seems to be no more options. I'm not sure what to do at this point."
Becca took a deep breath.
“You can always stay with me, Kit. I have plenty of room for you and Tuna."
Her offer was sweet, but I would not take it.
Her safety was my primary concern.
"I appreciate it, Beck, but I don't want to involve you in my problems. Things will work out somehow. I am twenty-three years old; I should be able to use my head and resolve the issue at some point."
"Shit, Kit, I don't mind helping you out with your problem. You are like a sister to me, and if anything happened to you, I don't know what I would do."
I shook my head, biting my lower lip. "Becca, I love you like a sister, too, but there's no way you're getting involved with my stalker issues.
It could be dangerous dealing with a mentally unstable nut job.
I won't put your life at risk too. Besides, I feel better now that I've received my blue card and I've been approved for a concealed carry permit.
Becca inhaled sharply. "Ooh, I'm glad your permit finally came in." She said excitedly.
"Yeah, me too. I bought a revolver for protection.
I've been going to the gun range this past week to learn how to use it.
I must be a natural because I picked up quickly.
I am a pretty good shot, if I say so myself.
I carry it with me every time I go out, and it's never far from my reach when I am in the house. " Becca whistled.
"You go, girl! I'm glad you're taking lessons."
I exhaled, then sucked in another breath.
"You and me both. Even though the creep hasn't been around to bug me for the last few weeks, I'm not taking any chances. Maybe he's tired of me by now. Who knows? What I know is, if he steps foot in my house, I will shoot him."
Yeah, right? I will probably shit my pants or accidentally shoot myself. Becca took another deep breath. Her voice was strong, sending positive vibes.
"I am proud of you; at least you are taking the initiative. Did you finally get the cameras installed? I know you said you would make an appointment to do it the other day."
I cleared my throat.
"Yes, I did. I have one in my bedroom, the den, the backyard, the front yard, and the kitchen. God forbid if he comes here. There's no way he's getting past this fortress."
Becca was smacking her lips and chewing loudly on the other end. I cringe at the offending sounds. I can't stand it when someone eats like a goddamn cow. It drives me nuts! I wanted to tell her to chew with her mouth closed, but I didn't.
"What are you eating over there?" I asked.
She giggled. "I am chowing down on leftover Chinese ribs. I'm sorry if I sound like a pig.”
She would probably get upset if she knew how annoyed I was by her manners. I kept quiet and walked over to my window, peeking to see if anyone was hiding in the dark. It wasn't like I could see much anyway, but it made me feel better about checking, just in case.
"Well, Beck, I am going to let you go. Finish your Chinese. I will call you tomorrow." She was sucking her teeth in my ear, and it was driving me crazy!
"OK, Kit Kat, please be careful, and if you need me, please call anytime."
I thanked her for being a good friend and hung up.
It's almost nine O'clock. It is pitch black outside except for the porch light.
This is the time when my imagination plays tricks on me.
It certainly doesn't help that I live in a desolate area in Chepachet, R.I.
I am surrounded by woods everywhere; even the main road is dirt and rocks.
There isn't a soul around. My closest neighbor is about a mile away. Maybe I was insane not to move into the city when this all began, but I didn't want to have to change my whole life for a crazy person.
I liked it out here. Plus, I lived close to Becca and had gotten used to the nightlife in the local clubs. Not to mention, it was peaceful in the suburbs. Becca is like a sister to me. I have no close relatives left.
I will not move away from her. My grandmother on my dad’s side left me the property, and it’s paid for.
No, I wasn’t going anywhere. That's why I bought the firearm and started practicing.
I needed protection if I wanted to live out here in East patootie.
The gun was the perfect solution to my dilemma.
I'm feeling pretty good about myself right now. I shake my fist in the air, screaming out loud.
“Try to fuck with me now, Dark Knight. I'll shoot you between the fucking eyes!!”
Although that sounds very intimidating coming out of my mouth, and I feel super confident now, it is much easier to feel like I have balls the size of King Kong when no one else is here besides me and Tuna. I honestly wouldn't know what to do if the creep broke in.
I am sure I could kill him if I had to. The consequences may render me a basket case for the rest of my life, but if it comes to me or him, I choose me.
I would defend myself immediately if threatened.
Maybe I would take pity on him and shoot his dick off, allowing him to live.
No dick means no sex, and that would stop him from ever bothering anyone else again.
I highly doubt he would embrace a urostomy because I blew his pecker off! He would never fuck or piss out of his dirty dick again. I tilted my head back, laughing.
I think I am hilarious when, in all reality, it wasn't even funny.
When I am nervous, I use humor to calm myself down.
I saw a shrink on and off throughout my later teens when I was having some difficulty dealing with my mother and life in general.
I asked her why I would laugh and joke at inappropriate times, such as a wake.
People must have thought I was off my rocker when I burst into a fit of giggles at a relative’s eulogy. I felt less like a freak once she told me why I displayed this behavior. It was a coping mechanism I used to deal with stress.
When I am incredibly nervous, I can't stop with the comebacks. No matter how dire the situation is, my wit seems to kick into high gear. I churn out smart-ass responses in quick succession. I don't always use this tactic, but I do it most of the time. It's just how I deal with stress.
If I am really pissed off, I have one hell of a hard time keeping my big mouth shut. I am very independent and can be a smart-ass when someone annoys me. I can't help it.
I guess this is just the way our Lord and Savior made me. Hopefully, the psycho won't bother me anymore, and I can get back to my life without being so paranoid.