“Cole, and no can do. I stay until you leave.”
“Alright. Can you at least stand outside?”
“It’s not preferable.” He retorts, looking even more irritated than before I asked.
“Okay fine. But I have cleaning to do, and I like to listen to music while I do it.”
He shrugs, and finds a seat in the booth closest to him, flopping down unceremoniously. “By all means, pretend I’m not here.”
Fat chance of that happening now when it's just the two of us in here. Letting out an annoyed breath I turn on my playlist and begin cleaning. Getting lost in the music, I don’t realize how fast time moves. The next thing I know, I’m walking to my car with grumpy-Cole behind me.
“You know,” I state, “I can walk myself, there’s no need to follow me.”
“Unfortunately, I do. Trust me, I’m not pleased about this job, and less happy that I have to walk you to your car.” His pissed off tone has me turning toward him, almost slamming into his body.
“I didn’t realize that was part of abouncer'sjob.” I huff, mutually displeased.
“Yeah, me either. Car.” He juts his chin toward where I’m parked.Damn, I never did get the chance to move it.
Jeez, this guy is an ass.I climb in and turn the engine over until it purrs to life. Cole makes his way over to his own vehicle, disappearing inside of the cab seconds before the headlights illuminate from him starting it. I’m sitting here, glaring at him, when the asshole flashes the high-beams at me, signaling for me to pull off. Rolling my eyes, I put the car in drive and exit the parking lot, relieved when I see Cole head in the opposite direction.
Once I’m home and freshly showered once again, I drag myself to my bed. My nap earlier was enough to get me through the night, but now I feel like I could sleep for a week. Sliding under the covers, I pull out my phone and open the app for my cameras. I am determined to catch whatever it is that’s been lurking around my house the last two nights. Even if it’s just an animal, I don't like feeling uneasy in my own home. I made a promise to myself a long time ago that I never would again, and even if it’s just Bambi and his friends getting braver, I need to know what’s outside my house.
I pull up the cameras one by one and watch intently, combing through the footage for hours, forgoing the sleep I desperately wanted. I watch, pause, rewind and rewatch each recording. I try again to zoom in on the figure that’s moving in the treeline but I still cannot make out what it is.
With a frustrated groan, I toss the phone to the end of the bed and drag my hands along my face.This can’t be happening.Doubt begins to gnaw at me—maybe I’m losing it. Maybe the time I’ve spent secluded is starting to catch up with me and playing mind tricks. I try to bat that thought away as quickly as it comes in, but my inability to decipher what it is on the footage tells me I’m paranoid.
Glancing at the clock on my nightstand, five a.m. stares at me in bright bold red numbers.Son of a bitch.Two hours looking at nothing. Sitting up, I snatch my phone from the foot of the bed and put it on the charger once I set my alarms for a few hours from now. Cursing myself for worrying and remembering Ashlynn is supposed to be coming over.
Getting comfortable on the mattress, I pull the covers up to my chin and start dozing when I hear it, barely audible but it’s there.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
Footsteps. On the deck, just outside the french doors of my bedroom. Shooting up, I reach into the nightstand and grab my weapon. Ensuring it is loaded as I stomp over to the doors. Now I’m pissed off. I just spent hours losing sleep, looking for proof and came up empty handed. My obsession with the damn cameras almost had me feeling like I was losing my mind.
Jerking a cardigan off the back of the chair sitting next to the doors, I shove my feet into a pair of slippers at warp speed.
I’ve got you now.
Unlocking the doors, I yank them wide open. The framed glass bounces off the walls, making both rattle and shudder with the force. Jumping onto the porch with my weapon raised, I scan the deck as my heart hammers in my chest, threatening to claw its way into my throat. Following a brief pause, I cautiously creep in the direction I heard the steps shuffle. My body presses against the corner of the house when I come to the end, using it as cover in the event something is lingering around the edge. Drawing in deep breath then holding it, I look around the corner and my body sags. There’s nothing.
There is no way!
My face heats and I let out a strangled scream. How is there nothing? I know what the hell I saw, I know what I heard! I’m not going insane, there’s something out here. I step off the porch and begin to walk around the house, looking at the ground as I hunt for any kind of evidence that I’m not losing my shit. Every few steps I look up and survey the tree line that surrounds my house, then continue my security check.
After I secure the entirety of the tree line, house perimeter, and walking to the end of the driveway to see if there’s maybe a car I haven’t seen before, I once again come up empty. Which is bullshit, I will find whatever is out here lurking like a damn phantom.
Storming my way back inside, I slam the doors shut, lock them and head straight back to the cameras.
Nothing.
Hot, scalding tears threaten to spill over my bottom lashes when my throat starts tightening to the point of pain. Shoving my face into the mattress, I scream until my throat loosens and starts to burn as I run out of oxygen. The thought that someone’s watching me is bothersome, but the idea that I am losing my mind is beyond terrifying. I have fought for too long—built myself back up piece by shattered piece and I’ll be damned if I’m going to allow myself to lose it now.
Somehow I manage to calm my racing heart and put a stop to the tears that are trying to escape. Their silence leaves a gaping void in my chest but I refuse to let weakness show when something is watching me so intently. Finally, black takes over my vision as the adrenaline wears off and I pass out.
