Page 19 of Mine To Hunt

"It's... everything." I start, my voice cracking on the first word.

The words tumble out then, a flood I can't dam up anymore. From the first creepy text about my blue shirt, to the sandwich under my desk that proved someone was watching every move, to Ryan's shouts and that cruel jab about my parents' accident being my fault.

I tell them about the photos of him with other women, the way his hands gripped too tight during arguments, the threats from the stalker that kept me silent. And then the video.

The one that crossed every line, capturing me naked and vulnerable in what was supposed to be my private space. By the time I finish, my throat aches from the telling, and tears stream down my face unchecked.

Maddie sits frozen on the arm of my chair, her hand gripping my shoulder so tightly it might bruise.

“Jesus Christ, Ree.” She whispers.

Her face is pale as milk as she wipes at her eyes.

“A camera? In your shower? That’s not just stalking. That’s a felony.”

She shakes her head, disbelief flooding her voice.

“And Ryan… God. Why didn’t you say something sooner? We could’ve helped. We could’ve gotten you out of there weeks ago.”

Al is pacing in front of the coffee table, fists clenched at his sides. Anger rolls off him like heat from a fire.

“This is insane.” He runs a hand through his hair, shaking his head. “Is your asshole boyfriend trying to play house with half the city?”

He stops and looks straight at me. “And what about this stalker? These messages you’ve been getting. How long has that been going on?”

I wipe my nose with the sleeve of my jacket.

“You thought we wouldn’t believe you?” He continues, his voice tightening. “Or what? That we’d laugh it off?”

“I didn’t…”

“Iris,” he cuts in, softer now but no less intense, “you’re our family.” He gestures between himself and Maddie. “We would’ve burned the world down for you.”

My chest tightens.

“I thought it was a prank at first.” I admit quietly. “Some idiot from class messing with me.”

Maddie frowns.

“The texts started light.” I continue. “And I didn’t want to drag you two into my paranoia. By the time the video came… I was too scared to even breathe wrong.”

Al’s jaw tightens. “That freak threatened you?”

“He said if I told anyone,” I whisper, “you’d get hurt.”

Maddie goes still. “What?”

“He said if I went to the cops… or told you guys… you’d be next.”

Silence fills the room. Then Maddie suddenly stands, grabbing my hands and pulling me up with her. “Screw that.”

Her green eyes flash with fierce determination. “No more hiding, Ree.”

She squeezes my hands. “We’re going to the police. Right now.”

“Mads…”

“A stalker installed a camera in your home.” She continues. “That's an invasion on steroids.”