Page 76 of Someone Just Followed You

Dylan: You’re doing fine. No one expects you to be word perfect when your daughter’s missing.

Garrett: You know, just on that, could I say something direct to Maple? In case she’s watching?

Dylan: Of course. The floor’s yours.

Garrett: Okay, thanks. Um, Maple, first of all, I hope you’re safe. Off having fun somewhere, flipping the bird to me and your mom, because we deserve it, no question there. But I also really hope that you’ll come home soon, forgive me, let me show you just how much I love you. Because you’re my daughter, Maple. My firstborn. I haven’t always been there for you, not in the way I should have been, but that all changes today. Because you’re my daughter. You hear that?

Dylan: You know, I think Maple will appreciate that, Mr Clarke. But that’s not the only thing you came here to say, is it?

Garrett: No, it isn’t.

Dylan: Sorry, do you need a moment?

Garrett: No. It’s just hard, you know. It feels like I’m betraying the woman I’m supposed to love. But I know deep down that she doesn’t deserve my loyalty. And if telling your subscribers about Blake, and what he’s been doing, if that might trigger some recognition, and get me one step closer to figuring out where Maple might be, I’m gonna take it.

Dylan: And I appreciate that; we all do. But now of course everyone wants to know who Blake is.

Garrett: Yeah, okay, here goes. My wife, Maple’s mom, Kirsten, has been talking to a guy called Blake on Telegram, at least I’m assuming it’s a guy, although I doubt that’s his real name. He says he runs a modeling agency in New York, but he hasn’t given any other details, so I’m pretty sure that’s bullshit too. And he’s asked for photos of Maple. Recent ones, and … and past ones. From when Maple was a little girl.

Dylan: Did Blake ask for anything else?

Garrett: Yeah. He said he was in Vegas for work a few weeks ago, and he asked if Kirsten would take Maple there to meet him. Except not a proper meeting. He wanted to take Maple to see a show, just the two of them. She didn’t go, and I’d love to think that’s because my wife prioritized Maple’s safety. But then she sent the holiday photos after that, so I guess not. The comms stopped then, but I’m scared that’s because he got to Maple a different way. Men like that don’t suddenly grow a conscience, do they?

Dylan: Our gut is shouting loud that Blake is not a good guy, and that he wanted Maple’s photos for gross reasons, to jerk off to or whatever. We’re also really worried that he’s involved in her disappearance. So if any of you know who this dude is, or if he’s ever slid into your DMs asking for similar things, please, please get in touch. And just to remind you, he may have connections to Vegas.

Garrett: My daughter’s missing. And now I find out that some sick pedo has been chasing her for weeks. I don’t know for sure if it’s connected – and I hope with all my heart that it’s not – but if you’ve got any info that might help, anything at all, we’d really appreciate if you could let us know.

Dylan: And of course, if you’ve seen Maple in the last two days, let us know that too.

Chapter 89

Kirsten

@JackDwight888, TikTok

Just watched Maple’s dad totally destroy his wife on YouTube. Man, that family is fucked up. And I bet this is just the tip of the iceberg. Get the fucking popcorn in, guys

The room spins around me. I grip the kitchen countertop to stop myself from falling, but it’s pointless. Because I’m already falling. Hurtling down a treacherous ravine toward hell on Earth. A lonely divorcee. A social media pariah. Canceled.

How could Garrett do this to me? At my most vulnerable, I trusted him with my terrible secret. But instead of offering sympathy, he took my children, then told the world about my one mistake. Without telling them how much I love Maple. How desperately I want her back.

The video has finished uploading now. There for anyone to watch, now and forever. Unless I can convince Dylan to take it down. Or Maple, if she ever comes back to me. The comments are multiplying too. Tens, hundreds, soon there will be thousands. Thousands of people who will blame me for this. Not Blake, the sick freak who started the conversation, but me. A mom who just wanted the world for her daughter.

I shouldn’t read the comments. But, like some form of self-torture, I do.

WTAF? Some women shouldn’t be allowed to have kids

I thought we’d peaked with psycho influencer moms, but clearly not

Sending photos of a child on Telegram? Isn’t that a crime?

I used to love their Mom & Maple content. Can’t believe it must all have been fake

That vile bitch deserves to die for this

I slam down my laptop screen, then eye my phone. I can’t remember the last time I turned it off completely. There might be a message from Maple on there, asking for me to go collect her from wherever she’s been hiding out.

I grab it, turn it on, almost certain now that there’ll be something from my daughter.