Page 154 of Trick or Stalk

My hand stops.

I turn my head, eyes searching the crowd.

And then I see him.

He’s across the street, between two groups of people.

His masked face is turned directly toward me.

My stomach drops.

I look at Caleb to see if he noticed.

But he’s busy carving his pumpkin.

When I turn back to that spot... he’s gone.

People move past vendor booths.

A woman wearing a witch hat pushes a stroller.

Teenagers laugh near a cider stand.

But there’s no masked man dressed in black.

“Everything okay?”

I realize Caleb is watching me.

“Yeah.” I force a smile. “Thought I saw someone I knew.”

Technically true.

Well, sort of.

I turn back to my pumpkin.

My hand isn't as steady as it was before.

An hour later, I see him again.

This time, he’s near the edge of the crowd.

He stands out because he’s so tall and broad.

He’s wearing a black hoodie and the same white mask, looking directly at me.

My breath catches.

Someone walks between us carrying a giant stuffed spider.

When they pass⁠—

He’s gone.

I stand, my chair scraping against the pavement.

“Presley?”