Page 156 of Trick or Stalk

I donated my pumpkin to a little girl who seemed to love it despite its constipated expression.

Maybe I can buy some pumpkins and practice carving at home. Set a few on my porch like Michael Myers⁠—

Nope. Not thinking about horror movies.

I’m on a self-imposed ban.

Cold air bites through my coat. I shove my hands into my pockets and start toward Bramble & Bean.

I'm farther from the coffee shop than I realized.

Of course.

Apparently, my terrible sense of direction gets even worse after dark.

“Presley.”

I turn to see Caleb behind me.

He jogs toward me.

“Oh. Hey.”

“Heading home?”

“In a bit. I need to pick up Penny.”

“I can walk with you.”

“That’s okay.”

“It’s late.”

“It’s only a few blocks.”

“I don’t mind.”

“I’m good. Really.”

His smile stays in place. But something about it feels different now.

“I don’t mind.”

I’m getting annoyed. “That’s okay. Night.”

I turn away and start walking faster.

Footsteps sound behind me.

I glance back to find Caleb trailing me.

Jesus. Can’t he take a hint?

I whip around, walking even faster.

His footsteps speed up behind me.

My stomach tightens.