Page 157 of Trick or Stalk

Don't panic.

Maybe his car is this way.

Or maybe he has to go this direction to get home.

Maybe—

“Presley.”

I don't stop.

“Hey.”

I take off in a jog, my heart thudding faster. I told him I’m good. Yet he’s still following me.

There’s an alley ahead that cuts behind several stores and comes out half a block from Bramble & Bean.

I shouldn't take it.

Every horror movie I've ever watched screams that I shouldn't.

But it’s a shortcut to where I need to go.

I look over my shoulder. Caleb is closer.

“Shit.”

I turn sharply and duck into the alley.

Dim light spills from one security lamp above a back door. Brick walls rise on either side. Trash cans line one edge. The far opening seems much farther away than I remember.

This was a stupid idea.

Footsteps enter the alley behind me.

My pulse spikes.

I look over my shoulder, walking away from the sound⁠—

And slam into something solid.

A scream catches in my throat.

Hands grip my upper arms before I fall.

I jerk my head up.

A white masked face stares down at me, empty eyes boring into mine.

My heart stops. “No⁠—”

“Don’t scream.” The voice is wrong. Mechanical and distorted, like he’s using some type of voice-changing device.

A shiver tears through me.

But I’m not sure it’s just fear that’s rolling through me.

My eyes rake over him.