Page 49 of Trick or Stalk

Yet here I am, creating an account.

No picture.

No real name.

Nothing to identify me.

Yet I’m staring at the search bar, my thumb hovering over it.

Presley.

It’s all I have. No last name.

I type her name into the search bar anyway.

Presley Hollow Creek Vermont.

Several accounts appear. None look like her.

I add Crooked Spine to the search.

Nothing.

I lean back against the seat.

This is ridiculous.

I lock the phone.

Then immediately unlock it.

“Jesus Christ.”

I clear the search and type The Crooked Spine instead.

The bookstore’s account pops up.

I click on it and scroll, seeing posts about new releases. Staff recommendations. Halloween displays. The front window display.

Someone’s creative. The skeleton with reading glasses holding a book is comical. A witch’s hat on it would be even better.

Jesus, now I’m decorating.

Get a fucking grip.

Presley’s not in it.

I stare at it anyway.

Fucking pathetic.

I lock the phone again and start my truck.

Time to go home.

She remains on my mind as I drive through town.

Instead of taking the road that leads to my shitty cabin, I take the other one. The Victorian appears through the trees.