Page 83 of Trick or Stalk

And in that moment, I know that seeing her through a window will never feel the same again.

It’ll never be enough.

Finally, I force myself to back away until I reach the doorway.

I take one long, lingering look before I turn and creep down the stairs, through the darkened house, and into the kitchen.

I pull open the back door and step onto the porch. I close the door behind me until I hear the click. I test it once, twisting the knob, to make sure it caught.

Good. She’s safe now.

But not from me.

My gaze drops to the ridiculous Halloween rug beneath my boots.

Twenty-eight dollars.

I shake my head.

Then I walk back to the trail and disappear into the woods.

White vapor comes from my lips as I move. It’s much colder in Hollow Creek than where I used to live.

I shove my hands in my pockets, lost in thought as I head toward the shitty cabin I share with Wilder.

I thought getting closer to her would satisfy whatever the hell this craving is.

It didn't.

It made it worse.

Now I know what Presley looks like when she sleeps. And I want to see her that way again.

Tomorrow night.

And the night after that.

Every fucking night.

CHAPTER 14

Presley

By eleven fifteen, I’ve looked at the door seventeen times.

Not that I’m counting.

The bell above The Crooked Spine’s front door jingles, and my head snaps up.

An elderly man walks inside.

I immediately look back at the stack of books in front of me.

Pathetic.

Penny lifts her head from the bed Margaret brought in for her this morning.

“You don’t need to get up.”