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Just then, Derek returns with the coffees, handing me mine with a curious look on his face. "Everything okay?" he asks.
I force a smile, not wanting to involve him in this just yet. "Yeah, just an old friend. Nothing to worry about."
Derek seems unconvinced but doesn’t press further. We walk back into the office, and I can’t help but feel the burden of the truth or dare game lingering in the back of my mind as we wait for the elevator.
Stepping inside to head back up, my phone buzzes again in my hand.
I frown at the message, a little unsure I want to know where this is going.
Fuck. I think I just stopped breathing. My head feels light and dizzy. I focus back on the phone again as another message comes through.
My heart pounds in my chest, and a sense of dread washes over me. They were watching me?
Chapter 5
Alex
Itakeadeepbreath, trying to regain my composure. I couldn't let it show how this affected me. Derek is still beside me, and I can’t risk him seeing these messages. I quickly pocket my phone and pretend nothing is wrong.
Internally, however, I am having a panic attack.
I try to push the rising panic down, reminding myself to stay composed and focused. Derek glances at me with a concerned expression, but I quickly force a smile, hoping he wouldn't pick up on my distress.
As we enter the office, I excuse myself, claiming that I need to make a quick phone call. Hurrying down a hall and into an empty room, I close the door behind me and take a few deep breaths, attempting to steady my racing heart.
Once I feel somewhat more collected, I retrieve my phone from my pocket and examine the messages again. The unsettling words echo in my mind
I am torn between fear and arousal that they watched me during such an intimate act. That they had somehow been in my personal space without me knowing and seen me pleasuring myself.
I know I can’t let those emotions cloud my judgment. I have to remain focused on the task at hand. Taking a deep breath, I compose myself and prepare to respond.
I type a reply, keeping my words as neutral as possible:
The response comes almost immediately:
I know I have to tread carefully. These murderers are testing me, pushing my limits, and toying with my emotions. But I can’t let them see how much their messages affect me. I have to maintain control.
Playing along is my best option for the moment. I do not want them to disappear.
The phone buzzes again.
That dizzy feeling is back again. They could see me even now?
I suddenly feel like I am drowning. They really would know if I told anyone. They would disappear at the first hint of me going against their wishes. I close my eyes and take a moment to breathe and slow my racing heart. They were right; I do need to get back out to the main room so as to not draw more attention.
It is a dangerous game I am about to play.
As I step out of the room in order to rejoin Derek, I keep my phone close, ready to respond if they send another message. I can’t afford to let my guard down. The case just took a personal turn, and I need to stay vigilant.
Michael and Emma are in the hallway talking quietly between themselves. Their voices come to a stop as soon as they see me and Emma sends a forced smile in my direction as Michael walks away.
“Hey Alex, we just left our updated reports on the latest victim with Derek,” she says simply before following after Michael and disappearing.
Entering the main office Derek glances at me, concern evident in his eyes. "Is everything okay, Alex? You seem a bit off."
I give him a reassuring smile, trying to mask the turmoil inside me. "Just a personal matter. I'll be fine. Let's get back to work."
Derek nods, accepting my response for now. We resume our investigation, poring over the reports, as well as the new information from Michael and Emma, and looking for any leads that could help us track down the killers. The messages from the unknown sender linger in the back of my mind, but I push them aside, channeling my energy into the task at hand.
