Love Me in the Dark

RIVER

Our dinner would have surprised me if he asked me a bunch of questions, but I was deeply grateful that he did not push the issue. We ate in peace. I couldn’t live another day with another humiliation than I already had, so I limited my words to thank you and good night. I was not fishing for a compliment, but he did not even comment on my pot roast, considering he knew his way in the kitchen.

I learn something about Krew that probably only a few people knew about it. He disliked pitch black. His house was a showroom. I didn’t have to wonder if he preferred lights on over lights off. Whoa! Where did that come from? Why did I have to think of something obscene? Utterly inappropriate for an employee. He also clearly detested mashed potatoes. He didn’t drink anymore, and it was a real winner.

He called it a night early, but for sure, he would go back to his boring office and work his ass off. I, on the other hand, went to my room after I helped to tidy up his spotless kitchen.

Suddenly, nostalgia hit me in the butt—my life had drastically changed in a matter of a day when I decided to run away than facing my own nightmare as Krew would put it.

I doubled check the windows and bathroom, drew the curtain close, and took a deep breath before I got into my new bed.

I knew for a fact that I would not win against Briar. When I talked to the cops, they looked at me as if I was insane. Who would believe me anyway? I was a nobody. Considering what I had done to the Selik in the past, they must have heard about it, and they never took my complaint as a serious matter.

Krew tightened his security systems, added cameras, and chose a room closer to his. I felt a lot safer around him than for the past few weeks of my life. I was grateful, despite what I had done to him, he gave me safety and security that anyone could never do.

I checked the time on my new phone before I closed my eyes. It was only past ten.

I ran and ran into the woods like a mortally wounded animal. It was dark. The icy breeze bristled against my skin, prickling me.  

The pine trees were thick, shadowing the light as I blindly ran through the path. The light seemed out of reach. I was running out of air, my lungs constricting.

Under the new moon, a shadow kept following me. I could sense him—he was closer, so close that I could feel him behind me. I didn’t know why I knew he was a man. It seemed that I knew him, but if there was one thing I was sure of, he was dangerous.

I kept going. Something in my head told me to keep going, and that was what I did. Until I missed my step against the root protruded on the ground. I tripped, and he caught me.

“No!”

warm against my cold skin, considering he was just chasing me, and he was real. The man was absolutely real, and the smell

his own heartbeat. I could smell him. It was his smell—pine, woodsy, and comforting. “It’s okay. It was just

crying, and terrified. I was also sweating, yet he was holding me tight, running his fingers through my hair. It was too late to realize that I was gripping him, hugging him back as

Crap.

that he was here when I needed someone to hold on to. I wiped away the beads of sweat around my forehead and blinked away the embarrassment,

Krew up, probably from screaming. I could feel my

do this. I couldn’t keep doing

morning.” Those were the first words that came out of

are you talking about? Why?”

can’t do this to you.” I pulled the blanket up to my chest

been, River? Have you seen a doctor? Have

my head and pulled my knees, tucked my chin on. I felt ashamed. What was I thinking coming over to a stranger’s home and asked

my home, and I can protect you if for

“I can’t—”

Then how am I fucking going to help you?” His voice was firm. He rose from the bed, and I could feel he

you in my mess.” I rushed out

late, don’t you think? I already am the moment you stepped into my house. You have to trust me, River. If you want this stalking to be over, you need

Why do you think I chose to go to Krystyn?” I spat out, though,

there. You have to live a life free from distress, not always looking over your shoulder to make sure that no one is following you. Trust me, I’ve seen my sister struggled. As long as you will allow me to help, I will. Now when did it start? Don’t you ever think

background check on me. “I dated him for over a month.” There was no use in lying anymore. “Then he just appeared at my job without any calls. I did not remember telling him where I worked. One time, he was already in my apartment, cooking in the kitchen. Journey was really mad at me, telling me that I should have asked her first if I gave a key to someone. Which I never did, by the

that he knew a lot about

him. I realized Krew was right. Why didn’t it come to my senses