Page 101 of Stalkers Anonymous

This is what justifies everything I’ve been doing. This moment, this proof that Lars Winters is stalking Hailey. He’s positioned himself exactly where he knows she’d be if she were out for a jog. But this isn’t when she typically runs. She should be at home with Chewy right now.

“So call the police. He’s here, and he’ll probably still be here by the time they arrive.” Tyler is trying to reason with me, and it almost works.

I pull out my phone to call 911, then hesitate. “What crime is he committing by sitting on a public bench? How the fuck do I explain any of this to the police when they show up?”

Tyler looks at me, but he’s got nothing. Even he can’t come up with a good enough argument.

The system would fail her again. Officers would take a fourth report, maybe spend a few days doing extra patrols in the area, then they’d forget all about her.

But I won’t.

I can approach Winters directly, make it clear that I’m watching him, that any move against Hailey will have immediate, violent consequences. With Tyler beside me, I might look twice as intimidating—if he would stop panting for a second.

“Call Hailey, then,” he finally suggests. “Stop doing things that will make her run away from you if she finds out.”

I could do that. Warn her about how close he is, suggest she avoid her usual routine today.

The choice feels monumental. Continue lurking in the shadows, protecting her without her knowledge, violating her trust. Or break cover, reveal what I know, accept the consequences of my actions…

Tyler’s words replay like slivers of sunshine fighting to break through the storm inside me. I don’t want Hailey to run away from me. I want her to run to me.

But if I warn her, she’ll want to know how I knew Winters was here. She’ll ask questions I can’t answer without confessing to everything.

She’ll never be able to look at me again if I do that. She’ll hate me.

Winters stands up from the bench, stretches casually, then begins walking in the direction of Hailey’s apartment building.

Fuck.

Tyler tails me, throwing his hands up in defeat as I follow Winters, staying far back enough to avoid confrontation but close enough to intervene if he approaches her building. My phone is in my hand, Hailey’s contact information one touch away.

“Call her,” Tyler whispers. “Let her make her own choices.”

Protect her, another voice responds. Do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

As Winters turns onto Hailey’s street, he takes off running out of sight, and I know which voice I have to listen to.

There’s no coming back from the choice I’m about to make.

Chapter Twenty-Three: Hailey

I’m curled up on my couch with Chewy, halfway through a cheesy rom-com movie and enjoying a quiet evening alone, when my phone rings. Even though I’m not sure how to feel about him right now, Cole’s name on the screen makes my stomach flutter with that same excited feeling it always does. I don’t know if I hate it or love it.

“Hi,” I answer, trying to keep my voice normal.

“Hailey, listen to me carefully.” Cole’s voice is frantic, making me sit up straighter. “Lars Winters is in your neighborhood, and he’s heading toward your building.”

The TV remote falls from my hands. “What? Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. I’m about two blocks away. You need to make sure your doors are locked and stay away from the windows. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

My heart pounds against my ribs as I scramble off the couch, Chewy tumbling to the floor in surprise. “Oh my God. Should I call the police?”

“No,” Cole cries out, but then somewhat recovers. “I’ll get to you faster than they will. Just wait for me. Keep the door locked until I get there.”

I’m moving toward my front door, confirming the deadbolt is locked.

“How did you—” I start to ask, then stop as realization hits me. “Wait. How do you know where Lars Winters is?”