Page 159 of Trick or Stalk

He just protected me.

“Why?”

He turns around and looks at me.

The silence grows heavy.

“Why are you following me?”

His mask gives nothing away.

“Were you outside my house last night?”

More silence.

I swallow. “Was that you?”

He doesn't answer.

My hands shake. “Who are you?”

Nothing.

“You know the whole creepy silent thing isn't making this less terrifying, right?”

His head tilts slightly.

My stomach flips. I’ve seen that movement before. Last night. At the window.

“Oh my God.” My back presses against the brick. “It was you.”

He steps closer.

I tense.

He stops immediately.

Several feet remain between us.

Then that distorted voice comes through whatever he's using beneath the mask. “You're safe.”

The words hit me strangely.

Not because of what they mean, but because they feel familiar. Safe.

My mind flashes to Hades holding me inside The Crooked Spine.

I've got you.

I shake the thought away.

No.

This is a different man.

A very different man.

“I don't feel safe.”