MISSION STALKER

"Guess I have a stalker who knows something about my past which even I don't know," I said to my friends, explaining the message I received while walking down the hallway.

"Don't you think we should report this to the police?" said Lia.

"I don't think so, since you can't remember what you did, so it's safer to say don't go to the police," said Amelia. She was right.

"Yeah, I think so too. Do you guys know anything?" I asked.

"Nope, not at all. I was in Europe," said Amelia.

"Right," I said. Then it hit me. I was so caught up with this stalker thing that I forgot about my rumor with Nyx. Everyone was burning their gaze at me, though I was very much innocent.

"Umm... guys, you go ahead. I'll be back," I said and went to the washroom. I still couldn't believe that everyone thinks I am at fault. I have lost quite some followers on Insta too, and that sucks for real.

"Hey, you okay?" I looked up and saw Olivia through the mirror.

"No, not really," I replied.

"Can I help?" she asked.

"Yeah, you can help. It will take some loads off anyways." We both knew exactly what we were talking about. Olivia locked the door and walked towards me. She removed her glasses and kissed me passionately, which I gladly returned. After a while of make-out sessions, we decided it was time to go back to our classes.

"Well, so how are we going to prove your innocence?" asked Lia,

As we strategized in the quiet corner of the school hallway, a sense of determination settled over me. The gravity of the situation was palpable, but so was our resolve to unravel the mystery and protect my reputation.

Lia tapped away on her phone, her brow furrowed in concentration. "I'm checking if there are any recent sightings or incidents that might be related to your past. Sometimes these things leave traces."

Amelia glanced up from her phone, her expression thoughtful. "And we should also talk to people who might have information. Maybe someone saw or heard something that could give us a lead."

Olivia squeezed my hand reassuringly. "Alex, don't worry. We'll figure this out together. You're not alone in this."

Her words were like a lifeline amidst the storm of uncertainty swirling around me. I nodded gratefully, feeling a surge of determination. "Thanks, guys. I appreciate all of your help."

Just then, the bell for the next class rang, jolting us back to reality. "We should get to class," Lia said, packing up her phone. "But let's meet up after school and continue our investigation."

The rest of the day passed in a blur of anxious thoughts and stolen glances. I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, as if the stalker was lurking just out of sight, waiting for another opportunity to strike.

After school, we reconvened at our usual spot in the park. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over us as we resumed our discussion.

"Any leads?" I asked, hoping for some positive news.

Lia sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Not yet. It's like whoever sent that message covered their tracks well."

Amelia leaned forward, her eyes intense. "But we're not giving up. We'll keep digging until we find something."

Olivia reached for my hand again, her touch grounding me. "Alex, whatever happens, remember that we're here for you. We'll support you through this."

Her words were a balm to my frayed nerves. With my friends by my side, I knew I could face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, we would uncover the truth and put an end to the shadowy figure haunting my past.

As the evening deepened and the stars began to twinkle overhead, I felt a glimmer of hope. The road ahead might be uncertain, but with the steadfast support of my friends, I knew I could navigate it.

The next morning, I woke up with a knot in my stomach, the events of the previous day weighing heavily on my mind. As I got ready for school, I checked my phone for any new messages or updates, half-expecting another ominous note from the mysterious stalker. Thankfully, there was nothing new, but the tension lingered.

At school, I tried to maintain a sense of normalcy, but I couldn't shake the feeling of being scrutinized by everyone around me. Whispers followed me in the hallways, and I caught glimpses of curious stares. 

During lunch break, Lia, Amelia, Olivia, and I gathered in our usual spot under the old oak tree. The atmosphere was tense yet determined.

"Any progress on tracking down the stalker?" I asked, my voice tinged with worry.

Lia sighed, shaking her head. "Not yet. I've been digging through social media, trying to find any connections or leads, but it's like they vanished after sending that message."

Amelia leaned forward, her expression serious. "I think we should consider talking to someone who might have a grudge against you, Alex. Someone who could benefit from tarnishing your reputation."

Olivia nodded in agreement. "We need to think strategically. This person knows something about your past that even you don't remember. It could be someone from your childhood, or maybe even someone you crossed paths with recently."

The weight of their words sank in, and I felt a surge of frustration and fear. "But why target me now? Why dredge up the past like this?"

Lia placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "We'll figure it out, Alex. We just need to stay focused and keep our eyes and ears open."

As the bell rang for the next class, we reluctantly dispersed, each of us carrying the weight of our investigation. Throughout the day, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, of being one step behind an elusive adversary.

After school, we met up again in the park, where the fading sunlight cast long shadows across the grass. We gathered in a circle, brainstorming our next moves.

"We need to widen our search," Lia suggested, her voice determined. "Maybe there's someone we haven't considered yet, someone who knows more than they're letting on."

Amelia pulled out a notebook, flipping through pages filled with scribbled notes. "And we should compile a list of potential suspects. Anyone who might hold a grudge or have a motive to target Alex."

Olivia gazed at me with unwavering support. "Alex, whatever happens, remember that we're in this together. We'll find out who's behind this and put an end to it."

With renewed determination, we delved deeper into our investigation, piecing together clues and unraveling connections. The truth was out there, waiting to be uncovered, and I was determined to face it head-on with the support of my loyal friends by my side.

As the evening wore on and the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of orange and purple across the sky, our discussions grew more intense. We debated theories, analyzed possible motives, and brainstormed ways to gather more information discreetly.

Amelia suggested reaching out to old classmates and acquaintances, hoping to unearth any buried grievances or overlooked connections. Lia proposed setting up a decoy to lure out the stalker, while Olivia emphasized the importance of staying vigilant and protecting ourselves from potential threats.

Despite the weight of uncertainty and fear, there was also a glimmer of hope in our determination. We were a team, united in our resolve to uncover the truth and protect my name from unwarranted accusations.

As we finally parted ways for the night, the park's tranquil surroundings contrasted sharply with the turmoil in my mind. Tomorrow would bring new challenges and perhaps new revelations. But for now, I found solace in knowing that I had friends who believed in me and were willing to go to great lengths to support me.

With that thought, I headed home, carrying with me a renewed sense of purpose and a flicker of optimism that justice would prevail in the end.

As I walked home that evening, the familiar streets seemed unusually quiet. The sense of unease lingered, amplified by the knowledge that someone out there was watching, waiting, and possibly planning their next move against me.

Just as I turned the corner onto my street, a shadow darted across the alleyway ahead. My heart skipped a beat as I quickened my pace, glancing nervously over my shoulder. Was it just my imagination, or was someone following me?

Before I could react, a sudden gust of wind swept through the narrow passage, sending chills down my spine. Something wasn't right. The feeling of being hunted intensified, and I realized with a sinking feeling that the stalker might be closer than I had ever imagined.

As I fumbled for my keys at the front door, a rustling sound echoed from the darkness behind me. I whirled around, heart pounding, only to catch a fleeting glimpse of a figure disappearing into the night.

With a shaky breath, I hurried inside and locked the door behind me, my mind racing with questions and fears. Who was this mysterious stalker, and what did they want from me? The unsettling realization sank in that my troubles were far from over, and the true danger might be lurking just beyond my doorstep.