The Stalker
The cold November air bit into Olivia's exposed skin as she hunched closer to the bus stop, a shivering figure in a flimsy windbreaker. The street lights cast long, eerie shadows that danced on the deserted pavement, amplifying the feeling of isolation that gnawed at her. She'd been chasing an elusive stalker lately, someone who seemed to enjoy taunting her with his presence. The stalker was a tall, imposing man, easily over six feet tall with a menacingly thick frame and a pair of dark circles under his eyes that seemed to hold secrets. He'd made it a point to follow her wherever she went, his presence hovering just beyond her reach.
Olivia couldn't shake the feeling that the stalker was more than just some random person. He seemed to know her too well, his taunts seeming to anticipate her fears. Last night, he'd left behind a single, chilling object: a bloodstained knife, found abandoned beneath the bus stop where she had almost been struck. It had been a horrifying image, and it sent shivers down Olivia's spine.
She finally boarded the bus, the click of the door echoing in the quiet interior. As the bus rumbled away, Olivia's heart hammered against her ribs. She kept glancing back at the deserted street, her mind racing with possibilities. Who was this stalker? What did he want from her? The fear that had been growing in her for weeks began to morph into a simmering anger, a desperate need to get rid of this terrifying presence.
Suddenly, the bus screeched to a halt, and the driver shouted, "Bus stop! Get off!" Olivia's hand trembled as she reached for the nearest exit, the cold metal cold under her fingertips. As she fumbled with the lock, the bus lurched forward, leaving Olivia stranded on the side of the road, her fear and anger mounting with every passing minute.
Olivia knew she had to find a way to protect herself, to stop the stalker before he could hurt her again. But where would she even begin? The only thing she knew for certain was that she had to get Ethan involved, that he had to know about the stalker and what he was doing.