Arianna
I loved the quiet of my town.
Nestled between rolling hills and the sleepy expanse of Lake Mist, it was a place where time seemed to stand still. The coffee shop on the corner, with its faded blue awning, was my sanctuary, where I spent countless afternoons lost in books, sipping steaming mugs of caramel macchiatos.
In the bright sunny morning entering the bookstore I adored for it's cozy atmospheric feel with the smell of books where you can find anything of your hearts desire, I was browsing the latest romance books by the shelf where the seams showed several names in several fonts and each in every colour, and edition.
With my fingers brushing the edges, my search stopped at the one in dark red with the name Crimson Thorns by V.R. Taurean. It was my favourite author.
The excitement stuck in my throat when I pulled it out of the shelf, taking the book into my hands gently.
He was known for his dark concept of love stories. It was more twisted and more darker with erotic feel and not everyone liked his work because of how sinister his ideas were. With a touch of horror, many people think that it's a psychopath writing his own life on pages, expressing his dark urges to the world, to hope someone will answer with the same type of feelings but once you start diving into his deadly orb of dangerous traits and sinful deeds, you start to see the real facade beneath the mask. Loneliness. That's what it felt like.
I couldn't help but be drawn to it despite the fact that it was wrong for so many public eyes. Those ordinary beliefs that you need to be normal, act normal so they don't judge you, it was overwhelming to say the least and deep down I felt similar fondness towards him in a way.
Recently starting my career with my freelance art, my colourful canvas turned into dark and more morbid colours when I first started reading his books. I started creating those words into visual paintings and drawings, each word turning into lines and shapes. My whole private home studio in my two room apartment was full of it, the darknesses swallowing me whole the longer I stayed there. There was a hollow in my chest, feeling like something is missing in my life and I didn't know what it is.
I wanted to meet my role model, maybe then I will feel better knowing the face behind the words.
For a bestselling author, he was invisible on social media. There was a private page promoting his books so people can get paperbacks or buy kindle e-book format to download so they can read in anywhere they are but nothing showed what he looks like. The only picture on his profile page and at the back of his books was of a man in a black hoodie and a half joker smile mask covering half of his face.
So safe to say, the man was enigma. Mysterious enough to make women curious and wonder what lies beneath the mask.
His eyes though.
Golden orbs with speck of dark swirling in them, that stare seemed to pull you into his depths and you can't help but sink further, drowning in his despair of pain from those who think that there's no humanity left in him.
I felt sad for him and wish I could help him find happiness even in the void of emptiness but since he wasn't approachable, there was nothing I could do.
Sighing, my eyes traced the rich font of his cover name, slightly smiling in happiness that I found the latest edition since I still didn't get it from the moment it was published.
The sound of my phone's text message notification tone pulled me back from the trance I was in. Putting the book between my armpit to hold it in place, I grab the phone from my bag to look who messaged me.
I don't recognise the number at first when I open the message app but my heart stops when I read the words on my screen.
I love your beautiful silky hair, I wish I could wrap them around my fist when you take my cock inside your pretty little throat.
My hands shake when I reread the words three more times so I can process the meaning of it. Who could to his? With such vulgar words on top of that.
Is someone playing a prank with me to test me so they can see my reaction? Have I leaked my phone number somewhere on the web and someone is trying to reach me this way? And importantly, why those words spark something deep inside me?
I decide to text back.
Who is this?
Still clutching the book under my arm, I wait for a response and look around. No one was in this section in the bookstore so I was alone.
Almost dropping the phone from the incoming text message again, I open the text.
You intrigue me. It's been a while since something has drawn me in.
Did he really just said that? Does he consider me as it? Like an object?
Do I know you?
Not yet.
What? What does that even mean?
Please stop texting me. Leave me alone.
You also crave the darkness, that's why your light beckons me closer to you. You can't escape now since you've got my attention. ;)
A fucking winking emoji? Is he for real?
I'm blocking you.
My breath rushed out when I made sure to stop him for texting me again. Feeling relieved, I put the phone back into my bag and put a smile on my face when I went to the cash register to buy my new favourite book.
I needed to forget it, I'm sure some of my friends are playing a big joke and laughing at me now.
The cash register lady smiled at me knowingly when she saw the book I selected when I put it on the desk in front of her," One of those days?"
My cheeks heated," Wanted to try something new," she didn't need to know that I'm obsessed with the books which are written by V.R. Taurean. It filled all my dark fantasies to life but it was my only secret from everyone.
"Sure thing, honey. We crave that danger sometimes," she winked at me as she scanned the book.
Cheeks red like strawberries I imagine, I couldn't be more embarrassed when I waited for her to show me the bill. Once I paid, she gifted me the paper bag with it and as I took it, I felt my phone vibrating in my bag again.
Assuming it's someone from my family or a friend who probably wants to apologise for playing me from previous creepy texts, I smile at the cash register lady with an excuse once I step away from the cash zone to let another customer buy their things.
Retrieving the phone, my assumption was completely wrong when I noticed the message coming from the same number as before.
This time it was a picture with a text below it.
Keep playing games with me, Arianna. I can play along but you know that I will always win.
How? The picture was taken when I came in the bookstore and looked for books, still with my Starbucks drink in my hand.
Trying to calm my breathing, I realize that I really am in danger. Someone is stalking me, taking photos and texting me with vulgar messages but how could he taken the picture from that angle if there was no one near me the whole time I was there? I felt like losing my mind.
Feeling that someone is watching me, my unfocused gaze looks all around but I don't see anyone suspicious, only two customers in the bookstore looking for some books but they looked harmless.
An old lady with glasses trying to read the book she was holding as she squinted her eyes in concentration. The other one was a young woman looking for author merch products, dusting the water bottle she was holding and of course, the cash lady who looked up at me when she realised that I was still in the store.
Her eyebrows furrowed," Are you okay, dear? You look shaken."
Tightening my grip on the phone, I seem to struggle for air, not knowing how to reply so with a tight smile I just exit the bookstore before I can faint.
Staggering in my steps on the sidewalk, I rest my body against the wall of some other building, my legs still shaky from the walk.
My brain couldn't function properly as I stared at the people walking by and looking at me like I was some druggy with judging eyes on me. My body can't even jump from the sound anymore when the next message comes through.
I just numbly open to read it.
It's another picture of me.
You look beautiful when you're unaware.
It was in the coffee shop where I stopped earlier today before I got another one from Starbucks.
Oh my god.
It felt like the world is collapsing beneath me, the city sounds echoing in my ears like someone stuck a cotton candy in them.
I typed before I could help myself.
How did you unblock yourself?
I'm always step ahead, baby.
Biting my lip, I tasted blood on my tongue.
How did you take the pictures? No one was near me if I remember correctly.
I needed to be calm. I couldn't panic under these circumstances because I needed information before I go to the police. There's no way he will keep stalking me if he is in jail.
So many questions, Ari. Be a good girl and I might be generous to share ;)
Fuck off!
I was done with this bullshit.
Still looking around the street, I didn't see anyone staring at me like they would be my stalker so I returned my gaze back to the phone screen when three dots appeared to reveal another picture.
The photo is of my apartment building, with an arrow pointing to my window.
Feeling tears in my eyes, I furiously type back, knowing this psycho has been stalking long enough to know where my apartment building was located.
That's it. I'm going to the cops.
Maybe he will get scared and will back off if I threaten him with authorities involved. Taking a screenshot of the conversation with my stalker for evidence, I felt lighter to know that I have something against him.
Another text came.
You'll only make things worse for yourself.
Besides, what are you going to do? I haven't broken any laws...yet.
The last word hangs heavy in the air, a clear threat.
You're obviously stalking me and watching me. That's harassment enough!
The stalker sends another photo, this one of me sitting at my desk, working on my laptop.
Harassment? That's cute. I call it affection. And I'll keep showing you affection until you understand.
The photo is followed by a video, taken through my apartment window. With a drone perhaps?
"Oh god," my whisper was loud while my ears ringed, not believing my eyes.
He had pictures of me in my own apartment. Those are taken from behind and for me to be unaware of the camera? How could he do this? It was the only place where I felt safe. I felt like vomiting my lunch.
You're sick!
I'm going to the cops now so you will rot in jail when they find you!
A final message comes through, this one more menacing.
You're not a victim, baby. I would never harm you but if you disobey, there will be consequences so think better before you make wrong decisions.
After a moment of tense silence, the unknown number disappears from my screen completely and I blink in shock.