The days after the confrontation with James felt like an eternity to Will, though they were just a blur of quiet moments and restless thoughts. He didn't regret what he'd done. He couldn't. What mattered was that James was out of the picture. He was no longer a threat. That was the only thing Will needed to focus on. And yet, as the days passed, there was a gnawing emptiness inside him—a feeling that something was still missing, that his plan wasn't quite complete.
It wasn't just James that stood in his way. He had realized, too late, that he hadn't truly thought through the consequences of his actions. He hadn't anticipated how far May might be pushed before she would be frightened, or worse, disgusted. He had to tread carefully now. Too much too soon could push her away forever. The key was patience.
Will made sure to keep his distance, but the obsession was still there, boiling just beneath the surface. He would watch her from afar—more subtly this time. He started frequenting the coffee shop she always went to. He would order the same drink she liked, the one with the extra shot of espresso, just to feel a little closer to her. He imagined, for a brief moment, that he was sharing the same cup, the same space.
His thoughts would wander, imagining scenarios where she noticed him for the first time. Where she realized that they were meant to be. The idea took root in his mind, spreading like wildfire. There was no other choice—he had to make her his. She needed to understand how much he had been paying attention to her, how much he cared, how much he understood her better than anyone ever could.
One afternoon, he decided it was time to take the next step.
He had been watching her for weeks now, observing the little things—how she tapped her foot when she was nervous, how she hummed a soft tune when she read, the way her fingers brushed over her necklace when she was deep in thought. Will could tell that May was struggling with something. She seemed distracted at times, a little more withdrawn. He had seen the signs before in people—he knew what it meant. It meant she was vulnerable, that there was an opening.
That's when he decided to make his move.
Will waited until late one evening, long after the sun had set, when the streets were quieter. He had seen her walking home from the library, her head down, wrapped in a scarf, her shoulders hunched against the chill. She was alone, just like she often was. And that was the moment he'd been waiting for. He could approach her now, subtly, without alarming her.
His heart raced as he stepped into her path, blocking her way just as she looked up. She stopped, startled, eyes wide. Will smiled at her—an easy, disarming smile. He had practiced it in the mirror countless times.
"May," he said softly, his voice smooth, almost comforting. "I didn't mean to scare you. I just... I thought I'd offer to walk you home."
She took a step back, uncertainty flashing across her face. She didn't recognize him at first, but he could see the wheels turning in her mind as she tried to place him. Will couldn't help but enjoy that brief moment of confusion. It was almost like he was seeing her for the first time, just as she was seeing him.
"I—I don't think that's necessary," she stammered, her voice polite but hesitant. She shifted her weight, glancing down the street, already looking for an escape.
Will couldn't let her leave just yet. This was his moment. He had been waiting for it for so long.
"I get it," he said, keeping his voice calm and steady. "You probably don't know me, but I've been watching you for a while. I've seen you at the library, at the coffee shop. I'm not some creep, I promise." He saw her look at him warily, but he couldn't stop. He needed to make her understand. "I just... I think we have a lot in common. And I know you've been going through something lately. You seem distracted. You're not like the other girls, May. You're different."
She frowned, her hand instinctively reaching for her phone in her pocket. Will saw this and knew that he had to move quickly. His mind raced, but his words came out slow and measured. "I'm not here to hurt you. I'm not like them. I just want to be there for you. I want to help."
May took another step back, her eyes narrowing. "Who are you? Why are you doing this?" There was a slight edge to her voice now, a tinge of fear creeping in. Will could feel the shift, the tension in the air. It was a delicate moment, one he could easily ruin if he wasn't careful. But he wasn't going to let it slip away. Not now.
"You don't know me, but I know you. I can help you. I've seen what you've been going through. All you have to do is trust me." Will took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers.
Her breath hitched, and she backed up, her feet bumping into the curb. "Please, stop," she said, her voice trembling now. "This isn't right."
Will stopped, just for a moment, but the hunger inside him was too strong. He could see the fear in her eyes, and that only made him want her more. He reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a small book, the one she always carried with her, the one she kept tucked under her arm at all times. He had stolen it a few days earlier. "I just thought you'd like it back," he said, offering the book to her.
May hesitated, her eyes darting between him and the book. Slowly, she took it from his hand, her fingers brushing his for a fraction of a second. Will felt a surge of triumph.
"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable," he said, his voice soft now, almost apologetic. "But I just wanted to show you that I understand. I know you're lonely, May. I know what it feels like to be invisible. But I see you. I'm here."
May didn't say anything for a moment, just stared at the book in her hands, her face a mixture of fear and disbelief. "I think you should leave," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
Will smiled, his heart pounding in his chest. This was just the beginning.