Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Stalker

"Kira!"

"SHI---T!" I shrieked and literally jumped out of frustration. I hit Fern's arms who is now laughing his sanity off. So rude! I rolled my eyes at him and continued what I'm reading.

"You-- You look hilarious! You're being so sensitive lately!" he said while laughing.

"Just stop calling me out of nowhere!" I replied and glared at him. 

I just let him enjoy the scene that just happened and take a look at the book I'm holding. It's been almost two months since I've been used to going to school and it's that long that I've been feeling something was wrong all throughout. 

He scratched his head while looking at me. "What's bothering you? Are you fond of watching horror dramas that made you horrified when calling your name at least?" 

I shook my head in disagreement. I keep the book that I was holding and look at him. "There is something wrong these past few days."

"What is it?" he asked and got a snack from his bag.

"I don't know if it's the cat who is surrounding my house or someone's following me when I'm going home." 

His forehead creased and I shrugged it off. "It's weird, right?" 

"Absolutely. Well, besides you're just being paranoid? You know, I've read that someone who is living alone will most likely be worrying if he or she will be robbed and anything else?" he stated.

I felt goosebumps on my chest when I started to recall it. "On the other hand, I've been used to living alone for a long time. I think. . . since when I started to enroll here in Arkinstein, things like that have happened. It's terrifying. When I'm about to sleep, I hear noises downstairs, kind of footsteps."

"What the--!" He looked at me so horrified. "Have you seen it? Did you see if it's a person or just a cat?" 

I shook my head and stated, "When the morning is up, I go downstairs and see a cat. So maybe it is?"

His lips became firm as he also faced the front and shrugged. "You shouldn't be so naive these days. Maybe you got a stalker."

My heart stopped beating for a while as I began to overthink it. I looked through the window and gave my attention to the green grass outside. It made me calm but a lil worried at the same time. If I'm going to call my parents, they will be worried and rush to come back home. Given that I'm not really sure if it's my stalker or a cat.

Time passed until the vacant time reminded me to stand. Fern took me to the canteen and offered me to buy my meal. I just ate silently even when Sera came. Barely hearing their conversations, my feet voluntarily take me back to the classroom without a word of goodbyes.

I'm scared, really. This is not something that I should make fun of.

"Hey." Fern arrived, making his way on his seat. He looked concerned.

"Don't give me a face like that." I said laughing.

He held his hair and looked at me. "Sera's face was hilarious. You looked terrible a while ago and left without a word. Did you overthink what I've said? I'm just joking!"

I frowned and just looked through the window again. "I'm just scared that it might be a stalker."

I didn't hear another word from him. Maybe he thought also that his words earlier affected me a lot. I looked at him again to see his reaction but I saw him sleeping on his desk.

I thought he's really worried.

Many subjects have passed as I gave my best listening to the lessons and answering our assessments as well. Fern is half-asleep beside me and the good thing is that he doesn't get caught knowing that there are some of our teachers who are very strict. That scenario lasted until our last subject teacher dismissed us. 

My eyes blinked as I continued to walk towards the gate. I saw Sera smiling and head beside me while walking. 

"Hey, are you really okay?" Sera asked me. 

I smiled and just nodded. Good thing she's out now, not the last time that they've been left so late by their teacher for having an overtime. Fern went out already as he was called on his work for an extra shift. He mentioned also that he can make time to accompany me home but I refused. I really don't want to make everyone worry. It's just. . I'm paranoid.

"Sera, is it okay if I'm going to stay in your house for several hours?" She stopped and looked at me. Maybe scanning me, to be exact. 

"O--Of course! You're always welcome! You can stay for an overnight too if you want." She looked so worried and I sighed exasperatedly.

"I'm fine. Don't give me that look. It's Friday today and we're not having classes tomorrow. It's good to hang out right?" I shifted my voice into an energetic one trying to lift up my mood. 

She gave me a look and no response as she held my hand till we reached their house. Mommy G hugged me which made my heart calmer. Sera's family really made me comfortable. They're so kind and welcoming.

We stayed in the living room and Sera gave me a glass of water. After drinking, Mommy G held my hand.

"K, what's wrong? Do you feel sad at home? I told you, you should rather stay here until your parents are back. It's okay with us." Mommy G said.

"No worries, Mommy. I'm fine. Maybe I'm just tired." I replied and gave her an assurance. 

She nodded and cooked us food to eat. I also noticed that Patry is still not around. Sera invited me upstairs and we started to watch some n*****x series. It was an enjoyable moment and we're laughing our ass off until we ended up finishing the half of the series.

"It was hilarious! Look at your face, Kira! You're red!" Sera teased me and I just threw a pillow at her.

I stretched and looked at the sky through the window. There were many stars and the sky looked like a velvet black. My eyes roamed till it reached the downside of the house. I saw a man lit a cigarette and sat in front of the gate. Beside him was a tricycle. . . wait! He looks like the driver of the trike that I'm always riding when I'm going to the university and returning back home. But, why is he here? He looks like waiting for someone.

"Do you know him?" 

The room began to be surrounded by ice when I heard Patry's voice. I immediately returned to the bed and sat on it. Sera also looked at me confused.

"He's the driver I always take a ride on. I don't know why he's here." I replied while smiling.

His forehead creased and turned his back on us. "Go home. You do not belong here." 

My smile vanished an instant and an ache on my heart when he said that and left. Sera tapped my shoulders and faked a laugh. "Just ignore him, he really has a brain disorder."

I sighed and stood up. "I really have to go home. Maybe I'm just a nuisance for all of you. I'm sorry." I got my bag and rushed downstairs.

I almost bumped into Mommy G so I stopped and said sorry. She's asking me why I'm leaving but didn't have a chance to reply because I saw Patry at the main door. He didn't give me a glance and his words kept ringing in my head. When I reached their gate, someone offered me a ride and one thing that I knew is I'm riding a tricycle. No longer thinking of what I'm doing and where I am, I just want to go home and be alone. 

The engine stopped and I went out, in front of my house's gate. I paid the driver, which I didn't bother to look at, and just rushed getting inside of my house. I changed my clothes and just lay down on my bed. It was really an exhausting day, Patry also added making my heart also tired aching for the words he said. Is he really like that to the girls he's talking with? Every word from him made my body shiver in fear and crazy sick.

He doesn't have a brain disorder, he's just cruel.

**

I woke up feeling dizzy and when I looked at the wall clock, it's 4 am. Why am I not sleeping that long these days? My body has its own alarm clock at the wrong time I guess. Too early! I want to sleep more! Maybe I should drink a glass of water to make me feel full and back to sleep again.

My feet headed me downstairs and reached the refrigerator. I was about to open it when I heard a rustling sound coming from the gate. My brows met and glanced at the direction of the gate. Due to my half conscious mind and courage, I immediately went to the gate and was welcomed by the silence the early morning serves. My hands traveled to grip the gate's handle when I saw the lock loosened up. It was like a bomb exploded in my head and my heart began to palpitate. It's unlocked.

Did I forget to lock it? 

My knees kept on trembling, so did I really manage to rush and get my key to lock the gate again. I looked around to see if anyone was there but none. I also locked the door and rushed upstairs. I sat on my bed and saw my hands and knees don't stop from trembling. I got my phone and saw many missed calls last night from Sera's number. If I call her, I also don't want to disturb her sleep. But. . .I'm really scared. Can somebody help me?

I almost jumped when someone threw a stone at the window beside me. Slowly, I looked down through it and my eyes grew bigger in confusion. 

He raised his hand and gestured with the meaning of 'I should go down'. My heart can't stop beating so fast and I can feel my cheeks heated up.

As soon as I arrived at his place, I called his name. "Patry. . ." I unlocked the gate again and opened it to talk to him properly.

I looked at him and he sighed, "Why didn't you lock your gate? Are you really that comfortable and just let someone freely trespass your house?" My excitement vanished as he began to nag about my stupidity. "You're living alone right? You should be more careful!"

"How did you know?" I asked.

His forehead creased. "What?"

"How did you know that I lived alone?"

"Guess." He glanced at me for a second then looked away.

I smiled. "And why are you here?"

"Just lock your gate!" 

I panicked when he started to walk away and to my surprise, he got his bicycle that was parked next to the gate. He got on the bike and started to leave.

"Wait---!" I shouted but he just continued to leave.

I turned my back and was about to get inside already when I heard his voice again.

"Get inside!"  My heart warmed and I continued to enter the house again. Of course, I locked the gate which he commanded before going back to my room.

I felt a light on my chest which made me forget what I've been scared of these past few days. His words enlighten me like nothing happened. I pinched my cheeks testing if this is just a dream. I felt pain which I rejoiced after. This isn't a dream indeed. I didn't know that pain felt so enjoyable. 

My phone rang and saw Sera's want to have a video call. I immediately answered it.

"Hello!" I greeted.

"Woah, you sounded so happy." She looked so shocked and looked at the cam like wanted to dig something. "You missed my calls last night. Are you alright?"

"Yes." I replied and blushed when I recalled what happened a few minutes ago.

"Well, looks like you're fine already. Care to share what happened?" she said and I was about to answer her when I saw Patry in the background passing by like looking for something in Sera's room. My cheeks heated up big time.

Sera noticed where I was looking and she saw Patry. "Hey, get out of my room! You're invading someone's privacy again!"

Patry mocked while busy looking in the cabinet, "I'm searching for my rubik's cube. You and Mom hide it from me, remember?"

"Well, that's what you get when you say such rude words to Kira." 

My eyes widened when I heard it. But what surprised me more is the reply coming from Patry.

He sighed, "I went to her house and said sorry. That's why I left earlier, right?"

"What?" Sera looked at me, then back at him again.

"You didn't see me leaving? You're still asleep, that's why. Isn't that enough?"

Sera looked surprised. "Is that true, Kira?"

Patry stopped and glanced at me through the phone. He looks so shocked knowing that I'm on the line, hearing their conversation.

I faked a laugh and tried to reply clearly. "Yes, he said sorry. By the way, Sera, I'm going to cook something. I'll end this." Not waiting for her to reply, I ended the call and laid down on my bed.

I can feel my tears flowing on my cheeks. I should not let my hopes up. This is really frustrating. What are you doing to my system, Patry?