11. Lily

Wiping down the counter at the diner, I'm thankful the morning rush is over. Despite sleeping well, the anxiety from everything going on is exhausting.

The bell above the door chimes as Gareth walks in. He's a friend of Alice's whom I've hung out with a few times.

"Hey, Lily, how's it going?" he asks, sitting at the counter.

"Oh, hey, Gareth. I'm alright, trying to get through the morning here. How about you?"

"Doing pretty good. Thought I'd stop in for some breakfast before work,"Gareth replies.

I grab a menu, setting it in front of him. "Well, you came to the right place. What can I get started for you?"

He scans the menu briefly before deciding. "I'll take the lumberjack breakfast special with a coffee, please."

"Coming right up,"I say, ringing in his order.

As I pour his coffee, we chat about nothing in particular: the weather, his job, and plans for the upcoming weekend. It's a welcome distraction after everything that's happened recently.

"Have you heard about this stalker business and the break-in at the police station?"Gareth asks, immediately shattering any calm I'd found from our conversation.

"Yeah," I mutter.

"It's those travelers if you ask me. Police should move them on, no matter how many people love the carnival."

I tentatively agree with Gareth because I'm aware it's the psycho from the carnival behind all this. After all, he was pretty upset about the bulllet when he cornered me yesterday. I don't want to talk about it anymore, though.

"Anyway, how's work going for you lately?"I ask, trying to change the subject.

The bell above the door chimes, and someone walks in. I glance up, and my heart drops into my stomach. It's him. The man from the carnival who's been stalking me.

He looks angry, his jaw clenched and eyes narrowed. His gaze is on me, and I feel a chill run down my spine. There's a dangerous possessiveness in his stare.

I quickly look away, focusing on wiping down the counter, though my hands shake. I can feel my stalker's eyes burning into me as he sits at a table nearby.

Gareth seems oblivious, telling me about some new project at work. But I'm struggling to concentrate, hyper-aware of the stalker's presence. He's watching us like a hawk as if waiting to swoop in.

I take a deep breath, trying to stay calm and act normal. Maybe if I ignore the psycho, he'll eventually leave.

"Anyway, let me grab your food,"I say to Gareth, eager for an excuse to slip into the kitchen.

When I glance back, the stalker's eyes meet mine.There'sa silent threat in his gaze, sending a chill down my spine. I quickly turn away, hoping Gareth stays until this creep leaves.

My hands shake carrying Gareth's food out from the kitchen. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves before approaching the table.

"Here's your lumberjack breakfast,"I say, setting the plate on the counter.

"Thanks, this looks great!"Gareth says, digging into the heaping pile of eggs, bacon, sausage, and hashbrowns.

I manage a weak smile. "No problem. Let me know if you need anything else."

I turn to walk away, but Gareth speaks up. "Hey, why don't you sit and chat while I eat? You look like you could use a break."

I hesitate, not wanting to be trapped with the stalker watching me. But I don't want to act suspicious, either.

"Yeah, sure,"I say, sitting across from Gareth on a stool behind the counter. I position myself so my back is to the stalker, unable to meet his piercing gaze.

Gareth chatters between bites of food, telling me about a new gym he joined and weekend plans with friends. I listen and make small talk, but I can barely concentrate. The hair on the back of my neck prickles, aware of his eyes boring into me.

Finally, Gareth finishes eating."That really hit the spot. Thanks. What do I owe you?"

"It's $12.50," I say.

Gareth hands me some cash. "Keep the change. You deserve it,"he says kindly.

"Oh, thank you,"I reply, smiling.

"Well, back to the grindstone. I'll see you around!"Gareth heads out with a wave.

My heart sinks as the door shuts behind him. Now I'm alone with the stalker. I take Gareth's plate and slowly walk back behind the counter, feeling his eyes tracking my every move. What does he want from me? I wish someone, anyone else would come into the diner right now. But for the moment, it's just me and him.

I keep my back turned, busy wiping down the counters, though they're already clean. The weight of his stare makes my skin crawl. After several agonizing minutes of silence, I finally summon the nerve to turn and face him. His eyes instantly lock onto mine, his expression unreadable. I quickly avert my gaze, my heart pounding.

"Can I get you anything?"I ask shakily, unable to stand the tension.

He doesn't respond. The silence stretches on. I risk a glance back at him. He hasn't moved, continuing to stare at me intently. And I'm a rabbit caught in the eyes of a wolf. Trapped. Helpless. Prey.