3. Lily

Laughing together, Alice drags me toward yet another ride. We've already been at the carnival for over two hours, far longer than I originally agreed. The bright lights and energy have recharged me in a way I didn't expect.

"Just one more ride!" Alice pleads, giving me her best puppy dog eyes. She knows I can never say no to that face.

"Fine, fine," I concede with a smile. "But this is the last one, okay? I've got to work the morning shift tomorrow."

Alice squeals, hugging me tightly. "You're the best! I promise this will be the last one."

We get in line for the tilt-a-whirl, giggling as we watch the riders spinning around deliriously. We're both feeling giddy and free by the time it's our turn. The ride leaves us stumbling and dizzy, struggling to keep our balance.

"Okay, now I really do have to go," I say firmly as the world slowly stops spinning. "Just let me run to the bathroom quick, and then we'll head out."

Alice pouts but doesn't argue this time. "Fine, but hurry up!"

I make my way through the crowd toward the little bathroom trailer. As I reach for the door, a large hand appears out of nowhere, slamming it shut before I can enter. I gasp and whirl around.

It's him. The mystery man from the diner. Up close, he's even more imposing—towering well over six foot six, with bulging muscles and cold, dark eyes that seem to bore into my soul. Eyes that are fixed intently on me, glinting with a disturbing intensity.

"Hello there, baby," he says in a low, gravelly voice that sends chills down my spine.

I take a step back, my heart racing. "Excuse me?"

He moves closer, cornering me against the bathroom door. "I said hello," he repeats, his lips curling into a predatory smile. "We meet again."

Fear, mingled with an unnameable sensation, shoots through me. I place my hands firmly on his chest, trying to push him away. "I don't know you," I say, trying to keep the tremor from my voice. "Please move."

His smile widens, a glint of sadistic pleasure in his eyes. "Not yet. I've been waiting to get you alone."

My breath quickens as he leans in, bracing his hands on either side of my head, trapping me. Though every instinct screams at me to run, part of me is frozen, morbidly curious about how far he'll go.

I shudder as his hot breath caresses my ear, his deep voice dropping to a sinister whisper. "I've been watching you, Lily. Haven't been able to take my eyes off you since the moment I first saw you. I know where you work and where you live. I know you live alone in that little apartment."

His words chill me, even as my heart hammers against my ribs. He knows my name and too much about my private life. I want to escape this predator focused so intently on me, but my feet remain glued to the spot.

"Tonight, after you leave here, I'll follow you home. I'll let myself in real quiet, like a shadow. Then I'll slip into your bedroom and watch you sleep."

I squeeze my eyes shut, willing him to stop, but his gravelly voice continues, dripping with malice.

"So beautiful lying there, all vulnerable. I could do anything I wanted to your perfect body, and you wouldn't be able to do a thing to stop me."

Bile rises in my throat at the grotesque images he conjures. My knees go weak, only the solid door at my back keeping me upright. Yet, I can't bring myself to flee, morbidly fascinated by how twisted his fantasies about me are.

"But I won't do anything tonight. No, I'm going to take my time with you. Draw it out nice and slow. Tomorrow I'll come back and watch you again. And the night after that. Until you're trembling at every little sound, knowing I could take you anytime I please."

His body presses against mine, and I shudder with both disgust and an unwelcome thrill. He's in complete control, savoring my fear. Though his threats are disgusting, a small part of me is disturbingly tantalized by his dangerous obsession.

"Please," I whisper, hating the breathless plea in my voice. "Just leave me alone."

He chuckles darkly. "Oh no, angel. We're just getting started…"

My heart pounds as I stare up at this hulking stranger pinning me helplessly against the bathroom door. His threats hang between us, chilling me to the bone while they awaken a dark fascination I can't comprehend.

I should scream, fight, anddo anything to get away from him. But I remain paralyzed, ensnared by his predatory gaze.

"Why are you doing this?" I whisper.

His smile sends another shiver down my spine. "I saw you at the diner and knew I had to have you. Couldn't rest until I made you mine." His hand caresses my cheek, and I flinch away from his touch. He laughs, a low, menacing sound. "There's no point fighting this, Lily. You're mine now, whether you want to be or not."

Panic rises in my chest. I try to duck under his arm, but he slams his fist against the door, blocking my escape. "Leaving so soon? We've only just gotten acquainted." His massive body presses closer, and I'm overwhelmed by the scent of tobacco and leather."You're not going anywhere," he hisses, his eyes gleaming with twisted satisfaction. "This is only the beginning."

"Please,"I beg, hating the quiver in my voice. "Just let me go."

"Idon't think so."He leans in, breath hot on my skin. "You belong to me now."

I squeeze my eyes shut, willing this to be some twisted nightmare I'll wake up from. But the hard door at my back and his muscular frame caging me in are all too real.

Desperate, I raise my knee, aiming for his groin. But he catches my leg effortlessly, pressing it back against the door. I cry out as pain shoots through my thigh.

"Feisty,"he chuckles darkly. "I like that."

His hand trails up my leg as I struggle uselessly, his touch sending waves of revulsion through me. When his fingers brush the edge of my skirt, I shudder.

"Stop!"I gasp. "Get off me!"

He ignores my protests, gripping my chin with bruising force. "Open your eyes,"he growls, his voice dripping with menace. "I want you looking at me when I touch your cunt."

Tears burn behind my eyelids, but I obey, blinking up at his cold, lustful gaze. His smile widens, and his teeth flash white against the darkness.

"There's my girl."

He leans in closer, his breath hot against my lips. I brace myself for his unwelcome kiss, my heart pounding in a frantic rhythm of fear, revulsion, and another rather disturbing sensation.

"Hey! Get away from her!"

Relief floods through me hearing Alice's voice. The hulking stranger pauses, body tensing against mine. For a moment, I think he won't release me.

But then he steps back, cold eyes flicking between Alice and me. I stumble away from the bathroom door on shaky legs, heart pounding.

Alice is at my side in an instant, grabbing my hand. "Come on, let's get out of here."

I allow her to pull me through the crowd, my breath coming out in panicked gasps while we race toward the carnival's exit. Alice tightly grips my hand, guiding me to the street.

As soon as the carnival is behind us, I tear up. Sobs wrack my body as the adrenaline wears off, leaving me trembling and hollow.

Alice immediately pulls me into a fierce hug. "Shh, it's okay. You're safe now."

I cling to her, the encounter replaying in vivid detail behind my eyes. The man's imposing size as he backed me against the door. The rumble of his voice describing how he planned to terrorize me. The feeling of his rough hands holding me in place.

"He knows my name,"I gasp. "He knows where I live. He...he said he's going to break in and..."

I trail off with a choked sob, unable to continue.

Alice's grip on me tightens, her voice fierce. "He's not going to touch you, Lily. I won't let him."

Despite her reassuring words, cold dread seeps through me. This stranger clearly has an obsession with me, and he didn't seem deterred when Alice intervened.

"What if he follows us?"I ask in a small voice.

Alice's expression hardens. "I'll run him over if he tries. No one messes with my best friend."

A watery laugh escapes me. Leave it to Alice to threaten vehicular manslaughter so casually. But her protective anger helps steady my frayed nerves. "You do realize we walked here, right?"

She laughs. "Oh yeah, that screws that plan."

When the tears finally slow, Alice pulls back to study my face. "Do you want to go to the police?"

I hesitate, wrapping my arms around myself. I should report this man, but I don't want to recount what happened.

"No,"I say at last. "I want to go home."

Alice nods, though her mouth presses into a thin line. "Okay, shall we get an Uber back?"

It's only a ten-minute walk, and cash is tight, so I shake my head. "No, let's walk home. We're okay if we're together."

We walk in tense silence while I feel like I'm being watched. It's probably paranoia, but after what that man said to me, I can't help it.

My hands won't shake when we reach my apartment, and I key in the code to open the building door. Once at my apartment door, I fumble to unlock it. Alice stays close while entering the dark apartment, flipping on lights and checking every room, but we're alone.

I sink down on my couch, wrapping a blanket around myself like armor. Alice sits beside me, her usual exuberance subdued.

"Do you want me to stay over tonight?"she asks gently.

I hesitate. I don't want to be alone, but I don't want to endanger Alice.

"No, it's okay,"I say at last. "I'll lock the door and windows. I'll be all right."

She still looks uncertain but nods. "Call me if you need anything. I mean anything, Lily."

I manage a shaky smile. "I will. Thank you for everything."

After triple-checking the locks, Alice finally leaves with a fierce hug. Alone in the quiet apartment, I can only wait for the morning and pray he was merely trying to scare me.