9. Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Elizabeth ‘Liz' Monroe

I slowly make my way up the steps to my apartment under the ever-watchful eyes of Oli and Lewi. It took twenty minutes of haggling for them to agree to stay behind. Lewi had made for the steps after handing over my keys. He was nice enough to drive my car home while I caught a ride with Oli.

The glare I sent him when he tried to follow me must have convinced him otherwise because he slowly backed up with his hands raised. I didn't take my eyes off him until he climbed into the car with Oli.

Rolling my eyes at the pair, I continue my slow climb up the stairs. I have my keys ready to open my door when I see yet another note attached to my door. My body stiffens for a moment before I let out a defeated sigh. Body sagging, dread pooling in my stomach, I peel the note off and open the door.

Throwing my keys into the bowl next to the door, I open the piece of paper, already dreading the contents.

I freeze as I stare down at the note. Your skin against mine? Who the fuck is this person? I jerk out of my frozen state and rush across the room to throw the crumpled note in the trash. My hands start to shake, and my breathing grows labored. My vision narrows as my eyes dart around the room, and I realize I left my front door unlocked behind me. Running back over to it, I slam against the wood and snap the lock into place. Leaning back against the door, I slide down till I'm sitting on the floor, my vision blurring as I start to hyperventilate.

I'm being stalked… I… I have a stalker… oh God! My movements are jerky but, eventually, I manage to fish my phone out of my pocket. I can't see the screen through the tears sliding down my face, so I'm not sure who I've called until a bright, happy voice greets me.

"Roe Roe! How's my favorite athletic therapist?"

"V-Vicy…" I sob.

His voice immediately turns serious. "Liz? Liz, what's wrong?"

"I… I… I'm scared," I whisper as I huddle against the door.

I hear rustling in the background. "Where are you?"

I'm frozen in fear when I hear the scrape of boots outside my door. I whimper into the phone and scramble across the floor to hide in the corner.

"Sis! Sis, you need to tell me where you are." His words are muffled as he yells, "Get your shit on boys, our girl needs us!" His voice is soft when he says, "Come on, sis, you're annoying little brother needs your location."

I let out a wet laugh, but my eyes never leave the door. "Home. I'm at home. Oli and Lewi just dropped me off," I finally manage to say.

"Good. Okay. I'll make sure they turn around and head back. Don't you dare hang up, okay?"

A fist pounds loudly against the door, and I let out a scream.

I hear doors slam in the background on his end as he asks, "Liz! What's going on?"

My voice is low as I swallow and reply, "Someone is banging on my door."

"It's locked, right?"

"Yes," I whisper.

"Oli and Lewi should beat us there. They aren't too far away. We are coming, okay?"

I struggle to control my breathing as the pounding continues, but I feel like I'm going to hyperventilate. I'm right on the edge of passing out when I hear him ask, "What's your favorite anime?"

"W-what?"

"What's your favorite anime?" he repeats.

Surprised by his question, I ask, "Uhm, how do you know I like anime?"

He chuckles. "You do realize that you were humming the whole time you worked on those notebooks, right?"

My cheeks heat with embarrassment. "That doesn't mean I like anime."

"It does when you hum multiple anime theme songs."

Huffing out a breath, I realize that the distraction helped. I can breathe a little easier, and I'm no longer about to pass out. But the knocking continues. Thumping my head back against the wall, I say softly, "Thank you, Vicy."

"Your thanks isn't necessary when I want to know the answer to the question."

I manage a chuckle as I cover my other ear to block out the pounding. "My favorite anime is Yuri on Ice ."

He hums. "I've never seen it. I'll have to check it out."

"What's yours?" I pull my hand away from my ear and realize the knocking has stopped. I slowly stand from my huddled position against the opposite wall.

"Does Vox Machina count? If not, I like Fairy Tale."

I let out a squeal when a deep voice sounds from the other side of my door. "Liz?" My relief at hearing the familiar voice has my shoulders dropping and my breaths coming a little easier. I rush over to the door and rip it open. Oli's dominating figure stands right outside my door, panting as if he ran all the way here.

"Chérie? Are you o—"

Before he can finish his question, I'm jumping into his arms. He immediately lifts me, my legs wrapping around his waist, and I hold him in a death grip. I sob into his chest as I say, "You're here."

"Of course, Chérie." He holds me close, and I soak in his warmth and protective aura. Muffled shouting reaches us, and I realize Vicy is still on the phone. I bring the phone back to my ear and apologize. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to leave you hanging like that."

"I just wanted to make sure you are okay. We are almost there, so I'll see you soon. Bye, Roe Roe."

I wrap my arms back around Oli and sag at the feeling of safety. His chest rumbles as he says softly, "I got you, Chérie. You're safe now."

"I couldn't find anything," Lewi says, panting. Oli just grunts in response and holds me closer.

My eyes water again as I whisper, "Dean…"

Lewi jogs over to and lifts a hand to cup my cheek. "Are you okay?"

I begin to nod, but then it turns into me shaking my head ‘no'. A few tears escape as I choke out, "You're here."

His brows furrow, and he brushes my tears away. "Of course."

When I hear doors slam, I jump but then relax when I see it's the boys rushing up the stairs. Vicy bulldozes his way inside and wraps me and Oli in a hug. "Fucking hell, Roe Roe, you scared me."

He pulls away and points at me with a no-nonsense look. "You are staying with us until further notice!"

I shake my head. "I can't do that."

Taz is suddenly beside Vicy, grumbling, "That was a statement, not a question. You are staying with us until further notice."

"Don't make me get Peri, Merc, Gilly, and Fenni down here," Ozzy chimes in behind the guys.

Tuck huffs out a laugh as he points between Vicy and Taz. "If you thought younger brothers were annoying before, I can guarantee that having four overprotective, older ones will be worse."

"Don't drag them away from their families," I argue.

Vicy shrugs. "Then don't argue."

"Fine," I grunt out. "I need my keys and purse, though. And I'll need to pack some clothes."

"Only grab the essentials for tonight. We can come back tomorrow to get more stuff." Oli says, walking into the living room.

He carries me down the hallway and lowers me to my feet outside my bedroom door. He waits in the hall as I walk inside to grab what I need. I arch a brow when I notice he hasn't moved. "Are you going to wait out there?"

He nods. "Not leaving your side, Chérie."

Warmth fills my chest. I nod and move to my closet to grab a few things for the night. I will feel better if we come back during the day. Less places to hide when there are less shadows.