Chapter 20

My parents wouldn't let me take a single breath, as soon as I got home they drilled me about who my 'stalker' was and why he was following me.

“Mom, dad, listen, he isn't stalking me! We're friends!“ I snapped at them for the upteenth time, but they wouldn't budge.

“Peppermint, this isn't the time to cover up, everyone in town has heard about it, and just who is this guy, this Carlise Stoll?“ My dad fumed, refusing to take my word, just like the rest of my so called friends.

Mom's encyclopedia brain immediately traced the name to the face, “Isn't he that kid from the foundation? The one who goes to your school? Is he the one following you around?“

Dad turned to her, “What kid?“

Carlise was from the foundation? My heart broke at the thought of him just wanting to save his home.

“He never got adopted, and left when he was sixteen to get a job.“ She had a disapproving scowl on her face, “That kid is bad news.“

“What? You're impossible! He's nice and sweet to me, the real bad people are my friends who are trying to frame him.“ I defended him, shouting so they would hear my voice.

Mom got on one knee and took my hand, in a softer tone she said, “Sweetheart, the word from the foundation was that the kid was a bit…strange. No one ever saw him sleep, or eat, and he was always indoor for most of the time.“ She started off, ignoring everything I had just said.

“If he's bothering you, we need to know all the details. No matter what he's said, know that we love you and can handle it. Your dad and uncle won't let him get away with hurting you.“

Dad grabbed his jacket from the table and reached for his keys, “Honey, let's go, take me to his place. I'm gonna find the midget and give him a good talking to!“

“Dad! You're not listening to me! Carlise isn't the problem! What more do I need to say so you'll understand me?!“ I got up, shaking off my mom's hand.

I looked at both of them, but they were so blinded by this 'concern' they had for me, that they weren't willing to listen.

Angry, I ran up to my room and shut the door behind me. My parents followed and tried to get me to come out, but after a few unsuccessful tries, they left me alone.

After I heard them leave the house, I grabbed my blue coat and my weekly allowance, then snuck out of the house.

Well, almost snuck out.

“Where do you think you're going?“ Sophia asked from behind me, startling me into dropping my purse and keys.

I groaned as I squatted to gather my things, “None of your business.“

“You're going to go see him, aren't you?“ She retorted, reading me like an open book. “I don't have a problem with it, and I won't tell mom and dad either.“

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, “I don't understand, why are you being so cooperative?“

She folded her arms, “I've seen the guy, and I can tell he's a nice guy. Far better than that boyfriend of yours. If I were you, I wouldn't waste a single moment into making him my new boyfriend.“

I chuckled and rolled my eyes, “You're definitely too young to be saying that kind of stuff.“

“Humph!“ She harrumphed, then walked off, saving me big time by not saying a word.

I dashed out of the house, not knowing exactly where the hell I was going. I had his number on my phone, but I was scared to call him.

What would he think of me?
He surely hated me, didn't he?
How do I even start apologizing for everything?

I was so preoccupied with my thoughts that I didn't realize someone was following me.

“Hey!“ I called out, flashing my phone's light behind me, “Whose there?!“ I scanned the benches and swings at the park, wondering who it was.

I didn't see them personally, but I could just feel that someone was behind me, and it irked me out.

My steps grew lighter, as I tried to back away, while pointing my flashlight at the seemingly empty park, my heart beating like a drum.

'Peyton'
An unfamiliar voice called out to me, but what was eerie about it was that it sounded like the voice was in my head.

“W-Who said that?!“ I yelled but no one answered.

I had a bad feeling about the park, especially since all the lights for the sidewalks had all gone out, leaving the place suspiciously dark.

Was it a robbery?

I didn't stop to think and started to run as fast as I could, but I felt a tug on my ankle, which made me fall and bruise my elbows.

“Oww!“ I winced in pain.

But the footsteps grew heavier, they were getting closer and closer!

My hands hurriedly scampered for my phone and wallet, but just as I found them, my flashlight illuminated a pair of black boots, right in front of me!

Fearfully, I raised my flash from this person's feet, to their face, only to be met with a pair of crimson red unforgiving eyes and a set of sharp pointy fangs!

“Aah!“ I screamed, and started crawling away from whatever it was! My hands and feet ridden with fear.

'Peyton!' the voice sounded in my head, angry this time. 'Don't run from me.'

But I didn't listen and kept crawling until I found myself backed against a lamppost. They approached me, taking calculated steps towards me.

I immediately tried to dial for help, but in a matter of a second, they grabbed my wrist with an extraordinary strength, nearly snapping it in half.

My phone fell to the concrete, the flashlight facing up.

“Please! Help! Somebody save me!“ I cried out.

They grabbed my wrist and pulled my elbow to their sharp teeth. My insides tied nervous knots.

What is going on?

Who is this?

What is this?

“Please…don't hurt me! I beg you-” my words were cut short when they took out their long pink tongue and tried to lick my blood off my elbow!

I was too afraid to let my voice out and closed my eyes, prepared for the worse.

Until I heard the sound of a heavy punch, cracking down on his face!

When I opened my eyes in shock, I got an even greater shock when I saw the attacker on the ground, his face hidden in his palm.

Towering over him with a clenched fist was none other than Carlise, his eyes burning with anger and rage!