I had felt the most vulnerable, in the presence of a stranger. He is not just any stranger but one with a cold aura around him. He had caught me off guard and knowing this, he took advantage of the situation. That man. He's all I've thought about and I wish I didn't. He has changed my life so drastically, in a matter of minutes. I couldn't make sense of what had happened at the park, though I tried to not go mad, as I gathered my thoughts, trying to form some kind of conclusion, on my way home. Home, a place to consider as refuge, in times of wanting to hide away from the outside, unfortunately for me, it has served as anything but safe. Even now as I sit in the living room after a much needed long bath, waiting for Ethan to show up, I can't help but to glance around me every now and then.The doors and windows are closed shut, but still, no easy breath has left my lungs. To add to the situation, my mother is out there at work, unaware of a possible danger that hangs over our heads

' Ethan, where are you, seriously?' I mumble to myself, after not reaching him on the home phone.I take a much needed breath before making my way to the living room, where I left them. I don't mistake the silence for anything but tension. And I could have sworn I interrupted something. Well, either way, I don't need to know." Ethan will be here soon, so I'll be okay, you don't need to worry." I add the last part, trying to sound nice when I feel the opposite at this moment.Uncomfortable and a little cranky, that's it." She's right, she doesnt want you here anymore." Kayla says." That's not what I said." " Then what were you saying?" She is quick to ask, almost cutting me off." You don't need to worry anymore, that's it." I direct this to both guys before returning my gaze back to Kayla." And apparently, you have a problem with me." I say, not wanting to beat around the bush.I'm honestly getting tired of this hide and seek game going on here." I do?" She quirks her brow, in

" Are you okay now Casey?" " Um, yes, why do you ask?" I ask, glancing away from my food." You didn't go to school remember?" " I'm all better now mom, don't worry." I offer a small smile, hoping it will ease her incoming worries.She smiles back, gently patting my hand. " I forgot to tell you something." " Hmm?"" That man, Joe, he came by the house in the morning."I swear that her smile slips off her face, blinking at me as she takes in the information." Oh?" She continues eating and I frown at her reaction." He seemed to be a little too interested in the reason why --------" " I don't want you to miss school again." She suddenly says.Is she trying to change the subject right now?" It's not the first time he's been around the house, right? That's why he knew where our house was."" Did he make you feel uncomfortable?"What is with all these questions right now?" " He was too curious, that's all." I leave it at that, continuing with eating.A moment of silence takes ove