The old bookstore on Main has been there as long as I can remember. I never go in. One sunny afternoon as I was driving by there was a sign that read come sit and read. So I decided that day I would do just that. I walk in and browse. I go up to the counter, the guy behind the counter is kind of awkward and gives me a crooked smile. “Can I help you?” He says. I tell him that I am looking for a mystery author and he points me in the right direction. As I leave I feel a pair of eyes on me. I turn and look but the guy at the counter is standing there reading the paper.
That night I decided to drive to a new restaurant and meet a friend. “You know that old bookstore on 6th and Maine?” “No. Is it good?” Friend asked. Drinks are flowing , an unlimited basket of chips on the table. The night came to a close and as I went to my car there was a flier that mentioned the bookstore was having a guest speaker. It was the mystery author that I enjoyed reading. A few days later I went to the bookstore to listen to the guest speaker. He was signing books and I brought mine for him to sign. “Who should I make this out to?" he says. “Sarah.” “Ok. To my good pal. Sarah.” “Thank you.” I go to my car and I feel like someone is watching me. The guy from the counter was standing at the end of the sidewalk staring. “Can I help you?” I say. “No.” He walks away. I shake my head and drive home. I get home and there is a box on my doorstep. I look around and I don’t see anyone. There’s a note. “Good seeing you today.” I’m thinking it could be anyone. I opened it and it’s a coupon from the bookstore. One free book with a purchase of coffee. I put the box next to my bed and go to make dinner.
The next day I go to get my free book and coffee. “Nice to see you again.” Says the guy behind the counter. “you too.” I head to my car and turn around. He's staring again. I get goosebumps. He’s freaking weird. The next morning I head to work and notice a car turn the same way every time. I speed up or slow down. They are right there. I shake it off. I come out of my office to my car and there is another flier on my car. This time I crumble it up and throw it away. A few days pass and I do my normal routine work then home and a stop at the store. This time at the grocery store a coupon is on my window. Another free book and coffee. I threw it away. When I get home another box is on my porch. I decided to go to the bookshop one more time. I walk up to the counter and ask for the guy that works here and they tell me he is out running errands. So I wait. He finally walks in. “Are you following me?” “Excuse me?” Just answer the question. “I'm not sure what you're talking about?” He says. After that I decided not to come back to the bookstore.
Six months go by and fliers and gifts keep showing up on my car and at my house. I just throw them away or give the coupons to my neighbors. One night as I am leaving the office I see the guy from the bookstore standing under a street light just staring. I ran to my car and locked it. I started to take a new way home and to the office. I tried going to the police about my suspicions but they said it is not a crime to leave fliers on doorsteps but with no soliciting they would have to see it. One night as I am getting ready to go out with my friends my doorbell rings. I thought it might be a guy from my office who wanted to meet up for drinks later.
He is standing in the doorway, I thought I was dreaming it didn’t seem real. He had been stalking me for over a year. Now he’s in my living room smiling at me like we are best friends. I raced to the other room to call the police. He’s right behind me grabbing the phone out of my hand. All of a sudden he walks out of the house. Standing on my porch looking at me through the window. I can’t move. I hear my heavy breathing as a tear rolls down my cheek. I ran to the bathroom and locked the door. A few moments later I hear footsteps coming closer. I try not to scream. He picks the lock. I scream. He rushes toward me. I feel a sting and pressure in my neck. He injects me with sleep serum. Next thing I know I am waking up in a basement. I am tied to the bed, my ankles and arms bound. My eyes aren’t fully adjusting around me as the world spins. My mouth feels dry like sandpaper. He comes in with a mask covering his face. I try to speak but it comes out as a whisper. My throat burns. I cannot scream. He turns Jazz on, sits in a corner and stares at me. I try to wiggle and it is hopeless. The guy in the mask turns the music off, puts a blindfold on me, and injects me with more sleep medicine. This time I am strapped to a chair in a dining room. Does he think this is a date? He speaks for the first time. “Hello, Clara.” I try to speak. “It is ok. I can speak for you.” “I have been trying to tell you how I feel and you will not give me a chance.” “I have numbed your vocal cords with a drug so you can not scream.” “I have to gain your trust that you will not leave or scream to try and get away.” I shook my head to say I understand. He spoon-feeds me and lets me have sips of water. He talks about when he was a boy and the farm he grew up on. I am looking for any solution to get me out of here.
Finally, he says he is tired and we must get our rest. He has big plans for us tomorrow. Oh no. This is it he is going to kill me. He blindfolded me and then drugged me. I woke up the next morning. This time I am outside as I look around. I am surrounded by trees that stretch miles and miles. “Good morning Clara.” “I hope you don’t mind. I drove us out to the countryside. This is where I grew up.” “I half smile.” He feeds me breakfast and orange juice. A horse and buggy pulls up and he helps me in. “Do not worry he is an old friend.” I try to speak. It is a whisper still. “Oh. Clara, why not enjoy the scenery and the ride.” This time he frees my hands and as I try to move them they are weak and heavy. I realize I cannot feel my legs. I look down and they are still there. I start to panic. “Clara. calm my dear.” “Again. I have to be able to trust you.” I try to see if I can write something or have something to be able to speak. “In time.” All he says and then starts talking about his family and how much time he spent at this place as a child and that it means so much to him that he could share it with me. That evening we stayed at his childhood country house. The inside was huge. Had at least seven rooms and three bathrooms. He gave me a tour of each place and had a story about each place. Then he took me to the cellar. I pointed up to try and ask if we could stay above ground. “ Oh. Sweet Clara. In time.” He then brought me over to a bed and handcuffed me but left my feet un-cuffed. He lays down beside me and wraps his arms around me.
The next morning I woke up in a panic and screamed. Except this time I can hear my scream. “It is ok”, he says. “What is going on?!” I scream. “Last night was amazing.” He says. “Wha what? Do you mean?” “Oh. Come on Clara. I’m not like that.” “We cuddled.” “It was nice.” “No!” He gets up and walks away. “Tell me why am I here?” I scream. He comes back and gets in my face. I can feel his breath on me. “You are here because I love you.” “You don’t even know me!” “I know enough.” I scoff. He sits on the bed. “I saw you for the first time at the bookstore on Main Street.” “You were wearing a red sundress and white flip-flops.” I rack my brain trying to remember that day. It hit me, he had been stalking me for a lot longer than a year. “Who are you?” I said. “My name is Tom. I work at the bookstore on Main.” “I have only been to that bookstore a handful of times” “I know.” “When you stopped coming around I searched for you.” I got your name off the computer at work.” “Why me.” “I just feel we are meant to be.” “I don’t believe in love at first sight.” “Neither do I.” “But when I look at you I can’t shake this feeling I am supposed to be here with you.” “You’re Crazy!” I yelled. He balled up his fists and clenched his jaw. Tom yelled. “I’ve been nothing but nice to you!” “I shared stories with you.” “I brought you on this trip to my home!”
“I don’t know what you think this is. You kidnapped me, drugged me, and you expect me to swoon?” “Clara.” I… “My name is Sarah! Sarah you stupid piece of shit!” The next thing I saw was black. When I woke up my head was throbbing. I looked around and it was dark and cold. I felt around and it felt like a stone around me. I look up and realize I'm at the bottom of a well. I cry out as loud as I can. “Help Me!” Until my voice cracks. I hear nothing but static from the other side of the walkie. It is a walkie talkie. “Hello. You there Sarah?” “What do you want?” She barked. “ I am sorry I called you the wrong name.” “Clara was my mom's name.” “You remind me of her.” “ She died a year ago. She was my best friend.” “Tom. I am sure you are a nice man, this is not how to go about dating someone.” “I think you need to see a professional.” “I can’t help you.” “Tom?” Are you there?” “Answer me!” “Aaaahhhh!” I throw the walkie-talkie down and lie down on the cold ground and cry. I wake up to the sound of chains rattling. He is lifting me out of the well. Guess I must have dozed off. Tom lifts me out and brings her to a garden area. “I’m sorry about my actions.” “You seem so nice, exactly what I’m looking for.” “I can’t replace your mom Tom.” “I guess I know that now.” “There’s only one thing left to do.” She braces herself. This is it. She closes her eyes. She hears a gun go off and screams! Tom crumbles to the ground. He shot himself! I run screaming for help but no one is around. I try to find a phone.
I search Tom's pockets and find his cellphone and it’s almost dead. I try to find bars. Finally “Hello!” “911. What is your Emergency?” “Yes! Hi. I’m trapped and I don’t know the address. I was kidnapped.” The man who did it just killed himself! Please! Help!” “Ok. mam one moment we will track your location and send them your way. Police arrive and I stand in the doorway. “Are you ok?” “Do you need medical attention?” “I don’t think so," it comes out as a whisper. “You’re one of the lucky ones.” “What? I don’t understand.” This is Darren Barns. We have been after him for years. He’s a wanted serial killer.” “There were others?” “Yes. He had 5 other victims.” “He shot and killed each one of his victims execution style.” “Is his mom really dead?” “I’ll have to investigate,” the officer says. Was anything he told me true? I thought. They finally bring me home. A few days later there’s a knock at the door. I installed a security camera and extra locks. I look through the peephole. It’s a woman. “State your name and business”, she says. “My name is Clara Barns. I believe you met my son Darren.” Sarah opens the door slowly. “Yes?” She says. “ I’m very sorry dear to disturb you.” “ My son was deeply troubled.” “He was schizophrenic and stopped his meds and treatment.” “I’m so sorry. He was a bit of a charmer and charmed his way out of the hospital.” “quite the storyteller he was.” “Why are you telling me this?” “An officer asked why you would think I was dead?” “So I wanted to give you an explanation.” “I told the hospital to tell Darren I was dead. Because I thought it would be easier for him to focus on treatment.” “ I felt like I was holding him back.” “So your son had a psychotic break because you lied?” “No one's perfect dear.” “Please leave me alone.” “Don’t come back here!” With that the lady left. “I need to move.” I thought.