Sterling by Dannika Dark Page B

doorway. “That should give you enough. Hurry up, get whatever you need and let’s get the hell out of here.”
    I brushed past him and as I did he yanked a stick out of his pocket and cracked it. After a few shakes it released a soft green glow.
    “Who are you, an international spy?” I giggled to myself out of earshot range.
    I stuffed a few personal things into a small bag and rejoined him in the living room.
    “Can you help me get this down the stairs?” I whispered, dragging my white flokati rug behind me.
    “Christ, Zoë.” He scolded. “If you take anything personal let it mean something to you. Hurry up; we need to clear outta here.”
    I stared at the rug disappointed. “I took my first steps on this rug.” I sighed, dragging it back into the bedroom. I guess it seemed a silly thing to him but you can’t help what you form attachments to.
    When I finished, I followed the glow of green light in my hall that was lingering over one of my picture frames. I stepped beside Adam who was looking at my former life.
    “That’s my mom.” I pointed to an old Polaroid of my mother when she was young, standing behind me as I clutched an orange teddy bear. “And that’s Max, my baby.” My finger brushed over the glass, scratching his imaginary head.
    “That’s a big baby,” he said, looking at the picture of Max lounged out in my bathroom sink with his massive jackrabbit legs spilling over the edges.
    “And that’s…”
    “You”, he whispered.
    The picture was taken by my ex; I was sitting on my white rug gazing out the window. To anyone else it looked like I was daydreaming, but that was the day I was thinking about getting away from him.
    “Yeah. Was.” I cleared my throat.
    When memory lane turned into an HOV lane, I made a quick break for the exit not wanting to get lost in sentimental bullshit when I had a job to do. Adam went into my bedroom while I moved towards the front door.
    “I’m heading down, I’ll be in the car.”
    I glanced down. “Don’t forget your shoes, they’re by the door.” I could feel his no shit look through two inches of door.
    Once in the Rover I slouched down in my seat and mentally collapsed. The remnants of my life were zipped up in a bag and I knew I was never going back. That chapter was closed, and yet knowing this I wasn’t as upset as I should have been. I had a clean slate. My life wasn’t much, but I was still grateful that I had it.
    A few minutes later the rear hatch lifted for a few seconds and then Adam slammed it shut. He hopped in and punched the key in the ignition.
    “Anywhere else?”
    I opened my eyes and turned to face him. A laugh escaped that reverberated off the walls of the truck and spiraled out of control.
    Adam had shoved the glow stick in his pocket causing his entire crotch to radiate like a nuclear meltdown. I was hysterical for a minute or two before I could breathe again.
    “My stomach hurts.” I said wiping a tear. “That’s money.” I groaned letting out a few stray laughs. It was the first time I really let down my guard with Adam and he was thoroughly enjoying every minute of it. His eyes squinted from a broad grin and he winked at me.
    “Kryptonite, sweetheart.” The stick was tossed into the back and the engine growled as the car backed out.
    “Wait!” I hissed.
    Adam reacted, slamming the break as I flew forward and he threw his arm out protectively even despite the fact I was buckled up.
    Between two buildings, someone was watching us, and this time I saw him. He stepped into the dark shadows and that prickly feeling surfaced. Somehow—I felt him. Now I knew that he was not just a phantom memory chasing me in my dreams, and that terrified me.
    When I lost consciousness during the attack, I never knew what happened to the man. With that uncertainty there was always an underlying fear that he was behind every door, every dark shadow, and in my head. He became my boogeyman. What if he found me? He couldn’t possibly