In the past I was nothing but that nerd people picked on. I was the number one kid that everyone liked to bully all because I wouldn’t do anything to stop them. People say that if you leave a bully alone, they would get bored and stop, but not in my case. They continued and of course I had to do something about it.

  The next day, their bodies disappeared. It wasn’t until a week later the police found their bodies torn and faces caved in almost to the point where it was impossible to be identified.

  Of course, everyone was being interviewed including me since I was their number one suspect. I played my deadly card, convincing them of my ‘innocence.’

  “I didn’t do it! Why would I kill my own classmates?” Tears stream down my cheeks and I had a lump in my throat, making it harder for me to speak. I sniffled and wiped the snot out of my mouth. “They may have bullied me but I would never do something like that. I would never go to that extent.”

  They let me go and I exit the building, I smirked to myself without anyone knowing and thought, detective making me cry in front of all those people. But at least I was able to go free with only slight suspicion.

  Another week passed and as I watched the news, detectives said they have ‘found’ the culprit. It was a thirty-three year old man who would kidnap children and use them as his ‘toys.’ He would lock them in a cage and set them free in a large room he created with many obstacles and see how long they would survive. If they do, they would be set free, or at least that’s what the children thought. In the end, they would be shot down with their bodies tossed into ditches or rivers.

  Ah, what a great victory!

  I decided to change my appearance after that. I no longer had those huge glasses and got contacts. I grew taller and gained muscles as puberty hit. Girls loved me, but I wasn’t interested in them. They were of no importance in my life.

  Years passed since that incident. I was now in high school and not once have I been caught but with each passing day I felt like someone’s watching me. No matter where I go, that person follows. However, when I turn around, no one is there, only my shadow.

  I write in a journal, expressing my thoughts, hoping whoever this person was would disappear just like those bullies. I want whoever it is to leave me alone. It’s been a year for Pete’s sake! Why would someone grasp that when everything is said and done? They’ve captured the ‘murderer’ already!

 Then one night, I was walking home late as I had after school activities. A shiver ran up my spine as I turned a corner, entering my neighborhood. I had enough of this. I had enough of this person constantly being at my back, but never showing their face! I clutched my backpack strap and spun around.

  No one.

  I glared at the empty space. Just where exactly is this person? I took one more glance at my surroundings before shrugging it off and continued walking home. I held my backpack close, slinging it over one shoulder.

  It was clear. Those footsteps behind me were clear. I knew for a fact I finally found who was stalking me. I didn’t stop this time. I wanted to see how long this person would follow me before I can confirm who this person is.

 I passed my house on purpose and that was when the footsteps stopped. So, whoever this is knows where I lived. I turned around to see a girl walking right passed me with quick steps. Her head was down and she held a camera to her chest. I grabbed her shoulder, causing her to jump. She looked up at me with these big eyes and trembling lips. I felt a spark as our eyes met and let her go, but that didn’t mean I would go easier on her. “Why are you stalking me?” I asked as calmly as I could. If I can get a reason, maybe I wouldn’t hurt her. If she does suspect me, however, would anyone miss her? She had my school’s uniform, but I don’t recognize her face.

  “I-I’m not stalking you,” she stuttered unable to face me.

  I pulled her chin up and narrowed my eyes. She was telling the truth. I could see it from her nonverbal actions, but I had to make sure. “Let me see the camera then.”

  The girl reluctantly handed me her camera and said, “I’m part of the newspaper club, so please don’t break it! I don’t want to pay for it.”

  I waved her off and skimmed through all the photos. None were of me, so could she be telling the truth? I gave the camera back to her and questioned, “Then why are you following me at this hour while I’m alone?”

  “I live here.” She pointed at the house next to mine.

  Since when? I have never seen her face whatsoever and whoever resided there was living there before my family and I moved in. Is she crazy? “You live here?” I raised an eyebrow. “Then why have I never seen you?”

  She blinked a couple of times. “We’ve been classmates ever since middle school and yet you’ve never seen me?” Her eyebrows cringed. “Don’t you think that’s unfair, Lay? We could’ve been childhood friends, but you’re always busy in your own little world. Sometimes I question you.”

  Does she know my secret?

  I remained nonchalant and rubbed the back of my head. “Well, sorry to disappoint you, Missy, but I’m not interested in girls like you.”

  “What made you think I’m interested in you? I made no such notion.”

  She intrigued me with her strange attitude.  She’s different. I like that. I smirked and shifted my eyes to the side, “Well, you would be the first to say that. Who are you anyways?”

  “I’m Jung Ae Mi.” She paused, looking deep into my eyes before saying, “I have to go since I’m late for supper already. I’ll see you later, Lay.”

  I didn’t say a word and watched her go. Jung Ae Mi. What a strange name for a strange girl, but it fits, doesn’t it? I walked inside my house and went straight to my room, secluding myself from the world and wrote in my journal about today’s events.

  After that meeting, I never felt shadowed again.

  The next day I saw her coming into the classroom while I was sitting quietly at my desk, staring out the window. So she’s in this classroom, too. I tried ignoring her of course, be she would always end up on my line of vision and I couldn’t help but stare at her for a while even when my teacher was scolding me to pay attention.

  That was how it was until lunch came. I always ate alone since I had no friends. I had no one to talk to and no one to hang out with since there’s no need for them. I sat outside by a tree and began eating while watching the people around me talk and laugh with people they’ve known for years. At one point, a girl was staring at me and I knew she was one of those types who think they could get me because their pretty. I rolled my eyes at her and continued eating.

  “So you always eat here alone?” A voice said above me.

  I didn’t look at her. “What do you want, Ae Mi?”

  “I’m just a concerned student.” She sat next to me without permission and pulled out her lunch.

  I glared at her. “Just what do you think you’re doing?” I snapped.

  “I’m eating. What else?”

  I scooted away from her. This was the first time someone would actually be persistent enough to sit next to me. Usually after the first encounter, they never want to consult with me ever again. “Why don’t you just shoo and eat somewhere else. Don’t you have other friends to be with?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, I do, but I always eat with them. It doesn’t hurt to try something new once in a while. Plus we should get to know each other since we’re classmates and neighbors. I heard you have amazing grades and I was wondering if you could tutor me.”

  Ah, so she’s playing that card. No wonder she wants to get close to me. No one wants to be friends with me unless there’s a catch. I roll my eyes. “Oh. I see. So the only reason you want to be close to me is because you need help in studying. Why don’t you just ask one of your friends rather than a neighbor who you barely know?” I spat rudely. Why won’t she leave me alone like the rest? I feel like she’s going to deprive me of my secret.

  She waved her hand frantically in front of her. “I-I didn’t mean it that way. I was just…” She sighed in defeat. “You will never get friends this way if you keep acting like that, Lay.”

  “What if I don’t want friends?”

  “Why not?”

  Why not? She’s asking why not? “I don’t trust people.”

  Ae Mi remained silent for a while, chewing on her food as she had this distant look on her face. Suddenly, she smiled. “If that’s what you think, then how can I gain your trust?”

  I smirked. Absolutely nothing. I don’t want her into my life while it’s perfectly peaceful. After those bullies were gone, I was in tranquility except for my stalker whom I still need to figure out. “Please, just leave me alone.” I got up to leave, but she tugged on the hem of my shirt.

  “The more you run away, the more I’ll come back to you.”

  What the hell is she saying? I shook her off and walked to the library where no one could bother me. They don’t allow food, but I lost my appetite talking to her.

  At the end of the day, I was walking out the gates when I heard Ae Mi calling my name. I ignored her and kept walking, clutching my backpack real close to me. Her footsteps echoed behind me in sync and I couldn’t help but get annoyed. “Will you ing leave me alone?” I yelled.

  She jumped from sudden outburst. “Did you forget that I’m your neighbor? Why are you so uptight all the time anyways? You’re so annoying!”

  “I’m annoying? You’re the one who’s butting into my life! Why don’t you off and leave me alone!” I shoved her, making her fall flat on the concrete ground. I smirked and walked off.

  “What the hell is wrong with you, Lay! You were never like this in the past! I don’t understand why you changed!”

  I didn’t look back as she yelled insults at me. I just kept walking but something in the back of my mind was mocking me. It was saying:

  What’s wrong, Lay? Are you afraid of her figuring out your secret? You’re smarter than that. You know if you continue avoiding people, then you’ll soon be figured out. Why don’t you befriend her? Oh, that’s right. You’re afraid. You’re scared of her. You’re still that same old weak Lay that everyone wants to make fun of. Why not befriend her and show who’s the boss?

  I hated that voice. It always tries to prevent me from doing things just like that day when I killed those bullies. I turned around to see Ae Mi walking with her head down and a pout of her lips. She didn’t realize I stopped and bumped right into me.

  Her eyes darted towards me, but she was unmoving.

  I sighed. “Sorry.”

  She doesn’t say a word.

  I continued by mumbling, “If you want, I’ll be your friend.”

  Ae Mi tilted her head while leaning forward. “I’m sorry, but what did you say?”

  I glared. “I’m not going to repeat myself.”

  She giggled. “Alright. Alright. I heard you. I just wanted to make sure.” She held out a hand.

  I took it and shook her hand.

  And so, that made us officially friends to my dismay.

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*Author's note:

  This is actually the first time I will be writing a psychological/gore/insanity story. I wanted to broaden my genres and try something new. I wanted to try something outside of my fluff and drama world so something... darker. So please  be patient with me and don't criticize me too much, but you may tell me what I need to improve.