I straightened my posture, enjoyed a good stretch, and took a deep breath. Despite my lengthy internal dialogue, I was not feeling too shabby. Who needs reality TV when you have your little voice in your head? Perhaps I will sleep on it and decide tomorrow whether I should ask Mr. Cross. Who knows, I might wake up with a new perspective. He might even offer the information himself. Well, a girl could only hope, right?

I was about to leave when I suddenly looked down at myself and realised something weird. What the heck was I wearing? My eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. I figured that perhaps Mr. Cross might have dressed me after the whole incident, but that was not the confusing aspect. My confusion stemmed from the actual clothing I was wearing. My broke ass could not even dream of affording this silk sleepwear. This sleepwear was top-notch quality. The way it felt against my skin was pure luxury. 

It was about two a.m. Saturday morning, and I was already feeling like crap. Crap! Crap! Crap! For the record, I left. Being the dramatic girl I was, I just up and stormed out without saying a word. Now I was wondering how the heck he was going to react when he finally realised I was gone. There was a good chance Mr. Cross would not realise until much later, and the reason for this was simple. Back at the hotel, I had just left the bathroom; my mind made up about leaving. I headed towards the living area to get my backpack, but as I walked past the balcony, I caught a glimpse of them. With her winning smile, I could see Grace reaching up to play with his perfect hair, and Mr. Cross did not even flinch. It was as if they were in their little world, completely unaware of anyone else around them. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. So here I was, sometime later, lying on my old dusty sofa in my apartment alone. Feeling like a complete idiot.

I needed a smoke and something strong to drink. Something that would knock me out for the night and help me forget about all the chaos of the day. My head was pounding, and my nerves were shot. The cravings were real, and I knew I would not sleep until I satisfied them. I soon realised I had failed to visit the liquor store due to Mr. Cross's unexpected interruption. It was legit late as hell, and there I was, on my worn-out sofa, debating whether I wanted to venture out for some liquor. But my cravings were louder than my internal battle. So, I threw on my old hoodie and headed out, determined to satisfy my thirst. Making my way down the street, I cursed myself for not stopping by the liquor store on my way home. I felt let down by Mr. Cross, but was it fair to do so? He never made any promises to me. It was simply my wild imagination at play. It could not be helped, though. My substitute teacher was one fine species of man. 

The ringing of my phone abruptly pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked at the screen to see an unknown number flashing. Without a second thought, I answered the call in a casual voice, not expecting much from the unknown caller.

“Hello?" I said, my voice a little hesitant.

"Hi. Is this Thalia?" A cheerful female voice responded.

I furrowed my brows in confusion as the sound of the voice reached my ears. The voice was unfamiliar, and it had a noticeable accent. It was not one that I am used to hearing in my everyday life.

"Yes,” I replied. “This is Thalia. Who is this?"

“It's me, my love!" A different voice declared, causing me to come to a sudden halt as if a vice was clenching around my heart.

“How did you get my number?" I nervously questioned.

“What kind of question is that, my love?” He chuckled on the other end of the line. “I will always have your number," the voice replied in an almost taunting tone.

My initial feeling of fear swiftly transformed into overwhelming panic. How could he have gotten my number again? Despite changing it multiple times to avoid his persistent calls and messages.

My voice was filled with frustration as I shouted into the phone. “I told you to leave me the fuck alone!”

There was a pause at the other end before the voice replied. "My darling, Thalia. You thought you could hide from me? I always find a way."

There was a lump in my throat, and tears brimmed in my eyes. I had relocated to another area of the city and even changed my phone number. All in hopes of leaving behind the past my mother had gotten us into by dating Chump. I held the phone to my ear, my hand shaking.

“What do you want from me?” I asked, trying to sound strong and confident.

"I want you, Thalia," he replied. His voice was low and dangerous. "You know I always wanted you.”

His words were like a hammer, shattering me from within. All those messed-up memories rushed back. Overwhelming me with the same old agony and terror. 

“I cannot stand the thought of you.” I spat into the phone. “Haven't you and your father fucked up my life enough?” 

“When you argue with that heated passion, Thalia, it ignites a fire within me," he muttered into the phone.

This crazy piece of shit had the nerve to say something so outrageous. All I could think about was chucking my phone into the nearest wall. Seriously, I just wanted to disappear off the radar forever.

"You are a psychopath. Just as delusional as your foolish father." My voice was dripping with contempt. "I am getting my life back on track now. I am working hard. I am happy."

His laughter was like nails on a chalkboard, sending disgusting shivers down my spine. 

"Happy?" He taunted. "Do you believe you can be happy? No, Thalia. You are mine, and I will never release my hold on you."

His words fuelled my frustration and nervousness.

“You do not own me," I said firmly. "I am not yours. I never was. I never will be!”

There was a pause at the other end, and then he spoke again. This time his voice was laced with a dangerous threat.

“I do own you, darling. It is your eighteenth birthday. I am coming for you."

I swallowed. I was so fucking scared—I thought I would piss myself.

"You will never find me!" I yelled into the phone.

He laughed. "I already have."

When I caught sight of a figure approaching me, my initial fear quickly evolved into all-consuming panic. My vision blurred with tears. My hands trembled, and my throat tightened with fear.

“Thalia.”

I wanted to flee. To seek shelter. Yet my feet were stubbornly anchored to the cursed earth. How had that bastard managed to get my phone number again? I could not comprehend the reason for this relentless pursuit. It felt as though the entire cosmos was taunting me, subjecting me to this torment once again. 

"Thalia!” The voice became more insistent.

My breathing quickened and became shallow. Despite my efforts to calm down, my mind was flooded with overwhelming thoughts.

“Thalia.” The voice had grown more forceful.

My entire body was frozen with terror, rendering me incapable of any movement or speech. My heart raced uncontrollably as the figure halted directly in front of me. Without warning, it seized me with a firm grip.

My desperate plea of "Let me go!" echoed in despair.

“Thalia, please calm down.” The voice demanded.

“Do not touch me!” I yelled.

"I fucking hate you!” I exclaimed in distress.

Suddenly, against my will, a bloodcurdling scream ripped through my throat. My entire body trembled at the sheer force; it was like something had taken over me. Controlling my vocal cords and unleashing a sound that I could not even recognise as my own. I was completely powerless as my body continued to convulse with the intensity of the scream. It felt like an eternity, but in reality, it only lasted a few seconds. And when it finally stopped, I was left panting and shaking on the ground. 

Then, the world went dark.