The Stalker

Stepping into his room, Neo threw the bag on the bed and channeled his steps towards the washroom whiles undressing; throwing his uniforms anywhere at all his eyes spotted. Not that he was a clumsy kind of person; but more of a perfectionist who liked his things organized– but not at the moment, he just felt lazy and a bit pissed at the same time.

Few minutes after sauntering into the washroom, the blistering sound of the shower was heard on the hard floor– coupled with the sweet fragrance of his shower gel. For the next 40mins that followed; he just stayed under the warm shower as he tried to shed off the negative energy and tiredness which was eventually consuming him.

But this therapy was rudely interrupted by the ring of his phone with which he intuitively let out a slight groan which told out his displeasure. With the assumption of who it could be in mind; he shuffled back into the room in his pajamas– drying his hair with a towel while he headed to his bedside.

Picking up the phone, he sat on the bed- still rubbing his hair. A surge of disappointment instantly swept his face the moment he caught glance on who the caller was. He intuitively rolled his eyes; a sigh escaping his lips in the process as he answered the call.

He knew he was in for a long lecture the moment his father's hoarse voice rasped his ears from the other side of the phone.

But then, he wasn't in for his outburst which always hit boring rocks. What he just couldn't get is why both of them had refused to see from his point of view or the reasons behind his tantrums and rebellious actions- which they've made it seemed like he was blowing things out of proportion.

"Can we not talk about this now?" He chimed in; which contrived to drum home to his father his disinterest on the topic at hand.

"I really am exhausted and wants to have some rest." He added, hoping to be left alone.

There was subdued silence between the two for some seconds then his father's voice echoed once again over the phone; accepting to let him have his rest- leaving the topic hanging so they speak about it some other time. Neo didn't like the fact that the topic was left indefinite but at least he got to escape the whole lecture idea for the night.

"Okay Dad." He answered and after a while, the line went dead.

Glancing at the screen once again, he dropped the phone on the bed while he rose to his full length- sauntering off to his wardrobe for his pajamas. Sliding into bed, his eyes intuitively fell on Irianda's students ID which had fallen off his uniform earlier on when he threw it onto the chair sitting some distance away from the bed. Without hesitation, he reached for it and slammed himself back into bed- staring heavenward as he held the card above his face.

"There are lots of things so strange about you." Neo muttered, gazing intently at the picture on the card. "What could you be hiding?" He spat out the words- staring expectantly at the image as if it would speak up any point in time.

*******

The entire city of Incheon had drowned into darkness with the artificial lights replacing the sun which had long gone to rest- exposing the beauty of the energetic city and it's streets which were still booming with activities as though it was day.

Irianda on the other hand- couldn't help staring through the side window while her head rested on it; the chill breeze engulfing the city with her mind running wild as her mother drove through the high streets lined with it's designated lights. She had high hopes of living like a normal High Schooler once again on entering into SAMBERK HIGH but everything seemed to be in a mess with the sudden appearance of the stranger. To make matters worse, there was no direct link to him nor who exactly he was. Even if they were being tailed- she totally had no idea about it.

A sigh intuitively escaped her lips, suddenly exhausted from all the hide and seek. "We can't keep running away." A voice lauded from her subconscious mind. "We can't keep doing this forever." She told herself with renewed agenda.

There was no way she was going to sit back and wait until she loses another loved one once again but then; one thing was certain. She still needs to lay low and do her possible best not to expose herself in her new school. She felt her mood shook with determination as if in sync with her thoughts.

"Are you okay?" Mandy's voice interrupted – making Irianda glance deftly at her with raised brows ; not sure how long her mother had been stealing glances nor if she could read through her.

"Ne [yes]" She answered skeptically but convincing enough to clear Mandy's doubt.

After almost an hour of driving, Mandy finally drove off from the main streets into a quiet alley lined with few street lights here and there. Instinctively, Irianda felt some chills which was beyond the night's weather ran down her spin. As if on an impulse, she quickly allowed her gaze to travel to the back seats; staring directly through the windscreen with an expectant gaze. Mandy noticed her daughter's uneasiness though driving and her brows creased with curiosity.

"Are you sure you're okay?" She inquired once again with divided attention; balancing her gaze between the road and her daughter. Irianda for once – didn't want her mother into her intuitions anymore. She shudder to think of the danger that will leave her in. She had done enough in keeping her safe for the past years and now is her turn.

The evening was becoming more intense with the night creeping in with every passing minute and the and the chilly whether wasn't helping Irianda's state of mind either. After about 20mins, Mandy finally pulled up in front of Leticia's apartment. After few seconds, they glided out.

The latter on hearing the heating engine died down- staggered out of the door, her face plastered with anxiety and concern.

"Omo…," Leticia exuded, rushing over to them. " I was so worried about you guys when I heard your voice over the phone." She grumbled in one breath as she neared them. "Gwenchana? [Are you okay]" She asked, examining them all over.

"Come on- Leti," Mandy snapped in. "We're fine. Just help me with these bags." She continued, handing some of the bags to her. Without hesitation, Leticia took the bags and scampered off- muttering her concerns over her shoulders as she headed towards the corridor with Mandy following from a distance.

Irianda was more on edge than anyone else as she tailed after them. She instinctively turned to the distance, still feeling eyes on them.

The silhouette figure in the dark, distance away; intuitively scaled behind the wall on noticing Irianda's gaze travelling towards him- instantly hiding from her.

"Found you." He grumbled to himself.