See You Soon

Claire,

You didn’t think you could just leave, did you?

I’ve always known where you were. That little bus station in the city? That motel with the flickering sign on the side of the motorway? I was watching you even then. How you clutch your bag when you sleep. How you leave the TV on static to drown out the sound of your thoughts.

You’re clever. Slippery. But not clever enough.

I have to admit, you know how to cover your tracks. But you should know that you can’t shake off your own tail.

You're not running away from me. You're running toward me.

You’ll see soon.

Sweet dreams.

…

Wow. Creepy.

Not sure how you got this address, but congrats, I guess. Nice to know I’m living rent-free in your head.

FYI, the bus station smelled like pee and the motel had roaches, so maybe put your stalking budget toward better accommodations next time? Only, of course, if there is a next time, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up if I were you.

Also, if you’re going to kill me, maybe don’t warn me first. That’s kind of… I don’t know… sloppy?

Anyway, I’ve got to go. I’m going on a hitchhiking date with a guy named Dave. He says he’s got a van. Don’t worry, I checked and there's no candy.

Best,

Claire

…

Dave has a record. Two assaults. One missing person case.

You're not as sharp as you think.

Do you know how easy it would be for me to get to you? To pull you from that van before Dave even knows what’s happening?

The door’s unlocked.

Sleep tight.

…

Very funny.

Except you can’t be outside because I'm writing this from the bathroom at a gas station, and I'm pretty sure the only person outside is the clerk on his smoke break.

Unless you’ve taken up vaping? Mint flavoured, I hope. But seriously — do you actually think this whole “mysterious stalker” act is working? Because from where I’m sitting (on a suspiciously sticky toilet seat, by the way. You owe me for that), you sound kind of… desperate.

Following me across three states? Tracking my every move? Writing me these cryptic little notes like some kind of B-list Bond villain? Feels like a lot of effort for someone who insists they're the one in control.

And if you know so much, if you’ve been watching me this whole time, tell me this: Why am I running?

Seriously. Enlighten me.

You should know why.

Unless… you don’t.

Which would mean you’re not half as smart as you think you are.

I need to stop writing now since someone’s knocking on the stall door and I don’t feel like explaining why I’ve been loitering in the bathroom with a notepad.

Best,

Claire

…

You’re running because you’re scared.

But not of me.

The thing you’re running from is already in the room with you.

Turn around.

…

I think you’ve got this whole dynamic twisted. You think I’m scared of you? Cute. You’ve been following me, sure. But have you noticed the trail of bodies in my wake?

Dave made it exactly 27 miles before he swerved into a ditch. Poor guy. Guess he shouldn’t have tried to pull that knife.

The clerk at the gas station? You’ll see his face on the news soon. Well… most of it.

So yeah, maybe I’m running.

But not from you.

You’re not hunting me.

I’m hunting you.

See you soon.

…

Interesting.

You always were a quick study. I underestimated you. My mistake.

But you're wrong about one thing.

I'm not hunting you anymore.

I'm inviting you.

There’s a cabin in the woods just outside the circus. Red door. Broken window. I’ll leave the door unlocked.

If you’re as brave as you think you are…

Come find me.

Or maybe I'll find you first.

…

By circus, you mean the Festival Extravaganza, right?

Cute.

I’ll bring wine. And maybe a shovel.

See you soon.

Claire.

…

I knew you’d come.

I saw you the second you stepped into the woods. That red jacket of yours stands out in the dark like a beacon. You really should have chosen something less… noticeable.

Or maybe you wanted me to see you.

Either way, you’re here now.

I left a present for you. I thought I might as well give you a chance. The knife I pinned this letter down with is all yours. I trust you know how to use it.

Do you feel it? The cold sinking into your bones? The silence pressing down on you? That sound behind you, the snap of a branch, that wasn’t an animal.

You’ve been so clever up to this point. So slippery. So sharp. But even the smartest prey makes a mistake eventually.

And you’ve just made yours.

Don’t bother running.

I’m already behind you.

…

You’re right.

I felt you the moment I crossed the tree line. I knew you were there. I could almost hear your breathing — shallow, controlled, waiting.

But you made a mistake, too.

You let me get too close.

I know it’s rude, but I’m going to have to return you kind gift. A girl can’t have too many of a good thing or it gets boring.

I felt the heat of your breath on the back of my neck, and I smiled.

Because I’m not scared of you anymore. Not that I ever was.

And you’ll never get the chance to write me again.

…

Clever girl.

But not clever enough.

See you soon.

…

INCIDENT REPORT:

Missing person: Claire Marie Jenkins.

Location: Isolated cabin, Festival Extravaganza.

Details: The cabin was found empty upon arrival. Blood splatters were present, but no bodies recovered. Signs of struggle. One broken window.

Unidentified footprints lead into the woods. No return tracks.

A single sheet of paper was discovered, pinned to the cabin wall with a knife. It read:

"Not yet."

Claire is presently missing at time of report. Background checks show that she must have changed her identity. Or she didn’t have any family, immediate or extended.

Case remains open.