The Following

You’re probably wondering why I’m following you.

That is, if you’ve even caught on. I suspect you have. But then again, wouldn’t be surprised if you hadn’t. You did always have a knack for only focusing on what’s in front of you, never caring about what or who you destroyed in the process.

Ultimately, that’s the sole reason I’m following you.

I’ve been following you ever since that day. You’ve probably long forgotten it. Chalked it up as a necessary measure. A roadblock to get you to where you are now. But for me, that day has persistently haunted my mind. Like an unyielding splinter. It’s always there, buried deep, and no matter how hard I try to remove it, I only push it further in.

I can’t escape you. Just like you can’t escape me.

Where are you headed on this fine evening? The sky is inky, with the only signs of light being the distorted streetlights and lamp posts shimmering on the wet pavement. A steady drizzle pelts my hoodie as I stand a few feet behind you, sheltered by the bus stop, waiting for the pedestrian signal to let you walk. It finally does, allowing me to continue following you. Water splashes against the bottom of my jeans with each stride, each step bringing me closer to you. Indeed, a fine evening.

My first thought is Stuart’s apartment, perhaps in need of a little release. I know the feeling. All too well. But you passed the turn down Belmont. So, unless your rich boyfriend has recently moved, which I strongly doubt he has; I’d know. Then I suspect you’re headed to work.

But at this hour? Very suspicious of you, Billie …

Whatever. If I’m right, then you’ve made my revenge all the easier. I always imagined it ending where it began.

“Drew!”

I halt in my steps and snap my head at the sound of my name, my eyes catching Quinn waving at me as he weaves through traffic, crossing the street to catch up to me. Fuck. This is the last thing I need.

I glance back, searching for you, desperately hoping you didn’t hear the damn intern call my name, but you’re long gone. No matter. I’ll catch up. I always do.

“I thought that was you,” Quinn says as he approaches. “What have you … been … up … to?”

Quinn’s words falter as he squints, the outer corners of his eyes slowly widening as he gets a closer look at me. Do I look that bad? I mean, I can’t recall the last time I’ve taken a shower. Or shaved, for that matter. After that day, it just felt unnecessary. Quinn’s probably looking at a face that’s more hair than skin. Vastly different from how I looked in the office. And his eyes say it all: I’m in rough shape.

“I’m fine,” I reply.

“You don’t look fine,” Quinn says. “Is everything OK? I know things were rough after—”

“I said I’m fine.”

“All right,” Quinn says, his eyes avoiding mine. “I was just getting some after hour drinks with everyone …”

There’s an awkward silence as Quinn’s words slowly disappear, broken only by the distant murmurs of passersby and the soft whips of cars and bicycles on the streets. I think Quinn was just about to invite me to join him but quickly decided against it. Can’t say I blame him. I glance across the street and see Asher, Val, and Theo standing outside the usual after-work spot: Boozy’s. They’re talking among themselves, stealing glances over here, probably wondering why Quinn ran over to talk with me. I’m wondering the same.

“So, did you hear Parker finally narrowed it down to two people for the promotion?”

My eyes turn into slits. “Yeah, I heard.”

“Everyone keeps saying it’s going to be Billie that gets it. Torri’s just a little … mild-mannered, I think. I always figured it would be you. But—”

“I got fired,” I interrupt. “You don’t actually believe I caused that failure, do you?”

“No, course not. I just … know how bad you wanted it.”

Not as bad as Billie.

“To be honest, it was pretty damn satisfying watching Parker squirm up there, looking like a fool in front of all those high-profile clients from … What was the company called again?”

“Ambrose,” I answer, rolling my eyes.

“Yeah, them. Anyways, Parker deserved every second of it. And now everyone’s talking you up as some kind of office hero.”

“Yeah, except it wasn’t me. It was Billie. She pushed a last-minute update under my login credentials. She’s the reason the entire platform crashed. Now, thanks to her, I’m out of a job. No other tech company will touch me.”

Quinn’s eyes widen as he brushes his wavy blond hair out of his eyes and rocks back and forth on his heels and toes. Probably regrets coming over here. I know he means well. I’m just not in the right headspace for a chat.

“Well, I won’t keep you any longer,” Quinn says. “Just wanted to say hi.”

“Good seeing you, Quinn,” I lie.

“Don’t be a stranger, now,” Quinn adds, turning on his heel to walk away. “I’m here if you ever want to grab a drink or something.”

I scoff softly. “Yeah, OK.”

I dig my clenched hands into my hoodie pocket and pull it down, so the hood stretches against my face. Because of Quinn I’ve lost you. I consider heading home, giving you the chance to avoid my wrath, but I can’t, for the life of me, stop thinking about why you’re heading in to work this late.

So, I decide, once again, to follow. Except this time, I’m not following you. I’m following your trail. My stomach flutters as I weave through the busy passersby, occasionally bumping strangers’ shoulders. A fish swimming against the tide. I’m eager, and so damn curious. It’s the same feeling I had on the first night I followed you.

That night, I had no idea where you were headed. I didn’t know the second or third night, either. Every night was an adventure. It wasn’t until a couple of weeks of diligently following you that I understood your routine. Your patterns. Your tendencies. Who would’ve thought you were so damn predictable?

Not tonight, though. Tonight, you’ve deviated from your pattern. And I need to know why.

I guess everyone, to an extent, is predictable. We all get wrapped up in our daily cycles, constantly striving toward our dreams, doing what we can to survive another day. That is, until we hit a speed bump.

You’re my speed bump, Billie. And I can’t wait to roll over you.

With my strides it doesn’t take long to reach Lovegrove Tower. It glares down at me, just like Parker used to, his disapproving frown fixed anytime he reviewed my work. Not the kind of work I’d like to see from someone with the potential to be my next partner. Parker’s words echo in my head, causing me to scrunch my nose as I gaze upward toward the gloomy sky.

That’s when I see you again, riding up to our offices on the eleventh floor in the glass elevator. You’re easier to spot now that you’re no longer wearing your rain jacket. Even though you hold it in front of you, my mind fills in the rest and I know you’re wearing that black dress and white blazer combo you love so much. I don’t blame you. It’s very satisfying to the eye.

Parker’s eye, that is.

I start toward the entrance, picking up my pace as I step into the revolving doors of Lovegrove Tower. I frown, realizing the circling doors are a reminder that when working here, you can never really leave this place. And if you did, you’d find yourself back in the morning. Or in my case … tonight. The gloomy sky follows me in as I gaze up at the glass roof, the only light shining down on the complex coming from the hanging orbs dotted above, seamlessly appearing as if floating in mid-air. The retail space is desolate. Just the way I like it, though I only ever experienced it this way on the nights I worked late, trying to prove myself.

All of it deemed fruitless, thanks to you.

I approach the elevator, anxiously waiting for its arrival. My body shakes with nervous energy, and I can’t help but notice a strange feeling creeping in. Hope? Perhaps, unlike all those sleepless nights spent working here, my nightly ritual of following you will prove fruitful.

The elevator chimes, announcing its arrival, its doors splitting apart. I step in, press the familiar button for home, and ascend to the eleventh floor. Except, it’s never truly been my home. Just a place I spent every waking minute instead of my actual home. You know what I’m saying. But none of that matters now. My landlord evicted me. Again, thanks to you.

The elevator chimes again, and as its doors part, my eyebrows furrow at a strange sound. Is that … heavy breathing? I stick my head out and peer down the hallway, ensuring no one is in sight before creeping out of the elevator. The floor-to-ceiling windows follow me, offering a vast view of a lit-up Portland as I stroll along the familiar path toward the offices.

The breathing is getting louder. Heaver. And it comes from Parker’s office. What the fuck? I knew you were capable of some low shit, but I thought after what you did to me, you couldn’t get any lower. But you’ve proved me wrong. I never saw you as the type to climb the corporate rod.

Seizing the opportunity, I reach inside my back pocket for my phone. Oh, I’ve got you now. I turn my camera on and begin recording as I creep toward Parker’s office. Your breathing quickens, causing my lip to curl in disgust and my body to tense. I slowly open the door, hoping to capture a peek of you two and finally get my revenge for what you did to me.

But instead, my heart skips, breath escapes my lungs, and my eyes widen at the sight of you.

To my surprise, you’re lying on the floor, your white blazer splattered with blood as you clutch your chest. Instincts kicking in, I drop my phone and rush over to you, my hand shaking as I attempt to apply pressure to your chest. Your eyes bulge at the sight of me, your breathing a desperate fight.

“Billie, of my God,” I say, my words rushing out in a panic.

You try answering but falter as you battle to hang on. Your voice cracks, as if an invisible force is clutching at your throat, squeezing tightly.

“It’s going to be OK,” I say, though I know it’s a lie. “I’m going to call for help.”

I start to reach for my phone, but you grab my arm and pull me close to you, eyes bulging.

“Bee … Hind … You.”

I completely freeze and my stomach plummets at the sound of those words. Before I can react, it’s too late. A heavy impact slams into the side of my head, sending me crashing to the floor.

I cry out, the pain radiating through my skull. Everything goes dark for a moment before becoming blurry. I feel warm blood painting my right ear as I struggle to piece together what’s happening, the haze parting to reveal black boots approaching me. I wince, desperately trying to crawl away, but each movement sends a tidal wave of nausea, bringing back the blurriness.

“You arrived just in time,” a familiar voice announces. “I never doubted you for a second. I knew you’d come, eventually.”

The boots draw closer, their heavy thumps syncing with the pounding of my heart. They eventually come to a halt, and a figure crouches down and tilts their body, so their head is level with mine.

And that’s when I see her, a blade gripped in her hand.

“Torri?” I barely manage to say her name. Too shocked. Too dazed.

“Billie was just as surprised,” Torri replies, a cruel smirk spreading across her face. “I had her convinced Parker needed her back at the office. Not an unusual request for his future partner, right? Too bad she won’t live to see it through.”

Torri slams her boot into the side of your head, silencing your whimpers. I squeeze my eyes shut, the sight more painful than the pounding in my skull. A sickening thump follows, and my body goes rigid. Against my better judgment, I open my eyes and instantly regret it.

Torri’s knife is lodged in your chest. You’re no longer breathing. Your eyes are still here, fixed on mine, but empty of life. Just like that, you’re simply … gone.

“I thought you’d make it easy for me,” Torri says, finally breaking the silence as she stands, whipping her ginger hair from her eyes. “You’ve been following her almost every night, just like I’ve been following you. I could’ve sworn you’d be the one to kill her for what she did to you.” She chuckles darkly. “Or should I say, what I did to you.”

My eyes close on their own accord and I grimace. Not just from the pain, but from Torri’s revelation, too. It was her all along. Not you. All those days spent watching you, following you, hating you. Wasted. Just like every other night I’d poured into this job.

“You know, you really shouldn’t leave all your passwords in your notepad, Drew. I mean, you work for a fucking tech company. And Face ID? Really? Everyone thinks they’re so damn unique, like their faces are impenetrable …”

Torri keeps talking, but I tune her out, as I usually do. I have to focus if I’m going to survive this. I need to find something, anything that might help me escape her. Slowly, I turn my head and spot a laptop discarded on the floor. I suspect it’s the tool Torri used to strike me in the head. I want to grab it, but it’s too far. There’s no way I’ll reach it in time.

“It only took one late night of you crashing in the office for me to sneak into your office, unlock your phone with your face, and get your login. Easy.”

My gaze darts along, my eyes landing on a chair parked in front of Parker’s desk, just within reach. I could kick out one of the legs, a desperate attempt to send the chair crashing into her, but sadly, I know it would take much force. Force I don’t have. I feel too weak.

I wince as pain sears through my head. Everything feels light, even a little distant. I can’t help think it’s because of all the blood loss. Blood! That’s it. Gritting my teeth, I turn toward you, my eyes flooding with that strange feeling I felt earlier: hope. Hope at the sight of the knife lodged in your chest. Torri left it there. Just for me.

“And now that Billie is dead, there’s just one more thing left for me to do,” Torri says as she saunters around you, closing the distance to me. “I’m going to kill you, Drew. I’m sorry it has to happen this way. But it’s necessary. This way, it looks like you lured her here. For your revenge. And I’ll be the sole survivor of your wrath. The one who outsmarted you, the one who beat you. Parker will have no choice but to promote me now.”

“You’re a fucking lunatic,” I jab, needing her to snap.

Torri snarls. “No, I’m not.”

I tense my muscles, preparing myself to lunge for the knife. But not just yet. I need to wait for the right moment, Torri’s finishing move. Only then will I have a chance.

“You know … you should really see somebody,” I say, hoping she’ll catch the bait. “But then again … let’s face it. You can’t be helped. No, you need to be in a psych ward, you soulless piece of—”

Torri screams, cutting me off, as she lunges toward the knife inside you. I don’t hesitate. Summoning every ounce of strength I have, I roll onto my side and reach for the knife and beat her to it. I yank it out and jerk my arm above me in a sweeping motion.

Torri’s eyes widen as she stumbles backward, hands clutching her neck. She snarls at me, and for a second, I think I missed her. But then her expression melts completely. That’s when her hands drop limply to her sides and a torrent of blood seeps from her neck. Her legs buckle, and she collapses to the floor with a heavy thud.

I close my eyes at the sight, but this time it’s not because I don’t want to see. This time, they close with relief, my heart beating faster than I thought it was ever capable of. I saved myself. If only I could’ve saved you …

Somehow, I manage to crawl to my feet. My vision’s still hazy, but improving. I stagger over to my phone, my hand instinctively reaching to the side of my head. My hair is wet and warm. I pull my hand away, and my eyes widen at the streaks of blood soaking in my fingers.

I bend over, my body threatening to collapse back onto the floor as I reach for my phone. I turn it over, and my heart races even faster. It’s still recording! I push the button at the bottom of the screen, ending the recording, and open my videos to watch. As the video plays, I breathe an enormous sigh of relief. It’s all there.

Then a loud shot shatters the stillness. A searing pain slices through my gut, causing my phone to slip from my hand. My mouth drops slowly. A silent scream. I reach for my stomach, movements slow as I stand in complete shock. Lifting my head, I look toward the office door, seeing nothing but darkness beyond. I pull my hands away from my stomach to find my hands painted red, the agony of it all overwhelming.

Another shot pierces the air, followed by another jolt of pain, this time piercing my chest. The impact pushes my shoulder back, causing my dizzy body to stumble before I crash to the floor. I cry out but choke, blood rising in my throat. I’ve been … shot. My eyes won’t close. They’re too stunned, desperate for me to find a way to save my dying body. But I can’t.

“Yes, I’d like to report a murder,” a familiar voice says. “I’m on the eleventh floor of Lovegrove Tower, and I’ve just stumbled across a former employee at the scene of a crime. He’s killed two of my employees.”

Employees? Fuck, it’s Parker.

“Yes, I’m safe. I was able to shoot him. Twice. But my employees … I can’t be sure, but I think they’re already dead. Please, just hurry!”

The corners of my vision darken, threatening to plunge me into oblivion. Before I go, I turn toward you and am filled with sorrow and regret as my final moments draw near. In your last moments, you’ve must’ve wondered what you did to deserve this.

The answer is nothing. You’re innocent.

And I was too blind to see it.