Chapter 1 Part 3

I snapped my head away from the nearby window, in which I swore I saw that face again.

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Just that!” she cried out.

“It’s a nice view.”

“Bullshit.” She crossed her arms. “You’ve been skittish lately. Like big time. As if you’re looking behind your shoulder for someone.”

“It’s nothing, really,” I insisted, feebly, if you ask me.”

Ashley saw right through it. Her gaze said she demanded a better explanation. I sighed.

“I-I think I’m being followed,” I said quietly under my breath.

“WHAT?! Like a stalker?”

“Yeah. God, I saw it only once, and now it feels like I’m friggin’ being followed.”

“You saw him?” Ashley was all eyes and ears. “What does he look like? God, we have to talk to Campus Safety!”

“I-it was spotted—black spots—with like a golden background. And, man, those amber eyes—”

Ashley’s face dropped and it slowly became suspicious. “Spotted?” She echoed.

“Yeah, like a jaguar or something.”

“Tara, are you saying… that a jungle cat is stalking you?”

I nodded.

There was a pause, and then—

“That’s the most hilarious thing I have ever heard!” She burst out laughing. The giggling shook her body until she had to rest her forehead on the table.

“Ashley, I’m not kidding!” I cried.

“Forget Campus Safety,” she continued to giggle. “It’s time to call the zoo!”

“Ashley!”

“Tara, you have to be joking. You must be joking. You are being stalked by a leopard? A jaguar? A big cat?” Ashley’s face grew more and more serious as she spoke.

“I—” I wanted to insist the truth of my statement; I want to argue my side. But I paused to actually consider what I would say: “Seriously Ashley, during class I see it looking at me through the window—” some of which, I realized, were on the second floor “—and I feel it, watching me!” I sounded like a damn mad man.

So instead I caught myself and said, with some trouble, “You got me! I can’t believe you actually thought I had a stalker.”

Ashley giggled more. “Yeah really! I was wondering, ‘Who would stalk Tara?’”

I cracked a smile. “Gee thanks Ashley."

Ashley smiled. “I think it’s time for you to take a break, though. A good nap or something. Have been working late on a project or something? Being stalked by a big cat? Stuff like that only comes from a person that’s pretty sleep deprived.”

I laughed weakly. “You’re right. I think I’ll head back to my room; take a good nap.”

Ashley smiled. “Sounds like a good idea to me.”