Alison's P.O.V

Jennith's father. Mr Terry.

"Oh sorry, Mr Terry. Didn't see you there." I let out a nervous laugh.

"Alison Fitzgerald. How are things going?" He asked, the scowl on his face not leaving. I gulped as his gaze went down to my pocket. I used my right hand to cover the pocket as I replied back.

"Things are great. Actually, I'm in a bit of a hurry. So, see you later."

I started walking again as I waved goodbye but halted again when he asked me the question I was trying to avoid.

"Why are you carrying so much money in your pocket at this time of the night." I gulped, facing him.

"Uh..." I laughed nervously. His intimidating brown eyes stared daggers at me. If looks could kill, I'd be dead by now. Mr Terry looked at me questioningly, still waiting for an answer. I shook my head slightly and did the first thing that came into my mind. I ran.

I thought he'd run after me but he didn't. I didn't know what he suspected me of doing. He probably thought I was doing drugs or I was stealing. Thankfully, he just spared a glance and walked away. 

I checked the time on my phone. One hour and fifteen minutes left. All I had to do now was find $2500. I decided to ring Kennedy. She picked up the phone after the second ring. 

"Hey Allie. I'm kind of busy right now so can I call you later?" She asked. I heard glass shattering behind her as she yelled at someone. 

"Is everything okay?" I asked, not knowing what was going on at the other side of the line. I heard her curse before she replied, "Yeah, everything's fine." and cut the call. So I stood there, in the darkness of the night, wondering who I will call next. Callie was out of the picture because she wouldn't be able to borrow money from her parents without them asking a million questions. 

I resorted to the last option. Walter. Even thought I clearly told him that I didn't need his help, I really needed it now. After all, I was doing this for him. So, with a deep breath I ran to the opposite direction, running past my house and into the street Walter lived in.  

I quietly opened the gate to his yard and stood on his porch. Right when I was going to knock, the door opened revealing none other than Walter Flemming. 

"Oh you're here. I was just coming to find you." He said, catching his breath. He handed me $5000. 

"I only need $2500." I said. Walter shook his head. "No, go put your money back into your account and take this." I nodded, taking the money from him. 

I waved goodbye but saw him follow me. "What?" I asked, with an attitude. I was still angry at him. 

"I'm coming with you." 

I shook my head. "I don't think Mr Stalker has prepared for a last minute guest." Walter still insisted. I shrugged my shoulders before replying, "I'll ask him."

"Wait, so you're texting him now?" He asked, quite accusingly. I huffed. "You have no right whatsoever to ask me any questions. I'm in this because of you. If you wanna walk beside me then keep your mouth shut."

Walter didn't reply after that. I was grateful. 

I opened the door to an empty house. My dad and uncle were still not home yet. Where they were, I had no idea. 

I ran upstairs, not wanting to waste any time. The tablet was on my bed, untouched form the last time I opened it. I laid the money carefully on the bed and asked Walter to count it. He didn't object. 

'I got the money. Walter is with me' I texted. Within a few seconds, I got a reply. 

'Good. Meet me in the old park near the library in fifteen minutes. Bring my old pal, Walter. I'll be waiting ;)' I shuddered at the thought of the old park. That place held nothing but bad memories. It's like the stalker was obsessed with that place. It was probably his own personal kill zone. 

I dropped the tablet instantly. 

"What if he wants to kill us?" I said. Walter stared back at me. "Huh?" He asked. I started pacing back and forth in my room.

"He wants to meet us at the old park. What if he wants to kill us there?" I asked, stopping dead in my tracks. 

"You don't have to go. I can..." I stopped him right there. 

"No, HE wants me to come along with you." I started biting my nails, nervously. It was a habit I had picked up form my brother. He stopped when he was 15. I still couldn't. 

"Don't worry. We'll be fine." 

I grabbed my hoodie as Walter stuffed the money in a duffel bag. I couldn't help but feel like we were in a real-life movie, getting ready to trade money for our freedom. I followed Walter out the door and remembered to lock it behind me. The road was pitch black. Even the street lights were off. 

"There is a 50% chance that He has a copy of that video saved," Walter said. I huffed in sarcasm. "50% chance? I think that there is 100% chance He has a copy of that video and He will use every opportunity to blackmail us again." I replied.

I could see the old park at a distance. The alley behind the park was lit up. Walter shot me a glance before turning in that alley. I followed him. My heart was beating so fast, I was afraid that it'll jump right out of my chest. I tried controlling my breathing rate. Walter seemed to be doing the same. There was a man standing in the shadows. Despite the light coming from the lantern, his face was barely noticeable. Walter cleared his throat as the man turned around to face us. I couldn't see his face but I knew that he had a smirk plastered on his face. 

"You have arrived!" He said in irritable energy of enthusiasm. Walter threw the duffel bag at him as he caught it without breaking a single sweat. He stood there, counting the stash of money. I looked over at Walter who bit his lip, nervously. I didn't judge him. I was ready to run back home. The tension in the air was too much to handle. Every second that passed by brought us closer to our death, perhaps by the man who stood in front of us.  

"Until next time." The man said before sprinting off. Before we could even process what was happening, he left. Walter looked over at me. "That's it? but what about the video tape?" 

I shrugged, not surprised. I was pretty sure that he was just going to take the money and not keep his end of the bargain. That's what always happens.

"Is it so surprising that a criminal like him didn't keep his end of the deal?" I asked Walter who was angrily kicking a stone. We heard a short laugh before someone screamed, "I ALWAYS KEEP MY END OF THE DEAL!" 

I looked up to see a camera falling at me. Before I could duck, Walter caught it.. I silently thanked him. He opened the camera to see a video tape inside. The camera wasn't like the modern day cameras. It was like a camera from the old days.

Walter smashed the video tape into pieces, making sure it wasn't recoverable. Then, we ran home as fast as our legs could carry us. We ran without looking over our shoulders, fearing that the man could be standing right behind us, ready to mark us as his next victims. I had so many questions for him. I was ready to ask him who he was and why he was so held-bent on making our lives miserable. If my father killed someone close to him then why doesn't he take this matter into the court instead of torturing us. Not that I wanted my dad to go to prison.

I panted as I slowed down when my house came into view. Walter wanted to drop me off first before going to his home. Nearing my house, I saw the lights on. My uncle and dad weren't going to stop flooding me with questions as to why I was out at this time of the night. Walter looked inside and wished me good luck. 

I arched my eyebrows when I saw a smile on his face. "Why are you smiling?" I asked, not expecting the answer I got. 

"I put a tracking bug in the duffel bag. We just outsmarted the Stalker." He smirked, leaving me astonished.  

"And we will go to his secret hideout tomorrow." 

After many weeks, I smiled, knowing that we were finally one step ahead of him.

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