I waited for my dad to finish talking, which I swear is longer and longer every time. I love the man, but he can talk with Kyle or any police officer for hours and hours if he could. Kyle and my dad were standing outside the front doors, still talking. I glared at my dad, showing me that I wanted to go home, hoping he could get the hint. Thankfully, my dad said his goodbyes and go into the car.

"It's about time." I grumbled.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever I like talking to my friend, is that a crime?" My dad asked starting the car.

"When I have to wait in the car for fifteen minutes it is." I replied, smiling.

"You're being dramatic." He chuckled. "Kyle says you're doing great." He added on.

"I guess. Anything new about your case while we were training?" I asked, hopeful that there was some type of lead.

"Nope. Nothing at all." He said frowning.

We drove home in silence and I was happy that we were home because I was hungry and tired, not a good combination. My mom wasn't home to cook dinner so I made myself a sandwich for dinner. Meal of a champion, right? I wondered if my mom would come home at all tonight or if she really got a hotel. I went upstairs and watched TV. It was about nine when I heard my mom come in. I smiled, hoping she wouldn't stay at a hotel and decide to stay here tonight. My smile faded when I heard the fighting.

I couldn't drown out their yelling, which made me sick to my stomach. I was surprised that they didn't lose their voices. I needed to get out. I walked downstairs and the yelling got louder and louder. They were in the kitchen fighting, so I snuck out through the living room and went outside. It was dark outside but I didn't care. I needed some peace and quiet. I just needed a walk so I could cool down and try to forget my parents.

As I walked away from my house, I began to cry. I rarely cried, but this was getting emotionally draining. I couldn't get their voices out of my head. This was an everyday occurrence and it was exhausting. Why couldn't they just get along? If they were so unhappy, why stay together? Don't get me wrong, I love them both but I'd rather them be happy than miserable when they are together.

I walked passed Ethan house and noticed that he jogged up to me, a worried look on his face. This was the last thing I needed, Ethan seeing me crying. Part of me wanted my parents to get a divorce, but then things would get complicated and I loved both of my parents so much. Why was this so complicated?

"Kelly, can you come here for a minute." He said grabbing my arm and walking us back to his front porch.

"What?" I asked, curious to why he brought me back to his porch and looked a bit pale.

"Don't look but I think that guy two houses away was following you." He said.

I held back every emotion that I was feeling, giving off an emotionless face. I no longer cared about the fighting at my house, but more about someone following me. I tried to put on a brave face, not showing the real fear building up inside of me. My heart was racing uncontrollably, and my tears no longer fell from my eyes. Was someone really following me?

"Are you sure?" I asked wiping my previous tears away.

"His car has been there since five. I have been sitting out here to get some air and to do my homework since then and noticed the car. He just sat there in front of your house since then and just got out of the car when you came out. He got on the same sidewalk as you and was getting closer." He said looking over to the guy, which was probably by his car now. I didn't want to look so I stared at Ethan, not turning around.

"Uh, can we go inside?" I asked.

He nodded, got his things and we went inside. I immediately went to the window and looked out it. The guy was in his car and was driving away from my house. It was true; he had to be following me. What if he was the man my dad was talking about? Of course, that was worst case scenario, but it was a possibility. I didn't want to think that way though.

"Are you okay?" He asked me.

"Not really. My parents keep fighting and when I go to get away from it, I find out I have a stalker." I complained, not wanting to start crying again. Tonight was a very emotional night for me and I hated it.

"You know, my dad said that there was a kidnapper on the loose that is kidnapping girls eleven to sixteen and there is no trace of him. That could be him." I said, tears on the verge of escaping my eyes.

"It's probably not though. You're just thinking of the worst option." He said sitting down on the living room couch. I turned to face him and sat down on the same couch.

"I've been taking self-defense since I was little and my dad has been making me go more ever since he was assigned to this case. He probably knows I could be a target." I said.

"I've got to go home." I announced when he didn't say anything.

Despite wanting to be here with him and feeling safe in his house, I needed to be with my dad and talk to him about this. Sure, my house may not be the safest place, but being with Ethan right now put him in danger. What if the man came back?

"Let me walk you." He said walking to the door. He opened it for me and we walked out. I was terrified just being outside but I was glad Ethan had offered to walk me home. I got there and didn't hear any yelling which was good. The man's car wasn't in sight, which was a good sign.

"Thank you. Without you, I would have probably been killed or kidnapped by the guy." I said, faking a smile.

"I'm always here for you. See you tomorrow?" I nodded and gave him a hug.

I felt his warm body against mine and didn't want to let go. If only I could have stayed in the moment forever, that would be amazing. It was like everything had disappeared and it was just Ethan and me. I watched him walk home before I went inside. Inside my dad was in the living room and my mom was upstairs. I could hear her stomping around, probably packing a bag to stay at a hotel. Once my dad saw my swollen, red face he was in protective dad mode.

"What's wrong?" He asked as I walked over to him.

"I hate when you two fight and," I paused.

"I think that guy you told me about is after me." I said holding back the tears.

"What?" He asked sitting up straighter now. He took my hand and squeezed it, encouraging me to explain more.

"I went out for a walk and the boy a couple houses down called me over because he saw a guy walking behind me. His car had been there since five and he only got out of his car when I went outside."

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Yes." I whispered, my voice sounded shaken up. He got up and went to the phone.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Calling Kyle and telling him. I need him to tell my boss since he's there with him right now." He said as the phone started to ring. I sat down on the couch and listened to my dad tell Kyle. I was glad he told Kyle because he was close to me and would have wanted to know if I was in danger.

"Okay. Tomorrow you are going to work with me." He demanded.

I didn't want that to happen. I refuse to go on house arrest because of this. If it was my dad's choice, I'd have twenty-four hour protection and would be locked in a giant bubble. If anything happened to me, he would be heartbroken.

"Dad, I don't want this getting crazy. Just let me go to school. The man could have been a coincidence or something let's not get irrational or anything."

"I'm just trying to protect you. This guy never leaves a trace or anything. It would be hard to get you back if he took you. You're my baby girl and I can't lose you." He said getting teary eyed and if he cried, I knew I would cry.

"After school, you can get me. You can come to the bus stop and walk me home if you want, just let me go and live my life normally, please. I can defend myself and it's not like I'll be completely alone." I begged.

"Fine but as soon as you get home you aren't leaving." He said in a stern voice.

I nodded and went upstairs. I checked under my bed and in my closet just to make sure there was no one in there. Yeah, I was a bit paranoid, but could you really blame me? I got on my pajamas and got into bed. Tomorrow was going to be a big day, I just had a feeling. I feel asleep instantly, which surprised me, but I guess I was exhausted from everything.