Tap. Tap. Tap.

A tapping was at my window. I rolled over in my sleep and groaned, when I looked at the clock it was 2AM.

That's not normal, Jackson never shows up at this time.

I looked at the window and nothing was there.

What the hell...

I waited a few minutes and nothing so I laid back down and closed my eyes only to hear banging on my window. I gasped and jumped off my bed and grabbed my pistol then pointed it at the window.

I slowly walked over, my entire body shaking with fear and opened the curtain, there was a piece of paper on the window that said, "I See You." My eyes went wide as I saw a van driving off, speeding almost. I opened my window and ripped the note off of it and tore it up. "Stupid fucking clowns I'm sure." I threw the paper bits into the trash bin and glared at the van driving away. I shut the window, locked it, then covered it up with a curtain.

I fell back into my bed and closed my eyes, waiting to fall back asleep.

———

I bit my lip in the mirror and pushed my hair back. "Maybe today will be a good day and there won't be much chaos," I said to myself.

Despite that just happening last night.

I ran downstairs and grabbed my bookbag, flattened out my clothes and headed out the door.

My parents are never home, I think I only saw my father yesterday because he was taking a break from work. They're both usually out somewhere working or go on vacation and let me know last second that they're gone, sometimes they don't even let me know they leave... Never really know where sometimes but it's not my business. My parents never try to get into my business too much so I don't bother them with theirs.

I headed towards the school, through the shortcut. I stuck in headphones and turned on some music. I walked down the wooden walkway and looked down at my shoes. "Might need to get new ones soon," I whispered to myself.

I looked back up and jumped when I saw a handsome boy standing there, he was leaning against the walkway smoking a cigarette, he was wearing the schools uniform. He had jet black hair. I quickly walked by him and away. I didn't realize anyone else knew about this walkway, especially from that school. I looked back and his head was still slumped and looking at the ground, still taking puffs from his cigarette.

I shrugged off the vibe I got from him and climbed up the blockades and hopped over, I stood up and fixed my shirt and jacket then continued. I went through the forest quickly then got to the street, then to the entrance of the school. I pushed open the doors, already I heard screaming and someone yelling. I looked to the corner and there was a fight already happening, unfortunately the fight was right in front of my locker. I leaned against the lockers facing the opposite side, waiting for it to be over or maybe a teacher to come.

I saw Jackson stand up and fix his jacket, "that's why you don't fuck with me!" he spat at whoever he was beating. Jackson looked over at me and winked, "what's up Marti?"

"If you would be so kind as to not fight people in front of my locker at least?" I asked slightly annoyed. The guy stood up and I noticed it was the guy from the wooden walkway.

How the hell did this guy get here before me? I just saw him on the walkway... there's no way he actually got here before me.

"Next time you think you're gonna come to my boy's locker and leave a n-" I covered Jackson's mouth and shoved him away and the guy stood next to me breathing heavily.

I looked at the guy strangely, I still couldn't figure out how he got here before me, so I went with the easier question to answer, "So Jackson, why exactly were you beating him?" I asked.

"He was shoving papers into your locker," he said. I gave him a confused look and opened my locker, there was a note there. I looked to my side but the guy was gone. "Where the fuck did he just go?!" Jackson groaned. "I fucking lost him," he muttered to himself.

"It's probably harmless, don't worry too much about it okay?" I said and rolled my eyes. I put the note back in my locker and shrugged.

"You're probably right... you excited to practice tonight?" He asked.

"I don't want to but I know I have to," I stated.

"It's only the dummies today I'm not making you go after animals," he said with a smile, "I know you hate that so I avoid it as much as possible."

I smiled at him, "that's sweet of you."

———

The day passed by quickly, with no more incidents. As I was getting everything out of my locker, I noticed the note and grabbed it, and put it in my jacket pocket.

I walked out of the school and Jackson drove by, "want a ride home?"

"No thanks, I have a lovely walk on my way home I like to make each day, let's me get some fresh daylight air," I said with a cheeky smile.

He chuckled and shouted to me, "be safe!" I waved at him as he drove away.

I jump over the blockade and fixed my uniform and took the note out, I started reading it out loud.

"Marti, so beautiful, so light, so sweet... Short but full of fire and wisdom." I cocked my head and turned the paper sideways to read the rest, "I know where he resides but I'm too scared to talk to him..." I turned it again, "if only he knew I was alive..." another turn "he would know how much I watch him and protect him.... what the fuck," that made me stop walking and continue turning the paper to read the rest, "I know he will read this note on his way home too," I looked up and around and continued walking quickly, "I know the exact route he takes, where he stops, when he puts in his headphones, and what music he listens to."

Jesus Christ what is this?!

I continued walking faster and looking all around me. "He's seen me only a few times but never noticed who I was..." I paused reading, and jumped over the blockade quickly. "I should've ridden home with Jackson."

I looked at the last part of the note, "But I love him dearly," I looked up and no one was around thankfully. I shoved the note into my pocket and continued walking. When I got home I crashed on the couch and stared at the ceiling for a few seconds. "I love him dearly..."

Was the note serious?

I let out a sigh as I sat up and put my hands together, then stretched. I walked into the kitchen and looked at the sliding glass door into the woods. My hand grazed the counter as I walked closer to the window and looked at the rain quickly coming in. I looked up at the sky through the trees and saw the dark clouds covering the sun. When I looked back down at the woods I jolted slightly thinking I saw someone standing there, I shook it off.

Most likely a teenager wandering around than anything else.

I was fixated on the woods that I didn't notice someone knocking on the front door. A sudden slam came from the door. I cautiously walked over to it and looked through the peephole, nothing was there. I backed up and rolled my eyes.

I'll assume it's ding dong ditches because it's only 4pm. The door is locked anyways I'm not worried.

I went back to the kitchen and pulled out a pot, filled it with water then placed it on the stove, I turned it on high. Then grabbed out some pasta and vegetables I chopped the other day, I poured them into the pot when it started boiling and added seasonings.

I went upstairs quickly and rolled a blunt. I changed into sweatpants and a T-shirt then headed back downstairs. I lit the blunt and walked down the steps, enjoying the relaxation that hit me.

The phone started ringing and when I picked up it was scratchy, "hello?"

"Hi dear! Your father and I are in New York!" my mother said happily.

"Oh wow really? When did you guys decide to go there?" I asked.

"This morning! I saw pictures of The Statue of Liberty! Realized I'd never seen it before in person and we decided to go!" she said.

"Wow that's great..." I said.

I'm not very fond of their impulsive actions, especially things like this, but who am I to come at them for their actions.

"We'll bring you back a mug, maybe a book or something! I just forgot to let you know we'll be gone for a few days!" she said.

"I love you son!" my father shouted.

"I love you too," I chuckled.

"Please enter 25 more cents to continue."

"Oh that's our queue! We'll talk to you later sweetheart," she said and hung up. I put the phone back and looked over at the boiling pot, I started stirring the food and hummed to myself. I heard my front door open and jumped slightly, I looked over at it and Jackson walked in with a key in his hand.

"Hey cutie pie," he said as I was taking a hit, I handed him the blunt.

I scoffed, "hey Jackson, breaking in?"

"Thank you, and of course, dad's drunk and becoming a violent prick so I decided to come over," he said and came into the kitchen.

I looked at him with sympathy. "Are you alright?" I asked.

"Yeah I'm fine, he's just a shithead is all," he said and sat on the counter, taking a hit. "So that jackass from earlier, what did the note say?"

"Why do you want to know?" I asked.

"Because I fucking do, just show me the note," he laughed slightly.

"Nope," I said with a pop.

I brought the pot over to the sink and poured the water out, then grabbed two plates and seperated the food. I handed a plate and fork to Jackson, "here."

"Thanks," he said and started eating. "I love your cooking."

"Thank you," I said, took a big hit, then put it out in the ashtray and started eating.

I walked into the living room and turned on the tv, the news was on.

"Tonight, a murderer is on the loose, lock your doors and make sure your loved ones are safe."

"It's probably not even close to us," Jackson said and sat down next to me.

"Three people were killed horribly, with cut marks all over their bodies and nooses around their neck, police are currently looking for him in Castle City. The last body was found on 7th east ave."

"Oh..." I said and bit my lip.

"He's not gonna get in here no worries," Jackson said and pulled his gun out.

I sighed and sat back, "did you bring that to school with you?"

"Of course," he said as his fork clanked the dish, he twirled it and took a bite.

"Currently the man has many years of experience in murdering others as we've seen the cases from 13 years ago, the victims were killed in the exact same way."

"Lets turn this shit off it's not good for us to listen to while eating," he said and changed the channel to a random movie.

"Sometimes I really hate living here," I said and played with my food.

"Same here, but we're not gonna be here forever," he said.

"Yeah," I said.

"At least we're finally seniors, grown ass adults! but really Marti, you should have no worries, you'll make it there," he said and patted my back.

A loud bang ran through the neighbourhood. I groaned annoyed and set my plate down.

"Gunshots already?" Jackson stood up and cocked his gun. "Let's get this show on the road."

"Jackson do we really have to?" I asked letting my head fall back on the couch.

"You know what we gotta do, get ready," he said, leaning over me, and patted my leg.

I sighed and ran upstairs, "fine..."

"It'll be quick I promise, we'll practice only a little tonight, and take care of David if we have to," he said slightly jokingly.

"I hope David doesn't pull something stupid tonight, he's been getting more annoying lately," I said as I changed into jeans, black shirt, and leather jacket. Grabbed my gun and knife and we headed back downstairs.

"I get what you mean, we'll just be more on guard then I guess. Let's head out the back," he said and we went to the back yard.

"Luckily my parents are gone so I don't have to sneak back in the house through my window," I said.

"Yeah it's gotta suck living in a two story for that reason," he stated. "But at least you got the house to yourself, maybe we should throw a party."

I scoffed, "oh yeah that's a great idea, then everyone will know where I live."

He chuckled, "eh, that's true that is the downside. Maybe we can have someone host a party."

"You really want to have a party don't you?" I asked.

"Hell yes I do, I wanna fuck around with college girls and drink like mad," he explained.

"You're so funny," I said and he patted my head.

"I still wanna fuck around with you though," he said to me and kissed my neck.

"Jackson!" I said shocked and jumped away, covering my face.

He laughed, "sorry you're just really cute sometimes." He pulled out his flask and took a swig then handed it to me.

I rolled my eyes and took a swig from his flask. "Whatever man."

We finally got to the dummies, "and remember, if you're gonna point, you better shoot," he said.

"I remember," I said and looked at the dummies he had set up and the faces were X-d out and blood splattered on the front of them. "What if the murderer finds us?" I asked while kicking the leaves on the ground.

"If he does, I'll just shoot him," he scoffed while aiming his gun, he shot the first dummy and I loaded up and shot the next one.

After a few shots he shouted, "switch!" and he switched places swiftly with me turning around and rolling on his back, I got a split glance at the woods behind us. It was dark and empty but felt full of eyes watching our every move.

I cocked again and started shooting the next target. I sighed as I emptied the gun and looked at Jackson. He was smiling at me. "Good job," he said and loaded the gun again.

I smiled slightly with a blush, "Does it ever feel like you're being watched?" I asked.

"Hey now, don't be puttin ideas in my head," he chuckled ruffling my hair.

"Not trying to, just look around, it's dark and it's empty... But it feels like a thousand eyes are staring at us, watching our every move," I mentioned.

"Yeah? Well they're probably squirrels at best, so chill out," he said and pointed again, shooting. I reloaded quickly and began shooting. "Behind!" I jumped behind him and covered his back, pointing and quickly looking around the empty forest. "Duck!" I jumped down and got flat on the ground. "Up!" I jumped up and stood next to him and pointed at the target.

"You're getting faster," he said with a proud smirk.

"Yeah, I guess so..." I said smiling back and looked around.

"Alright, lets go see how David is doing now," he suggested.

"Yeah sure," I said and put my gun in my side band. We left the training area and walked deeper into the darkness of the woods. The moon shined through the trees as our feet crunched the leaves beneath us. I felt the chill of wind pass us by, I turned my head and saw eyes. Staring into my soul. I shook my head and looked again, they disappeared.

We got to David's and Jackson knocked on the door, "yo David!" he shouted.

"What?!" he said as he opened the door and looked at us, "what do you want?"

"We were just passing through the neighborhood and we thought we would drop by," Jackson said with a smile, "considering you owe us the rest of the money for your package."

"Walking through the woods at 10 oclock at night?" he scoffed.

"Look, you said you would get it to us today, I want it now." Jackson said and pulled out his gun. He pressed it against David's thigh and cocked it. David reached into the draw next to his door and pulled out an envelope. Jackson snatched it. "Thank you," he said and opened the envelope, which held bills worth 500 dollars.

We walked away and David growled annoyed, "dumb fucking kids."

"God what the fuck," I said annoyed and I looked back at David and saw him pick up a shotgun, "Oh shit Jackson he has his shot gun!" I yelled.

We both ran seperate ways as we heard him firing off. "I'll get it all back you little shits! And when I do, I'm gonna blow your fucking head's off!" he shouted as he shot again.

Definitely can't deal with him anymore... shit...

I ran as fast as I could away from him and ducked into a stump, I laid down waiting for the shots to stop going off. I waited a few minutes in the silence of the woods. The only sounds I heard were animals chirping. A shot from Jackson's pistol went off and I sighed. Another shot. Another. He was safe. I stood up, looked around a bit and saw no one around me. I shot my gun three times in the air to let him know I was safe as well.

The next thing to happen I did not expect.