She was right about that. I was paid a lot of money to make sure the students were shielded as much as possible from the limelight or any scandal of any sort. I most certainly couldn’t be the one responsible for bringing the rag hags to our doorstep. There was an important Board of Directors meeting tomorrow, and the last thing I needed was a media circus outside the doors of the school during it.
“What do you mean by stalker?” I asked.
She swallowed hard and looked down at her hands which were clutching the strap of her bag.
“Is this something that has been happening multiple times?” I added.
“I’ve been a victim of many sick people in my past,” she said softly. “Comes with who I am, I guess. But yes, ever since I arrived at Black Mountain, I’ve felt like someone’s been watching me. He comes to me every day.” She paused and studied my face before continuing on. “You might think I’m crazy, or that I’m lying, but I swear to you, I’m not.”
“And this person comes into your house? Have you seen him? Has he touched you? Harmed you?” Rage bubbled inside as I fisted my hands to try to control my tone of voice. Who the hell would torment a poor girl like this?
“I’ve never seen him. I’ve seen his shadows. I’ve heard him outside. But no, I don’t think he’s ever been inside the house until today. I’m usually really good at securing the alarm and making sure all the windows and doors are locked.”
“This is why we need to call the police. If there’s some crazy man stalking you, then they need to know about it.” I reached out my hand again for the phone.
“They know. Trust me, they know,” she said, her voice raising in frustration. “I’ve had them out to the house more times than I can count. By the time they get here, there’s no sign of anything. Some of the police are sympathetic, and others get angry and accuse me of calling them for attention. The last cop actually said he would call the news next time I called since I clearly wanted all eyes on me.” She shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest. “Even with you here, there’s no good that will come from the cops coming.” She looked back up at me. “Please, Mr. D. I’m scared, tired, and I don’t want to deal with police and reports and… please.”
“I can’t just let you go back in there,” I said, pointing at the house as if I were accusing it of a filthy crime. “There’s no way I’m going to feel comfortable leaving you here even if I go in there and check every single inch of that house multiple times. He could come back after I’m gone.”
“There’s a bed and breakfast up the street I’ve stayed at before when I’ve gotten too scared to be alone. Would you mind taking me there?”
“And what if this stalker follows you there? What if he knows you go to that place for refuge? Corrine, this isn’t safe!”
She flinched at my tone, and I took a deep breath to level out my emotions.
I hadn’t meant to raise my voice, but the situation was becoming too much. I knew I should call the police. I knew I should do something, but at the same time, I knew how little the police could truly do if there was no real evidence of anything other than some open doors.
And it wasn’t like we could get ahold of her goddamn mother!
I glanced back at the house and then at Corrine who suddenly seemed very small and vulnerable in my car. She was putting me in a very difficult situation. I couldn’t just leave her here. I should call the authorities and at least report this. But I also knew that the people in Black Mountain were different than those in Oakland. I had to handle this differently.
“You’re coming home with me to stay tonight. Tomorrow, we figure out how to reach your mother, and how to deal with this fucker who’s messing with you.”
I didn’t really expect for her to argue, but I didn’t expect for her to eagerly nod in agreement. “Okay, thank you.”
The poor girl didn’t want to be alone. I didn’t blame her one bit, but I hated all who had put her in this position. I was a damn near stranger, and yet the only person she had to turn to in a time like this. For her to be this alone, this abandoned, and this terrified… I needed to make it right.
5
Corrine
Burden was my middle name.
At least it was when it came to my mother. I knew it. My nannies knew it. Everyone in my life knew it.
But I had tried so hard—once I was of age—to never be a burden on anyone else again.
So, sitting in my principal’s car, driving to his house, and frankly needing him so that I could make it through the night without having a complete breakdown, slammed me right back into burden category.
Mr. D kept tapping his fingertips on the steering wheel, and his jaw was locked as he drove in silence. I knew what he was thinking. I couldn’t blame him one bit, and frankly, he should stop the car and demand for me to get out.
“I don’t want to get you in trouble,” I said.
He quickly glanced my way and then back at the road. “We’re not doing anything wrong.”
“I’m not sure others would agree.”
“Take the principal and student part out of this. You’re a woman who’s in danger, and I can’t just let you risk your life by staying in that house. I’m helping you. Nothing wrong with that.”
Was he saying it to me, or to himself?
“You’re taking a student home with you. As innocent as this is, I understand the optics. I don’t plan on telling anyone,” I offered.
He nodded slowly. “I think it’s best for both of us if we keep this to ourselves, yes.” He looked over his shoulder as he took a sharp turn down a side street I hadn’t ever seen. It was quiet, no real traffic, and secluded. Perfect considering our current situation.
“No one has ever believed me about the stalker before,” I confessed.
“Well someone opened those doors again. Both of us can’t be losing our minds. I do wish you would have let me call the police, however. I’m starting to think there is no real way around that.”
“Have you ever been surrounded by paparazzi, Mr. D?”
“No.”
“Well, I have. And frankly, given a choice between one stalker and a bunch of stalkers with cameras, I choose the one I have.”
“I get it. And it’s the only reason I’m acting against my better judgment. I knew before accepting this position in Black Mountain that things would have to operate differently than I was used to. But we still have to figure something out.”
“Maybe if I can get hold of my mom, I can get some security, or a bodyguard,” I suggested, liking the idea even more as I said it out loud. I wouldn’t be alone all the time.
“Yes, well, that goes back to us somehow getting in touch with her.” He looked at me with accusing eyes. “Unless you weren’t quite being honest on your ability of being able to reach her.”
Wishing that was indeed the truth, I shook my head. “She’ll come out of her cave soon. It won’t be forever. I did leave a message with her agent. So, maybe he can reach her. I’m sure she’s shopping movie deals right now and in some form of contact with him.”