Prologue
"Quit being ridiculous," Rebecca chided herself. She had been standing in the entryway of her apartment for probably twenty minutes, staring at the notification on her phone.
Melanie Stone
RE: Investigative Journalist Position
Rebecca chewed on her bottom lip. If she kept this up, blood was sure to seep out of it. But she couldn't help the nerves.
Her name had no business inside this hat, only a couple of years removed from college. But Robbie had pushed her off the proverbial cliff three weeks ago.
Three weeks ago, Robbie breezed into their weekly dinner. He animatedly spoke about an opening at WXRZ, a nationally recognized channel. She had nodded along as he continued talking about it.
That happened a lot—Robbie going on and on about whatever revolved around him. Her head had snapped up when he said, "You should apply, too. Friendly competition."
Rebecca laughed, thinking Robbie had lost his mind. There was no way either of them would get that position. "You've finally lost your mind."
Robbie vigorously disagreed with her. He knew this job was within his reach. And he figured it would be fun to have his friend since sophomore year in college along with him for the ride. "No, I'm serious. We did it after we graduated, and look, we work together. Just think if it happens now."
"Robbie," Rebecca said as she shook her head, "they only have one position available. Only one of us would get it."
No matter how hard Rebecca tried to make Robbie see reason that night, he kept on persuading her. Until, at the end of the dinner, she had relented. She would send her resumé then continue being the assignment reporter at HGFN.
But now, Rebecca was motionless as she replayed that whole conversation in her head. Robbie was so confident, and she was convinced there was no chance she'd get it. She thought she would go through the process to make her friend happy—another journey together.
Melanie Stone
RE: Investigative Journalist Position
Rebecca blinked at the words staring back at her. Were they flashing at her? Nonsense, she thought. She'd been staring too long.
She stomped her foot as she repeated, "Quit being ridiculous."
Rebecca took a fortifying breath, then placed her thumb on her phone. In an instant, her eyes widened at the first word in the paragraph—congratulations.
Her hand covered her mouth, holding back bubbling laughter. Shocked laughter, excited laughter, she wasn't sure. She only knew she had to tell someone.
The only someone she had was Robbie. She was adopted, and she never desired to seek out her birth parents. But after losing both of her older adoptive parents, the thought of finding someone who shared her DNA crossed her mind more and more.
Through the years, Rebecca always joked that they were siblings since she was adopted. Robbie said that they didn't need blood to be that to each other. So no matter how many similarities they had, down to a random freckle on the white of their right eye, Robbie persisted. He wasn't adopted, so there was no way Rebecca was a long-lost relative.
None of that mattered, though. In Rebecca's eyes, Robbie was all she had left in this world. He was family, and she knew he thought the same of her.
Rebecca didn't bother putting away her phone. As soon as she locked and closed her apartment door, she ran.
Running in heels wasn't her forte, but Rebecca somehow arrived at Robbie's apartment unscathed. She rapped on the door with a series of knocks and waited.
Rebecca was bouncing with excitement when Robbie opened his door. His green gaze that matched hers darted from her face to her phone. "You haven't used that knock since we were in college."
Rebecca barreled her way inside the apartment. Robbie closed the door as he said, "Sure, Bec, come on in. I'm not busy with anyone."
Rebecca stopped midstep, turning to face her close friend. "Oh, shit, " she said as she looked around the small apartment, "you have a girl here? You haven't had a girlfriend since..."
"Stop. Don't." Robbie snapped. Rebecca knew better than to speak of his previous relationship. But then he reverted to his usual tone. If there had been a girl there, Rebecca would have seen her. There wasn't much room for people to hide. "No, but how about you tell me what has you so damn excited. I mean, you did the knock. Something happened."
Rebecca squealed as she unlocked her phone. She shoved it into Robbie's face. When he cocked his head, she said, "Ugh, you're killing my mood, Robs. Read it."
Robbie shook his head before he began reading the email. His curiosity piqued when he read the header. He hadn't checked his phone lately.
Robbie smacked Rebecca's arm to the side before reading any further. He had a one-track mind. He knew without a doubt that he landed the job, but he had to make sure before celebrating with Rebecca.
"Hey!" Rebecca gasped as Robbie took off in the direction of his sofa.
Robbie threw the few pillows he had on it aside then flipped over his sofa cushions. Where the fuck is the damn thing, he silently thought.
Robbie crouched to look under his sofa. When he didn't see his phone, he grunted, growing more and more frustrated.
A plop caused his head to snap up. When Robbie turned to look at the chair beside him, he saw his phone and Rebecca standing not far with her arms crossed. "Just a wild guess here, but is that what you want so badly?"
The retort Robbie wanted to send her way died on his tongue. While she disguised her words with a bit of humor, Robbie could read Rebecca. They had been friends for four years. The excitement Rebecca held earlier wasn't as visible as just moments ago, but he didn't care. He needed to see his email.
"Thanks, Bec," Robbie said as he approached. He pasted a goofy smirk on his face that he knew would get Rebecca back in a good mood.
Rebecca chuckled as she said, "Just open yours."
Robbie snatched his phone off the chair, frantically tapping the icon. When it loaded, he immediately found the email. But when he clicked on it, it didn't take long for him to deflate.
When he fell onto the recliner, Robbie heard Rebecca softly say, "Oh, no. I'm sorry, Robbie."
Robbie found it hard to keep his emotions in check. His warring thoughts bounced around his mind, battling for the coveted front spot.
"Maybe," Rebecca said as she squeezed onto the chair with Robbie, "maybe something else will come your way. Something even better."
Robbie desperately tried not to give in to the giant green monster rearing its head. But jealousy and envy were hard to fight off.
He knew he should have gotten that job. Robbie was made for that damn job. He was eons better than Rebecca in his eyes. But yet, it was Rebecca who got the dream job.
When Rebecca laid her head onto Robbie's shoulder, he realized that he was probably showing exactly what he thought of her and this job, so he wrapped his arm around her as he said, "Nuh-uh. None of that, Bec. You got the fucking job! We need to celebrate."
Rebecca lifted her head, cautiously looking at her friend. She was torn between comforting him because he lost out on his big break and celebrating the biggest moment in her life thus far. "Are you sure?"
Robbie suddenly stood, yanking Rebecca up with him. "Am I sure? Hell yeah! Drinks on me tonight." Much to Robbie's satisfaction, Rebecca's face lit up. Success, Robbie thought.
Rebecca's excitement returned full force. She was silently grateful that Robbie didn't sulk. Hopeful, she asked, "Downtown?"
"Downtown. Nothing but the best for the best tonight," he said, trying his damnedest not to show how much it pained him to say that.
As Robbie and Rebecca exited his apartment building, someone stood in the shadows. They watched the bubbly woman grab the man's hand, all but dragging him towards their destination.
They stayed in the shadows and followed them. It felt like an eternity since she was the one excitedly dragging her companion somewhere.
When a sliver of light from a street post shined in her direction, she fluttered back into the darkness.
She couldn't be seen. Not yet. It wasn't time. So she did what she needed to do, backing further into the darkness.
She had been in the darkness for so long; it had become more comfortable. Lately, it was the light that scared her most.
She closed her eyes when her head began to pound. Shit, she thought as she peeked towards Robbie and Rebecca. She wanted to continue following them, but something was pulling her away.
"Kari," a voice whispered in her ear, "thank God I found you. It's time to go home."
Kari silently nodded before she tentatively stepped forward. That damn light tried with all its might to reach her, but she wouldn't allow it. She had to do something. Maybe now wasn't the right time, but that didn't mean she couldn't speed things up a little.
"Kari," her companion hissed. "We need to go."
"One sec," Kari whispered as she outstretched her hand.
"Don't!" Her companion hissed at her.
But it was too late. Kari was so close. There was no turning back now. Her small, fragile hand brushed against Rebecca.
At some point, Robbie and Rebecca had switched positions. Robbie was now dragging Rebecca along the sidewalk.
Rebecca's steps halted at the same time her laughter suddenly ceased. She turned around, only to see nothing near enough to brush against her.
Robbie studied her for a moment before asking, "What's wrong?"
Rebecca turned back to Robbie. She was sure she felt something, but there was no use in worrying him. "Nothing. I thought I felt someone touch me. But," she said as she shrugged her shoulders, "there's no one around us."
Robbie looked around them then tugged her beside him. "Stay close, just in case."
Rebecca squeezed his hand as they continued walking. "You know my imagination. It likes to play tricks on me."
Robbie snorted as he said, "Your imagination is what always got us in trouble."
Rebecca smiled as they turned the corner. The lights from the various bars illuminated the street. Goosebumps ran up her arms, causing a shiver to pass through her quickly.
"Shit," Rebecca softly said. Her gaze traveled around the street. When she saw a tree's branches sway, she released a sigh of relief. Only the wind, she told herself.
Robbie stopped in front of their favorite bar. "What now?"
"Again, it's nothing," Rebecca said, trying her best to convince Robbie, "just caught a little chill."
Robbie eyed her, seemingly unconvinced, but he nodded nonetheless. "Alright."
After showing their IDs, they walked through the door. The goosebumps left Rebecca, but that didn't stop her from surveying her surroundings.
Even though the bar's fair share of eccentric people crowded the space, no one seemed out of place. That reassured her. Everyone belonged here.
"Come on. Time to celebrate, my awesome friend," Robbie said, dragging her towards their usual stools.
Something wasn't right. She felt off. But what scared Rebecca the most was she felt watched.
As the bartender fixed their drinks, she took a final glance around the room. When Rebecca saw no one looking at them, she shook off her odd feelings.
Tonight, she would celebrate. Whatever was going on with her could wait until tomorrow.
Woot! So glad you’re in this now. Too late to back out, btw. lol 😂💚
the feeling of being watched always makes me cringe 😬