Chapter 2 The stalker's life

AUSTIN RYAN's POV:

The day in my workplace ends so perfectly cause the prettiest woman ever entered here. Usually, I don't give much attention to everyone who comes here but I can't stop wondering 'Who is she?'. Illerora is just a small city. I met a lot of people in a short time since I moved here to build my own shop. But someone new here in the same surroundings. It's__

"Hello...I need a photo size between 10kb and 200kb for my job application. I hope the shop is not closed yet. So, can you do it now? It's important..." The girl with shinning auburn hair spoke silently. She looks too nervous like I'm some serial killer. I bet she rarely goes out and probably hates to interact.

"Yeah, sure. I haven't closed my shop yet. Wait, let me get my camera?" I told her, searching for my camera. I was about to close my shop but I don't mind keeping it open for the no-named girl. It would be weird to ask her name instead of doing my job.

"Can you wait inside the room?" I added. She went in as her eyes were roaming over the two light fixtures. I went in behind her, carrying my camera. I told her to stand in between the room in the right position.

"Can you tilt your chin up? Just a little bit..." I said, noticing how uncomfortable she looks. If I could take her picture perfectly in less than a minute, I don't think I will get to look at her face and study her expressions. Her blue top and jeans fit her small body perfectly. I'm trying so hard to not look at her breasts and...

'Damn it. I shouldn't be thinking of a customer like this. What the heck is wrong with me?'

With two to three clicks, I'm done with taking photos.

"Will it be ready by today?" she asked the same question.

"Less than fifteen minutes is enough. How many copies do you want?" I asked, placing the camera on the table. When I turned to face her, she stumbled as her leg got tangled in the web of cables. Shit... I should have cleaned up this mess a long time ago.

Just in time, I rushed and got hold of her hip. Her hands grabbed my shoulder firmly.

"I'm so sorry, these messy cables are my fault. Are you alright?" I apologised, still holding her. Her body fits perfectly in my hand. I love the way she smells like lavender.

Her amber eyes are mesmerizing to me. Her hands are shaking mildly. She can be a girl who stutters and trembles a lot but it doesn't have to be this way with me. She will realize if I could get a chance to know her more. I could just stay like this forever. Maybe, pull her closer to me without an inch space between us.

"It's okay." She mutters and went out of the room. I got back to my desk to develop the photo.

"I love all the pictures on the wall. Did you take it all?" I heard her speak brightly for the first time.

"Yeah. I travel a lot to take some natural photos, amazing sceneries. I do that as a passion and this...as a job," I replied, clicking on the mouse.

"Cool. You must be having a great life if you can travel a lot." She said, not taking her eye off from Mount Fuji picture.

"Do you want to see more photos like this?" I offered without thinking twice.

"Ye..yes," she replied with hesitation. I took out an album full of my favourites photos. I let her see them all while I worked. The only disappointing thing is she doesn't need her name below the photo. How will I know her name? The name is not going to be enough for me to meet her again.

"Thank you," she politely smiled and pulled the door and left. She's gone. No one's going to visit a photoshop daily. How will I see her again? I don't know her. She doesn't know me. She will eventually forget me in a few minutes. Why am I thinking of a stranger till now? She's definitely not a stranger to me.

I turned on the television to distract myself for a few minutes. These new thoughts about an unknown woman bring me the thoughts of Betty. She and I have been together for 4 years in high school time. I don't bother to think about her for some years but I was obsessed with her when I was in high school. She was the one who was into me first. But she didn't take our relationship seriously. Everything was difficult with her. She made me think blonde girls are the worst.

She flirts with lots of guys. She cheated on me and apologises like nothing is her fault. She thought she can manipulate me easily. But I'm not a fool. I was watching her every day. Almost every time. I know all her moves and her intentions. After knowing her reflection of her true self, I wanted to hurt her so badly. She was mine until she wasn't. She never was. Before I could lose control of myself and did something to her, she vanishes on graduation day. She ran out of her house. I never get to know why. A wanted poster of Betty was everywhere in the near surroundings. But no one found her. I could have if I wanted to. I choose not to see her face for the rest of my life.

"Tv is definitely not helping to distract my stupid old thoughts," I complained to myself, packing my things in frustration. Suddenly, something caught my eye on the floor. Is it a...?

"FUCK...the girl has left her ID." My eyes spotted her name in a blink of seconds.

"Donna Kirby...Donna..." My mood brightened as I spoke her name. I want to say it again. It's her work ID. I didn't know a library assistant has an ID card. Why haven't visited the library? All I know is a someone named Jackson owns it. I have never been interested in reading a book. I could do it from now on. There's still time for the library to close. I got to get her address from there.

"Donna, I knew we are supposed to meet. I'm coming for you." I kept the card in my pocket and rushed to get out. I got out and got back again to turn off the tv. I heard a reporter's voice in the news. I could gather new words before I could turn it off.

"Illorra's most wanted criminal has escaped the prison around 4:00 pm. She was known for two murders and has stolen $20,000 from the Central Bank of Illerora. Police department....

The reporter's voice faded in my head as I saw the killer's face. A woman with short pink hair is smiling directly at the camera. She looks like she loves the orange prison dress. No wonder she's a killer. Her expression says it all. It's written all over her face. She looks perfect for a prom queen but a wanted criminal. Are they giving price money to catch her? If yes, I would do that.

At the last second of turning off the news, her name flashes in the news.

FELICITY TODD