I NEED YOU, ELENA

ter

E YOU,

LE

the door, feigning calmness. I couldn't let Evan know who was at the door. I c

back into the room to get ready. "Who was i

im as I grabbed my bag. My heart was pou

dn't shake off, and his presence put me in constant danger. E

cal pain wasn't the worst of it. Evan's anger after that night with Diva had left me broken inside and out. I had been granted a f

sane, but Ryan's appearance at my door this morning threatened everything. I

van, trying to sound norma

ehead. But there was no warmth in his touch, n

beneath my fear. "Was Ryan trying to get me killed?" I muttered to myself. "Showing

d to cold determination b

in, but as soon as they saw me, they fell silent. Whi

veryone," I said,

fting. Ryan was on his seat in the back, starin

nored him. Finally I gave in, "He

s, R

tal. Are you feeling better now

fine, as you can see," I said curtly, try

red on me, but he

what I was going to do about Ryan. Moments later, the door flew open, interrupting m

here?" I asked, my voice

g a crumpled b

p and dangerous. "Did you think I wouldn't f

w did he get the flowe

're talking about," I stammered, movi

ng the flowers on my desk. "He brought

rought these flowers. They weren't

ou think I'm stupid? Don't make me kill you, Elena,"

e," I choked, struggling

his anger blazing. Then,

owled, throwing the flowe

th, tears streaming down my face. How much l

e door startled me. Before I could answer

e?" I snapped, wi

crying?" he asked, his

all your fault, Ryan! Showing up at my house, se

"I didn't mean to ca

come near me. Don't send me gifts. D

," he sai

at do you mea

na," he said, his

that word means. This isn't love, Ryan. It's obsession. I'm you

nstead, he bent down and began picking up the file

g his arm. "I can never

ling up. After a long moment,

exhausted. But then I noticed something on my desk-a c

ling hands,

te scrawled in j

in. Leave Ryan, or next t

spine. The handwri

e message before my phone buzzed

hat day, Ryan's hand raised to ask a

watchi

ndering who could be behind all of th

closing in. Who was watchi

like Evan, Ryan, and I were all being manipu

ven more chilling: the photo wasn

n from outsi

from me?" I asked,