Umbra: Feed on my Fear

True Intentions

Surprisingly, after I raise a flag of war against Austin (the Shadow) he did not bother me for the past three days.

He did not even talked or moved things around in my home. It's not that I'm complaining. However, it's...refreshing. I guess.

I shake my head off of it and focus on the the task of getting rid of him. Maybe for good.

Then suddenly, it hit me.

My mom used to say that you should never trust the instant calmness during the storm. It only means that you're stuck in the eye of a hurricane, the tranquil portion, that gives you a leeway to prepare for the worst.

So, here I am, preparing myself for that tail end of the storm. Figuratively speaking, of course.

For the past days, I keep my ears out on my neighbors regarding the Power Realtors Company where he apparently works.

After I get off of work, I follow him at a safe distance to figure out a few of the dirt that he's keeping. Every time it leads to him going to a secluded forest. I have yet to figure out what the hell he's doing.

And now, I am at the office where he works. I have to really confirm if he's legitimately working here.

I walk on the marble floors, my heels clicking as I grip my black handbag. The place is rather spacious and a couple of people in a corporate attire walk past the elevator and onto the lobby. It has a modern touch to it with black and gray accent.

Last night, I hardwired the company head, Johanon Power's number and curated a text regarding the urgent need for flyers in the site to his assistant, Cora. I hope it works. Fingers crossed.

Relax, Heidi. Just don't flinch if she asks too many questions.

I smile at the lady sitting at the front desk. She has a flashing red lipstick and a perfect perm.

"Hi! Johanon Power, your boss, wants you to go to the site. He said, he needs the flyers that he left," I say as I run my fingers through my hair, showing my loop earings.

"Who are you?" Cora asks as she squeezes the bundle of papers in an envelope.

"Melissa Feldman. I am his-you know," knowing that Johanon is a middle aged man with countless mistresses, I took the liberty to pretend as one of his women to complete my plan.

"Well, ma'a-"

The text came. Right on schedule.

"You're right. I'm sorry, miss Feldman, can you please hold on for a minute?"

"Yes! Of course. But come back soon, okay? My hairstylist is waiting for me."

"I promise. Thank you."

She grabs her coat and a rim of flyers before giving me an apologetic look as she heads to the door.

Without wasting my limited time, I rush to the computer and open the files.

As swiftly as I can, I enter their database. I scan all the realtors in town and manage to spot him on the record.

It turns out, he's legally employed. Looks like he just moved in the same day as I did. I can't believe it. It's as if he exists with family background, medical clearance/insurance and professional certificate.

For a person, who doesn't know him, he will think that he is a truly existing man who grew up in Connecticut and spent his days in Bora Bora before going to a university.

He falsified all of his documents. But how? He's not human, that's why.

He can get away with anything.

"Bastard."

I close the tabs as soon as I hear footsteps. Time to go.

Hurriedly, I left through the back door of the office as I make my way to the car. I duck through the bushes and risk hitting a stone with my left foot.

I found nothing. Nothing to disprove his lies. I lean my forehead on the steering wheel before driving away from the scene.

9:00PM

I park the car on the side of the road as I manage to make no sounds to the spot where Austin is. I hid behind a huge, decaying log as I watch him digging a hole on the loam soil. There's a dirty sack lying around and I am really curious to know what it is.

Wearing a black sleeves polo shirt and jeans, his muscles flex with bullets of sweat obvious under a moonlight. He is getting really dirty, I should say.

I didn't know that I am breathing heavily until later.

"Hey, you!" a voice came from behind me. I look around to see who it is and a man in his 40's with a mustache and cop uniform standing just a foot away from me. I cover my eyes as he blinds me with a flashlight, "What are you doing here?"

"Officer."

"What's your name?"

I hesitate for a bit before stating my name.

"What are you doing here?"

"Do I really have to answer it,...officer?"

Then, he sees Austin at the background. The old man motions at him to come near us.

Oh no. He will know that I have been following him. I can make an excuse and say that I was only passing by. Passing by? In the middle of nowhere? At night? s**t!

"Oh, Austin. It's you."

"Yes," he says while brushing off the dirt on his jeans.

"May I know what you're doing? It's unusual to dig a whole at this time of the day," he says, specifically eyeing the sack.

"Glad you asked, Officer Willer. I am planting a batch of moonflower and evening primrose. As you can see, they should be planted during the night and I just grabbed a sack of fertilizers to add it to the mix."

"Do you have a proper documentation for this, sir?"

Good question.

As calmly as ever, Austin hands a piece of paper to him. Officer Willer examines the paper as I get more nervous by a second.

Austin winks at me and in return, I just narrow my eyes at him.

Don't tell me...

"Miss Monroe, you should come with me to the precinct. It turns out you're trespassing on a private property."

Oh no. This is bad. Very bad. I'm going to jail. I feel the cold metal handcuffs touching my wrists.

"Wait, officer," his voice as clear as day, makes me glance at him with desperation in my eyes. "It's a mistake. I'm not going to press charges. She's my friend and I have no problem with her coming here...unannounced," he looks at me as he said the last word, his voice stern.

"Alright. It's your lucky day, miss. Be thankful that this guy is nice enough to let it all slide," he withraws the clasp from me. He nods towards Austin, "Have a nice night, sir."

"You too. And say hello to Shannon and the kids for me," he flashes a charming pearly whites as he adjusts his folded black sleeves.

S-seriously?

"Will do."

The officer turns his back and before leaving, he flash a knowing look at Austin.

So...we're alone in a cold Saturday night. The smell of pine trees are mixing in with the strong swishing sound of the wind. I bite my lip as I take in the silence stretching between us.

He examines me from head to toe without giving away any emotion. It's intimidating and I just wish that the ground could just swallow me up.

"I know that you've been stalking me for the past days now," he says, humor in his voice.

"I wasn't stalking, FYI," I look at the ground before forcing myself to meet his eyes.

"The data breach in the office where I work."

"I don't have to explain myself."

"It's not that I'm complaining, Buttercup. I'm fine with you doing that."

"You! You just wait and I will surely get you."

"Promises, promises."

I know I failed this so called mission that I did. Judging from his expression, I can see that he's enjoying all that's happening.

How can he be charmingly handsome and devilishly charismatic at the same time?