Devoured by his Enemy Eyes

Stalking the Target

The Target

Make-up ✔️

Camera ✔️

Action!!! ?

I click the red Go Live button on the i********: app. Unsurprisingly, I have three thousand views increasing by the second. Dozens of reactions and comments flood my phone and I read a few.

Sandrakisme: What are you wearing gurlll ??? them lips be smokin'

Jainleo&san: Your make-up is flawless ? We need another facial routine ???

Charle4twix: I love you, Jojo, say yes to me!

I swing my gaze to the camera on the top of the screen and slap on a wide smile.

Let's get this over with.

“Hey guys! It's your girl Jojo Gone Girl We're having a POAT #partyofalltimes on our beach house out here in the West Coast,” The comments blow up with excited messages.

I fake a pouty look and reply a mention, “I'm sorry Ariay, it's strictly invite only.”

“Now, we want y'all in our party, so we're giving out a hundred slots to our top fans but…” I pause again.

“You just have to share this with twenty people and you're in,” I toss my hair to the side and give the camera a smoky look, “So you better start sharing...”

I end the livestream and fall into my bed, my back resting on the soft mattress as a sigh leaves me. My phone rings beside me.

“What do you think you're doing?” an hostile voice demands. Glancing at the screen, I see Claire Eastwood on the caller ID.

“What?” I reply, clearly shocked, and press the record button.

“Oh, you heard me clear as day dumb b***h. You think you can bring your shallow content and stupid friends into my territory to do what you want?” I hear a cackle that sounds so much like a pecan bird choking on a piece of bone.

This b***h is in heat with envy.

Making sure I sound bewildered, I ask, “Claire Eastwood?”

“You know who I am bitch.”

“Of course I do.” I reply like she's the dummy, “Claire Eastwood, Queen of Sabbel High and cheerleader captain of the Sabbel Boars. Girlfriend to the team captain and king of Sabbel High Also… Second-rated teen influencer with over a million followers short of being the top, aren't you that Claire Eastwood?”

She growls into the phone, “b***h if you think you can take what I— ”

I cut off her tirade, “It's already taken Claire, stop panting over it.”

I end the call and instantly my phone rings, this time, I glance at the caller ID before answering, “Did you find anything?”

“He was either raised by a monk with his strict routines or he's onto us,” Mal responds, setting the camera on Kendrick's selfie stick so I can see them.

They're in a minivan where half a dozen computer screens are set on top of a makeshift table and two chairs taking up the whole space while takeout containers, empty pizza boxes and energy drinks litter the floor. It's a huge mess.

“The weather is horrible here Jo, My skin is literally peeling off!” Ken grouses from the background, hunkered up like a yellow bunny. Every inch of her skin is covered in yellow clothing, only her green eyes are visible and they seem to glow against their hobbies.

“Yeah, Russia isn't for the faint-hearted.” Mal teases and Ken shoves her.

“Ow, take it easy kitty.”

“Take it back, Mal,” Ken says and shoves her hard.

“We joined your live stream Jo, you looked thirsty,” Mal compliments, changing the subject.

Suddenly distracted, Ken faces me, “Yeah, Jo that lipstick looks hot on you, what brand is it? When'd you get it?”

“Aunt Sherry— I mean Mom got it for my birthday.” I immediately change the subject, “Claire Eastwood called me.”

“What was she about?” Kendrick bites her chapped lips.

“She feels threatened by us…” I say.

“Means we have to move fast,” Mallory remarks.

“What about the target?” I ask again, bringing us back to the business of the day.

“He leaves for the gym by 5am every morning, comes back with coffee and four bagels. By 4pm he goes to the club and returns before 3am the next day. It's the same every day.” Kendrick supplies.

“What about the club?”

“We're on it, my contact needs another day to get the fake pass ready,” Mal says with rare excitement.

Panic flares as I ask, “What do you mean a 'fake pass'?”

“Dude, it's one of the VIP clubs his father owns.”

“I think this is getting dangerous…”

Ken toys with her hair, giving off her nerves, “What do you mean?”

“In middle school, there was a rumor that his family is the Mob, it explained why he always had bodyguards following him around.”

“That's crazy.” Mallory's eyes widen, “Like the real Mafia?”

“Yes, Mal, a real Mafia with the guns and the knives and the katanas. I think you two should come back, we'll find another way.”

But Ken's shaking her head, “No way. I haven't spent a whole week in this freezing van with a broken heater just to give up halfway.” Mallory nods in agreement.

“What if he is unto you,” I fear.

“He's not that smart,” Mallory assures everyone.

Kendrick peers into the screen, “We'll get the job done Jo. We'll be back next week like planned so quit the worry brows,” she gestures to my eyebrows which knot whenever I'm worried.

“We're gonna be fine.” Mallory huffs out.

I nod.

“Check-in time is over, we've got some stalking to do,” Mallory declares.

“Stay safe you two. Mal!” she turns to me with the question in her eyes and I lower my voice, “Take care of Ken, she's delicate.” and she nods.

“Don't miss us too much,” Mallory smirks and the line disconnects.

A week later, I'm lounging by the pool trying for a tan in the overhead sun with my headphones on when two bodies crash into me, my headphone is ripped away and I'm tossed into lukewarm pool water which reeks of chlorine.

I scream like a character from the latest Scream movie and hear raucous laughter from the edge of the pool. After flailing around for a minute, I find my balance and glare at the two bitches laughing at me with chlorine stinging my eyes.

“You!. bitches!!!”