The Stalker Between US

Chapter 26

Unknown POV

He entered St. Mary’s Medical Center through the side entrance just before noon, blending in with the steady stream of visitors. A clipboard under his arm and a visitor’s badge—borrowed from a distracted patient in the lobby—helped him look the part. He kept his head down, face partially shadowed by a nondescript baseball cap, his gaze keen and calculating as he moved through the hospital corridors.

In the staff lounge, he lingered by the vending machine, waiting for someone to approach. It didn’t take long. A young nurse, her scrubs crisp and her ponytail bouncing, entered with a stack of charts. He offered a friendly smile, pretending to fumble with the vending machine buttons. “Excuse me,” he said, voice warm and harmless, “I’m new here—just started over in pediatrics. I’m supposed to shadow a nurse, Julia Reyes, but I keep missing her. Any idea when her shift starts?”

The coworker brightened, eager to help. “Oh, Julia? She’s wonderful. You just missed her—she switched to night shifts this week, so she’ll be in later tonight. But she’s usually here a little early, and she always stops by the break room first.” The man nodded, feigning gratitude, mentally noting every detail. “Thanks so much! I want to make a good impression on my first day.”

He made small talk for another minute, asking about the cafeteria and where to find the supply closet, all the while storing information about shift changes, staff routines, and the best places to wait unseen. The nurse, oblivious to his true intentions, was happy to chat, eager to welcome a new face to the unit.

When he finally left, he did so with a satisfied smile. He now knew exactly when and where Julia would be, and how to intercept her without raising suspicion. The hospital was a maze to outsiders, but he had what he needed to navigate its halls undetected.

As he slipped back out into the city, he replayed the conversation, already planning his next move. Julia may have tried to disappear into Ethan’s world, but she couldn’t hide forever. He had her schedule, her routines, and—most importantly—the element of surprise. The hunt, in his mind, was far from over.