After Dark

I woke with my phone vibrating beneath my shoulder.

For a moment, I couldn’t remember where I was. I reached toward the edge of Aubrey’s couch and found more mattress. Then the bedroom came back to me, along with the clothes I’d meant to put away before lying down.

It was dark outside. I’d slept with the light on.

I pulled the phone out from under me, expecting Aubrey. A number I didn’t recognize had sent an audio message.

I checked the number twice. No name, no earlier messages. I was still trying to work out whether it might be someone from the office when I pressed play.

“I watched you today.”

I sat up.

“Fuck, baby. I told myself I just wanted you safe. Happy.

“Then you were close enough to touch.

“And now there’s a fire in my veins, and knowing you’re safe isn’t enough anymore. I need you to be mine.”

Something about his voice sent heat low into my stomach. I pressed my knees together before I realized what I was doing, and my face burned. A stranger was telling me he’d watched me, that he wanted me to be his. How could any part of me like hearing that?

“You’re not ready for that yet, are you? Still trying so hard to be good.”

I pulled the blanket over my legs.

“Close your windows tonight, sweetheart. Lock your doors.

“You never know what kind of bastard might make himself at home.”

The recording ended.

I stayed still, holding the phone, waiting for something else. An apology. Another message explaining that this was meant for someone I’d never heard of.

Nothing came.

Someone had the wrong number. That happened. Whoever he was talking to, whatever was going on between them, it had nothing to do with me.

But I looked toward the window anyway.

With the bedroom light on, I could see myself in the glass. I got out of bed and pulled the curtains together, then checked the latch beneath them. It held.

I typed before I could frighten myself any further.

You have the wrong number.

His reply came while I was still holding the phone.

No, Rory. I don’t.

My fingers went cold around the phone.

Who was this guy?

I read his reply again. Then the message I’d sent above it, as if there were something in mine that explained his.

Had I told him my name?

I scrolled up. There was nothing before the recording.

Where could he have seen me?

I tried to think through everyone I’d come across today. There hadn’t been that many. Had someone been looking at me and I just hadn’t noticed?

Could it be the man who’d paid for my breakfast?

I tried to remember him, but all I had was his back as he left. I hadn’t heard his voice. If it was him, how had he got my number? How did he know my name?

I read the message again. I wanted it to make more sense the second time. It didn’t.

The hairs at the back of my neck lifted. That sinking feeling in my stomach deepened, and I looked up from the phone.

Through the bedroom doorway, I could see the beginning of the hall. Beyond it, the stairs disappeared into darkness. I listened, holding still beneath the blanket.

Nothing. But I wanted to close the bedroom door, and suddenly I didn’t want to cross the room to do it.

I debated my options.

I could call Aubrey. Her name was right there in my messages. One tap, and I wouldn’t have to sit here trying to work this out by myself.

But what would I tell her? I’d have to play her the recording. I imagined sitting through it again, knowing she was listening too. She’d ask if I was safe.

I looked toward the doorway. I didn’t know how to answer that.

Maybe I should block him. That was what you were supposed to do with messages like this, wasn’t it? But then I’d still know nothing about him. He would still have my number. My name.

My thumb hovered over Aubrey’s conversation before I went back to his.

One question. I could ask him one question first.

Who is this?

I sent it and kept the conversation open.

Please answer. Give me a name. Something I could recognize and feel stupid for being scared of.

The screen dimmed beneath my thumb. I touched it.

Still nothing.

I pulled the blanket higher, listening. Every few moments, I checked the phone again. I wanted him to answer, even though I was afraid of what he might say.

I don’t remember falling asleep. Only lying there with the same questions going round in my head.

Who was this man? What did he want from me?