The professor cleared her voice and walked back and forth across the stage with her hand pointing her remote at the screen. Smiling to her audience with each new turn of her presentation.
I glanced around, there was at least one hundred people in the lecture theatre. If I crept out now, she wouldn’t miss me. “I’m going,” I said to Polly. “I’m going to do some research. If she hands out anything I should have, will you get a copy for me?”
“Of course,” she whispered. “Before you go, Blake and Jack asked if we want to do something together. I think Jack is still very keen on you?”
I gave her a knowing smile. “I thought Blake was too busy to date.”
She smiled. “Blake and I are just friends.”
“But they’ve got a reputation.” I thought for some time about what Kane had said.
“Sure, for being hot as shit. Now, are you up for a friendly date? Nothing serious, just a few drinks, play some pool.”
I gave her a grin. “Okay, sounds like fun, but I’ve got dancing for the rest of this week. I’m only free on Friday and Saturday. Saturday would be better.”
“Okay, I’ll send a message to Blake to reschedule and I’ll let you know later what we’re doing.” She took her mobile from her desk and quickly sent a message. “No backing out,” she whispered.
“I’m going, let me know later what’s happening.”
As the lecturer turned her back to look at her notes on the notepad in front of her. I shifted along the row of seats. Glancing around, I locked eyes with Carter and then Kane. Spinning away, I departed the room by the rear exit.
The moment the door opened, the smell of aromatic coffee made my legs walk to the cafe. After ordering a caramel latte, ham and pickle sandwich and a bottle of water for later, I sat at a window seat and waited for my order.
I watched as the hair on my arms stood on end and goose bumps popped all over my skin. My shoulders rose as icy fingers shivered down my spine and I rubbed both hands up my arms to warm my cold limbs.
He is back.
I turned and stared out of the window and he was there, as expected—the same man glowering at me. He was far away but also close and I couldn’t work out where he stood, it was as though he kept moving.
“There’s nobody there,” I mumbled to myself. “It’s your imagination.” I closed my eyes tight shut and peeked them open again.
He’d gone, but the goosebumps remained.
He hadn’t gone.
I know you’re there. Show yourself.
And as if he heard my thoughts, he appeared as if he had never left. His lip curled upward on one side with a snarl.
I picked up my mobile and made a phone call, one I didn’t want to make, but it was time. It had to be done.
No answer.
I sighed and tried again. Voice mail again.
“Uncle Clay, you need to call me back as soon as you get this message. Someone is following me and it’s not… it’s not… please call me as soon as you can.”
I hoped he’d pick up the message soon. This person, thing, ghost, demon, whatever it was, was freaking me out.
My mobile dinged and I quickly picked it up.
Polly: Date confirmed. Pool game on Saturday night at a pub in the town centre. Are you definitely okay with that? Do you want to watch them play football during the day too?
Me: Town, why not The Clockhouse.
The Clockhouse was much more convenient as it was closer to our student accommodation and much easier to walk away from if the evening got too heated. And as this was Jack and Blake we were going on a date with, it was likely.
The few minutes ticked by.