Ominous thoughts squirmed at the back of Lillian's mind. Even the weather matches her mood. She glances out her bedroom window at the vast expanse of jet-black in the sky. Bolts of lightning struck in the distance followed by the mighty roar of thunder.

Shivers form on her body as if a tarantula were running up her spine. She hadn't felt at ease since Amelia's revelation.

Amelia explained to her why she believed The Lurker couldn't be Seth. She'd shown her the threatening text and it made her stomach twist. She'd thought it was finally over. She'd hoped.

I should have known it wasn't so easy.

She felt guilty for immediately assuming Seth was guilty, but the biggest part of her wanted it to be true. If it was true, then it would all be over. She'd barely slept last night and she doubts she will tonight. It's all become too much.

She continues to dazedly stare out the window as she admires the way the leaves dance in rhythm with the wind. An irate bolt of lightning strikes, revealing a figure seeking refuge under the willow tree in front of her home. It's too dark to make out who it is, but it's as if she could suddenly feel the piercing gaze on her. Another bolt strikes, revealing the hooded form.

She gasps and ducks away from the window. Her breaths are heavy and she clutches her chest as it begins to ache. The realization hits her as if she'd been struck by one of the lethal bolts.

The Lurker.

She sprints to her bed to retrieve her phone and hurriedly dials the familiar number.

"Pick up, Amelia." She pleads as the phone rings.

"Lillian?" She greets.

"Amelia, The Lurker is outside my home." She cries down the line and Amelia gasps.

"Make sure everything is locked." She orders. "I'm on my way."

Amelia knows what she's doing is completely reckless. She's running into a situation without a strategy - something her father always told her not to do.

He also used to believe in justice. She snidely remarks as she steers into Lillian's street. She anxiously glances out the window in hopes of spotting the mysterious stalker, but the incessant clatter of raindrops on her car makes it near impossible to see anything. She jumps as a clash of lightning strikes - providing momentary light for the entire street.

No Lurker.

Lillian motioned for her to rush inside as she stood out on the covered porch. Her knitted cardigan was firmly clutched against her. Amelia takes a deep breath before bolting through the rain - but the raindrops fall at a rapid pace.

Lillian ushers her inside for shelter - and safety. She could not shake the thought that someone is still out there.

In fear of waking her parents, she quietly ushers Amelia into her bedroom and gently shuts the door. She leads her to the window.

"They were there, right under the willow tree." Her tone is hushed.

Amelia glances out the window as if she could see through the foreboding darkness. She'd only gotten a few glances with each bolt of lightning, but there is no presence outside. Not anymore.

She chews on her bottom lip as she contemplates what to do. She couldn't call her dad. He didn't listen the first time she'd confessed about her confrontations with The Lurker. And The Lurker might be someone on the inside.

Someone we thought we could trust. She notes with a shiver.

Lillian's phone receives a text and the duo simultaneously glance at each other. Each holding fear in their eyes. Amelia glances over her shoulder as she opens the text.

Don't get too comfortable. You've both made it easier for me to get to you.

Attached is a video of Amelia bolting through the rain into Lillian's house.

Lillian's stomach churns as she rushes into the connected bathroom. The stress and the thought of someone violating her haven are too much for her to stomach. Amelia watches the video on a loop until Lillian returns.

"They were outside the entire time, just watching us," Lillian speaks through an overflow of tears. "How many other times were they silently stalking us?"

"I'm not sure," She sighs. "We need to figure this out."

"What if Ethan's right?" She sobs. "What if this is all May playing a sadistic prank on all of us."

"Don't be ridiculous," Amelia states with a groan. "The Lurker wants us to panic like this."

Lillian takes a few deep breaths, but it only makes her heart speed up faster until she's panting for air.

"Lillian, you need to calm down." Amelia rushes to her side. "Breathe with me. One. Two. Three."

Lillian mimics her breathing until it eventually returns to normal. Her nose feels congested and her eyes burn from the onslaught of tears. Her cheeks are practically drowning in them.

Amelia called Jake, but he doesn't answer. She tries again but receives the same avoidance. With a groan, she glances at Lillian curled into a fetal position on the edge of her bed. She casually approaches her and leans down to look into her frightened orbs.

"The best thing we can do right now is stick together until morning. I'll go to my dad's office and see if I can find anything of use there." She attempts to calm her down. "We're safe here."

Lillian nods and wipes her eyes with the back of her hand as she curls up on her bed. Amelia approaches the window and glances outside. The storm has ceased. She glances at her reflection in the window before getting comfortable on the sofa in Lillian's room. She fights sleep, but the exhaustion eventually wins.

Lillian was still asleep when Amelia woke up. Fearful of waking her from her peaceful slumber, she tiptoes out of her bedroom. She strains her eyes for any presence downstairs, but the home is soundless. With cautious steps, she ventures downstairs and out the front door.

The sight of the willow tree ignites shivers down her spine. She shakes the thoughts away before rushing to her vehicle. She debated on whether she should go home first, or immediately go to the station.

My dad might still be at home. No time like now.

She attempts to act casual as she struts into the station. Linda, one of her dad's colleagues is sitting behind the desk scrolling on her phone. Her eyes cast on Amelia as she enters and greets the teenager with a bright smile.

"Hey, kid, what are you doing here?" She questions.

Amelia gulps before approaching the desk.

"I think I left one of my textbooks in my dad's office. I have an assignment due tomorrow." She was taken by surprise at how quickly her brain thought of a lie, but it seemed believable.

"Sure thing, go ahead." Linda leans back and resumes her scrolling.

With a thankful smile and a sigh of relief, she speed walks to the office. She turns the door handle and enters the room but stops in her tracks at the unexpected presence.

"Officer Nichols." She breathes. "What are you doing in here?"

He whips around in shock.

"Amelia," His eyes are like a deer in headlights. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm looking for my textbook." The lie is effortless this time. "Your turn."

"I'm cleaning your dad's office, packing away the files for the case." He leans against the desk and folds his arms across his chest. "Your dad knows you're here?"

"Yes." Another effortless fib.

He nods his head as a tense silence surrounds them. She bites her lip as her eyes unceremoniously glance everywhere but his face. She can feel his intense stare.

"I better go." She awkwardly speaks.

She needed to get away from his chilling aura. His entire behavior is uncharacteristic. She hurries out of the office and straight past Linda without a goodbye. The second she pushes through the doors she inhales a large gust of wind. The cool breeze soothes her flaming forehead. She leans over and places her hands on her knees. The perspiration drips down her nose and to the ground.

Why would officer Nichols be in her dad's office?

Could he be The Lurker? She nearly sobs at the thought.

She'd always been close to him and saw him as an older brother. The thought sends her brain into overdrive. As she marches towards her vehicle, the abundance of questions swarm her brain like bees to honey. She tucks a sweaty strand of hair behind her ear and unlocks her car, however, movement in the corner of her eye stops her from entering it.

With a glance to the left, the blood drains from her face as the menacing figure stands a few feet away. Frozen in shock, she finds herself unable to break the gaze until they take a threatening step forward. Her instincts kick in and she rushes into the vehicle in a desperate attempt to escape. She locks the car and attempts to put the keys in the ignition, but her hands are shaking too much. The figure rushes towards her. She miraculously gets the key in the ignition and wastes no time starting the car and kicking it into drive. She breezes past the figure and doesn't stop, even when she's out of sight. She doesn't stop until she's safely in her driveway. She glances at her disheveled appearance. Her face is ghostly white. She licks her chapped lips as a thought pops into her mind.

Guess officer Nichols is innocent. 

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A/N: Hi everyone! Thank you so much for your amazing support! There are only a few chapters left where all will be revealed ;)