Stalker

#FFC52 Only 502 words today for Thain in Vain’s fortieth flash fiction prompt. Be sure to visit her webpage and check out this week and past prompts. This story could’ve used another 500 words, but I think it works as it is.

* * *

“Stay away from my girlfriend.”

“Whatever, asshole. Whatcha gonna do about it?”

James grabbed Spencer by the collar and shoved him against a wall. “Don’t test me, Spencer. Stay away.” James released Spencer and dug his hands into his pockets as he made his way back to his car. Spencer watched him get into his car, turn over the engine and peel out of the parking lot.

* * *

“It’s been four months.”

“I know, Lindsay, but he hasn’t done anything illegal.”

“Damn it, James. He’s a stalker. Can’t we call Homeland Security or something?”

“He’s not a terrorist.”

“Not to the whole country, just me.”

“I talked to someone at the police station. There’s no law preventing him from parking his car outside our house. And he hasn’t done anything to get a restraining order.”

“It’s not fair.”

“The world isn’t fair.”

* * *

The caller is not available to take your call. Please leave a message after the beep.

“James! I saw him on the way to work. I drove past the office and just kept driving. I’m by the Starbucks at the mall. Call me as soon as you get this.”

Lindsay tapped the red circle to end the call and started to put her phone into her purse, but was interrupted by a sound behind her.

“Good morning, Lindsay.”

Lindsay spun around and when she saw Spencer, she let out a yelp. She clamped her hand over her mouth when Spencer revealed a pistol hidden in a magazine.

“Let’s head to your car.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you!” she hissed.

Spencer smiled revealing perfect teeth. “I’m at the end of my rope.” He grabbed her arm with his other hand. “I’m prepared to die today, are you?”

Lindsay looked around at the vacant food court. The mall had opened less than thirty minutes ago and some shops still hadn’t raised their security gates.

* * *

Lindsay’s eyes focused on the pistol in Spencer’s lap. He sat on the edge of the seat, leaning against the door. He pointed the dangerous end at her and rested his other hand on the wrist that held it. She tried to blink away the tears, but her mascara was running and when she wiped away the tears she smeared darkness across her cheeks. She glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror. I’m a mess, she thought as her attention was drawn back to Spencer’s pistol.

“What’re you gonna do to me when we get to my place?”

“You?” Spencer scoffed. “You’re so vain. What makes you think this is about you?”

“Then…” She didn’t finish the sentence. Her mind drifted to each encounter she and James had had with Spencer. When James was with her, the encounters had been violent, but Spencer only watched from a distance when she was alone.

Lindsay saw a light on her console. Passenger airbag off, it glowed. She stepped on the accelerator and swerved into a concrete divider at an intersection.