This story is different from anything I've done before. It involves Christine, a stalker, and a masked man. In other stories, Erik would usually be the stalker, wouldn't he? Well, as I said, this is different. Please review with your thoughts :)

Entry 1

I'm Christine. I'm a normal girl. I'm twenty years old. I'm a college student. I'm perfectly in place.

NOT!

Not in a million years. Sure, I'm twenty. And sure, I'm a college student. But, here's my situation… I'm a twenty-year-old college student who has transferred to a 25,000 student university after having spent two years at a 1,700 student private college. I've switched majors from music education to psychology, so I've basically started over.

Yeah, so maybe I'm not so normal.. Who is? Let me tell you, I was more 'normal' a month ago than I am now. But, we'll get to that soon enough.

Well, so, the college thing. I got sick of music while attending the 1,700 student private college I was referring to earlier. There was way too much pressure and I wasn't practicing like I should, so who wouldn't want to get away from it? Anyone would do what I did. I transferred to a bigger college.

I have to admit that I still miss music, but I don't think I was ever good enough. Psychology is pretty cool, I guess. The only un-cool thing is that I'm starting over with college when I'm really supposed to be a junior.

Anyway, to sum it up, it's been a rough couple of years. And, it just keeps getting rougher.

So, being that I transferred to this new university that's about 20 minutes away from home, I have been commuting for the past semester. And, I've enjoyed it... up until a few weeks ago. Hold on, though. We're getting to that.

Well, being that I've lived at home, I've been able to keep my job that would normally have only been kept during the summer.

I quit about a week ago, but some pretty weird things happened when I was an employee. I didn't realize how weird things were up until yesterday. Yeah, there's a connection between the life I'm now leading and the job I had.

First, let's start by explaining the job. I worked at a video rental store. I was really good at my job, too. My boss loved me. But, as it turns out, my working there was the reason why all of this crap has taken place.

Anyway, I worked a lot over the summer and got to know quite a few of the 'regular' customers. There were people who rented every day. Well, so, there was this one guy.. He was really nice, and that fact now has a tendency to piss me off. But, he was. He was a very nice man who, I'd say, was in his late 30's or early 40's.

I can't remember his name, but I can remember what he looked like. His face was pretty memorable, and not because he was cute or anything. God, no. It was the way he looked at me. It always made me feel uncomfortable. He had the most intense stare! He never talked too much, but he would ask questions that made me talk. And, he would stare. I remember telling my mom about it a while back, but we both shrugged it off.

Now, though… I should have taken it more seriously. The guy has turned out to be a psychotic manipulative stalker. Funny the way life works, huh? No, but none of this is funny. In fact, I'm trembling right now just thinking about it.

You see, I've been a nervous wreck for a few weeks now.

It all started on the fifth day of November. And no, this has nothing to do with the "Remember, Remember the Fifth of November" thing. This is me venting and replaying a series of events that have now succeeded in controlling my life.

On the fifth day of November, I was leaving my house at about 9am to go to school (since I commute, and all). Well, I got in my car and was just about to start the ignition when I saw a note on the outside of the windshield.

Logically, I thought it might have been a parking ticket. But, still thinking logically, I remembered that I was in my driveway, and the ticket hadn't been there the day before. So, I got out of the car and grabbed the note.

It was folded up, so I unfolded it. I'm actually looking at it right now, in order to write down what it says.

~Christine~

Hello. At last, I can reveal myself. For now, though, it can only be through letters like this. You are probably very confused. Do not be. In time, you will know everything. For now, I just want to let you know that I am watching you. Perhaps you are a bit nervous by now? Please, do not be. You are lucky! I am watching over you. No harm will come to you as long as I am near. You will find that I send these letters frequently, for you will receive many. Read them carefully.

Until the next,

All my love

Ps: Do not tell anyone about this. Anyone you tell will die. You have been warned.

Yeah, so that was the first note. By the time I'd finished reading it, my hands were shaking. I remember looking around me like a crazy person for a few seconds. But then, thinking logically again, I got to thinking that it was probably a joke. Probably some stupid joke sent by my friends, Richard or Stephanie, or… but they live on campus. I live with my parents, and my parents would never do something like this. Neither would anyone else I know. Plus, I didn't recognize the handwriting at all.

So, to say the least, I was and still am pretty freaked out. By that time, it was pretty late and I knew I'd be late to Biology. So, I didn't go. I didn't go to any classes that day. In fact, I locked myself in a bathroom. That day was, pretty much, a mess. I was forced to leave the house near the time my parents would be home so that they wouldn't think I had skipped classes. I drove to a gas station parking lot and sat there with the car doors locked until 8pm. I was forced to call Stephanie and Richard to tell them that my reason for not being on campus was because I didn't feel well enough to go to classes. I was forced to tell them not to tell my parents. The whole day was freaking forced. And, I didn't get any sleep.

The next morning, Tuesday, November 6th, I didn't have classes. I only got up once to lock my bedroom door. Then, I stayed in bed all day. I didn't get on the computer once, which was a big deal. I didn't even eat or drink anything. I kept my cell phone with me, though. No way was I going anywhere without it.

That night, my mom got suspicious. I was scared to death. I've never been good at lying to her face. I usually tell her everything. She asked me what was wrong, because I guess I looked pretty shaky. I told her it was school. School stress. Yep, that was my big excuse. But hey, it must have worked well. She bought it. Oh, and I didn't get any sleep that night, either.

November 7th, Wednesday, I gained enough courage to open the garage door, but only just enough to see if there was anything on my car windshield. There was. I tiptoed just outside the garage, grabbed the piece of paper off the windshield, ran back inside the garage, shut the garage door, and locked myself inside the house. God, I was scared.

~Christine~

I know you have been frightened. I am sorry to have caused you so much grief. Know that there is no reason to be afraid. I want you to attend classes and live life as you normally would. I only thought it was right to let you know of my presence. I do not ever want to keep secrets from you, just as I never want you to keep secrets from me. I will not harm you. As long as you keep my letters secret, I will not harm anyone. You have been such a good girl, so far. Live life like you always have. Really, you have nothing to worry about.

All my love

'Love'. I'd barely paid attention to the word from the first note, but it was on this note, too. Alright, so my worries had just increased dramatically. 'Love'? My face paled considerably, and it's only gotten paler since. What did he mean by that? It's obvious now but, since it was new, it wasn't obvious back then. He loves me. This man who is old enough to be my father loves me. Me. Why? WHY?

Well, anyway, he wanted me to attend classes. He wanted me to drive to school. I wondered what would happen if I did. I wondered what would happen if I didn't. I wondered if I'd fall asleep at the wheel from lack of sleep. I wondered if he would follow me. I wondered who on earth this guy was and where he was hiding. I didn't really want answers, though. I didn't know if I could handle the answers.

I still had time to get dressed and go, so that's what I did. I'll never forget how hard it was to drive. I didn't fall asleep, I didn't even think about sleep! But, I couldn't stop shaking. I listened to a Christmas music radio station and tried to focus on the road instead of the two notes. It was impossible. Somehow, though, I made it to the parking garage and was able to walk to my first class.

That morning, I realized, surprisingly, that I actually felt safer on campus. I felt safer in public with thousands of people all over the place. I couldn't concentrate in my classes, but there were moments when I could actually breathe normally.

After Biology, I had a four hour break and walked across campus to Stephanie's (my best friend) dorm room. Walking across campus took 15 minutes, and I wondered if he was watching me. It seemed possible, but I still questioned.

Right when she saw me, Stephanie asked if I was ok. I was so tempted to tell her. I mean, I tell her most everything. But, I lied and said I still didn't feel that great (which was actually true), and that I was nervous about school and how the semester was coming to a close. It worked, she bought it.

Only minutes later, I decided that I needed to leave. I needed to go to the library.. or somewhere. I didn't want to endanger Stephanie. I didn't want to endanger anybody. So, I told her I had some work to do and then headed towards the library.

The rest of my classes dragged on slowly. I couldn't concentrate in any of them. My third class was one I had with my other best friend, Richard. I was so tempted to tell him, but I didn't. I couldn't. He knew something was wrong. I know he knew something was wrong. But, thank God, he didn't pressure me.

Classes ended at 7:45pm, and I practically ran to my car. Walking alone at night almost killed me, I swear it did.

And, what do you know? There was a note on the windshield. It confirmed my question of if he was watching me. Of course he was. I reached for the note shakily and made sure I was locked in my car before reading it.

My, my, these letters are having quite an effect on you. You are so pale! Darling, please believe me when I say you have nothing to be scared of. Perhaps, you have been wondering if I am able to watch you on campus? Yes, I am able to. I know your schedule, after all. Of course, I am not able to attend your classes or go to Stephanie's dorm room, but I watch you at all other times. You normally do not spend as much time at the library as you have today. Whatever it takes to keep you from telling others, though, pleases me. It makes me happy. You make me happy. I am so proud of you. Do not fear me. I want only the best for you.

All my love

I was so freaked out and so sleepy that I almost had a wreck driving home that night. Luckily, some car honked at me, which made me stay alert for the rest of the drive.

My parents bugged me about their suspicions again when I got home. I blamed it on school and being tired. They looked concerned and told me to sleep. I tried to, but I just couldn't.

The next morning, Thursday, I didn't have classes. So, I copied Tuesday's routine and saw, of course, that there was a note on the windshield.

This note had only four words on it.

You must get sleep.

I gulped and locked myself in my bedroom, my cell phone close at hand.

Then, I got to thinking. I can't remember ever thinking as hard as I did that day.

The guy was obviously hand-writing these notes. I wondered if that was good evidence if I were to get the police involved. But, he said he'd kill anyone I told. There's no way I could tell them without the guy knowing. I mean, even if it were possible, I couldn't know for sure… I couldn't risk that. If I told the police and the guy found out, no telling who would die. Maybe he wouldn't kill the police, since they have weapons and everything, but what about my parents? My friends? I couldn't protect everybody. I would never be so selfish as to endanger others to ensure my own safety.

So, I threw those thoughts out.

I was sitting on my bed with the lights on and my cell phone in my hand when it hit me.

(Thinking about it now, I realize how stupid and slow I really am.)

But, it hit me. He'd been able to contact me through notes. Why couldn't I do the same? Maybe, it would help. Maybe, if he knew what I was really thinking, he'd leave me alone! Well, it couldn't hurt… could it?

So, I found a pen and paper and began writing. Here was the product…

I have been getting your notes, and I just want to know why you are sending them. I am very confused. You are right, I am scared. Please, just tell me why you are doing this.

I folded it up and tiptoed downstairs to the laundry room.

(I still can't help but think that, if someone were to view what has been happening, they would find it humorous that my car has become a mailbox.)

Anyway, I inwardly said a prayer before unlocking the door and stepping into the garage. My cats were sleeping on their little bed. I then opened the garage door, ran to my car, put my note on the windshield under the windshield wiper, ran back in the garage, closed the garage door, and locked myself inside the house. Then, I ran to the bathroom and locked myself inside. I remember how out of breath I was while sinking to the floor. I was sobbing.

I wondered then, and I wonder now, why has this happened?

When does Erik come in? Please review if you want me to continue with the answer to that question.

Thanks,

Daydream