Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I just wish I did.

Authors Note to individuals: apple_eye – Nope, Rory and Lorelai aren't the only ones who are going to be in this fic, but any others who are in this fic will be revealed in time. :)

darkgilmoregirl and shayness – Thanks. :) I hope you like this chapter too.

Alicia – Thank you very much for your review! It really made my day, and I am glad that my writing had its desired effect. I hope the rest of the story lives up to what you have read so far. :)

Authors Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! :) You guys are all so great and very supportive, so a giant THANKS to you all! Here's the next chapter. I know it has been a while since I last updated, but my inspiration tapped out, so I had to go away for a little while. But now I'm back, and hopefully I'll be here to stay for a while. Sorry to everyone who has waited so long, and I hope you guys like this next chapter. Please r/r.

Run Away Little Girl

By Angel

Chapter 4: And it all comes crumbling down

From that day on, the new life she had built for herself came crashing down around her. Rory felt like she was stuck in some horrible alternate reality from which she could never escape. The nightmares were nightly visitors now, and Rory constantly woke up drenched in sweat, just about to scream. She only just managed to stop herself, in fear of waking and worrying her mother. Each day she received a new e-mail, each one showing pictures of her during some part of her daily routine. It was painfully obvious that he was following her. 'No' Rory thought as a chill ran down her spine, "Not following. Stalking, like a predator after its prey'. With each new picture came a new message. A new threat. Now, not only did she have to deal with the pain of her memories, she had to deal with the worry that every male in her vicinity could be him. Soon Rory was a nervous wreck. Each day became a new challenge as she clung desperately to her last thread of strength, trying to maintain a brave face. Inside she was screaming for the horror to end. Her world had become a prison of fear and uncertainty. Like a robot she continued with her life, remembering nothing except the daily e-mails and the anxiety.

The only source of comfort she had was her mother. She was relieved and comforted when her mother had decided to fly down and stay with her until the situation was resolved. Lorelai was the only person who could give her some feeling of safety. Yet the comfort and security came with a price. Rory now also had to worry about the safety of her mother. What if her mom was in danger just by being close to her? Should she tell her to go back home? Not that her mom would listen, but maybe it was better that she faced this alone. That way she would know that her mom was safe. But what if her mom wasn't safe at home? What if he went after her to threaten Rory? What if he did something awful to her mother just to get to her? Rory sighed, and tried to clear her head. Why did things have to be so complicated?

"Rory, honey, light of my life. You of all people should know that coffee, our very life force, is made to drink, inhale, knock back, chug, gulp or even consume, all with great pleasure. It was not made however, for one to stare at. Especially by you, the daughter of the biggest coffeeaholic around." Lorelai said, breaking Rory out of her daze.

"Sorry mom, it's just that with everything that's going on…" Rory said, releasing a huge sigh.

Her features softening, Lorelai reached over the table and gave Rory's hand a squeeze. "We'll get through this Rory, and it'll all be over before you know it. And before you interrupt, I said we, because I am sticking with you until this is over kiddo, no matter what you say, or any objections you have in your mind on this matter. You're my daughter, and I will always be here for you, no matter what the situation is. Besides," Lorelai said with a grin, "we Gilmores are known for surviving tough situations. I mean, I endured living with your grandparents for sixteen years. You persevered through Chilton, which is also lovingly known as hell! We even suffered through those horrid Friday night dinners! If we can survive all that, then we will survive this."

Rory gave a small smile and took a sip of her coffee. It did comfort her a little to know that her mother would stick around until this ended. Soon an animated conversation could be heard from their table. The two women were so involved in their conversation they didn't notice a woman slip out from the booth behind them and walk out of the café. Standing outside, the woman pulled out her cell phone and dialed.

"Hello?" a male voice asked, answering the call.

"It's me. I just confirmed it. It's her."

"You sure?"

"Positive. I'll meet you at the usual place in ten minutes. We have some planning to do." Hanging up, the woman took one last glance at the two women in the café. As a small smile made its way across her lips, she turned and walked down the street.

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Night slowly fell in the city and one by one the street lamps turned on, each one a glowing firefly struggling to fight the shadows of the night. In a modest apartment high above the noise, a man looked out his window and down onto the darkened roads. Smiling at the shadowed streets below the man turned back to his apartment. The darkness was his treasured friend. It embraced him like a lover and sheltered him like a mother from the harsh brutalities of day. He never felt more powerful than when he was in the dark, lurking in the shadows. Walking into his living room, he turned on the stereo. Turning the volume up high, he slowly walked to the special darkroom at the back of his apartment. The music pulsated and throbbed, filling the apartment and seeping into his veins. It seemed to become the pounding of the blood through his veins. He loved the night, and the darkness. It spoke to the deepest darkest parts of his soul, allowing him to flourish and become what he truly was. A true creature of the night. Entering his darkroom, he started developing the film he had finished earlier that day. As he began preparing the solutions he conjured up her image in his mind, savoring the rush he felt throughout his body.

Flashback

He watched from the shadows as she walked slowly to her apartment. She was alone, having departed from her mother earlier that day. He took pleasure in watching her, taking pictures without her knowledge. It gave him a sense of power, being able to go unknown and unseen. She was a pretty one. Prettier than the others had been. She was skinny but not scrawny, with strong features and a delicate beauty about her. Her long chocolate brown hair seemed to shine, even in the artificial light of the streetlamps. Her clear blue eyes and her soft pink lips. Every part of her was beautiful, seeming to radiate a sense of light. And she was his. He watched her as she walked into a patch of darkness where a streetlamp had burnt out. In his mind, he was instantly there beside her, transported by the darkness that was the essence of his very being. He was the shadow that fell across her face, caressing her smooth cheek. He was the stifling black of the night, which devoured all light and enveloped it in its gloom. He watched her as she stopped by a bench in the park near her apartment, sinking down onto the seat as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders. He relished watching the strong facade she used during the day slowly fade away to one of a very scared little girl. He could sense her resistance to the change, and then her resignation as two silent tears, glittering testaments to her pain, escaped her eyes and trailed down her cheek. This crack in her normally composed demeanor filled his body with a feeling of joy and immense power. He had caused those tears, and he would cause many more. He took a few pictures of his moment of triumph, and watched as she collected herself and walked briskly the last couple of blocks to her apartment. Yes, she was a very extraordinary woman. His own special desire. And soon, she would be all his.

The man savored the feeling of power and delight as he remembered watching her attempt to contain her emotions. He knew that when he chose her that he had made the right choice. Her stubborn strength was the thing that drew him to her in the first place. She had a strong will and an even stronger heart. The tough ones were always the most enjoyable. For when they finally broke, and they all eventually did, he was the one with the ultimate control. Then, and only then, would she fully be his. Yes, he would cherish that day when it came. But in the meantime, he would relish the task of breaking her. A small smile played across his face, cold as the iciest winter. Yes, she was a good choice, a good choice indeed.

Pulling out the last photo, he rinsed it off and hung it on the line to dry. Walking out of the darkroom, he went to prepare for the next day. Everything had to be done carefully for his plan to succeed. Back in the room the final picture hung, dripping onto the floor. And in it, like all the others that filled the room, was the face of Rory Gilmore.

~Hope you guys liked this chapter. I am going to try to update sooner and more often from now on. Please review! I'd love to hear what you think!~