Stalker Walker

Description: While walking home one day, Kim realizes there is a creepy man following her. In her time of need, the guys rally together to keep her safe and do all they can to comfort her. First part of two, maybe three, maybe four. Who knows?

Authors note: Okay first, not loving the title of this. But my first idea was "Creep Scare" and I absolutely hated that so this is a step up but FYI I might change it in the future if I can edit it cause I'm not digging the rhyming but also I thought it was funny so i kept it but yeah, humor doesn't really fit the vibe like read the room, author... ugh, millenials. But I literally can't think of anything better idk. Anyways, this is a 3 (?) part story cause it was kind of long but I originally just wrote this so you can read this by itself and the story could be considered resolved, but I ended up liking this and I wrote a little more after and now it's a little mini-story but I'm still including it here.

PSA: my grammarly isn't working rn so excuse my grammar.

"Okay, I gotta head out now. I'm really tired and I still have to finish my chemistry project," Kim told the rest of the guys. They nodded understandingly and she walked to the locker rooms to get changed.

She got out of her gi, momentarily appreciating the mundane activity while she could before she had to start working on her dreaded homework. She grabbed her things and started to walk out of the dojo. Although she could drive, she opted not to on occasion because it gave her more time to think. She'd been walking to the dojo for years now, she didn't live far and before she got her license it was often her only option.

On days like today, she wished she lived further just so she could drive. She was physically and emotionally tired, but she treasured time alone to herself while on her daily commute to school, the dojo, the hospital she volunteered at, and back home.

The whole time Kim was walking, something felt off to her. She thought it was just the stress of having so much to do and having no motivation to do it, but she realized that wasn't all. She observed her surroundings the best she could without being too obvious. It was dusk and getting dark fast. The streets were fairly void of cars, having missed the heavy rush hour traffic by an hour or two. The sidewalk was all but empty, besides Kim and somebody walking a dog in the other direction across the street.

Kim glanced behind herself quickly and saw a figure behind her, about 20 yards or so. It was far enough that it could have just been somebody who happened to be walking at the same speed behind her, but close enough that it could also be purposeful. Deciding to wait it out, Kim continued walking, albeit on high alert.

A minute later, she chanced another glance and saw the figure behind her still. She could now say it was a man of sturdy build, but the shadows and quick nature of the glance obstructed his face. Now worrying, she did an experiment to confirm her suspicions. She crossed the street and not long after, so did the man. She turned the corner, and so did the man.

She continued walking as if she knew nothing, but she also pulled out her phone. She decided to call Jack and see if he was still at the dojo. She wasn't sure why the man was following her, but she didn't want him to find out where she lived, not to mention the dojo was a much shorter walk and far more safe.

Kim held her phone to her ear as it continued to ring. Come on, Jack, pick up, pick up, she thought. It continued to ring until the automated voice came on and she hung up. She tried again but didn't get a response. Kim had to look up momentarily when she got to the street corner, she would have to make it back to the dojo a slightly different route to avoid literally running into the man.

Deciding not to waste her time on Jack, Kim called Jerry next. The phone rang and Kim started to wonder why the boys weren't answering their phones. Finally, on the 6th ring, Jerry picked up.

"'Sup, Kim?"

"Hey, are you guys still at the dojo?" she asked slightly quieter than usual, so the man wouldn't be able to hear her words, only that she was on the phone.

"Just leaving, why? Did you forget something?"

"No, actually, I'm coming back. Um, I tried to call Jack but-" Kim's voice betrayed her as she involuntarily choked on her words. She was telling herself she was overreacting and the creepy guy tailing her wasn't a big deal, but she was scared.

Jerry seemed to realize something was off the moment Kim stopped talking. "Hey, are you okay? What's going on? You hurt?"

"No, I'm not hurt," Kim managed. "There's this creepy guy following me. I'm closer to the dojo and I don't want to lead him to my house either; my parents are out of the house tonight and I'd be home alone."

Jerry tried to process the information and formulate a plan. "Okay, are you on your way to the dojo now?"

"Yeah, I'm coming down Park Street instead of Beaumont so I don't run into the guy," Kim told him as she surveyed her surroundings again.

"That's good. Keep walking, I'll try to meet up with you as quickly as I can. Stay on the line with me, just in case something happens, okay?" As Jerry spoke Kim could hear him start to move faster and she was grateful to have a friend like him, silly as he was at times, who genuinely cared about her. She calmed a little knowing Jerry was on his way but she was alone with the creep for the time being. "I'm going to try to get a hold of Jack, but don't hang up and keep talking. Guys are less likely to do anything if you're on the phone, okay?"

"Okay. Thanks, Jerry," was all she said.

"Kim, keep talking," Jerry commanded.

Kim nodded before she realized Jerry couldn't see her. She couldn't think of anything to say. What could she say?

"Kim, I'm trying to text Jack but you have to keep talking. Just tell me about your cheer practice or something, I don't care as long as you are talking," Jerry said.

Kim was momentarily shocked at Jerry's good suggestion but quickly followed it. "Okay. Well… practice was good. It was hard and tiring but I think our hard work is going to pay off…" Kim continued to recount her practice with as many details as she could think of, just to make it last longer.

"Kim," Jerry interrupted. Kim stopped talking, grateful for the pause, she was running out of adjectives to describe the new routine. "Jack texted back and said he wants to call you immediately. I'm going to hang up so he can call you. I'm still coming, so just keep walking and don't hang up with Jack unless you call me back, okay?"

"Okay, I won't," Kim assured him.

Jerry hung up and a moment later Kim's phone was ringing again and Jack's name popped up. Kim answered and quickly put her phone back to her ear. "Hello?" her voice came out timider than she meant it to.

"Kim! Jerry texted me but you know how he is with texts. What's going on? I need to hear it from you. Are you in danger?" Jack sounded frantic and Kim wondered what he was doing right now.

"There is somebody following me," she looked back as subtly as she could just to confirm she hadn't lost the man and continued. "I don't know who he is or what he wants. I can't see his face. I'm walking back to the dojo and Jerry is trying to meet up with me so he can walk with me and hopefully lose this creep."

"Kim," Jack sounded almost pained and now Kim was very curious about what he was doing. "I'm coming too. I'm in the mall parking lot right now, I was about to leave. How far from the dojo do you think you are?"

"Um, I'm not sure, I don't usually go this way. Maybe like a 5-10 minute walk?" Kim guessed.

"Okay, Jerry should be close then," Jack said to reassure not only Kim but himself too. "I should've given you a ride home, Kim. Your parents aren't home and you were complaining about being tired all day today and it's already dark. You really shouldn't be walking alone."

"It was my choice, Jack. I could have driven," Kim reminded. She looked ahead and saw another figure approaching her and her heart dropped at the thought of an accomplice. If this creep was a human trafficker he would definitely have buddies to help him out. Maybe he was just scoping her out and decided after following her for a while that she was worth sending in backup.

"Kim?" Jack asked. "You okay there?"

She remembered she was on the phone and spoke quietly. "There's someone else…" She squinted her eyes as if that would help her get a better view. She was shaking uncontrollably now and only the adrenaline was keeping her moving.

Before Jack could ask who, Kim recognized the person and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. "It's Jerry. He's coming this way." Kim could hear Jack let out his own sigh of relief.

"Don't hang up though, Kim. Even when Jerry gets there I want you on the line until I can see you in person," Jack told her.

Kim had no objections. She didn't want to hang up ever. She just wanted to be with Jack right that very moment. She was sure if she was in his arms she'd be safe. He'd take care of her. He'd make sure she made it back to the dojo.

"I won't, Jack," Kim replied, voice quivering.

Jack's heart broke at the sound of Kim's scared voice. "Kim, you'll be okay. Don't start crying on me, I don't know how to deal with you when you're crying, especially over the phone."

Kim tried to laugh, but it came out as more of a chopped sob. "Maybe you should learn," she pushed out. She realized she was nearly to Jerry and her heart sped up in anticipation of the reunion. She let her guard down just enough for her to miss the curb and trip, falling forward and scraping her arms and hands.

She grunted as she pushed herself up, reaching for her phone. She watched, suddenly unable to move, as Jerry rushed towards her, eyeing something beyond where she sat. She turned her head where he looked and saw the man also walking swiftly towards her. The man wasn't running, that was far too suspicious, but he was moving quickly. Jerry, on the other hand, was running.

She looked back and forth between the two. The man was now upon her and leering down at her. "Are you lost, little lady?" he asked in a voice matching his appearance, raspy and deep. "I'll help you find your way and I'll take good care of you." Kim swallowed uncomfortably and cowered back from the man leaning down and reaching out towards her now. She caught sight of a bulge in the side of the man's pants and her heart stopped beating. He was armed. She could only hope he didn't use it or he would have full control over her. She desperately prayed that the vulgar man wouldn't touch her.

Luckily for her, Jerry was now at her side, crouched down to help her up himself. "There you are!" he exclaimed loudly. The man, now having an additional eye witness, grunted and moved along as if he had no business with Kim. Kim kept a wary eye on him still, not believing such a powerful man would simply give up at the sight of Jerry, but it seemed to be true.

Jerry, oblivious to the danger they had been in, gave his full attention to Kim now and saw she was shaking. Her phone was still on the ground and he bent to pick it up. Kim watched Jerry's moves, appreciating his ability to function when at the moment she was incapable of doing so.

"Jack?" Jerry asked into the phone. "She's okay, she just tripped. I've got her… Don't worry, man… Okay, bye."

Jerry held the phone out to Kim but she didn't take it. She meant to, but somehow she just couldn't manage to lift her arm. Jerry seemed to understand and he wrapped an arm around Kim and moved her forward.

"Okay, let's just get back to the dojo, okay? Jack's freaking out, you're freaking out…"

Kim tried to send Jerry a glare, unfortunately, it came across as something closer to the look of a scared little girl. Kim could hardly register what was going on the rest of the way to the dojo. Jerry stayed by her side and made sure she stayed upright and moving so there was nothing else for her to even focus on.

She hadn't even realized they were near until she felt strong arms wrap her in a crushing hold and lift her off the ground. "Kim, I was so worried. When you stopped talking I thought something happened…" Jack nuzzled his face in Kim's hair and she finally gained control of her limbs again. She wrapped her arms around Jack's waist and held on with every ounce of strength she had left.

Jack pulled himself back but Kim held on. He looked down and saw how frightened she was and understood now what was going through her brain. Knowing one of them had to be sane, he pushed his worry down and decided to fret over her when they were safe. They were barely outside the mall and it was a short walk back to the dojo. When they reached the courtyard, they intercepted Rudy right as he was walking out of the dojo.

He saw the trio and immediately went on high alert. Those were his three best students and all three of them had already left, why were they coming back?

"Rudy, can we come in for a minute?" Jack asked flatly. Rudy quickly nodded and reopened the doors, letting the gang come in. He went to turn on the lights and came back to see Kim snuggled into Jack's chest with his arms around her firmly and even Jerry's soft hand on her shoulder.

"What happened?" Rudy asked, concerned at the attention on Kim and the fact that she wasn't pushing the boys away.

"Kim said somebody was following her home. She called and said she was coming back to the dojo and I went out to find her and walk her back," Jerry said.

Jack, now rubbing Kim's back, looked up and continued. "And it's a good thing Jerry did because it sounds like the creep was about to make a move when Kim tripped," Jack said.

Kim turned around so she could be more a part of the conversation, but still let Jack hold her close. "When he turned away, I saw something," Kim said quietly. It was the first thing Jack heard her say since the phone call.

"What?" the boys asked expectantly.

"I think he had a gun," Kim said. Jack immediately clutched Kim tighter.

"What?" they all three asked. Their tone was commanding and stern and Kim cowered slightly.

Jack was first to recover and he apologized quickly before letting his mind consider what a man with a gun was doing following Kim.

"You sure you have no idea who it is?" Rudy asked. Kim just nodded. Rudy sighed, disappointed but understanding. "Jack, I think it would be best if you take Kim home. And call me if anything seems off, okay?"

Jack nodded. "Of course, Rudy."

"And Jerry, I'm proud of you," Rudy said.

Jerry nodded as if it was nothing, but Kim was extremely grateful for him tonight as well. He acted calm and rational and made sure she got back safely.

"Kim, I want you to keep an eye out for anything weird from now on. Hopefully, this is just a one-time thing, but if this guy is after you specifically, we need to be prepared. It might not be a bad idea for you to take a few self-defense classes," Rudy continued. "It's past due time I taught you. You're an excellent martial artist, but the real world isn't a karate match and there are no rules. I could teach you moves that target the weaknesses of a stronger opponent."

Kim knew Rudy to be right and appreciated that he was willing to help her protect herself. Kim nodded at Rudy's suggestion and he gave her a tight smile.

The silence was building and all four of them were retreating into their own thoughts. Jack patted Kim's shoulder and cleared his throat to break the silence.

"I think we should head out," he said.

Rudy nodded and once again implored Jack and Kim to be safe. Jack offered Jerry a ride home but Jerry had his own truck in the parking lot still. Jerry walked with Jack and Kim out to the car still, standing on Kim's left while Jack had her tucked into him on her right.

"I'll see you both tomorrow," Jerry said when they got to Jack's car. He waved goodbye and Jack turned to Kim, backing her into the car door.

"Jack?" Kim asked shakily.

Jack put his hands on Kim's waist, holding her tight. "Kim," he whispered. "I'm so glad you're okay. Rudy was right about self-defense classes. I know you are a strong independent woman, but really it's for your own good. Really-"

"Jack," Kim interrupted. "I'll do it. I'll take the classes, okay? Look, this whole thing scared me too."

Jack snapped out of his protective trance and looked down, realizing Kim must have been scared. Obviously, she had been scared. "You're right. I'm sorry. Let's just get you home, we can talk about this later."

Kim agreed and Jack unlocked the car. They got in and he started to drive her home. The whole time Kim could see him on high alert, looking for any cars that might be following them or guys at stoplights. Kim didn't see anything and soon enough, they were at her house.

"When are your parents coming home?" Jack asked, speaking for the first time since they left.

"They said late. We still have school tomorrow so that probably just means sometime after like 11, because they know I'll be in bed. Probably like 12:30?" Kim guessed.

"Ok. Make sure you lock your doors. And you know, close your blinds, keep the windows shut. Don't answer the door."

Kim sighed. "Jack, I have been home alone before."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry for sounding so controlling. I just want you to stay safe."

Kim nodded, she knew Jack could get protective sometimes. She was about to open the door to leave when suddenly she was overcome with emotion and she stopped. Control yourself, she tried to say. Just go inside before you fall apart.

"Kim, you okay?" Jack asked thoughtfully.

Kim tried to assure him she was okay, but the second she opened her mouth the only noise she could make was a choked sob.

"Oh, Kim. Come here." Jack unbuckled himself and reached across the console to wrap Kim in his arms. She buried her face in his chest as she finally let the tears fall. "Just let it out, Kim. Let it all out." Jack rubbed her back softly and ran his fingers through her hair gently.

"Th-Thanks- Jack-" Kim said in broken cries. She wiped her eyes and while she was able to see better, more tears fell down her face. Jack frowned and wiped her cheeks again.

"I love you, Kimmy," he whispered.

"I love you, too."

"Come on, I'll walk you inside," Jack said as he turned the car off and had already started to get out of the car. He walked around just as Kim was stepping out and he held his hand for her to grab.

Kim opened the garage and closed it behind them as she walked inside. All the lights were off since nobody was home and when Kim turned them on, Jack insisted she let him check every room in the house for anybody lurking. When he cleared her to leave the kitchen area he confined her to, she just stayed where she was at.

"Don't you have that project to finish?" Jack asked. "I thought you said it was important?"

Kim sighed. "It is. Was. It- I don't know… It's just that it seemed important earlier but now I'm a different person and some project for a high school class seems silly. Something really bad could have happened tonight. To me, to Jerry, maybe even you and Rudy. If something more happened, I wouldn't have given the project a second of thought," Kim explained. "I don't know if I'm conveying this right, but the project just feels so insignificant now."

Jack looked at Kim thoughtfully. "No, I understood. Let me make you a deal. You spend 12 minutes on the project. Not a minute more or a minute less. Just enough to wrap it up and not completely embarrass yourself when you turn it in. If you do that, then I'll stay and help you while you work and keep you company. Deal?"

"Deal," Kim agreed.

And so they made their way to the living room and Kim studiously worked on her project. It's not like there were loads more to do, she was nearly done. But she was glad Jack convinced her to give it just a little more thought. When the 12 minutes were done, Kim was pleased enough with the result, and she and Jack started to clean up.

"Why don't you go head upstairs and get some sleep, Kim? It's almost 10 and you seem pretty worn out," Jack suggested.

"I can't sleep. I don't want to yet. I need a pick-me-up; something to make me forget about the whole night."

"Baby Sea Turtle Nature Documentary?" Jack asked with a smirk.

Kim smiled. "You know me so well."

Jack set up the short documentary and Kim brought a bowl of popcorn for the pair to share. Kim snuggled next to Jack and let the bowl rest on both of them for easy access. Sometime during the movie, Kim had stopped reaching into the bowl and her head drooped to Jack's chest. When the documentary ended, Jack carefully moved the bowl of popcorn to the coffee table and picked Kim up. She snuggled closer to Jack and mumbled something about turtle shells and grains of sand, but otherwise didn't move.

Jack brought Kim to her room and set her on her bed under the covers. He double-checked her window as far as security went and turned the lights off. He cleaned up the popcorn and turned off the downstairs lights and walked back out to his car.

Meanwhile, Kim slept soundly, forgetting all about the dangers she faced not too long before. She had great friends looking out for her and a boyfriend determined to keep her safe and happy. She couldn't have dreamed up anything better than her reality made so clear today.

okay wait stop listen don't hate me but idk I don't feel like going through the rest of this short story and this isn't a cliff hanger what so ever (I initially intended this to be the end) so there is no reason why you should hate me for probably not posting the rest right away or ever. sry luvs 😘