The Stalked

Lief had never been caught. There were a lot of close calls. He had been seen a handful of times. He had been chased, too. But he was never caught. And he never would be. Escaping even the direst situations had been his strongest suit.

“It would have been better if you had the skills for stealing, too,” Cheddar said, as he lay fully stretched on top of two open books on the floor. “You just wasted hearts, but achieved nothing.”

Lief didn’t know which was more annoying. Cheddar’s loud purring or his loud mouth. Lief lifted his legs, kicked away the books on the table, causing some to fall onto the floor, and placed his feet on top of the table. “I will get that potion,” Lief said.

“And how?” Cheddar asked.

“I’m still working on that part.”

“Wow, so much confidence for nothing.”

Lief scowled, fighting the urge to pick a book and throw it at Cheddar.

“Remember you’re supposed to be writing her story, too,” Cheddar said. “You can’t stop writing her story. Unless…” Cheddar paused, shifting his body to a curled position. “Unless you’re planning to risk everything for that love potion.”

Lief pursed his lips.

“Anyway,” Cheddar said, “just don’t get caught.”

That made Lief snicker. He will never get caught.

***

Aine would definitely catch him. She knew that was him. The person who had entered her workshop knew something about magic; otherwise, he couldn’t have gotten past her locks and magic circles.

It must be him, she thought…Her mysterious stalker. The one who would appear, then disappear out of nowhere. What was he doing inside her workshop? Was that the first time he entered? And why was he checking her potions?

Aine spent her days being very vigilant. She had grown used to hearing clapping hands and seeing a figure lurking. But recently, it seemed someone was always walking a step or two behind her. She would constantly look behind her to check if someone was there. Before, it felt like her stalker was just watching her from a distance. Now, he seemed to be moving closer. Back then, he also seemed to watch her only in selected places. Now, he seemed to follow her all over the house. Aine could swear there were eyes watching her sleep one night.

As a precaution, she now added more papers with magic circles on her workshop’s doors. She also placed magic circles on her drawers, compartments, shelf, and anywhere she could attach a piece of paper to. As if that weren’t enough, she took the most important potions from her shelf and began carrying them with her in her satchel bag, never parting with her bag, even in her sleep. She also painted a magic circle at the bottom of her bag, ensuring that only she could open it. She ignored the curious looks of the servants and her mother’s continuous questioning why she always had the bag with her. She didn’t know what her stalker was after. But now that he was becoming more brazen, she needed to protect her most important possessions.

One day, as she was preparing another draught of love potion, she noticed him lurking outside her workshop once again. He was wearing a dark cloak, but she still caught glimpses of his black hair amidst the fern leaves. She considered confronting him for a brief moment. But she stopped to think. Even if she were to run to try to catch him, he would merely disappear again.

So…Aine smiled at the thought. If for some reason, you’re trying to get closer. Why don’t I just allow you to?