Alone And Afraid.

It had been more than a week since I thought I saw my Dad at the restaurant. I couldn't even let Julia know about it. Mom had felt more hurt than I over his departure so the last thing she needed was to be reminded of him. I had checked out the family album and realized how little I had been thinking of the past moments with my Dad. It was like I had buried him deep down in my heart so I wouldn't miss him and now… I thought I saw him and I realized I had actually been missing him all this time.

Does Zoe also wish she knew her Dad?

I pursed my lips as the thought jostled through my mind. I had never told her anything about her Dad. And seeing how the absence of mine affected my self worth just made me wonder if my daughter was actually going to be okay without a father figure in her life.

I sighed. It was better this way. I nodded to myself. I didn't want my sweet daughter to get too attached to the idea of having a father figure in her life just to be left alone and forgotten.

I chucked the album across my bed and stood up. I glanced at the clock, it was almost time for Zoe to go to bed. I wore my flip flop sandals and turned to leave the room, but a shadow from across my window made me freeze on the spot. I let out a shaky breath and darted my eyes to the window. I was scared to move closer because I didn't want to be seen. From across the window, a mysterious man wearing a black jacket leaned on a fancy looking car. The black Jacket man looked up and our eyes locked.

I stepped back in fright.

Dave.

What was he doing at the front of my house?

I went to my nightstand and picked up my phone. I thought about calling Mr Lawson, but I didn't. There was no need to alert Mr. Lawson and despite the fact that we were already opening up to each other, we aren't that close. Maybe, I should alert the police. No, that wouldn't do. Dave hadn't done anything suspicious so the police won't be able to accuse him of trying to harm—Oh no!

I dashed to the window and observed the fancy car that was parked outside. He was no longer leaning on its hood—he was nowhere to be seen!

My pulse throbbed as I rushed out of my room and ran down the stairs. Zoe was downstairs and alone. Dave wasn't… What if he was here to harm us? Could he be really stalking my family?

Julia came out of her room looking very confused. "Annie, what's wrong?"

I stopped for a moment to glance at her from below the stairs. "Mom, someone is stalking us!" I yelled back at her.

She frowned and followed me. She adjusted her robe. "What?" She asked. "Why do you think we are being stalked?"

Once I reached the living room, I looked around searching for Zoe. She was meant to be watching the newest episode of her favorite animation, Teen Titans. But she wasn't in the living room.

The television light flashed across the walls and its jovial sound made the living room look lively despite my fright and panic.

My heart dropped in my stomach. Tears pooled my eyes as I shook my head in disbelief.

"No," I whimpered. "This can't be happening," I panicked.

Julia took a deep breath and raised her hand in a gesture to calm me down. "Annie, calm down," she egged me. "Let's first check around, I'm sure Zoe is playing around somewhere in the house."

"Mom… " I sniffed and gripped my hair. "I just saw Dave outside the window."

Julia furrowed her forehead. "Who is Dave?"

Ignoring her question, I continued. "What if he had—"

I heard a giggle from the door leading to the living room. I turned. The door was slightly opened. As I approached it, I saw the silhouette of my daughter as she stood at the front of the door.

I uttered a sign of relief and squatted before her.

"Zoe, what are you doing outside?" I grabbed her arms checking for any mark or bruise. "Are you hurt? Did someone drag you outside?"

She blinked, looking lost and confused. "No, there was a knock on the door so… " she stopped talking when she noticed how scared I looked. "Mom, are you okay?"

I nodded and looked around.

The fancy car was no longer parked outside and it seemed to look like we were the only people outside. I carried Zoe in my arms and dashed into the house.

After making sure the door was locked, I looked at my daughter.

"Zoe, don't ever answer the door again."