Killer Geek (SLOW UPDATES)

Twenty-Seven

Randy leaned in closer, lowering his voice. “Listen, if you ever need to talk...or if you don’t feel safe, you can call me, okay? Anytime.”

I hesitated, his offer hanging in the air between us. Was he being genuine? Or was this just another game?

Before I could respond, the warning bell rang, cutting through the tension like a knife.

“I should go,” I said quickly, stepping back.

Randy straightened, giving me a small smile. “Yeah, sure. See you around.”

As he walked away, I felt a strange mix of relief and unease. My hand tightened around the strap of my bag as I turned and headed to class, keeping my head down and my thoughts racing.

Who can I trust?

The rest of the day passed in a blur, but not the kind that left me detached or numb. It was the kind that heightened every sense, every noise, every brush of movement. Each time a locker slammed or someone laughed too loudly, my pulse quickened. I wasn’t just on edge—I was teetering.

Billy’s refusal to tell anyone what happened still gnawed at me. The others didn’t push the issue either, though I could see the tension bubbling beneath the surface. Tatum looked at me with pity I didn’t want, Sidney kept her distance, and Stu—well, Stu was just being Stu. He treated everything like a joke, which only made it worse.

But Randy? He was different.

I couldn’t get his words out of my head. If you don’t feel safe, you can call me. There was something in his tone, something almost tender, but I couldn’t decide if it felt reassuring or...unsettling.

After school, I lingered by my locker, pretending to organize my books while the crowd thinned. I told myself it was to avoid running into anyone, but really, I was hoping to spot Billy or Tatum.

Instead, Randy appeared again.

“Hey,” he greeted, leaning casually against the locker beside mine. “Guess we’re on the same schedule today.”

I forced a tight smile. “Looks like it.”

“Walk you home?” he offered, tilting his head.

I froze. My first instinct was to say no, but then the image of that mask flashed through my mind. The distorted voice, the way he’d stalked me through the woods—it all came rushing back, stealing the air from my lungs.

“I—” My voice faltered. “No, it’s fine. Billy’s meeting me.”

Randy raised an eyebrow. “Really? Because I just saw Billy leaving with Stu about five minutes ago.”

My stomach sank.

“Listen,” he continued, his voice softening. “I get it. You’re scared, and you’ve got every right to be. But you don’t have to go through this alone.”

I swallowed hard, unsure of what to say. Randy had always been kind to me, even when Billy made it clear he didn’t want him hanging around. Maybe that’s why I hesitated to push him away completely.

“Thanks,” I murmured, finally shutting my locker. “But I’ll be fine.”

He didn’t argue, just watched me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. “Alright. But seriously—call me if you need anything. Anytime.”

I nodded, clutching my bag tightly as I walked away. His words followed me down the hallway, lingering like an echo I couldn’t shake.

---

The walk home was tense, my senses on high alert. Every rustling leaf, every distant laugh or car engine sent a jolt of fear through me. By the time I reached the house, I was sweating despite the cool breeze.

Inside, the silence was suffocating. I dropped my bag by the door and locked it behind me, triple-checking the deadbolt. My heart was still racing, and I found myself pacing the living room, trying to shake the feeling of being watched.

My mind wandered back to Randy. His words had been kind, but there was something else—something I couldn’t put my finger on. I thought about the way he’d smirked at Billy the other night, the way he seemed to enjoy pushing his buttons.

No, I told myself firmly. He’s just being Randy. That’s all.

But no matter how hard I tried to convince myself, the doubts remained.

The phone rang suddenly, cutting through the quiet. I froze, staring at it as my pulse spiked.

It rang again.

And again.

Finally, I forced myself to answer, my hand trembling as I picked up the receiver.

“Hello?” I whispered.

For a moment, there was nothing but static.

Then a voice—a distorted, menacing voice that sent chills down my spine.

“Did you miss me?”

Authors Note: I am on a fucking ball! I mean, even I'm getting excited and needing to know what will happen next, even though I already know 😂