Like, Follow, Kill

by Carissa Ann Lynch

  “So, Chris wasn’t really stalking you? But I saw him in the video … and in the photos … he was watching you through the window …”

  “He was in the photos because I put him there. We’ve been traveling together for ages. And the stunt in the window was just a prank. I wanted to get a reaction out of you. Out of all of you. Congratulations; you definitely passed the test.”

  “Test? What fucking test? Why would you pretend you had a stalker?” I asked, incredulously. I wasn’t mad exactly, just confused. Was Valerie this desperate for attention?

  “I had a stalker once, but nobody believed me. Nobody cared enough to help me then.”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t understand, and my head hurts really freaking bad. I’m not thinking clearly. Do you have anything to drink?” I coughed and sat up, finally managing to prop myself up on my elbows.

  “That guy finally moved on to someone else. But he’s always stuck with me … and so, I’m making a new channel about followers and what they’re willing to do to reach me—what can I make people believe, Camilla? I’m starting to think they’ll believe anything. After all, you believed that Chris killed my aunt.”

  I groaned, pulling myself up all the way. I wrapped my hands around my knees, the lightheadedness subsiding slightly as I sucked in shallow, craggy breaths. “Then who did kill her? Was it you?”

  “Nobody, silly. My aunt is alive and well in Oshkosh. She’s completely fine.”

  “No, that’s not true …”

  “Yes. You never saw it on the news, did you?”

  I shook my head, trying to shake off the prickly stars sprouting from behind my eyelids. I felt like I might vomit.

  “The manager at The Rest EZ told me she was murdered. The cops were there looking for you …”

  “The manager at The Rest EZ, huh? Good ol’ Bruce. It’s amazing what people will do when they’re obsessed with you. I’ve been staying at that dump for free for years. He’s related to our old school pal, Luke. Do you remember him?”

  She went on, giving me no chance to respond: “Whenever I pass through town, I stay there. I always hoped Aaron would worry about my safety there, that he might be the one looking for me … but, oh well. He’s not a true follower, not worthy of my time. Bruce played into my plan, perfectly. I told him what to say, and he did it. Pretty simple, actually.” Valerie shrugged, looking all too pleased with herself.

  “Your aunt is worried about you … people are looking for you …”

  Valerie was staring at her nail beds. She bit off a hangnail and spit it on the floor beside me.

  “My aunt knows I’m fine. I called her. And no one is looking for me … Bruce lied about my aunt, the cops. He’s a loyal friend. But a true follower? The verdict’s still out on that one.”

  “Are you telling me that all of this was a lie? For what, Valerie? Why the fuck would you do this? You don’t even know me.”

  “You’re right. I don’t know you at all. You’re just a nobody to me. But that didn’t stop you from stalking my page, liking all my posts, following me across the country … pretty much harassing me! This is going to make such a good first episode. I’m thinking about doing a scavenger hunt each month … kind of like Where’s Waldo? only it’ll be Where’s Valerie? And I’m going to challenge people on what they think happened versus reality … I enjoyed watching you sulking in your motel room. And the bloody shirt … that was fucking classic! You were so freaked out by that.”

  “What do you mean?” I stared at her in wide-eyed horror.

  “There were cameras on you in the motel the whole time. And I had others, too, capturing you around town. You’ve been so worried about me, Camilla … it’s really sweet, actually. But you need to curb that drinking problem …”

  “Jesus,” I muttered, bile rising in the back of my throat. I swallowed it down, shaking my head from side to side in disgust. Who is this psycho bitch? Not the girl I thought I was following, that’s for sure … I underestimated Valerie Hutchens.

  “And we caught your grand finale, too—swinging that knife around at Chris. It’s going to get so many views, just you wait and see. You threatening to kill Chris, a man you didn’t even know, all to protect me. I’m going to tell my viewers the whole story. This will be good for both of us, Camilla. You’ll be famous! It’ll definitely go viral, no doubt.”

  I couldn’t see any cameras in the dark, but somehow, I could feel them there.

  “Okay, your stupid prank goes viral … then what?”

  “People love hearing shit like this about social media stars. They’ll be putty in my hands after I pull this off.”

  “Star? I’d hardly call you a star because of your followers. Girls like you are a dime-a-dozen, Valerie.” I couldn’t help it; I laughed, and then I started choking. My head felt like it was on fire.

  “Oh, just wait and see. Once I have my YouTube presence going, I’ll be able to get the book deal I’ve always wanted … I’m writing about a girl who will do anything to achieve fame. Sounds familiar, right? All of this is such good research for the book … and I’ll totally have my followers in place before it’s released. Trust me, everyone will want to read this shit when it’s done.”

  “So, what now?” I said, exasperated. “Are you going to kill me on camera or something? Is that the final scene in this twisted shit show of yours?”

  Valerie laughed, deep and raucous. “Of course not. I’m not crazy, Camilla. This is it for now … unless you’re up for a post-interview tonight?”

  “I think I’ll pass,” I said, managing to pull myself up to my feet.

  On the floor beside the sofa, I could see a wooden baseball bat. That must be what she hit me with. Crazy bitch.

  “I’m just glad no one was hurt. You impressed me, Camilla. You exceeded all my expectations. I was surprised you followed through, especially after all you’ve been through … the drinking and the accident. Hell, maybe this whole thing will help you repair your reputation!”

  “Whatever you say, Valerie.” All the times I’d dreamed of impressing Valerie … this wasn’t how I expected to do it.

  Valerie threw her arms around me, pulling me in for a hug. She smelled like sulfur and rot.

  She whispered into my hair, still gripping me: “I’ll have Chris walk you back to your truck. Oh, and if you try to sue me … it won’t matter. I’m going to make so much money off this channel that it will be worth it in the end. And I don’t think you want the cops finding out that you were about to attempt murder, do you? After all, from what I’ve heard, you’re already in deep shit back home. Unlike you, I follow the news—the real news—so I know what’s actually going on.”

  I pulled away from her, disgusted.

  I gave her one last, longing look, then I followed Chris-the-non-stalker outside.

  ***

  “Your head okay? Good enough to drive?” Chris-the-faker asked me. His entire voice was different now, softer.

  “My knife. Did you take it?”

  He nodded. “Well, we kind of had to. You were about to stab me,” he said, nervously.

  “When is she going to post about this on YouTube, or has she already?”

  “Nah, we have to put it all together. It’ll take days to edit. I really hope you’ll subscribe. She’s using the same name as her Instagram account: The World Is Mine. Hey, thanks for being such a good sport. But maybe, in the future, you shouldn’t follow strangers … okay?”

  Once again, I nodded. I was in so much pain, I couldn’t choke out any more words.

  I hobbled down the dirt path I’d followed earlier, feeling more defeated that I ever had.

  I’d been so determined to eliminate Chris Jared and save Valerie … now look at me.

  The truck bloomed ahead like a beacon of hope. Thankful to be back, I let Chris wrench open the driver’s door for me. Gently, I climbed inside. The keys were still hanging in the ignition.

  “Sorry again about your head,” Chris said. He turned around and started w
alking back to the cabin.

  I turned the truck on, but I didn’t take it out of park. Instead, I reached over and opened the glove box.

  My fingers felt around in the dark, until I met the cool metal barrel of the gun. I should have brought this with me the first time.

  I stepped back out of the truck and slammed the driver’s door shut.

  “Chris.”

  He was halfway up the path now, hands in his pockets, whistling as though he didn’t have a care in the world.

  When he heard me say his name, he turned around, squinting wearily in the gleaming white headlights of the truck.

  I raised the gun and fired one shot.

  Chapter 22

  Chris’s body lay slumped on the ground. I nudged him with the toe of my boot, holding my breath. He didn’t move, and from where I stood, I could see a halo of dark-red blood spreading out on the ground beneath him. Sorry, Chris #2.

  Satisfied he was dead, I slunk through the shadows like a ghost, avoiding the lights of the cabin as I drew near.

  Surely, Valerie heard the gunshot. Any minute now, she’ll come running out … shell-shocked and afraid …

  But, no—as I returned to the cabin, I could hear the thumping base of hip-hop music playing loudly inside. She is celebrating her victory.

  Celebrating my demise.

  The music only grew louder as I approached the backdoor. It was still ajar from when Chris and I had left earlier … Good, this will be easy. Too easy …

  But then two white lights came rushing toward me, gravel dust flying around wildly. I watched in horror as the vehicle stopped right behind Chris’s limp body on the ground.

  The lights flipped off, then I heard the slamming of a car door. I pressed my back against the side of the cabin, watching.

  And then I saw his scruffy hair, those dweeby professor’s shoes … Lincoln was bent down over Chris’s body. He was checking for a pulse.

  Fuck.

  Lincoln stood up and turned around in circles. He obviously knows I’m here—he must have passed my truck on the way in.

  There’s no other choice.

  I have to tell him the truth.

  I emerged from the shadows and stepped into the light. Clearing my throat, I said, “Lincoln.”

  “Oh my god!” He came running toward me, his face glimmering with relief. “Are you okay, Camilla?”

  “I feel better now.”

  He stopped six feet away from me, staring down at the gun in my hand. I tried to tuck it behind my back, but it was too late for that.

  “What happened?” His eyes widened in fear.

  “I had no other choice.” There was no time to make up a lie. Maybe if I told him the truth, he’d understand …

  “It was all a prank, Lincoln. A horrible, stupid, mean prank. A way for Valerie to make fun of me, to use my desperation to gain more followers …”

  “Huh?” Lincoln’s face scrunched up in confusion.

  “I couldn’t let him live,” I said, solemnly. “I can’t let her live either.”

  Lincoln took a few steps back and started digging for something in his pocket. For a brief second, I almost expected him to pull out a gun. Instead he held up his shiny black cell phone.

  “I’m calling for help, okay?”

  I shook my head and raised my gun. “No. I can’t let you do that. Why the fuck did you come here anyway?”

  Lincoln frowned. “I had to. I was worried about you. I had a feeling you’d come here, from the moment you messaged me the license-plate number.”

  “You shouldn’t have come,” I snapped.

  “Listen. It’s going to be okay; I promise. We’ll explain what happened to the police. We will figure this out.”

  Looking at his face, the soft, worried expression in his eyes … I almost believed his intentions. I think he likes me … he really does.

  And maybe in another life, another alternate reality of this shit show … maybe we could have had something. Another route, another choice …

  “I’m sorry,” I told him.

  Lincoln froze, the phone still gripped in his hand. “Sorry for what?”

  “For everything.” I raised the gun and fired a second shot.

  Chapter 23

  Her back was to me as I stepped inside and tiptoed through the kitchen. She was wearing low-slung jeans and a cable-knit sweater. From behind, she almost looked like the girl I once knew, and admired, from high school.

  Valerie was squatting down in front of a tripod. The lace trim of her thong was sticking out the top of her jeans.

  Cocking my head to the side, I watched her struggle to disconnect an expensive-looking video camera from the tripod’s base. The music was pounding in my ears, the thrum of it bouncing around the inside of my skull like a loose tin can. I’d never been much of a dancer, but for the first time in my life, I felt the urge to shake my hips, let the music take control …

  “About time! I need your help with this …”

  When Valerie stood up and turned around, she was grinning.

  That smile. Valerie’s right—she is a star. Smiles like that make people famous every day.

  I’d dreamed about that smile for so many years. Hell, I’d even imitated it in my bathroom mirror … so many times. And I used to think that smile was genuine, but now I could see that it was anything but—it is practiced.

  Like a hungry lion, Valerie knew how to seduce her prey.

  I’d fallen for her nice-girl routine—hook, line, and sinker.

  Unfortunately for her, she also fell for mine.

  We all know I’m not a nice girl. I made that clear from the start.

  Valerie’s smile froze in place when she realized it was me, not Chris.

  “Were you sleeping with Chris?” I asked her, my voice steadier than it had been in a while.

  She placed her hands on her hips. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean what I said. Were. You. Sleeping. With. Chris.”

  Valerie gave me a look of mocked confusion.

  “And we both know that I don’t mean that fool outside. I mean my husband. Were you sleeping with my husband, Valerie?”

  “How can you ask me that? It’s absolutely ridiculous! I didn’t even know your husband. Look, I heard about what happened … the accident and all … but I barely knew the guy …”

  “But that’s not exactly true, is it? A couple weeks before the accident, I saw a picture of you on his phone. You were standing on a staircase, looking down at him. You had this look in your eyes … so intense. And he was messaging back and forth with someone. I’ve known all along it was you.”

  “Whoa.” Valerie held up her hands and stepped closer to me. “Listen, Camilla … you are so wrong about that.”

  “Don’t,” I said gruffly, jerking away as she tried to touch me. “Keep your hands off me. Were you, or weren’t you? I need to know. This is your chance to tell me the truth.”

  Valerie’s eyes flickered up to the ceiling.

  She’s thinking. What the fuck is there to think about?!

  “Chris Brown … yeah. I met him once, okay? He was a carpenter, right? He came over and gave an estimate to my aunt. I was there and I helped her look it over, that’s all it was.”

  “An estimate?” My voice was becoming shaky, unsure. “What kind of estimate?”

  “He was going to rebuild her staircase. That’s it. My aunt thought the price was too high. She wanted to get more quotes before she decided. So, I talked to him about it. He seemed nice enough. I didn’t even realize he was your husband until I saw what happened in the paper. Camilla, I swear. You have to believe me. I never saw or spoke with him any other time than that. Hell, I’m only home once in a blue moon.”

  “Then why the picture?”

  Valerie groaned. “He wanted to take a picture of the stairs. He said he’d draw up some schematics for my aunt to look at … you know how I am, I jumped in the picture and posed on the stairs. It was nothing, really … I barely remember
that day.”

  “I don’t believe you.” But that wasn’t true … I was having doubts. Could that have been all it was—a stupid misunderstanding?

  But then I remembered the story about the murdered aunt, the stalker … Valerie hadn’t told me the truth thus far.

  “You’re a liar. I can’t believe anything you say.”

  “Look, you’re right. I lied about a lot of things. But I didn’t know your husband. I never had anything to do with him. I never saw or spoke to him after that day.”

  Her smile was widening as she reached for me again. She was so close, I could smell her fear emanating from her perfect skin.

  I raised the gun, and when I did, her smile started melting. Like a Dali painting, she truly was a work of art.

  A beautiful smile on a beautiful face. I tried to imagine what it would feel like to cut it, maybe take it off and try it on.

  I’d like to see if it fits.

  As I pointed the gun in her face, the smile disappeared completely.

  Chapter 24

  Twelve weeks later …

  “How does the defendant plead?”

  My lawyer gave me a knowing look and we both stood, facing the judge.

  Judgement day. I’ve been waiting a long time for this.

  “I’m guilty, Your Honor.”

  “Very well. Is there anything you’d like to say to the court, Ms. Brown?” the judge asked.

  Oh, there are many things I’d like to say to the court. But I’ll be keeping those things to myself.

  “Yes, Your Honor.”

  I turned my back to the judge and faced the row of people in the court room behind me. The room was mostly empty, my one family member not in attendance. Hannah had to work this morning. Mike had offered to come in her place, but I’d told my brother-in-law not to bother. I knew what was going to happen next and having them here wouldn’t have made a difference.

  A row of Browns stared back at me from the front row, their faces arrogant and menacing. Their hatred for me rolled off them in waves. I imagined myself, shrouded in an invisible shield, reflecting their hate back at them.