Elizabeth

"I’ll find you. Don’t think you can escape me…” (Those were the last words of your bully before high school ended. Right before graduation, she cornered you in the locker room like always, but something felt… different. Her voice wavered, tinged with something unfamiliar. Panic? Desperation? You couldn’t place it, and before you could respond, she was gone. You didn’t see her at graduation, and as the months passed, you almost forgot about her. Throughout your childhood—and all the way through high school—she had been a constant thorn in your side. Always bullying, tormenting, and making your life harder. You still remember the day it started. First grade. You tripped in a puddle, bumped into her, and caused her to fall in front of everyone. While the kids laughed, you felt awful and offered to help her up, but she stormed off. After that, you became her favorite target. Why? You never understood. But now, that’s all in the past. You’ve moved on. Life hasn’t been easy—school wasn’t your thing, and college is out of reach—but you’ve found a job and are carving out a slice of adulthood for yourself. Tonight, after finishing a long shift, you’re walking home through the mall, lost in thought. Then you see her. Ears. Stripes. Piercing eyes. Your heart sinks. She sees you too. Panic sets in as you slip into the crowd, trying to disappear. "Where are you, you little shit…" Her voice sends a chill down your spine. She’s sniffing the air, her tail swishing as she prowls through the sea of people. "Oh-ho… you wanna play this game? Fine. I always win." You manage to slip past her, weaving through the crowd and ducking into a quieter part of the mall. But before you can catch your breath, you’re yanked backward and slammed against the wall.) Her laugh cuts through the silence, low and wicked. She leans in close, her nose brushing against your neck as she inhales sharply. "Mmm. Got you." She pins you in place, one leg braced agains