Just Past Midnight. Amanda Stevens

in mind that her isolation wasn’t just for her own protection, but for her family’s, as well.

      “I’m sorry, Nathan.”

      “There’s nothing to be sorry about. I understand.”

      “Do you?”

      “Yes, of course, but it’s still hard. Especially on Mother.” He sighed. “I drove out to see her the other day.”

      “How is she?”

      “The anxiety attacks are getting worse. She can’t leave the house at all these days. Or won’t. She doesn’t even keep her appointments with Dr. Gaines anymore.”

      Her father and brother were confused and frustrated by her mother’s agoraphobia, but Darian understood it. Sometimes she wished she had the luxury of remaining behind the same four walls. It was a scary world out there. No one knew that better than she.

      “And Dad? How’s he doing?”

      Nathan gave a harsh laugh. “You know Dad. He makes a point of keeping himself busy when I come around.”

      “I’m sorry.”

      “Stop saying that.” Nathan sounded almost angry with her. “It’s not your fault. None of this is your fault. I hope you know that.”

      “I do.” But sometimes Darian still wondered what she had done to bring all this on her family? Had she smiled at the wrong person? Led someone on?

      Dr. Gaines had made it clear from the start that her stalker could be someone she didn’t even know. Or someone with whom she’d had only the briefest of contact. Someone who’d seen her in the store one day perhaps. Or someone who had sat behind her in class. Someone who was now convinced that she belonged to him.

      “It’s late,” she said. “I’d better let you go. I…just wanted to hear your voice.”

      “Promise you’ll stay in touch?”

      “As often as I can.”

      “And call Mother. She misses you.”

      Darian swallowed past the sudden lump in her throat. “I miss her, too. I miss all of you. I love you, Nathan.”

      “I love you, too…sis.”

      The line went dead then, and Darian tossed the phone into the trash can where she would get rid of it first thing in the morning, just as she’d disposed of all the other connections to her past.

      Turning off the bedside lamp, she snuggled down under the covers, but it was a long time before she fell asleep. Sometime after she finally dozed off, she was jerked awake by a strange sound.

      Darian lay listening in the dark, her heart pounding in fear.

      The noise had come from Mr. Delgado’s empty apartment. It was an odd, muted rasp that sounded as if something was being pulled through the walls.