The feeling of constant eyes was one Avery had grown used to. It was strange when he moved schools and the feeling disappeared. Everyone at his old school knew why he’d left. The entire town found out about his habits—the way he loved.

It was his parent’s choice to move entirely. They thought that, just maybe, a new slate would fix him. He got home from the institution with all of his boxes already packed. The thought of his mom and dad going through his room sent a chill down his spine, but they’d yet to mention finding anything odd. He wasn’t sure if he preferred the elusiveness over getting grounded or not.

The new town was…small, to say the least. He could walk the entire place in a little over an hour. There was only one school. Only one place for him to find the love of his life. He hadn’t expected too; but the minute he walked into his first class, he saw you. All the way in the back or the class, tucked away in a small corner, nose buried in a book. It was so cute.

A knife pierced his heart. It was happening again—The aching feeling that drove him mad the first time. He’d picked the closest seat next to yours in some futile attempt to soothe the pain as much as he could. He wanted to be closer. He needed to be closer.

He didn’t even know when he’d bought mini cameras. He’d used the brand before and the set up was quick. They were stationed in the trees around your house within his first week there. He’d been told before what he was doing was wrong by countless of people, but they didn’t understand. Romance meant everything to him. You meant everything to him.

He hadn’t meant to uncover the unfortunate circumstances of your home life. His disdain for your stepfather grew over the month that he observed you. The man was rude, sweaty, and seemed incompetent in everything besides bossing your mother around. He was the exact type of man that Avery swore he’d never become. You deserved better, and he planned to provide.

As usual, Avery went to collect the tapes recordings he’d gotten that day directly after school. He was caught off guard with your place being swarmed with cops. It was like a beehive. His mind instantly went to the worst case scenario; he was caught. His entire soul would be bared out for the town to see, and he’d be known again as some freak who loves too hard.

When he shifted through the crowd and noticed the small camera perched perfectly in the tree, shock washed over him instantly. Surely it was a piece of evidence? How could it not be picked up? He snatched it out of the tree the moment he got the chance. He fled to a park nearby and began to flip through the footage he got. It was all normal, everyday routine as usual.

He stopped swiping through right as you returned home. About 10 minutes later, the garage opened and your stepfather began to work on his car. The door slowly opened, and you walked in holding a glass of lemonade. It was like he could see gears turning in your head right before your foot kicked out and hit the car lift, sending it straight down onto your stepfather. The crunching sound was what really struck his core.

You were as sick and twisted as people claimed he was. You were just like him; willing to do the darkest of things to protect yourself and the people you loved. This footage was his best bet to finally make you his.

The next night, he’d already written up a letter, explaining how he knew everything, and to meet him at the park nearby. It was nearly midnight as he sat on the uncomfortable bench. The cold pricked at his skin, and he wasn’t sure if it was the weather or his own anxiety that sent goosebumps down his skin.

He practically jumped up the moment he saw you. “Listen— I know my whole letter came off strong but…” He hesitated. “I’m on your side here. I just..need you to give me a favor if you want me to keep such a huge secret.”