My name is Jessica. That doesn't matter. Not really.
I don't remember when he first appeared. He must have been following me for a while, but I didn't notice.
At first I wondered why no one else was noticing him, but then I realised he was only there for me.
Sometimes I felt I deserved it. That he was my punishment.
He spoiled everything he touched.
It was always worse at night. He'd come as close as he could and say things. He almost taught me into... almost.
And then I met someone.
Yes, who do you know, Alex? Alex Hunter? Yeah. Yeah, a bit. Are you going to go to his party later?
I'll probably give him a miss. Oh, no, how come?
I've been kind of tired lately. Yeah, I'm not really a part of your family. Yeah, I get it.
No, you're not alone. I've seen him too. I don't know what you're talking about.
He just came one day, yeah? And ever since you can't enjoy what you used to. You can't do what you need to. You can't live. You can see him.
He's here right now. I know. I can see him. So is mine. And not alone.
What I'd like to say is that it all got better from then on. Life as usual, all better.
But we helped each other, spoke to others we'd met who'd seen him to. It wasn't a fairy story, but slowly, gradually, things did get better.
He doesn't visit as much anymore. Still, sometimes I see him. He stares. Some days he even talks to me like in the old days.
I learned it was okay. And that I wasn't alone. He's still here, but that's not my fault. And together, we could beat him.
Thank you.
