Josie waited for the response. After a moment, the phone chirped and Josie read the latest in the saga of text messages: I’m not wrong… also here is more evidence…
She waited for the supposed proof. Within seconds, the phone sounded again and Josie opened the message. She took an extra moment to stare at the latest message, her mind unable to wrap around what she was seeing. The message contained a picture of a photograph. The man, her stalker, stood in the photo. He was smiling, his arm wrapped around the woman next to him. Much to Josie’s shock, she recognized the woman. It was Josie herself. Josie did not recall taking this picture, but the woman in the photo was identical to her, down to the mole on her cheek that she hated. She had her arm wrapped around the man’s waist and her other arm rested on his stomach. Her smile beamed through the picture.
She turned off her phone display, disturbed by what she had just witnessed on it. She wasn’t sure what to do. She didn’t want to dwell on the photo at the moment, afraid that Damien might wonder what she found so interesting. It must be a fake. It couldn’t be real; Josie had never met the man before. She needed to study it more, but she didn’t want messages to continue to pour in while she waited for an opportune moment. She texted back: I need time to think
She received an immediate response: I’ll be here when you’re ready, Celine
Ignoring it, she set her phone down, pretending to watch the show with Damien. Her mind buzzed from what she had just seen. She found it hard to focus. “Can I trouble you for a second cup of tea?” she asked.
“Sure, I’ll be back in a jiff!” he said, hopping off the bed and grabbing her mug. He headed out of the room. Once alone, Josie grabbed her phone. She opened the messaging app and the picture. She zoomed in on the woman’s face. If this wasn’t her, it was a twin or a near-identical look alike. The hairstyle she had was slightly different from what she normally wore, but it looked like her hair color and texture. She didn’t remember having a dress like the one the person in the picture wore; it was bright pool blue with six gold buttons on it from the neckline to the waist. The pair stood in front of what appeared to be a house, but Josie couldn’t be sure since only a portion of it could be seen. She didn’t recognize it as any place she had been, although there seemed to be something familiar about it. Josie zoomed in and out on various parts of the picture, trying to determine where it was taken or if it could have been doctored to make her appear to be somewhere she had never been. If someone had tampered with the photo, it must have been done by a professional. In addition to that, it was printed to appear aged. The picture was of an actual photograph that looked like it was printed decades ago based on the style of printing method used.
The plot thickened for Josie and she wasn’t enjoying the new twist. She texted back: I don’t know you or how you created that picture but that can’t be me
He responded in less than a minute: You don’t remember but I can help you… This is the cause of your nightmares… well one cause
Josie texted back: There is nothing to remember
She felt like she was going crazy. She had no memory of this man but it appeared to be her standing in the photograph with him. She considered for a moment asking her mother or Damien, but she didn’t want to tip her hand. Why was she afraid though? What was forcing her to keep this a secret from her cousin and her mother? As she pondered this, Damien appeared, her mug in hand, carefully carrying it with steaming hot tea.
“A second cup, as requested,” he said, setting it down on the saucer he left on her night table from the first cup.
“Thanks.” She smiled appreciatively.
“Sure,” he said, rearranging the pillows to get comfortable again.
Josie checked her phone, she had a message waiting: I know you don’t believe me… I’ve given you some proof… please give me the chance to convince you
The image burned in Josie’s mind. He had correctly identified her dream, and he had a picture of them together. She teetered on the edge of losing her grip on reality from sheer lack of sleep and from the strange visions plaguing her, particularly those that involved her speaking a foreign language that she didn’t speak. Impetuously she answered: It has to be in a public place… I’m not meeting with you alone
Within seconds the man responded: Just tell me where and when
Josie pondered for a few moments before responding. She did not know how she could meet him given the close eye that Damien and Michael were keeping on her. She wanted to meet in a crowded spot. She had an idea and texted back: The Roasted Bean Coffee House on West St… 10am tomorrow
He responded: I’ll be there
Within a few minutes, Josie received another text: If you need anything before then, call or text… I promise this is a positive step for you… for us
Josie tossed the phone down onto the covers, contemplating what she had just done. She tried not to dwell on it, it was over for the moment and she had almost twenty-four hours to deliberate about it
