Here it is, for better or worse, the final chapters of There You Are.You'll find it right now in its entirety, without chatter or interruption, over on Patreon, and you may access it at the $5 a month level or above.
This installment also marks the end of this batch of stories for the podcast.I wish you a scary summer, and I'll see you back here in October.All right, let's find out how this mess ends.Chapter 14.
There is no end to what a private investigator can find out about you if they are well-paid and determined.
They may bribe the concierge in your building, befriend an intern at your job, stake out your home, your work, follow at a safe distance behind you as you run errands or exercise.Jeff Davis only came forward after Jane had escaped.
Joel had hired him, asking the man to find out every detail he could about Jane's life, schedule, habits. The private investigator hadn't asked any questions, just did what he was hired to do and tracked her for six months.
His contract ended only a month before Jane was taken.There were plenty of questions when he did finally come forward.Yes, he'd seen the news.Yeah, he'd recognized her photo.He claimed that he thought it was just a coincidence.
He didn't get paid to connect dots, he got paid to collect information.What his employer did with that information was up to them.Peter wanted to sue him.Jane convinced him to drop it.
She couldn't stand the thought of the attention a suit would bring.Already she felt as if she were living in a fishbowl surrounded by sharks who fed on gory details.She just wanted quiet and routine and isolation.
Locked doors and closed curtains and meals planned perfectly. A block schedule, every second accounted for in a day.Zero delay in response to her texts or calls.Zero obligation to return messages from others.
Didn't they understand it was all too much?The questions, the check-ins, the requests, the thinking of yous, and the pressure of hearing people had been praying for her. She wanted to tell them all to fuck off.She wanted to shave her head.
She wanted to gorge herself on junk food.She wanted to starve herself.
If she felt even the slightest inclination that someone was trying to persuade her to do something, anything, eat this, drink that, get fresh air, reenter your life, she shut them out, cut them off.Joel would come back for her.She knew it.
Why didn't anyone understand that he would come for her and he would kill anyone who got in his way? Eventually, weeks passed.Her sister coaxed her out of the apartment.
She brought her to her first session with Andrea, Peter waiting outside, escorting them from door to door.They handled her gently, hid their shock and dismay when she actually admitted her fears.Jeff Davis had tracked her before.
Why couldn't he do it again?For that matter, Joel could hire anyone to track her.There was nothing they could do about it. Weeks turned into months, and the urgency of her fear died down, simmering to a hum in the background.
Andrea helped her to see the possibility of a future beyond the walls of her apartment.She began responding to emails and text messages again.
No one knew how awful the cabin had been, but those closest to her knew her, and they loved her, and they wanted her to stay with them.Their patient efforts kept her from carrying out her darkest thoughts.
There were a handful of people she could trust.
She leaned heavily on that truth because if she focused too long on the fact that there had been a madman behind the scenes of her life for over a year, tracking her every move, planning her future for her, pulling strings she didn't know existed, she would go mad.
Peter's travel bag sat beside the front door.He stood at a window in the dining room watching for his ride.It was a 35 minute drive to the airport, a one hour and 20 minute flight to Syracuse, and another 56 minutes to Henderson, New York.
Jane hadn't asked him where he was staying.As angry as she was, she was terrified, frightened beyond reason.What if Joel was there?What if he went after Peter?It was irrational.Henderson would be the last place Joel would hide out, but still,
Leaning against the kitchen counter, she scanned a text from Andrea, who'd reached out expressing concern over their last phone call.The therapist had sensed something was off, and wanted to make sure Jane was alright.
My schedule's flexible today and tomorrow if you'd like to talk.Jane wasn't ready to share what was happening with Peter, and she certainly wasn't going to tell Andrea she'd seen the forest demon again.
She sent a bland, I'm totally fine, just tired from the move response, then glanced out the window over the kitchen sink.She recalled Andrea's suggestion from months ago.
This is silly, Jane typed, but would you happen to still have that website you told me about?The one with the other weirdos who've seen magical creatures?
She sent a laughing face emoji and a zombie emoji after the fact to convey calm, silliness, nothing to see here. Andrea's response was immediate.Cryptozoologytoday.com, she sent.Happy hunting.
Call Carrie if anything comes up, Peter said, startling her.I really wish she would just go and stay with her.Jane shook her head.She wanted to ignore him, to go hide out in their bedroom, but she couldn't.Fear kept her near him like a magnet.
Jane, he pleaded.She met his eyes.You're really going through with this. I signed a contract, I don't have a choice.She snorted in disbelief.He crossed the room, reaching for her, but his arm dropped as she shifted away from him.
We've gone through so much, we'll get through this too. Through what?Your betrayal?Your visit to the place where I was abducted and tortured for weeks?Your next book release?That's not fair, he argued.
Not fair, she began, then drew in a breath, an attempt to calm herself.
They'd been through the same conversation over and over for the past few days, rehashing the same points, the same arguments, making zero progress, each of them entrenched in their position.
He insisted the experience was his, too, that he had every right to share it from his perspective.
No matter how many ways he tried to argue it, convince her, plead with her to understand that this book would be the book, would set them up for life, would take away any and every concern for their future, she couldn't accept it.
Concerned for our future, she'd yelled in disbelief.Your mom left us her fully paid off house.We both work.We just sold the fucking condo.We have a massive rainy day fund.I'm a writer, Jane.What do you want me to do?Be fucking loyal, she spat.
At least until Joel comes back to finish the job.Think about the kind of sales you'll have once I'm dead.God damn it, Jane, he'd yelled, losing his temper.He's not coming back.He's gone.He probably killed himself.Someone would have seen him by now.
His raised voice made her freeze up.Furious with herself, but unable to stop the reaction, she began shaking.Since then, they hadn't spoken more than a few words to each other.A large black SUV honked as it pulled into the driveway.
Peter stepped towards her.Jane, please, I'm sorry.She pulled further away from him.We'll sort through the details when you get back, she said flatly.I love you, he told her.You'd better get going. The house was dead quiet.She was terrified.
She couldn't call Carrie.She didn't trust that she could keep what was happening to herself and didn't want to tell her that she intended to divorce Peter until she'd worked up the courage to tell him that.
She sat on the edge of the armchair in Peter's mother's office, sad that she would never have the chance to make it her own.Sad that she had to move out of this cozy, warm home.Sad that she would be another statistic.
The odds told her that most marriages wouldn't make it through what had happened to her and its aftermath, but she truly thought theirs would.She wondered where she would go.Alone.Fully alone. Back to Syracuse seemed like the only option.
Her sister was there, but so were all those memories.She'd always been curious about Salem, Massachusetts.Instagram videos of their Halloween festivities had led her down a rabbit hole.Looked so pretty, so New England, with its perpetual fall vibes.
She imagined herself working in one of the little touristy shops, keying t-shirts and tchotchke prices into a register.
She stared out the office windows, not really seeing the side yard until a particularly strong blast of wind whipped the branches against one another, snapping her out of the dissociation, reminding her of what she'd seen out there.
Peter was a real, tangible problem that could be worked out.The monster in their backyard was a whole other ball of paranoia and worry.The conflict with Peter had allowed her to ignore the fact that she'd seen the creature.
Now alone in the house, the reality of it came rushing back.Had it finally happened, had she lost her grip on reality?
She didn't know if she had the courage to walk out the front door and make it to the car, but she couldn't stay in that house another second.The fear of the woods behind the house outweighed the fear of the short walk to the driveway.
Keys in hand, she made a run for it, using the key fob to unlock the door just a second before she got in.She opened the door, slammed it shut, reengaged the locks, pulled the seatbelt across her chest while pressing the button to start the engine.
Immediately put it in reverse and back down the driveway, head on a swivel the entire time. Though she could count on two hands the numbers of times she'd driven somewhere in the past year, that had been her practice every time.
Keep her mind on the goal, get in the car, and go.No hesitation.Hesitation led to disaster.She began driving down the street and groaned as she saw an elderly woman waving her down as she approached the only other driveway on the road.
She slowed and rolled down the passenger side window. You must be Jane," the cheery-faced woman said, her hair a gorgeous multidimensional gray cut in a severe bob.
I am so embarrassed that we haven't stopped by, but this is our only busy time of the year.Well, this and when we pack up and come back up north.I'm Jenny Gonzalez.That's Benjamin.I talked to Peter at your mother-in-law's wake.
Sorry we didn't get a chance to introduce ourselves then.Benjamin, it's Jane Elpis, Peter Watt's wife. Jane was surprised she'd known her last name, but then she realized many people she didn't know knew her last name.
The man, who'd been struggling to fit a particularly large piece of luggage in the back of their hatchback, held up a hand in acknowledgment, then returned to his task.Jane kept her smile throughout the monologue.It's so nice to meet you.
I wish we had more time to get to know you, but we'll have to look forward to doing so when we come back at the end of April.Our landscaper comes to check on the house occasionally, mainly to check the light bulbs.We do have a timer set.
The foyer lights will come on at night, so don't be alarmed if you see them.Peter has our number if anything comes up.How are you settling in? Fine, thank you, Jane lied.I'm so glad you two kept the house.Peter was such a nice, quiet boy.
Makes perfect sense that he became a writer.Jane nodded, unsure how to respond.All right then, Jenny said, taking a step back from the car.You take care and we'll see you in the spring.Safe travels, Jane replied before pulling away.
The only place Jane could think to go was Booker's.She considered going to the town library, but she hadn't visited it yet and didn't think she could handle an unfamiliar space.
But as the restaurant came into view, she changed her mind, deciding instead to just return home and barricade herself in the bedroom.Unfortunately for her, Gabby was outside, tending to the autumn-themed window boxes out front.
She waved a huge smile on her face as Jane pulled into a parking spot. Hi, Gabby enthused, wrapping her in a hug.Jane found herself fighting back tears.She could tell Gabby noticed, but was too polite to comment.
I was just tinkering with the mini pumpkins, but I better quit while I'm ahead, Gabby told her.Let's go grab something to eat. Jane followed her inside and stood awkwardly while Gabby asked a man behind the counter to heat up two pumpkin muffins.
Tear coffee, she asked Jane.Do you have hot chocolate?Excellent idea, Gabby enthused.Two hot chocolates.She led Jane to a booth.You've got your laptop, Gabby said, motioning to Jane's tote bag.I promise I'll leave you be after we enjoy our treats.
No, it's nice to have the company.Peter's traveling, right? Noticing Jane's surprise, Gabby reassured her.He stopped by to tell us to keep an eye on you.Oh, Jane said, unable to come up with any other comment.Right, so what are you working on?
I'm obsessed with podcasts.You know, I haven't watched a second of those Bravo housewife shows, but I devour podcasts that recap them.I can't explain it.Jane laughed as a deep depression settled within her.
Gabby was so genuinely herself, open and friendly, self-assured.Jane felt she would give anything to go back to her old self.
Before the abduction, she would have been able to connect with Gabby right away, keep up with the conversation, share something of herself.
Now, all she felt was disconnected from everyone and everything around her, adrift, alone, unable to break through the walls she'd built around herself. A young man delivered muffins and mugs of cocoa to their table.
Mia only bakes these in the fall, Gabby told her, peeling off the wrapper.But my birthday's in August, and I ask for them instead of a birthday cake every year.
Jane nibbled at the muffin and sipped from the pleasantly sturdy mug emblazoned with the Booker's logo.An awkward silence fell, which made her freeze up completely.Her mind went blank.
She opened her mouth to say she liked the mug when a young woman approached the table. Hi, Gabby, sorry, I think I did that thing with the back door again.I can't get it open and so much for my little treat break.
Gabby laughed and slid out of the booth.I'll leave you to it. Jane opened her laptop, and though she felt she should be looking for available apartments in Syracuse, after a moment's hesitation, she typed in the website Andrea had given her.
She scanned the predictably difficult-to-read welcome page, with its white text against a four-screen background.It was a table of contents of a sort, containing a list of paranormal creatures and topics.She felt overwhelmed, unsure where to begin.
Banshees?No.Centaur?Nope.Demons? Probably not.The thing had helped her.Ghosts?No.Ghouls?Maybe.She clicked on the word, and a list of other links popped up.She clicked the first one labeled Ghoul Traits.
Oh dear, she muttered to herself, quickly closing the page.She made it down to the bottom of the list, but nothing seemed to suit. Frustrated, she did a Google search for forest monster.No.Forest demon.No.
Creature in the forest that looks like a tree.Scanning the result, she came across a description of something called an elemental spirit.The beings apparently represented or were created from elemental energies, earth, air, fire, water.
She clicked images.She sat back in her seat as the screen filled with the images of trees that held frighteningly human characteristics. One in particular looked terrifyingly similar to the monster she'd seen twice now.
But how could it have followed me?She clicked the image and began scanning a poorly written description of elemental spirits. Hey, a voice said behind her.Jane screamed.Oh shit, Mia said, sliding into the booth across from her.I'm so sorry.
I shouldn't have snuck up on you like that.I hate when people do that to me.Jane shook her head, embarrassed.No, sorry.I'm just, I'm too on edge.Tell me about it, Mia said kindly.I've been an anxious wreck lately.There must be something in the air.
I don't want to pry, but are you doing research on a paranormal podcast? She'd obviously seen Jane's laptop scream.Research, yes, but not for a podcast.Cool, I love that scary stuff.Has anyone told you about the Dover Demon?
No, Jane replied, a touch of fear returning. Oh, have we got a story for you.A couple kids back in the 70s saw this thing that I actually think was an alien, but Gabby insists it was some sort of a forest creature.
Someone called it the Dover Demon, and the nickname stuck.You and Pete have to come over for a bottle of wine next week, and we'll tell you all about it. Sadness splotted out the fear within her.Sounds good.
She closed her laptop and put it into her tote bag.You know, I'd better get going.Mia nodded, then, oh, I almost forgot.There was a guy here this weekend asking if we knew you.
And just like that, the fear was back as a spike of utter terror shot through her chest.Keeping her voice as even as she could, she asked, what did he look like? Ah, hefty guy, buzz cut, glasses.Jane felt only slight relief.
Joel had been obsessed with staying trim and vain as hell about his hair.But still, someone knew where she was.Someone had found her.And if they could, then why couldn't Joel?Did he say what he wanted?Mia shook her head.
I'm sorry, I don't want to overstep, but I got the feeling that he might be a journalist or something.He had that true crime vibe about him. What did you tell him?Mia smiled.That we'd never met anyone by that name, but we'd keep an eye out?
Gabby actually asked if he had a business card or something, but he said he didn't.Jane's mind raced.Thanks, she managed.No problem, Mia replied.Fucking vultures.I can't even imagine how you'd put up with it.
Jane met her eyes and found only kindness there, not curiosity or ghoulish interest, just empathy.
She rushed inside the house and dropped her tote bag, leaned against the door and slid to the floor and stared straight ahead, her mind strangely quiet.
It occurred to her she might worry about how numb she felt, but the cocoon of it was too enticing.She stared down the short hallway for a time, occasionally telling herself to get up, but couldn't find the strength.
It took her a while to notice the object on the kitchen counter.She could just see it from where she was sitting. Curiosity eventually pulled her off the floor.She took a few tentative steps towards the kitchen.
The house was quiet, but something was off.Something told her the house wasn't empty.Peter, she called out, wondering if he'd come back.Maybe he'd changed his mind.She moved into the kitchen.
On the counter sat a coffee mug beside a box of sleepytime tea.There was a subtle creak on the floorboards behind her. I brought you a present."
She turned slowly, reaching into her back pocket for her keychain, grateful she'd made a habit of keeping it on her at all times.Joel stood in the front hall.He took a step towards her.
She held the taser in front of her and pressed the button, filling the air with its threatening crackle.He looked completely different, his hair in a buzz cut.He'd gained at least 50 pounds and wore black rimmed glasses that must have been fake.
You cut your hair.He sounded disappointed.So did you.The words slipped from her mouth before she had a chance to even think.His hand went to his head.Temporary, he muttered.You brought too much attention to us, Jane.
He took another two steps forward.She backed towards the French doors, her arms steady before her.Get out of my house.He shook his head.I can't do that.Not without you. How did you get in?He just smirked.
All of the rage, all of the terror, all of the misery welled up within her and she reacted.
Darting towards him, taser crackling, she hit him dead in the chest, pressing the small pink device into him relentlessly as his body dropped and he screamed out.She held steady as he convulsed, not even realizing that she was screaming too.
Her arm finally dropped to her side. Panting, she stared down at him in disgust.Backing away, not wanting to turn her back on him, she shuffled her keychain, her hand shaking so badly she was terrified she would drop it.
Grasping the security system fob, she pressed the button to the silent alarm.Joel moaned and twitched on the ground, the effects of the shock wearing off.She didn't hesitate a second longer.She ran.
Yanking open the French doors, she darted across the porch out into the yard and leapt over the low stone wall and took off into the woods.As she did, she heard Joel scream her name. Her cell phone was in her tote bag beside the front door.
It should be ringing at that moment.Her alarm fob was connected to her phone number.She pressed it again for good measure.If she didn't answer the call and give them her security code word, they would send the police.
A response time of 5 to 10 minutes, depending upon how close the nearest officer was to her residence.That's what the alarm company had promised. The back door was left wide open.They would come looking for her.Unless Joel closed it.But he wouldn't.
He wouldn't take the time and risk losing her in the woods.The police would come.She just had to hide. She zigzagged through the trees, stumbling, gripping her keychain, unaware that she was crying.
Every time Joel screamed her name, he sounded closer and closer.She took a sharp turn, thinking she was headed deeper into the woods, but she'd become disoriented.She hid behind a clump of trees and shrubs, trying to breathe as quietly as she could.
She listened.Joel had gone quiet.There was no telling where he was. She scrubbed at her eyes, wiping away tears, and stood slowly, having no idea which way she'd come from.She began walking as quietly as she could in a random direction.
A branch snapped ahead of her.She froze, staring into the trees.For the briefest moment, she felt relief that it had been a squirrel or a branch falling, and then the forest devil took a jerky step out from behind a tree.
She put her hand over her mouth, stifling a scream, not wanting to alert Joel to her location. The creature was larger than she'd remembered, just as terrifying, maybe more so.What do you want?She begged, the words coming out in a sob.
The creature held up its branched arm, pointing behind her, just as it had exactly a year ago to that day.She stared into its dark, cloudy eyes, looking for something, some emotion or feeling.There was nothing.It just stared back.
In her mind, she heard its voice. You called for me.Now go."Thank you, Jane said aloud.But as she began to reverse direction, she heard her name.Jane.She turned, and there was Joel, just 20 feet from her.The monster had been wrong.
Stop running, he pleaded.Please, just listen to me.Why are you doing this, she demanded.Taking a step forward, her taser held out before her. I love you.I've loved you ever since I laid eyes on you.No, she screamed.Shush, he screamed back.
You don't know what I've done for you.You don't know what it took to get back to you.You don't know all I've sacrificed.Jane took another two steps forward.She was done running.That's right, he said.It's okay.You can come to me.
Jane knelt down, not taking her eyes off him.With her free hand, she grabbed a thick branch from the ground.I pressed the panic button on the alarm system.The police will be here any minute.
Impossible, he said, and she could see confusion and fear in his eyes.There were just 15 feet between them now.She took two more steps forward and saw that he was standing just a few feet from a drop-off, the tops of trees visible behind him.
What do you want to do?Take me again?Drive me to some other cabin?Torture me?She demanded.I never tortured you.The sight of you is torture.Your existence is torture.And you look like shit.She seethed.Watch your mouth.Hello?
A man's voice yelled from far away.Dover police responding to silent alarm.The voice recited her home address.Hello? Here, Jane screamed.We're over here.Joel slid a backpack off his shoulders and unzipped it.
Reaching inside, he pulled out a small gun.As he did, movement in the background caught her attention.Impossibly, behind him, antlers rose up from below the drop-off.How, she whispered.We can make it work.
It doesn't have to end this way, Joel replied, thinking the question was meant for him. The forest demon's antlers peaked up about two feet over the edge.Jane will know when to run. She dropped the branch and her keychain.Joel smiled.
He thought she'd changed her mind.His hand holding the gun dropped to his side.She sprinted forward, arms outstretched, and shoved him as hard as she could.
Over the edge he went, the gun going off beside her head as he fell backwards, impaling himself on the forest demon's antlers.Momentarily deaf, she fell to her knees at the edge of the drop-off.
Panting, blood bubbling out of his mouth, he held an arm out for her.She watched him take his last breath.The monster stood still beneath him.Thank you, Jane sobbed.Thank you.Hands up!The voice was muffled.
The gunshot had momentarily deafened her on one side.Drop your weapon!Put your hands up! Jane, still kneeling, put her hands in the air.The officer came around in front of her, kicking Joel's gun out of reach.Are you hurt?
She could only shake her head.Finally, the man followed her gaze and looked down into the little valley, took one look at Joel, impaled on a dead tree, and bent over, retching.Epilogue
Three months later, Peter sat at the kitchen table, reading through a pile of papers, the dim light from the foyer providing little illumination. He'd lost track of how many times he'd read through the report.
The police had refused to release the documents, but luckily for Peter, Jeff Davis was easily motivated by money.The scumbag didn't even know it was Peter who was buying the documents from him.
He'd approached him through a fake email account, posing as some true-crime-obsessed fan.The bastard.If he'd come forward when Jane had gone missing, It would have saved Peter hours of interrogation.
But if they found any connection between them, there would have been more questions.It had been hard enough to conceal his interactions with Joel. At least you could say one thing for the guy.
The private detective had been relentlessly thorough in his research, and a surprisingly good writer at that.The reports read like a novel, reams of information that allowed Joel to know Jane without knowing her.
But that's where Peter had an advantage.He knew Jane better than anyone else in the world. His eyes ached from the strain of reading in the low light.
He got up and moved through the foyer to the living room window, careful to stay in the shadows, and peered out at the house he grew up in, knowing it like the back of his hand.
The motion lights over the garage were on, as was the lantern over the front door.He could just see the glow of the little green light above the doorbell camera.She would have the alarm activated at all times.Of course she would.
But he knew that system like the back of his hand as well. He'd been there to see it installed, when Jane thought he was on another expedition to collect information about a non-existent story.
He didn't think she would have the password or code changed.She hated talking to service people, her paranoia making her suspicious, even when people were trying to help her.I mean, who could blame her?
The Gonzaleses would be in Florida for about three more months. He'd reached out to let them know he'd be happy to keep an eye on the house, change the light bulbs if they went out, no need to hire someone for the job.
After all, he was just right next door.Easy peasy.They'd happily given him the code to the garage so he could access the house.
For appearances, he maintained an apartment in nearby Wellesley, but Peter slept every night at the Gonzalez house, cutting through the woods in the evening from a little-used entry to Hale Reservation walking trails, where he'd parked his car, coming and going as he pleased.
The trail dumped him at the top of the street.It was simple to move through the woods to the backyard unseen.Over the past months, he'd conducted a postmortem.His plan had gone off the rails, and he was finally beginning to understand why.
Joel had become obsessed.That wasn't supposed to happen.Peter understood why Joel fell for her.He'd done so as well.But since he'd known her, she'd wasted her potential.Her natural charisma.She valued comfort more than success.It was a shame.
She just needed guidance. Despite her weak attempts to stop it, his book was due for release in the fall.The abduction made her famous.This book would make her a star.Now he was focused on the sequel.
Across the yard, past the doorbell, through the security system's false assurance of safety, upstairs in Peter's childhood home, Jane lay in bed fast asleep, dreaming of her move to Salem, blissfully unaware that again, a man was making terrible plans for her future.
