The Shadows Grow Longer

Andrew tried to shake off the feeling of unease that had settled over him during the weekend, telling himself that Judd's behavior was just a product of his overactive imagination. But as the days went by, he began to realize that Judd's presence was not limited to just the weekends. He would see him around school, lurking in the hallways, or sitting in the library, watching him with an unnerving intensity. At first, Andrew thought it was just a coincidence, but as the days turned into weeks, he realized that Judd's behavior was more than just a passing fascination. He was stalking him, plain and simple. And it wasn't just when Andrew was with Nick; Judd seemed to be watching him even when they were apart. One day, Andrew was walking home from school, lost in thought as he navigated the crowded streets. He turned a corner, expecting to see Judd's house in the distance, but instead, he caught a glimpse of him standing across the street, his eyes fixed on Andrew. For a moment, they just stared at each other, and Andrew felt a chill run down his spine. He quickened his pace, but Judd kept pace with him, always lurking just out of sight. Andrew started to feel like he was living in a nightmare, constantly looking over his shoulder, waiting for Judd to make his next move. Nick noticed that Andrew was on edge, but he had no idea what was causing it. "Dude, what's going on with you?" he asked one evening, as they hung out at his house. "You've been really distant lately." Andrew hesitated, unsure of how to explain the situation to Nick. He didn't want to seem paranoid or crazy, but at the same time, he needed to confide in someone. "I just think someone's following me," he said, trying to keep his voice low. Nick raised an eyebrow. "Who?" Andrew shook his head, unsure of how to answer. "I don't know, but I think it's Judd." Nick's expression turned skeptical. "Judd? What's his problem?" Andrew shrugged. "I don't know, but I think he's got some kind of fixation on me." Nick chuckled. "Dude, you're not exactly the most popular guy in school. Maybe he's just trying to get a rise out of you." But Andrew knew it was more than that. He could feel Judd's eyes on him, even when he wasn't around. It was as if Judd was always waiting for him, watching him, waiting for him to make a move. As the days turned into weeks, Judd's behavior grew more and more erratic. He would show up at Andrew's favorite coffee shop, sitting in the corner and staring at him with an unnerving intensity. He would appear at the mall, blending into the crowd as he watched Andrew from afar. Andrew started to feel like he was losing his mind, constantly looking over his shoulder, waiting for Judd to make his next move. He knew he had to talk to someone, but he was afraid of being ridiculed or dismissed. One evening, as he was walking home from the library, he saw Judd standing across the street, his eyes fixed on Andrew with an unnerving intensity. For a moment, they just stared at each other, and Andrew felt like he was frozen in time. He took off running, not stopping until he was safely inside his house, the door locked and bolted behind him. He leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath, his heart racing with fear. As he looked out the window, he saw Judd standing across the street, watching him with an unblinking gaze. Andrew knew then that he had to take action, to protect himself from Judd's increasingly erratic behavior. But he had no idea where to start, or how to make it stop.