Tailed and Trailed

"Oh hey, I got a new notification." The icon was tapped, seeing who it was. Hopefully it was of a friend. "Wait, what? Why this person again?"

The comment was read, but nothing of substance was left.

"Weird."

Then more buzzes proceeded to come through. "WHat tHE?!" Appalled at the sight, at the behavior, it was inconceivable at how somebody could remain this fixated.

"No." Another tap. "No." Another scroll. "NO." Another buzz. "NO!" Another addition to the trail showing signs of being tailed.

"No. No. No. NO. NO. NO! NO! NO!" What did this person want? Why was this person acting like this?

Comments upon comments upon comments. It was becoming ever more haunting at viewing this disgusting hunting behavior.

"H-h-how?" Constant comments were followed up even though this person had previously left those comments before I ever visited other people's pages. It was as if this person was trying to follow a scent, mark territory, or just cast as wide a net as possible ensuring that no matter where I went this predator would be there.

Before me. After me. Constantly trailing me. Obsessed with me.

*Buzz!*

*Buzz!*

*Buzz!*

Even while away or making something new, that red bell never ended. Some were from friends. Some were from new people entirely. Most were from this singular person.

*Buzz!*

*Buzz!*

*Buzz!*

Subscribe, unsubscribe, subscribe, unsubscribe, subscribe, unsubscribe; over and over again, so repetitive I couldn't believe that this person still had fingers and thumbs to tap on a button or even click a mouse.

I'd go to bed with my phone on mute and wake up in the morning to find more red bells from the pursuer.

So tenacious was this pursuant that even Baskerville wouldn't hound this much so offensively. A hell hound was sure to hound, but for the thrill of the kill and to instill a sense of fear, changing the flavor, the mere odor, of the meat in its target. This wasn't sadism for the hype of sportsmanship in chasing game. It was to create sheer distress, irritation, frustration, displeasure, and to be a complete nuisance. It was all for a reaction.

"Why can't you just leave me alone?" A hand dragged down my face as I looked at my phone. Hoping that there was more kindness from good people that was warranted than there was inconvenience being inflicted.

Finally, by the grace of patience and persistence, I was finally listened to. My words, my evidence, my situation was believed.

This person's been reprimanded for said actions committed. Thank you for keeping us updated as these events occurred.

Thank you for your waiting.

Freedom. No scent is sweeter.

I told my friends. I showed them what I was told. We all breathed a sigh of relief. Messages were sent of chardonnay, sparkling apple cider, and fireworks. No more. No more would we have to worry about me, about this, about that stalker, and that if this were to ever happen again we'd know how to stop it.

As I celebrated by making a trip to the grocery store, I decided to splurge a bit that night. A fancy cup of ramen noodles worth an extra fifty cents from the regular bargain brand and a four pack of that sparkling apple cider for a tad over a crisp Alexander Hamilton.

"Hey you."

I turned around.

"How the hell-