With naked foot stalking in my chamber.
I have seen them, gentle, tame, and meek,
That now are wild, and do not remember
That sometime they put themselves in danger
To take bread at my hand; and now they range,
Busily seeking with a continual change.
—Thomas Wyatt
Beware the Wounded
Wild animals know we humans are dangerous and flee from us. It's an instinct passed down through generations of wildlife—beware the human.
It's also how we see ourselves in our earliest representations on cave walls—carrying weapons and stalking through woods. It's only one small step for man to hunt another, and now thanks to progress— our stalking has gone virtual.
The Stranger now can be anyone with internet access and a malevolent motive. In virtual space there is no distance, nowhere to hide and anyone can reach and threaten us.
And as technology evolves, it can only get worse.
Matt Baker stares soberly at my laptop screen—it's plain to see he's taking these anonymous messages seriously. It helps to have support from a friend who just happens to be an RCMP criminal analyst.
"Tell me, Liam, what does your gut say? Who is it?"
"I think it's woman."
He nods, "I agree. I'm picking up on wounded feelings."
I deadpan, "That's some progress—we've narrowed it down to half the human race."
He smirks, "it's not that bad... yet, but wait until Elon Musk gives everyone internet access."
I shake my head sadly. "It reminds me of Edwin Brock's poem about Five Ways To Kill A Man—just drop him in the current century and leave him there—much less cumbersome than traditional methods of terror."
He stares at me compassionately. "Look, Liam, we'll catch whoever's doing this. In the meantime, what makes you feel most threatened?"
"I guess my loss of privacy. I hate closing curtains and being a prisoner in my own house, but I think it's some caveman instinct of ours to know when we're being observed."
I could tell him I've experienced that prickling sensation at the nape of my neck so many times over the last few weeks I've lost count, but what's the point? I feel violated and helpless.
Matt's eyes light up as he gets an idea.
"Hey, why not turn the tables on your stalker? There's all kinds of security devices available from motion sensors and motion activated lights to video cameras and home security systems. I can put you in touch with someone who can assess your situation and address your needs."
"Sounds good—that would give me some peace of mind."
"I'll get Beta Bach to get in touch with you. He does all the techie work for us."
"Beta block? Isn't that a drug?"
"Guy's name is Barak Bach—we call him Beta because like beta blocker meds, he reduces people's blood pressure. An inside joke."
"I get it," I smile ruefully.
He hesitates a moment and then says, "You know I hate to harp on this but your isolation leaves you vulnerable, Liam—it's kind of an occupational hazard that magnifies any threat."
"I know—actually, I've addressed the problem. I've accepted a teaching position at the College. I start Monday."
Matt's face brightens."Congratulations, Man! This is great news. Wow, who knows, it may even improve your love life."
"Yeah, well I don't have a 'love life' to improve, but thanks for the support. Oh, by the way, please keep this under wraps because I haven't had a chance to break the news to the gang yet."
He blurts out, "So, Quinn doesn't know?" and then sees my face cave in and immediately begins to apologize. "Sorry, Liam—guess I touched a sore point."
I clap him affectionately on the shoulder, "It's all good—I know you mean well. I've been struggling with how to break the news to her. I just don't want to show up on Monday sitting in the faculty lounge."
""That would be brutal," he smiles, "Maybe you should just phone her and tell her directly."
I nod. "That would seem the best route to take. It's been three years and things between us are still tense so I don't think this could make things any worse."
He nods encouragingly but inside I'm cringing at the thought of contacting Quinn. My news will either break the ice or drive her further away from me.
Either way, conditions between us are about to change and contacting Quinn scares the hell right out of me—even more than my malicious female stalker.