A chill ran down my spine. Tanner had warned me that he’d messed with bad people. Had they taken him? Were they coming for me next? I tried to think of an escape plan, which was super easy. I had lots of practice making escape plans. I’d started making them when I was four years old. I saw something on TV about a home invasion and convinced myself that it was 100% going to happen to my family. After that, before bed every night I’d practiced taking the curtain rod down and swinging it around like a spear. I even taught Rosalie to do it when she was old enough. If only I’d taught her a little better, maybe she could have defended herself from whoever took her…
A footstep behind me made me jump.
Shit!I had gotten so distracted thinking about Rosalie that I hadn’t gotten close enough to the display of swords in order to protect myself.
“Everything okay, Miss?” asked a gruff voice.
I spun around, looking for anything within reach that might be a suitable weapon. Pushing a solid marble statue onto my attacker’s head felt like a decent option… But then I realized that it was just a security guard. And he didn’t look very threatening with his cute bald head and bulging waistline.
His eyes wandered down to my black bracelet. “You’re with that tour group, right?”
“Yeah. And my very big, strong friend will be back in just a second. He uh…went to the bathroom.”So don’t try to murder me.
He gave me a funny look and then grabbed his radio. “Hey Mike, you seen that tour group?”
A staticky voice replied, “Yup. They’re in room 538.”
“You hear that? Room 538.” He pulled a map out of his waistband and flicked it open.
Okay, so he was definitely just a helpful security guard. Good thing I didn’t murder him with a 900-pound statue. And then I had an idea. If he could find the tour group with his fancy little radio, maybe he could find Ryder. “I’m actually looking for Ryder Storm.”
“Hmm…doesn’t sound familiar.” He picked up his radio again. “Mike, it’s Steve again. I’ve got a girl here looking for Ryder Storm?”
“I bet you do,” came the reply with a laugh. “Tell her she can find him in that new exhibit…Exhibit Hall D.”
Why did he laugh?Was it because Ryder is so sexy? Was some other girl flirting with Ryder in Exhibit Hall D?!
“Ah, of course,” said the guard. “That’s over in the modern and contemporary section. Room 913.” He handed me themap and pointed to my destination with his big, completely unthreatening, sausage finger.
“Thanks.” I snatched the map and hurried off. He didn’t look like a cartel assassin, but I couldn’t be too cautious.
It took me like ten minutes to get all the way to the other side of the Met. In normal heels, my feet would have been aching after such a long trek. But I felt fine in my Odegaards.Thank you, Ryder.
A guard was standing outside of the heavy double doors that led to Exhibit Hall D. I thought his biceps might rip right out of his black V-neck as he crossed his arms and stepped to block the door.
“Hey, I’m looking for Ryder Storm.”
“May I see your left wrist, please?” he asked. His voice was even more intimidating than his appearance, if that was possible.
I held up my wrist with the black bracelet.
“Thank you.” He stepped aside and opened the door in one fluid motion.
I stepped through the heavy wooden doors. The guard closed them behind me, leaving me in a pitch-black room.
And this is where I’m going to die.
Stalker Problems - Chapter 36 - Hazing the Noob
Tuesday – May 9, 2023
My heart was beating out of my chest. I groped at the wall for a light switch. I only knocked one painting off the wall before I found it. The main lights stayed off, but a few spotlights flickered and then fully illuminated some select pieces of art.
There was no sign of Ryder. Or anyone else. Well, unless you counted the statue of David. Or that group of six terracotta army soldiers.Are those real?Something seemed…off about them. Then I saw the Andy-Warhol-style 3x3 grid of multicolored dildos next to a nude version of American Gothic, and it suddenly became very clear why this room had been sectioned off. I looked back at the terracotta soldiers, now noticing that they all had erections. Same with the statue of David. Rather than having a little baby flaccid penis, this rendition was extremely well hung and definitely a little excited.
For some reason I couldn’t look away. It was like a fake penis emporium. I walked farther into the hallway-like gallery, passing all sorts of penis art. The only piece that was a faithful reproduction was a fresco of Priapus weighing his penis. If you’re familiar with that piece, you’ll understand why it didn’t need to be altered.
Guess I missed Ryder.I started towards the next room, but something caught my eye.Did that painting just move?I took a few steps towards it. It was a human-scale reproduction of Da Vinci’sVitruvian Man. I’m sure you’ve seen it. It’s that sketch ofa nude man inscribed in a circle. His arms and legs are spread, and then another pair of arms and legs are drawn in a slightly different position. It was supposed to show the perfect human proportion or something.
