After we talked to the cops, who were completely useless, I let Carmen and Ryan take me back to my room, not even thinking about the fact that we’d been using only one of the adjoining rooms until I slipped the key card in the reader.

I sucked in my breath as we walked in, prepared to be forced to confess what had been going on between Ryan and I. When I glanced around the room, the adjoining door had been shut, so there was no indication we’d created a suite of two rooms for ourselves, thankfully. Flopping down on the couch, I let out a huge sigh as Ryan and Carmen just stared at me like I had two heads.

“Why don’t you lay down for a while,” Carmen suggested.

“Because I’m not fucking tired. I’m angry,” I snapped at her.

“Whoa, I’m just trying to help.” She threw her hands up in surrender.

“I’m sorry.” I softened my tone. “I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do. Someone is watching me, they know where I’m staying, and it’s fucked up. I just don’t know what to do.”

“I suggest we act normal,” Ryan said.

“What’s normal?” Carmen asked.

“Well, what would you normally do in New Orleans?” he asked in reply.

“Normally, in New Orleans, we go find some fucking delicious catfish to eat.” Carmen’s tone dripped with sarcasm, causing me to let out a small giggle.

“Well, then we go out and get some fucking catfish tonight.”

“Is that a good idea?” I asked, wondering what he was thinking.

“I don’t know, but does it make sense for you to stay holed up in your hotel room like a prisoner? Probably not. Yes, someone is out there. Yes, they’re watching you. But, if you’re not alone, he can’t do anything to hurt you. We will be with you.” Ryan gave me a small, reassuring smile.

“I like this plan,” Carmen said. “There isn’t anything more we can do, and no one has ever approached you. It’s just notes, and weird Voodoo shit… Speaking of, how do you feel? How’s your throat?”

“My throat is fine, thank you very much.” I rolled my eyes. I felt like the Voodoo was bullshit, for the most part. I didn’t know that much about Voodoo, so it wasn’t too scary, but I also didn’t want to push my luck either.

“Alright, well if it starts to bother you, tell me. Because there’s, like, a billion witch doctors in this fucked up town, and we’ll go get you fixed,” she said seriously.

“Are you kidding me right now?” I asked, relatively annoyed.

“Yeah, I’m serious. You don’t mess around with Voodoo, sister. It’s fucked up shit,” she said.

“Okay everyone, relax. I’m pretty sure the Voodoo doll was just an attempt at being creepier than before. That being said, let’s all chill the fuck out and get our catfish tonight. Tomorrow, you do the show and we get the fuck out of here. We’re off to California next, and with any luck, this guy won’t follow. We managed to get through three cities without an incident before, so it’s possible that could happen again.” He didn’t seem convinced, any more than the rest of us, but I appreciated him saying that.

Carmen paced around the room like a caged animal, clearly debating what she wanted to say before she informed all of us, “Ryan, it’s not your job to babysit, Miranda. Listen, sister” - she turned to me - “I think it’s time to consider actual security on this tour.”

“I don’t want someone following me around all the time!” I shouted.

“Listen, this is getting fucking serious…” Ryan interrupted her.

“No, you listen! It’s my life. Am I a little shaken up? Yeah, I am. I won’t lie. This is getting fucking sinister, but I’m not going to have zero privacy because of some fucking weirdo.” I was angry, I didn’t want someone with me all the time, and I was tired of having this argument.

“I’m calling Dad!” Carmen shouted.

Ryan jumped in. “Okay ladies, let’s all calm down.” Carmen stormed over to the bed and sat down dramatically, while I crossed my arms over my chest, huffing. “Yeah, go to your corners,” he said.

“She needs to start listening, and stop being so stubborn,” Carmen whined to Ryan.

“Really? I’m stubborn? Hello pot, the kettle called to remind you that you’re both black!” I snapped at her.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Ryan said sternly, raising his voice. Both Carmen and I shut up and turned our attention to him.

“First of all, Miranda, I’m already with you almost all the time, so you’re not technically alone, and you do have someone following you around. Me. Second, your sister is probably right, you should have some kind of actual security on this tour. Nobody can force you, but it would probably give everyone in your family some peace of mind.”

“Exactly,” Carmen sneered, annoying me even more.

“Carmen, zip it,” Ryan snarled at her, making her shut up.

As he returned his attention to me, to continue his lecture, I stopped him. “Look, I’m not getting security right now. I don’t need it. Security wouldn’t have stopped a single thing that has happened. I’ve received some fucked up letters, some flowers, and now a macabre doll. Objectively speaking, whoever is doing this is just a fucking asshole. They haven’t come after me, and everything was all delivered anonymously. So, you can all just zip it. I’m never alone, so I’ll just keep it that way. And when we get back home to Nashville, we can talk to Dad about what the next steps are if this person hasn’t been found yet. That’s how it’s going to be.” No one was going to dictate how I was going to spend my time, regardless of their concern over me.

“Fine, Miranda. I’m not going to keep arguing with you. But if this gets any fucking weirder, I’m calling Dad. And as for you, Ryan, with all the big ideas. You can babysit her all afternoon. I need some air.” She used air quotes, meaning she was definitely going to go smoke.

Calmly, Ryan replied, “I’ll stay with her, and we’ll meet you in the lobby at seven so you can go get your catfish. Deal?”

Smiling slightly, she replied, “Deal,” and left.

Turning to me, Ryan gave me an expression that was somewhere between exasperation and aggravation. “Your sister is right.”

“What do you mean, she’s right?” I asked defensively.

“You’re being stubborn. Someone is trying to frighten you, and you should take it seriously,” he said.

“Maybe. But I’m not dealing with another person on this tour right now. Besides, that would definitely put a kink in what we’ve been up to,” I replied, fishing for a response.

“Nothing is going to drive a wedge between us, Miranda. You still don’t seem to get it.” He crossed the room to sit next to me on the couch. As he took my hand in his, he confessed, “I’m already trying to figure out how we can keep this going beyond the tour.”

“You are?” I asked, shocked. I felt those little butterflies floating around in my stomach, forcing a smile to form.

“Yeah, I am. I know we live in different states and whatever, and I don’t know what this is exactly, but it’s definitely not a summer fling to me. It never was. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were going to hook me,” he grinned, squeezing my hand gently, which softened my demeanor.

“I’m sorry I snapped at you,” I said softly.

“Baby, it’s okay.” He pulled me in for a hug, holding onto me tightly, before letting out a sigh.

“How did I get so lucky, that you’d happen upon our tour, and this would happen? It’s so funny how strange life works. I mean, what if they sent some other writer,” I asked, thinking about how fortunate I’d become. Stalker or not, Ryan ended up here with me, he had a calming influence, and always seemed to say the right thing, no matter what.

“I don’t think that would’ve happened. It was meant to be me,” he said, stroking my hair. “Now listen, why don’t you lay down for a bit. I know you’re a little tired, because I know for a fact you didn’t sleep much. Then we’ll go out and have a nice dinner.” He winked at me.

“Alright, alright,” I giggled a little. “Will you lay with me?”

“Of course I will, baby,” he said, kissing me softly before leading me to the bed, where we slept. At least I certainly did, wrapped up in his arms.