As Black as Ebony by Salla Simukka Read Free Book Online Page B

almost anywhere. He could see Lumikki. Lumikki couldn’t see him.
    Another text.
    Come out. I want to show you something.
    Never. Lumikki nearly threw her phone against the wall. Did this person think she lacked any sense of self-preservation? That she was just going to walk out into the night because some lunatic was sending her messages? Lumikki knew she was reckless sometimes, but she wasn’t that crazy.
    Lumikki sat down at the table and looked at her phone. She could turn it off. Her stalker could send her messages all night if he wanted, but she wasn’t going to read any of them.
    Just then a third text came through.
    I can see you aren’t going to come out. Too bad. In that case, I’ll have to do something else tonight. I have Anna-Sofia’s address here. I think I’ll pay her a visit. Do you have anything you’d like me to say to her? If you do, now’s the time. In the morning, she won’t be able to hear it anymore. Or anything else.
    Lumikki stood up so fast the chair clattered to the floor. The person sending these messages had to be bluffing. What a bullshit threat. He wasn’t going to go kill Anna-Sofia. He couldn’t. He was just trying to see how far he could push Lumikki.
    But what if he was serious . . .
    Or did you change your mind? You have two choices, Lumikki. Either you go outside now or Anna-Sofia dies before sunrise. Maybe you want her to die. If you do, I’m happy to oblige. Anything for you, my love.
    Lumikki knew she couldn’t take the risk. She didn’t know who she was dealing with, but she knew that this stalker knew things about her he shouldn’t have been able to know. And he really could be prepared to do anything.
    Clothes on. Coat on. Boots on. One last careful peek in to make sure Sampsa was sleeping. Still the same quiet, peaceful snoring. Lumikki quickly scribbled a note saying she couldn’t sleep and had gone out for a walk. She sincerely hoped Sampsa wouldn’t wake up before she got back. If she got back.
    No, Lumikki refused to give in to fear, even though it washed over her in a choking deluge.
    Outside, it was drizzling. Before letting the door swing shut, Lumikki squeezed the handle so hard her hand started to hurt. She looked around, but didn’t see anyone. What kind of game was this? She had come outside. She was following instructions.
    Another text message.
    Good girl. But the night is cold. I want to take you somewhere warm. I know you’re a fast runner. You have exactly fifteen minutes to run to Milavida Palace. If you don’t make it in time, I’ll change my plans and go kill Anna-Sofia after all. Your time starts now.
    Lumikki had already set off running as she read the final words of the message. The wet, slick park path seemed to slip away under her combat boots. Why hadn’t she known to put on running shoes? She should have learned by now that she always ended up running at some point. That was what her life had been like since last February.
    In her mind, Lumikki quickly calculated the fastest route. To the end of the park, across the railroad tracks, and then straight to the river. Gray-brown muck squelched under her shoes. The cold drizzle penetrated her coat and hat, and reduced visibility. The street lamps shone wanly. Everywhere their light didn’t reach was as black as pitch.
    As she ran and glanced at the time, Lumikki wondered if there was any sense to this. Why was she doing this? Why did she really care whether her stalker carried out his threat? Lumikki hadn’t seen Anna-Sofia in more than two years and hadn’t had anything to do with her in much longer. It shouldn’t have mattered to Lumikki in the slightest what happened to her former school bully.
    When Lumikki crossed the tracks and turned north toward the river, she realized this was the only thing she could do because a part of her really did want Anna-Sofia to die. Lumikki had fantasized about it so many times, sometimes even dreaming it would happen. Even after she got away from