Jack woke up feeling even better than the day before, his mind clearer, his body lighter. He was eager to plan his day, but first, he needed to know the time. Instinctively, his hand moved to his wrist—only to remember he'd left his watch behind in his rush to escape. That left only one option: his phone.

He stared at it, lying untouched on the bedside table. His fingers twitched. I’ll just check the time, he told himself. But deep down, he knew the truth. Turning it on meant reconnecting to the world he had tried to flee—the endless demands, the pressures, and worst of all, Demi’s relentless expectations. She would be there, hammering at him to come back, to explain himself.

Jack sighed, running a hand through his hair. I’ll just check quickly. Then I’ll turn it off again. He had gone long enough without it. It wouldn’t hurt to satisfy his curiosity, right?

He hesitated, thumb hovering over the power button. His heart picked up a beat as he pressed it, the phone buzzing to life. The logo flashed on the screen, and for a moment, everything seemed to hold still.

Then, the messages exploded across the screen.

Over fifty notifications—all from Demi.

Jack’s heart sank.

She had definitely resorted to texts, with an abundance of threats when her calls didn’t go through.

"Where are you?"

"Pick up your phone and call me now!"

"This is not funny anymore, Jack."

"Hey! Hey!"

"Are you at your parent’s house? Stay there; I am coming to get you now. Don't move a muscle!"

"You aren't here! You aren't freaking here! What is wrong with you? Call me!"

"Jack, your career is at stake here. Don't you get it?"

"This is not funny! Not cool and not funny!"

"Even the publisher is asking about you, Jack! That next book should have a progress report by now! Why are you doing this? Just why?"

"Jack! I will be forced to tell your parents of this little game you are playing. Don't try me. You know how dramatic your mother can get. She will call a freaking press conference and create a fiasco of tears saying you've been kidnapped or killed by fans."

"Do you derive joy from knowing I am up and about looking for you like you are some puppy? You are a grown adult man! Pick up your damned phone and call me!"

“Not going to lie... You are frustrating me. I haven't eaten all day because of you. Something is going to happen if people see me asking questions around about you. People will wonder.”

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“Are you dumb, Jack? Can't you send a sign? Even if you are in danger? Can't you find a way to send a note? This is getting ridiculous.”

“You will destroy your life, there is nothing I will be able to do to fix it. If you let me keep stressing like this, you will regret it. It is not a threat.”

“Still switched off, huh? Are you fucking some pussy in Barbados and off grid because of that? Pussy is more valuable than a career I am helping you build?”

“Look, if you keep on this way, I will have to leave you to your devices. Let's see how you will make it on your own in these treacherous waters. You seem not to understand yet.“

“If I have to text you one more time, Jack... If you make me do it!“

“Okay, I am now pleading with you to call me. Wherever you are, I will come there and we can talk. I am sorry I didn't listen to you that time. Call me.“

“You know I am the only one who understands you and is there for you. All these stunts you are pulling now will only crumble you further. It won't give you whatever answers it is that you seek. Nothing will work for you until you let me in as always. You know that. Stop being silly.“

“Jack, the executive producer needs us in his office in another two hours. I am not even capping. Call me!“

“It's thirty minutes to the meeting and I still believe you will make it down. I don't know how, but I trust you will. We never disappoint each other, do we?“

“The man is waiting, Jack! You have ten minutes to redeem yourself and that stubborn head of yours!“

“Jack!“

“Call me!“

“Are you seriously doing this?“

“You have kept this man waiting again!“

“We are done for in the industry! I am sure this is the last straw.“

“Pick up! I’m sorry... please just call!“

“You have done your worst, Jack!”

“Jaaaaack!“

“Jaaaaack!“

“Please Jack!“

“THEY won't let you go Jack - You know that”

Jack sat upright, frightened, as though the last message he read from his phone was ringing out in his ears. He could feel Demi's anger from the phone and the letters in it staring at him.

He couldn't go any further though there were many more to open.

He held the phone with both hands for a moment, shaky and unsteady. His head was banging from the headache that had come upon him so suddenly while reading those messages.

He felt Demi's presence in the room with him. It was an infuriated one. It wouldn't take "no" for an answer as depicted in these texts that he couldn't even finish reading. It was incessant and demanding. He had to give it a response. His entire thinking faculties were wired to give it a response...and a positive one at that.

This was Demi, after all, for crying out loud!

What was he thinking? That he could run away and be free of her? Of everything? That he could make it in some place on his own just by singing "kumbaya"? What was going on in his head, driving all the way there to lead a "simple life"? Pffff! What was that? No one knew him there, and that was not who he was. He was used to being known, being adored, and his works clamored for. It was the blood that ran in his veins, without which he could die. Demi was right. What the hell did he think he was doing? Who the hell did he think he was to do it? And...

"Jack?!" Sarah called from outside the door, pulling him out of the well of thoughts he had fallen into. It was then he also heard the knocks. Those didn't stop. "Jack? Are you there?"