the chapters

Cover image of novel, showing an illustration of a two-story Los Angeles apartment building at night with only one lit window, all in shades of blue and purple except the pale yellow of the lit window. The book title looms in block letters over the building: "I Hear You Watching."
I am not what I think I am;
I am not what you think I am;
I am what I think you think I am.

- Charles Horton Cooley
as summarized by Robert Bierstedt

The chapters of I Hear You Watching


How It Begins

·
December 15, 2024
How It Begins

Alex's first encounter with "The Stranger."


All By Myself

·
December 22, 2024
All By Myself

Alex's graveyard shift job captioning for TV.


Sulphur Springs

·
December 29, 2024
Sulphur Springs

Alex goes camping with friends, and mentions "The Stranger."


100% Clean

100% Clean

Alex tries to break out of his lonely shell by joining a hookup site.


Naked Online

Naked Online

Alex has a troubling encounter on the hookup site.


Maybe

Maybe

Alex receives a proposition on the hookup site.


You Seem Nice

You Seem Nice

Alex has a promising encounter with someone on the hookup site.


White Thoughts

White Thoughts

What's the ugliest part of Alex's body? I think it's his mind…


Predator or Prey

Predator or Prey

Alex has a bad case of fight or flight.


The Limits of Hospitable Space

The Limits of Hospitable Space

Alex finds security in imaginary restrooms, and searches for his pursuers at the grocery store.


New Whiteboy

New Whiteboy

Alex goes to Lili's apartment for their second date.


Connecting the Dots

Connecting the Dots

Alex takes his first steps down the rabbit hole.


The Last Pay Phone in Los Angeles

The Last Pay Phone in Los Angeles

Alex scrambles for a lifeline that isn't bugged.


Near Ground Zero

Near Ground Zero

Alex obtains surveillance equipment of his own.

*recognized by Top in Fiction*


Talk to Me

Talk to Me

Alex strikes up a conversation with his stalkers.


Face-to-Face

Face-to-Face

Alex confronts his supposed stalkers.


The Star of the Show

The Star of the Show

Alex stocks up on supplies for his dark night of the soul.


Bug Hunt

Bug Hunt

Alex scours his apartment for surveillance equipment.


The Point of No Return

The Point of No Return

Alex has his stalkers in the palm of his hand!


In the Soup

In the Soup

Alex calls the police.


You're Safe

You're Safe

LAPD officers show up "to protect and to serve."


Disgusting

Disgusting

Alex engages in an age-old sleep remedy for some much-needed shut-eye.


Meat Puppet

Meat Puppet

Alex tries not to move a muscle.


A Great Purpose

A Great Purpose

The observers declare their experiment over.


How Do You Feel

How Do You Feel

Alex prepares to debrief with the observers.