x
The trip to the station was tense but once we got there, we filled the Detective with our version of events. As we spoke he looked disinterested in what we said and that irritated us but we did not show it.
"Well, this is interesting." He said rubbing his chin as if he had a beard. "But we can't let her go."
Aubrey was appalled. "Why not?"
"Yeah, she saved her life!" Ralph added.
"Not until we get collect enough evidence pointing her as the victim." He replied. "I am sorry kids but that is how the law works."
"But you can't keep her in jail!" Brianna wailed.
"Yeah, she saved my life it is the least I can do for her," I say.
"Oh, she is getting out alright." He said ruefully. "The girl has post-traumatic stress disorder."
We were stunned. "What?"
"Post-traumatic stress disorder in other words PTSD. It is a mental illness caused when someone fails to recover from experiencing a terrifying event and do you know what the terrifying event was?"
We shake our heads.
"It was witnessing the murder of her classmates. A few years ago after she was found in school trying to summon a 'demon' then her friend Adrien died being hacked to death by Bernard. It was after Frances' suicide death we asked her what happened. She told us and was convinced it was the demon they summoned that did this. We all agreed it was a homicide but what nearly made me believe that story she told me was the fact that there was no motive behind the murder. Then we found out she and the victim had a feud before he died but I doubt a little thing like a baseball glove would make him kill his best friend."
I gulped and look at my friends. Brianna told me she was emotionally unstable but we did not know it was this severe.
"She is still a minor and with the mental issues, she will still be tried for murder until we collect enough evidence that shows she is the victim but don't worry, if the evidence is not enough, we will make sure your statements are accountable until then there is nothing you can do."
We left the police station in anger. 'Our statements are not enough? But we witnessed everything! I was even the main witness!'
"I feel sorry for her," Ralph said breaking the silence.
I could not agree with him more. 'Wait, she witnessed that murder years ago. Then why didn't they take her out of the school when she started symptoms?'
"Why didn't her parents take her to a therapist when she started showing signs of PTSD?" I asked.
"They did and some results began to show that she was getting better until the murders continued." Brutes responded casually.
"I think this incident will finally be the one that will break the camel's back." Brianna sighed.
Aubrey stumped her foot in anger. "As if!" and walked ahead of us in anger.
We looked at each other, shrugged, and continued to walk and that night after dinner I decided to take a walk to clear my head.
'Two girls brutally killing students in the middle of class.' I stopped and looked up at the sky. 'What on earth is going on?'
I sighed and continued to walk. 'Should I leave the school? I mean it is foolish to go back after what happened.'
I look up and see the school at a diSebastiance and remember Caroline's words. 'She did say if I want answers I should come to the school at night. Should I go or should I wait?'
The wind howled sending cold air up my spine and I shuddered. Stuffing my hands in the pockets of my jacket I look at the building and see light in one of the windows.
'Is someone there?' I ask myself. 'Should I go there?'
I snap out of it, turn around, and walk home. 'No, it is a bad idea. The murderer could be waiting for me in the school.'
I hear footsteps behind me. Turning around, I see nothing but the empty street.
'I should have taken the busy street instead.' This time, I quicken my pace stop, and turn around.
Nothing.
"Who is there?" I ask but the wind howled in response. Terrified, I run to my apartment and slam the door behind me.
'Thank God I made it.' I slide to the floor. 'I will never take that street again.'
I hear arguing in the other rooms but that only stilled my heartbeat. Why? This means I was not alone so nothing will happen to me. I do my night duties and go to bed but wake up the next day to a text message from an unknown number.
'Thank God you got home safe. Sleep well my darling.'
My heartbeat quickened. 'Was...last night...he was following me! How...how did he get my number?'
It was official, I have a stalker.
"Emma!" my Aunt's screech snapped me out of my daze making my heart skip a beat.
"EMMA!"
"What!" I yell back.
"Get you're a$$ in here!"
I groan and get dressed. 'That woman sounds like a screeching banshee.'
"What took you so long to wake up?" she asked once I enter the living room.
I look at the time on the clock. "It is only 7 AM."
"I don't care what time it is!" then she stomped her way to the kitchen.
I calm the rising anger in me. 'She is probably drunk or just looking for someone to vent her anger on or...'
Someone gives a loud cough and giggle. Soon the living room was filled with an unknown smell. Turning to my right, I see my 'Uncle' sitting on the armchair smoking something that was certainly not a cigarette.
"Why hello there girly," he said licking his lips and giving me a lustful grin.
I twist my face in disgust. "Welcome home."
Then my Aunt walked in with a cigarette in her mouth and a wad of money in her hand.
"Here," she said handing it over to me. "Go over to the convenience store and buy something for dinner."
"Tell her to buy us some fried chicken and beer while she is at it." 'Uncle' said sitting up from the chair.
"Oh darling," Aunt walked seductively towards him, sat down, and massaged his chest. "Fried chicken is expensive. Maybe next time okay."
I felt like barfing. 'Does she know he is a fat bloke with a pot belly?' I leave the room once they start kissing.
I know what you are thinking, what does she see in that fat bloke? Well, they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and she likes fat men. I do not know why but the bigger you are, the more handsome you look in her eyes.
I grab my bag, and my phone and leave the apartment. 'What does she see in him?' I ask looking up at the morning sky. 'I hate him and her for forcing me to clean up after him. Good thing I put my foot down when I discovered he was a pervert.'
True to my word, I take the busy street on my way to the store but have second thoughts.
'Maybe I will wait until nighttime to go there. Besides, I do not want to be there when they smoke and have sex. All I had to do is to make sure I am home with the food by six.'
I head to the vending machines instead. 'I should visit Andrew in the hospital.' Then it hit me. 'Which hospital did they take him to? I'll ask Brianna.'
I take out my phone and dial her number. After a few rings, she picked up and told me where he was.
'He is in the Hing's Hospital and that is downtown.' I flag down a taxi and go see him.
The hospital was huge with a lot of doctors and nurses. After talking to one of the nurses, she took me to the ward and showed me his room.
"Hey, Andrew how are you?" I ask opening the door.
He gave me a confused look. "Do I know you?"
I blink. "I...I am Emma Cross-wood. Your friend from school?"
He blinked twice, groaned, and touched his head. "I am sorry. I don't remember you."
'Oh no! Andrew has amnesia!' tears stung my eyes as he closed his eyes and groaned in pain. I was about to rush out of the room to get a doctor when he burst into laughter.
"I got you!" he yelled holding his stomach.
Realizing it was a prank, I laughed along with him. After chatting for a while he told me he was going to leave the hospital the day after tomorrow.
"Wow, that is great news!" I cheered.
"Yeah! I thought the injury on my head was so severe I would have to stay longer in this place."
I giggled at his annoyed tone. "You don't like hospitals do you?"
He nodded and gave a huge smile. "I am so glad you came Emma. It's been so lonely sitting here all by myself."
"Your parents didn't visit you?" I ask.
"Well, my mom is going to visit once a week because of her busy schedule and my dad is on a business trip."
Soon our friends arrived and I was surprised to see Caroline with them. I hug her and ask what happened.
"Oh her parents bailed her out." Brianna chirped. "And guess what, she is not going to jail!"
"The detective took our statements into account and the evidence at the crime scene pointed her as a victim of self-defense." Brutes explained in his monotone voice.
That was enough to make my grin grow wider. I looked at Caroline and see she was more cheerful than ever. We stayed with Andrew and tasted the lunch they gave him.
'No wonder he wants to leave. The food here is bland.'
Luckily, there was a vending machine in the hall so we bought him snacks. Time flew by quickly and we were asked to leave the hospital.
"Whew, that was fun!" Brianna said. "Do you want to go karaoke with us, Emma?"
I shake my head. "Sorry I have to go to the store."
"Okay see you tomorrow then," Ralph said.
"And the offer is still open!" said Caroline.
I walk to the convenience store with a smile on my face and bought the ingredients for dinner.
'Maybe just maybe I will ignore my Aunt's and Uncle's drinking habit.' I paid the money to the cashier but upon exiting the store, I remember Caroline's words.
'This means she is still waiting for me.' the happy mood in me was replaced with dread and curiosity. 'What on earth is going on?'
"Hi,"
I turn to see the upperclassman; the person who saved Andrew's life and the one who stopped me from leaving with my friends.
"Good evening." I politely say.
The smile on his face grew wider as something flashed in his eyes.
"Umm, can I help you?" I ask.
He was still smiling at me. Getting uncomfortable, I look sideways and take a step back.
"Are you just going to stand there or what?"
He snapped out of it. "Oh, I am sorry. I just..." sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "I just zoomed out a minute there."
I cock an eyebrow. "Okay?"
"So how are you?" he quickly asked.
"I am fine?"
"Oh, that is good to hear. I was worried you were sick when I saw you walking around in the hospital."
Confusion was written all over my face for a moment. "Walking around in the..." then it hit me. "Oh! I was just trying to find the vending machines."
He laughed nervously. "Yeah. That place is like a maze sometimes."
I would have laughed along with him if his presence wasn't unnerving. There was something off about this guy it sent a chill up my spine and that was his appearance. Tall, slightly pale-skinned with grey eyes, thick eyebrows, and thin lips. The only feature I liked about him was his long bushy black hair which flapped in the wind but the fact he just kept staring at me sent chills through my body and his outfit. A black hooded jacket with black pants and... are those school shoes?
"Wait a minute, what were you doing in the hospital?" I ask.
He was surprised. "I was going to see my doctor."
"Your doctor?"
"Yeah. He told me to collect the test results I did on Monday." He dug into his pocket and showed me something. "Here's his card you can call him."
"Whoa relax. I was only asking what you were doing there." I say raising my hands in defiance.
The frown on his face didn't disappear when I said that and felt a blush coming up. 'Silly me. Why did I ask that question?'
"I am sorry. I shouldn't have asked that."
"Naw. It is okay." There was a long pause. "Why are you walking home alone?"
My face grimaced at that. "I had just finished buying the ingredients I want for dinner. Why do you ask?"
"Well, the thing is, it is not safe for someone to walk alone in this town. Something bad might happen."
'You tell me. I have a stalker.'
"Do you want me to walk you home?"
Okay, that took me by surprise. "Why do you want to do that?"
He smiled. "Like, I said, this town isn't safe. It is even worse if you are a student in that school." He moved closer. "Come on. I will help you carry your groceries."
I hesitated for a while and handed him one of the bags. The streets were partially empty on our way home, this made me see his point about the town not being safe. This made the uncomfortable feeling inside me disappear replacing it with calmness. He gave a huge sigh once we reached my apartment building.
"Thank you for walking me home upperclassman," I said taking the bag from him.
The pink hue on his face appeared once more and he coughed. "Your...your welcome."
I nod and climb up the stairs. Once the door was opened, I look back and see he was still standing there staring at me.
'Oh. Maybe I didn't say 'Goodbye' to him?' I looked around. 'It's pretty late and most of the neighbors must be asleep by now.'
Out of options, I give the biggest smile I could muster and wave to him. He was shocked at first but waved back and I enter the apartment.
My Aunt and 'Uncle' were arguing in their bedroom and roll my eyes. 'Looks like their reunion is going to be a bittersweet one.' I unloaded the groceries. 'But I have to admit despite his appearance, he was a gentleman.'
'It seems you have forgotten he was still wearing his school shoes right?' a voice in my head pointed out. 'Not to mention he was still wearing his school uniform pants.'
I stop midway and replay the scene in my head. 'Yeah, it was...'
Then my phone beeped with a text message. I take a look at it and shiver.
'WHO WAS THAT BOY WHO WALKED YOU HOME?'
Meanwhile...
Unknown number: I know who you are.
Stalker: Who is this?
Unknown number: This is the second time I have216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tQxnTSHmb
caught you stalking her.
Stalker: Really?
I am glad to see you are observant.
Tell her anything and I am going216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2HvQq2kMB
to make sure you don't see the next day.
Unknown number: Relax.
I am not going to blackmail you.
But if you want to get to her you216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47x5IYbtPX
have to go through Caroline.
Stalker: Caroline?
Unknown number: Trust me she is on to you.
I don't know if your history with her but she 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIosHQR1jc
claims to know your like the back of her hand.
Stalker: Impossible!
Unknown number: And will stop at216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF8GDAo5D2
nothing to expose you.
Stalker: I am not stalking her! 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbypXYoEM3
I am making sure she is safe!
Unknown number: Whatever.
Tell you what, I will give you some216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8UurDiIw3
information about Emma and Caroline.
Stalker: But what is in it for you?
Unknown number: Nothing but to see that216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAmWpkR0Pv
manipulative witch suffer.
Remember; get her out of the picture216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3I0TCqbs0
and Emma is all yours.
The stalker looked at the message and his lips twisted into a frown. Sighing, he looked at the window and watched Emma undress. Saliva flowed from his mouth and he quickly took a picture of her with his phone.
"You are so beautiful." He said as his eyes glowed. "So beautiful."
ns 18.68.41.179da2
