Page 21 of Capturing Ava
As I step out of the cab, I am filled with a sense of calmness. Life is good. I had an enjoyable night for once. I wasn’t on edge and my little stalker friend had all but disappeared. There’s a chance that I would have a peaceful night’s sleep in the end.
The smile on my face fades as I reach my front door, and I notice a piece of paper pinned to it with a Swiss Army knife. A groan falls from my lips as I peer at the words scribbled on the pasty white piece of paper that flaps in the wind.
Little beast.
Playing with things you shouldn’t.
Don’t worry,
I know how much you love reading romance,
So, I gave you a heart to save HIM from breaking yours.
You’re welcome.
GHOST.
Fuck. This guy was fucking crazy. I look around, but I can’t see anything. There is complete silence, except for the intense pulsation of my heart. Looking down, there is a small black box. Oh, of course, the heart he threatened he left. I roll my eyes as I lean down and pick up that box.
I stare at that bloody box like it appeared from out of space. There couldn’t be a heart in there, right? He wouldn’t kill someone I had chatted to just to prove a point, would he? Oh shit. That’s when I realised he was there. The entire damn time that I experienced freedom, he was there—watching me.
As I lift the lid, I glance inside and a wave of shock washes over me. This guy was fucking nuts. There was a heart sitting in that box, but that wasn’t the worst part. Underneath the heart was the book I had been reading. A scream emits from my throat as I drop the box to the ground. Not only had he sacrificed a nice man, but he had ruined a good fucking book with his blood.
I was unsure if I was in a state of shock, as I grew more irritated by the fact that he had spoiled the book, and then tears started to fall from my eyes. A night that had given me hope had turned into one that would give me nightmares and I was here—all alone. I had told Audrey I was in the cab, so nobody could help me.
What if he was just in there—waiting?
The tremors of fear crawled around my body like snakes wiggling around beneath my skin. I was standing motionless with fear, rooted to the spot. Scared to enter my house because of the fear that he lurked within waiting to pounce.
I swung open the door, but it met me with silence. I shake my head at my stupidity, well what did I expect he would jump out and announce himself? Why would he? He hadn’t announced his presence so far, just hinted that he was around.
As I enter the house, I longed to escape. A sigh escapes my throat while I stroll into the home that was once my sanctuary. My eyes scan the area, and nothing is out of place. It looks as I had left it.
I take slow steps, sauntering into the kitchen. I’m on edge, looking around to make sure I’m alone and I am. There on the counter sits a filled champagne flute with a pink Post-it note attached: thought you could use a little wind-down time, Audrey xx.
My eyes peer at the note untrusting. The bubbles rise to the surface. Well, if Audrey sent it, why not? I pick up the glass and walk straight upstairs to my bedroom. I placed the glass on my nightstand. Maybe it would help me sleep. getting changed, I pick the glass up and empty the entire contents down my throat. “Thanks, Audrey,” I mutter out loud.
I stumble near the bed, holding onto the bed to steady my fall. A dizzying emotion gallops through my body. I can see. My vision distorts everything. A mist covers my vision and the only thing I can see are shapes. Fuck. What was in that drink? My head is filled with hazy thoughts, and my body is weak, but I can’t sit down for fear of losing consciousness.
That’s when I see it. The shape of a figure enters my room. I try to blink my eyes, but my vision doesn’t change. Hunched over onto the bed, I crawl onto it because I have nowhere else to go. The sound of heavy footsteps grows closer and closer, then my head hits the pillow.
“Do you remember me yet?” I detect a voice in my ear. I shake my head. What was I supposed to be remembering? “Oh, little beast, you will remember—I will make you remember.” The voice threatens.
His body smothers mine. I am aware of his breath brushing against my skin. The mist that had covered my eyes is still present, and everything is just wavy shapes. The man’s ultrasonic voice leaves no space in my mind as he invades my personal bubble. As he lingers nearby, his breath against my skin becomes increasingly erratic, sending tingles through me.
As he pulls down the straps on my negligee, I want to voice my objection. I want to move, but I am immobile. I can’t scream. The only screams I hear are inside of my head. I want to scream what am I supposed to be remembering, but the only noise that comes out is a tiny squeak.
“This must be so hard.” Overwhelmed with a sense of vulnerability reminiscent of a small girl. “How does it feel to be tricked, little beast?” A squeak falls from my lips because I don’t have a clue what he’s fucking talking about.
His hands run down my body. Every light touch sends tingles running through my body. He’s barely touched me and my body is shaking. I sense the silk material slipping away from my body. “Like a pretty little doll that I can use for my enjoyment.” He whispers once more. “Do you remember yet?” I shake my head. He seems annoyed by my response.
His hands grip my waist with force and I want to cry out, but no sound comes out. The overwhelming sensation intensifies and I can hear his indistinct words, but I can no longer comprehend what he says. My eyes threatened to close and darkness consumed my body as my body relaxed and I sank into the abyss that I could feel pulling me under.
7
YOUAREMINE
CHASE
