UNCONDITIONALLY YOURS

Not such empty threats // 28

Parker asked me on a date that morning for the following Thursday. At first, I was pretty sceptical for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I still had my father to worry about. Parker told me he tried to stay at of the public eye, but I knew paparazzi still would recognise him.

It was unlikely they would recognise me instantly, but if a shot of me and Parker together happened to be captured along with a little more digging, it would only be a matter of time before we made headlines. And secondly, I would rather most thing that sit at another fancy dinner or whatever. I really wasn't the dating sort. However, he reassured me that neither of these things would be a problem and I guessed I would believe him. I thought he seemed to know me well enough to know what I would and would not enjoy.

And so, Parker drove me home not long after we woke up. Seeing as it was still a Sunday and there would be people at home. I did the usual routine of climbing through my window and so on. I decided to face going to grab some breakfast even though my father was downstairs.

"What the heck were you doing up there? You sounded like you were trying to jump through the bloody ceiling." So, he somewhat noticed me climbing through my window. Great, another thing that wasn't safe to do. Never mind, I knew I would do it anyway. I completely aired his comment and turned a cold shoulder on him making breakfast. He snorted sarcastically, before picking up his newspaper and continuing to read that. I returned to my room as quickly as I could and checked my phone. The anonymous number had messaged me once again, and I was beginning to be far more irritated than anything else by the messages.

Same place as the last message and same time. Tonight. You better be there, or I will come to you.

A spark lit in my mind, and I thought of the perfect idea. I wouldn't meet them directly, it would be stupid no matter the circumstances. There was no way they could get into my house except through my window which only I had the key for. The entire house was riddled with alarms, initially that was to my disadvantage, but it was becoming a positive thing.

If there was one thing that would help me in this mystery, I had become tangled within, it would be knowing what on earth I was dealing with. I knew where they would be and I was the one at an advantage, so it was time I took advantage of that. I wouldn't be meeting this nameless person tonight, but I would be at the city border sign at eleven that night. I simply wouldn't be in plain sight.

It was ten o'clock, and my alarm buzzed loudly to remind me. It was time for me to get ready. My only criteria for an outfit was something that wasn't bright and something to keep me warm. I obviously need to be hidden anyway but wearing bright red wouldn't help me much. And I didn't know how long I would be there.

I wanted to be in position sooner rather than later, it would be stupid to risk them see me approaching. I wore a black hoodie, with a coat layered over it and a pair of joggers. I also put boots on, my feet got cold easily. And then I set off with only my phone to take pictures and keep track of time. I put it on silent before leaving.

When I got there, no one was there much to my delight. I clambered into a cluster of bushes and trees which were across the road from the sign. I couldn't be too close, they would undoubtedly see me, however I still needed to be able to see them. I waited for a while.

I was getting pretty cold, but the warm clothes definitely helped a little. I looked down at my phone which was on the lowest brightness setting. Ten fifty-nine. And then I saw a message from Parker pop up. A surge of guilt flooded over me as I realised how disappointed he would be if he knew what I was doing. The message was only the check up on me because I hadn't texted him in a while. Such a kind gesture, while I was busy doing possibly the exact opposite. But if I had told him, I also knew I wouldn't be where I was, and it was something I needed to do.

I looked back up and I finally saw someone standing next to the sign... someone who was masked. Great. So, was going there for nothing? I quickly pulled my phone out and took pictures anyway, they were covered head to toe, but maybe I could still take notes of what they were wearing.

As I looked closer, I realised they were holding something in their hand. I couldn't quite see it, maybe I was a little too far. I narrowed my eyes and squinted, trying to get a look at what they were holding. And then I saw it. Gripped firmly in their clutch was a knife. A huge, sharp knife undoubtedly. I couldn't see it at first, but once I noticed what it was, it was unmissable.

My entire body tensed, and I swallowed the scream within me. I was in so much more danger than I originally thought. What could I do now? Tell the police? Tell Parker? I couldn't tell the police. My father would be mad, even if it were life or death for me, as it would most likely end up in a huge scandal.

Besides, I had no hard evidence. You couldn't make out the knife in the photo, and the messages self-destructed after I read them. I took notes of them, but my notes could be made up. And Parker... it was a tough one. I knew I could trust him, but could I really go to him with another problem? And surely, he would be mad at me because I didn't tell him. It may have been completely stupid, but my mental determination stood too strongly against my logic.

I waited for the person to leave, my hand clamped to my mouth to refrain myself from making any noise, and then I legged it. I had to get back to the house as soon as possible because right then, I felt like anyone could jump out from any corner and attack me. I stormed through my driveway and effortlessly pulling myself up the side of my house. Getting up there was becoming easier and easier because I seemed to be doing it an awful lot. I collapsed through the window and shut it behind me, locking it. I slumped against my wall and took three deep breathes. Then I sat there and absorbed the silence around me. Was I going to die?

After the draining adrenaline, I was feeling unsurprisingly pretty tired. I got changed and was about to go to bed when I saw something that was possibly scarier than the knife. On my bed was a note. I instantly picked it up and began to read it.

'Riley Atkinson. You really are a smart one it seems. I have really underestimated you. It's a shame you can't be more use to me, seeing as you are the target, because you sure do have some pretty impressive ideas! Don't think I didn't find out about you spying on the person I sent to meet you. It was a smart move, good on you! But now I believe you know how much danger you are truly in. You see how easily I got into your house! I hope you had fun on your little mission.'

I stuffed it in the drawer where I kept any notes or evidence and jumped into bed wrapping myself tightly in my duvet. But no matter how much I tried, I couldn't feel safe. Not anymore. Not now I knew they could get into my house. Was there anywhere I could be where I wasn't in danger?

Ooooo scary 😬😬

What's going to happen next, and how much danger is Riley in?

I'm proud of me because it's only midnight hahaha

Hope you enjoyed 💕💕

Have a great day ☺️☺️

-Rae