The Neighbor

12.

I got dressed and started to dry my hair.

"Oh wait..." I stopped and looked over at Nick. "I was going to cut your hair, unless you prefer it long."

I looked in the mirror, I have to say I've never seen myself with long hair. Not to brag but I look good. "Actually I don't mind it."

"Ok well I'm going to have to get rid of that sad excuse of a beard that's trying to grow."

Jeez, did he have to be so harsh, I didn't want to get one but still. He grabbed the chair and sat me in front of the mirror.

As I was waiting, I glanced over to his shaving kit and saw him grab a straight razor. I tensed up, what maniac uses those still. It's extremely sharp and if he wanted to he could... he could. He got up and started to lather my face and neck. He started to shave my face, so far so good. After that he slightly pushed my head back toward him. He placed the blade on my neck, I closed my eyes and clenched my fists.

"You know Rider... your neck looks offaly pale. Maybe we should add some color to it. A hint of red perhaps."

I opened my eyes and looked at him, I didn't want to move or talk. He looked at me and saw my expression of concern.

"Don't worry, I'll control myself."

As if I'd trust his word. He started to shave normally and I started to relax a bit. He stopped the blade under my chin and I froze. I looked up and saw him staring into my eyes.

"Your eyes are gorgeous. I have to say I'm quite jealous."

What is his obsession with my eyes, it's creeping me out. I dont think he realized it but he was slowly pressing the blade against me. "Um, Nick. The blade is getting a little close... don't you think?" He released the pressure and put the blade down. I was finally able to breathe.

"Right. Well I'm done so just rinse your face and neck."

After I dried my face with a towel I looked up towards the mirror and saw Nick standing directly behind me. He had a white cloth in his hand that looked to be covered in something. I jumped up and pushed the chair behind me. Nick stumbled back. I didn't know what he was going to do with that, was he trying to take me back to the basement? I didn't want to take any chances so I ran out of the bathroom.

"Wait Rider, it's not what you think!"

I didn't care what it was, I just had to get away. I bolted to the door... seriously. He had like a billion locks on this door now. I tried to turn them but I started to hear footsteps coming my way.

I quickly ran upstairs to the second floor. I considered going up to the third floor but something stopped me. Then I remembered that room with the boxes, I can hide in there. I went inside and hid in a box, luckily they were big enough. I waited for a little bit and started to hear him coming up the stairs.

"Rider, please come out. I promise I wasn't trying to do anything."

Yah right, what else was he trying to do. Why would I trust a murderer. He entered the room I was in and I covered my mouth hoping he wouldn't hear me breathing.

"Rider I know you're in one of these boxes. You know why?"

He's just trying to get me to come out, how could he actually know.

"I know because you're afraid of going back to the third floor."

When he said that, I immediately remembered that girl... and him taking me down to the basement.

"You know what's up there... and you know that if you ever go back up there again, you'll go down into the basement."

I started to shake at the thought, I hate that basement, I hate this house, I hate... him.

"If you don't come out in the next 30 seconds, I'm going to open each and every box until I find you. I might not be as forgiving."

Should I come out... no are you crazy. I don't know what he was planning to do to me or what he's going to do. I'm so scared of him, I can't stop shaking.

"15 seconds left...".

My eyes were wide open, I couldn't make up my mind. I don't know what to do.

"5 seconds...".

Just calm down and think, but how could I be calm in this situation. What if he kills me, no I don't think he will yet, ugh what am I going to do?

"3... 2...".

"I'M HERE! Okay, I'm here..." In that moment I had no control over my voice. I slowly opened the box and sat up.

"Cutting it close aren't we."

I looked towards him, he still had the cloth in his hand.

"Well aren't you going to come over here?"

"What were you going to do with that?" I gestured to the cloth. He looked at it, then back at me.

"Well if you must know... I was going to shove it down your throat and suffocate you."

I stopped breathing for a moment, my eyes wide, just thinking about it made my eyes water. But then he... he chuckled.

"Sorry kid, I was just messing with you. It's too easy."

I finally started to breathe again but I was still in shock after he said that.

"Anyways, I was actually just going to clean your wound. The cloth has some alcohol on it to disinfect it."

I took a deep breath, "holy shit..." I laughed nervously. "I really thought you were going to kill me, or... take me to the basement."

"It's okay Rider, I understand. Come on, let's go take care of it."

I sniffled, "okay." I got up and went back downstairs.

"Actually, let's go to the couch instead of the bathroom."

I was a little surprised but I wasn't going to turn that offer down. I nodded and we went to the couch.

"I'll go bring the first aid kit."

"Okay." He left me alone... in the living room... right next to the front door. This is it.
•••
Glad that misunderstanding was cleared up. I don't blame Rider for being scared of Nick. Maybe he'll get out this time, who knows, I don't.