Lilies And Smoke

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: Knocking at your door

Anita lies awake on her sofa as she taps her hand on her arm, Bill nuzzles his head in between her arms. She strokes his head as he lets out a sigh. "We really could do with a walk boy... what if he's waiting out there for me?" she says out loud to Bill, who's closing his eyes; content and at ease as Anita strokes him. "What if he's been watching me go to the shops or- or follows me every time I leave the house?" she asks, becoming paranoid and frightened. She runs her fingers through Bill's fur as she tries to ignore these intrusive and alarming thoughts. He can't come near you, he has a restraining order, Anita reminds herself. She wishes she hadn't fallen out with Janice, otherwise she could have stayed at hers. She wasn't sure if she was welcome or not and she didn't want to burden Alex. It's been a day since the letter and Anita had gone around her whole house to make sure all windows and doors were locked. She knew she would have to leave sooner or later to get stuff in and to stretch Bill's legs.

Knock-knock-knock.

Anita jumps, she hesitates to move. Bill lifts his head and sniffs loudly and lets out a snotty sneeze. Anita waits for a moment, listening for movement. There was nothing... nothing but a steady silence. Anita leans back into the sofa and ignores the door. Hoping whoever it is would go away. It was late at night and she doubts it would be Janice or Alex at this hour. Anita holds her breath, awaiting another knock. But it never came. She holds Bill close to her, "you're such a good boy Bill". She kisses the top of his head; his panting was loud as she strokes his back. His tongue sticking oud, long, flat. He licks his lips and goes back to panting happily as Anita pets him.

"You're such a good boy" she praises, rubbing his back. Bill wags his tail excited and barks. "Yeah, I know" she replies, rubbing under his ears smiling. She gets up off the sofa and walks towards the kettle and feels for the switch against the counters wall. She feels the kettles plug and presses the switch above it. She traces down the kettle's wire to the kettle and switches it on. The kettle begins to boil, Anita could hear the vibration of the kettle as it rumbles. She sighs and stretches her arms above her head, twisting herself side to side and letting her arms flop beside her.

Knock-knock-knock.

She hears a soft knocking at her front door, she freezes. Just go away, she thinks to herself. She opens the cupboard door and takes out one of her mugs on the right hand-side of the bottom shelf. She places it down in front of her on the counter and closes the cupboard door.

Knock, knock-knock.

The knocking was harder this time, Anita ignores it and reaches for the jar of tea bags.

Knock, knock, knock-knock-knock-knock.

The knocking became more adamant and persistent. Just ignore it, they'll go away soon enough she tells herself, taking two teabags out of the jar and places them into her mug.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK-KNOCK. KNCOK-KNOCK.

The knocking was hard, loud and hard against the door. She holds her breath and whispers, "just go, just leave". Then there was silence, Bill jumps off the sofa and runs towards the door. Sniffing the door, Anita sighs and the house goes silent. The only sound was the vibration of the kettle as it shakes more violently and clicks, as it bubbles. Anita opens her draw and takes out a small tea spoon and places two sugars into her mug. She pours the scorching kettle water into her mug and places it down, stirring the tea and sugar together. Bill barks and rushes towards Anita, howling. "Now, now Bill settle down" she tells him off quietly. Bill grumbles, quieting down. Anita bends down and rubs the top of his head, his ears flop side to side as she does so. He smiles, panting and sticks out his tongue. He sits next to her and waits patiently as she drains the teabags.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Anita jumps in surprise, placing her hand over her heart. Her heart beats erratically in her chest. Thud-thud, thud-thud, thud-thud. The pounding of her heart rushes to her ears, feeling it pulsate hard in her chest.

"Anita... answer the door" a slurred voice calls from the other side. Anita's breathing tightens, thud-thud, thud-thud, thud-thud.

"I need- I need to talk to you" Andy calls, slapping his hand against the door.

Bang, bang-bang.

Anita shakes violently, trying to think of what to do. Hot fiery tear plummet down her cheeks and drips under her chin. Falling to the ground hard. Bill stands and growls, walking over to the door. Thud-thud-thud, thud-thud-thud. Her heart beat quickens.

"Anita please" he begs, leaning against the door.

Thud-thud-thud, thud-thud, thud-thud. Anita searches for her knife block on the counter across from her and pulls out her chopping knife. She holds it tight in her grasps as she edges towards the door. Her knuckles whiten as she fights the urge to cry. Her hands begin to tremble as he calls, "please".

Tap, tap. Tap-tap, he knocks lightly against the door. She builds up all of her confidence as she shouts, "leave now! Or I will call the police!". The tapping stopped, as did the knocking as did his whining. She edges towards the door, silence. She didn't hear a sound, not a movement... not a word. She takes a deep breath and leans closure, trying to listen for any footsteps. But there was none, nor was there any indication that he was still behind the door. Not trusting him, she leans in close. Pressing her ear against the door, the knife scrapes the door in her other hand. As she presses herself against it and listens carefully.

Drip, drip. Drip-drip, drip, drip.

Is it raining? She thinks to herself, as she listens in closer. She begins to relax, sighing as she closes her eyes.

BANG!

Anita jumps back as the door jolts, holding the knife tight in both hands. She trembles, sobbing. "No, no, no" she cries quietly to herself.

"Let me in! let me in!" Andy bangs against the door, rattling it. Bill growls and barks at the door. Standing in front of Anita to protect her. Anita couldn't utter a word, her lips parted but no sound escapes her. A hot tear tumbles down her cheek, as she backs away from the door.

BANG! BANG! Andy jumps against the door, trying to open it. "Let me in!" he roars. Anita sinks to the floor, hopeless as she thinks of what to do. "Let me in!" he hisses, kicking the door. Anita opens her mouth and tries to form her words, letting out a cry as she begs, "Go away!" she screams. The door rattles, Anita was petrified that it couldn't hold him back. She didn't have her phone and had no way of contacting the police. But he doesn't know that, she thinks to herself.

"I've called the police! Leave now!" Anita screams, her voice sore and hoarse. The rattling stopped, Andy stumbles on her door step. "I'll be back soon enough, and you will speak to me!" he growls, backing away from the door and leaving down the driveway. He turns back and spits on the floor, "I'll be back" he grunts to himself. His hair ruffled; his clothes a mess. His eyes were red and his jaw unshaven. Anita sobs, her heart wrenching as she musters up the courage to stand and to put the knife back. Placing her hands on the counter as she leans down sobbing. Saliva drips from her mouth as she cries and cries and cries. Sinking lower to the floor as Bill patters towards her, whimpering.

"Oh God" she cries, wailing as her heart drops to her stomach. She places one hand on her stomach and the other covers her mouth to stop her from screaming in distain. Her breathing shaky, as she tries to take in a deep breath but fails. She takes in sharp, short breath as her heart pounds wildly in her chest.