Finding Sophie

Chapter 16

The little café had nothing going on, the machines had been shut off and it looked like it had been closed up for the night. But it can't be, I am still here, on my own. Silence. That is what is filling the room I'm in at the minute. I can hear my heart beating and my now labored breathing. This is all starting to freak me out and the alcohol running through my system isn't helping.

I don't remember hearing anything to signal closing up but I was pretty preoccupied with my phone call. I hear creaking coming from somewhere which I suspect to be the kitchen. So someone must still be in here and for some reason, they are hiding, from me. I have two options here, I could risk getting up and finding out who this person is or, I could make a run for it and pray that whoever this person is who's trapped me in here won't chase me.

For some reason, I have decided against fleeing and I am going to get up to find out who is hiding back there, maybe it's the adrenaline pumping through my veins or the shock of all the things that have happened tonight. I pick up my phone and make sure that it has enough signal that I could make a quick call if necessary, I have no idea what I am going to find back there so I need to make sure I am prepared for any circumstance. I get up slowly enough so as not to make any more noise than possible, hopeful not to alert the lurking presence of my movements. Taking careful steps towards the kitchen I keep glancing around checking everywhere to see if someone will jump out, I have definitely watched too many crime movies.

I hear a sound again, this time it's more of a scuffle but it's clear someone is there. I pause for a second contemplating how I will protect myself if it is someone dangerous. I decide equipping myself with some sort of weapon would be smarter than going in with my fists, if it's me and a man in a fistfight I don't stand a chance. Timidly, I look back around to survey the surrounding for anything large or sharp, much to my dismay the only things on offer were a bunch of biros and some coffee. I pick up the pen. Stepping through the door frame of the wide-open door I stop and I hold my breath in fear of what I am about to find. Carrying on forward I keep looking around, my senses on high alert. I turn the corner see a black cat and instantly I expel the air I was holding in. It wasn't a human but just an animal. I laugh quietly to myself. I can't believe I got so freaked out about such a small thing. This thing with Emilia is really getting to me, as soon as I have slept this off I am going to talk to someone about it. I got so worked up about a cat who must have managed to sneak their way in through an open window or door.

I pick up a tea towel and make my way back to the small table, this time not even trying to keep quiet. Just as I am about to wipe down the cold coffee from what I spilled earlier, my phone pings startling me and I pick it up to read the text. It's from an unknown number and says:

*We are always watching you.*

A shiver snaked uncontrollably down my spine. I remember that I am in what seemed to be an abandoned shop so, I hesitantly pack up my belonging and wipe down the last remnants of my drink while studying the message. After the last bits are completely organized I tuck in my chair under the table, leaving it as if no one was ever here. Whilst still studying my phone I start towards the exit. What could it mean, who's watching me? As far as I know, I have never once made an enemy and have never been contacted before so where is this coming from. I don't know what to think of it. Maybe replying is the best option.

After thinking for a good few minutes I have finally pieced together what I think is a fairly good reply. Checking it once more I send it through. It sends almost instantly meaning that whoever sent it still has their phone on.

I decide to leave instead of awaiting a reply and really hoping that by the time I have one, if I ever get one, that my brain will start being more clear and less foggy. Before I can even manage to slightly clear my thoughts, I hear another ping and look down to see the same unknown flash across the screen again, but before I c have time to read it I stumble falling over and crashing my head down, hard, entering a world of blackness.