Dormant

Chapter 1 - Engaged

Paige couldn’t stop smiling while she stood amongst the masses waiting for the train. She had just spent the evening with Oliver and it was what that fairytales were made of. They had spent much of their Sunday afternoon in bed doing what lovers do and after a particularly breathtaking session, Oliver rolled over in bed with a ring and proposed. Of course Paige accepted. There wasn’t a single reason she could think of not to. The two of them consummated their new relationship status and then Paige decided she needed to get home and be in bed in time for work in the morning. So now she stands amongst the group of strangers waiting for the train to take her back to her side of town. She let out an uncontrolled giggle and blushed when it drew the attention of bystanders. They all looked out the corner of their eye at her but none said anything. While staring at her feet, waiting for the heat to dissipate from her cheeks, she felt the unmistakable feeling that she was being watched. She slowly raised her eyes and looked around her. Some were talking on their phone, some were checking their watches, and one man even stood precariously close to the tracks while reading a newspaper. But none of these people were looking at her. Chancing a look over her shoulder she could see no one back their either. Despite the visual check, she could still feel the presence of someone staring at her. She stuck her hand in her pocket and fished around while directing her eyes back on her shoes. Mace?  Check. Keys? Check. Phone? Check. She breathed a sigh of relief and adjusted her purse on her shoulder.  As if the Gods above knew her uncomfortable predicament, the train came cutting down the tracks and stopped at the dock. She blew out the air she didn’t realize she had been holding, and boarded the train.

The entire train ride had been without incident but Paige still couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was virtually on her shoulder staring at her. She would keep stealing glances around her but each time would produce no reason for alarm. When she reached her exit she left the train and slipped her hands around her pocket contents once more. She walked with an increased pace towards her apartment until it finally happened; she heard a noise behind her. She tightened her grip around her keys and walked a little faster.  She had about 6 yards to go before she would be out of the alley, on her street and standing at her entrance. Suddenly, and painfully, a hand wrapped itself in her hair and yanked back. Paige heard some hair rip out of her scalp but was unable to focus on the damage. She had already pulled out her mace and was spraying wildly over her shoulder. She heard what she initially thought was a scowl but realized it to be the assailant laughing. But their hold never weakened. In fact, the assailant then pushed Paige against the wall and knocked her head against the brick building. Pain shot through Paige’s head and she fought to maintain consciousness. She reached into her pocket again and drew out her keys. Instead of doing what many females think to do, scratching and clawing at their attacker, Paige brought the keys to her lips and found her whistle. With every ounce of air she had in her, she blew on that whistle with an ear piercing screech. At the same time she seen a window drape open in her direction, fiery hot searing pain shot through her head as if she had been injected with lava. She felt her left arm go completely limp and knew that she was close to losing consciousness; the pain was just too unbearable. She brought the whistle up to her mouth again and with the fading lights around her, she gave it one last blow. As her whistle made the sad sound of an injured cat, darkness surrounded Paige and she felt no more.