The Grabber

Here We Go Again

The sun awoke again to shine through the opened window. Birds chirped as the autumn breeze kicked up what leaves were left on the branches of the trees that surrounded the neighborhood. The sound of young voices softly tickled the sky.
A

ndrea jolted awake as she heard a hard knock on the door, wincing as she moved her head. A hand quickly moved to where the pain came from. She opened her eyes as she heard something crumble beside her.
"Andrea, you're going to be late!" Her father's voice broke the silence as Andrea picked up the piece of paper left beside her. "What are you doing in there?"
Clean up your wounds before anyone sees -A
The note read.
"Wounds.." she questioned under her breath.
"Andrea?"
"I-I over slept. I'm coming!" She quickly replied as she stood out of bed to look at her reflection in her mirror. "Holy shit," she whispered as she saw the blood on her neck and under her nose.
"Well, hurry up, or you're going to be late! Your mother and I are going to speak with the realtor."
"Um, okay." Andrea sighed as she searched her drawers for something to cover her neck. She knew she had some turtle neck sweaters somewhere. She didn't wear them often. As she searched her dressers, she tried to remember everything that happened the night prior. Finally, her hands pulled out a red turtle neck sweater. She examined it as she knew she didn't have a choice. As she remembered the events of the previous night, her gaze turned to her window. She tossed the shirt onto her bed as she approached the window. She didn't remember leaving it open. As she looked outside, nothing could be seen besides kids walking down the sidewalk to head to school.
"Shit, I better hurry," she breathed as she ducked her head back inside to close the window.

...

Rebecca waited anxiously by the entrance, searching for her friend.
"Come on, where are you?" She murmured as her eyes scanned the area.
"Is she not here?" A voice asked. Rebecca turned to see James with a face just as anxious as hers. She shook her head.
"No, not yet." The two looked up as the school bell rang.
"Hey," Andrea called breathlessly. "I'm here, I'm here."
"Where were you? You're late!" Rebecca questioned as the three headed inside.
"I know, I know. I just overslept."
"And you're wearing a turtle neck? I haven't seen you wear one of those in forever."
"Today just seemed like a good day," Andrea responded as she looked over at the remaining students in the hallway. They were heading into their classroom.
"Are you doing okay?" James asked. "You seem... on edge." Andrea shook her head as she adjusted the neck on her sweater. Her thumb grazed over the scar so she knew where it was and if it was still covered.
"I'm fine," she finally spoke. "I'm okay."
"She's probably still on edge from everything that went down," Rebecca informed James as Andrea glanced out the windows of the school doors. "I mean, I'd be pretty terrified if that happened to me. I still can't believe he let you go."
"I'm glad he did. I hate that he did that to you, though."
"Well, here's my class," Andrea blurted as she arrived. "I'll see you guys after school." She couldn't bring herself to look at her friends as she quickly slipped inside the door. Rebecca and James gave a glance to each other, then went to their own classes.

...

Andrea tried to pay attention as the teacher spoke. Her attention was elsewhere. As the teacher talked about chemicals and bonding, Andrea was thinking about how she survived last night. She couldn't believe she was alive. She couldn't believe she had doomed herself yet again. The first time, becoming friends with a stranger, who turned out to be the Grabber. The second time, showing said stranger where her room was. The third time, giving Al another easy excuse to kill her. If she messes up even by a hair, Al could kill her. Anytime, anywhere, any way. Andrea was living by a thread. She had to tread lightly. Her life was at risk every second of every day, more than usual. This terrified her. She didn't know what would trigger his anger. He seemed to be angered by almost anything for any reason. Sometimes no reason. She had to do everything he said. Even if she didn't like it. Even if it harmed her. He could do anything to her and she would have to go with it. Andrea felt a chill run through her body. Her stomach churned from anxiety. Now she wondered if Al would follow her or find her when she moves to a new state.
Before she knew it, the class had ended with the ring of the school bell. She perked up as she was dragged out of thought as the other students collected their belongings to exit the room. Andrea did the same.
As she exited the classroom, she tried to dodge students getting into their lockers. She tried her best to avoid students who weren't watching where they were going. It was the end of the school day. Everyone was ready to head home, away from the lectures and tests. Andrea was ready to leave, too. However, she couldn't head home. She had too much energy building up. Aggressive energy. She avoided eye contact with anyone as she quickly walked towards the school exit.
"Hey, An," her friend called as she approached. Andrea didn't look at her.
"Sorry, I just... need to be on my own right now," she said rather harshly.
"Oh, are you sure?"
"You alright?" James asked as he joined the trio.
"I'm fine, I just need to be alone," she repeated as she pushed through the school doors, leaving her friends behind. They paused as they watched their friend storm away. This wasn't like her. They knew something was up.