Stalker...

Chapter 7

Running... running... running. The waves crashed against the dark rock below her. Thunder roared above her. The rain hit her arms forcefully, dragging along her skin like frozen bullets. Voices from years past danced in her head like a melodic tune, singing in her head like an endless cacophony of joyful hate. Fear... fear... fear. Footsteps followed behind her rapidly. Voices turned to screams, wailing and moaning like ghosts from her past. The edge of the cliff was visible, growing closer with every step. She didn't want to jump, but her feet wouldn't stop moving. The voice behind her grew nearer, louder, faster. Her head was distorted, vision growing blurry. The pace of her feet grew slower, eventually stopping. Her knees hit the cold dirt, followed by her twisting to fall onto her back. Her breath slowed, allowing her to look up at the night sky once more before she closed her eyes. A sharp pain went through her chest, but she didn't move, she couldn't move. All she wanted to see was the sky. Serenity. Rain splattered on her face, cold and quiet. Another pain went through her stomach, one that she felt in its entirety. 

She shot up, running to her bathroom at full sprint. The contents of her mostly empty stomach left her, burning her throat as it went. Cold hands pulled her hair back, rubbing her bare shoulders to comfort her. When the pain finally subsided, she fell to her side, exhausted. She didn't want to stay home at first, but she knew she would have to now. She thought again, realizing if Jake was at school then she could allow herself to be sick. 

"Tyson," she groaned, "can I stay home?" 

"Yes, honey. You can stay home. I'll stay with you." 

"What time is it?" 

"6:30. You should get some sleep. Do you want to stay here or go back to your bed?" 

"I'll stay here. I don't think I could get up if I tried."

Persephone's voice called for Maria. Tyson went out to meet her, taking note of the lack of shock on her face even though he had just exited her sister's bathroom. It had been so long since he'd seen Persy. Ever since she was injured she was unable to see them at their matches. 

"Your sister is sick. Is it alright if she stays home today? I can take care of her if you need me to." 

"That's fine," she stated slowly, thinking back to the last time Maria was sick, "Let her sleep a little longer and I'll make her some food when she wakes up." 

"You're not going to school?" 

"No. I'm giving myself one more day before I go back, just to make sure I'm alright." 

She left a small black box on Maria' nightstand before leaving. Her mind wandered to the last time Maria was sick. 

She had just left her father's office with an urgent call from a young Dima. Their father's newest fling, Jenna Martelli, was taking care of the kids while they were home sick. Maria was too young to remember her, but Persephone's memory of the vile woman would stay with her forever. Maria had fallen down the stairs in a feverish haze while she had the flu. Her arm was broken and she a severe concussion. Persephone was furious at how Jenna could let this happen. She told her father, and within the span of a few hours, Jenna was gone. This time, she wouldn't let the same mistakes happen twice. She would be there for Maria for as long as it took. 

Tyson handed Maria a blanket and pillow and sat next to her. She was shivering, but sweating. Her whole body felt cold, like that rain. The sweat ran along her arms like the water from her dream. As the clock struck 7:00, her phone buzzed with another call from Jake. She knew after last night, she had to answer, but she would put it on speaker so Tyson could hear what he said to her. His tone had changed from the rough, arrogant tone of last night. 

"Hey, I'm outside. Where are you?" He said softly. 

"I'm sick, Jake. I've been throwing up for almost an hour. I won't be at school today, but don't worry. Persephone is staying home with me." 

"Okay. I hope you feel better. I just have one more question. Where were you after the match on Saturday?" 

She froze, looking up at Tyson. He hung up the call and turned off her phone. She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his legs. He stroked her hair lightly, watching as she shivered under his hand. His heart sank seeing the girl he could love someday in pain. Her legs curled up to her chest. The light piercing in from her curtains pained her eyes and head, like a hangover from hell. She covered her eyes with her arm, groaning at the pain. Seconds turned to minutes before she fell asleep, but when she did, it was a relief. 

She woke up hours later in the comfort of her own bed. Her fever had broken and the sweating had stopped, but her head was still pounding and her eyes still evaded the bright light in her windows. She wrapped her blanket around her, going to look for someone else. The light outside of her room was even brighter. Her head was pounding, but nevertheless, she wanted to find them. Tyson was sitting in the living room, reading one of the many books from Mr. Peschlot's shelves. He looked at the small, almost childish figure standing in the doorway. 

"Hello, honey. Did you sleep alright?" 

She nodded before dragging herself over to him and falling onto the couch. She pulled the blanket over her head to block out the light. Heavy footsteps approached the room, followed by an unsettling voice. 

"So, Maria, before I kill you. Where the hell were you after the match on Saturday?"