Tension

Chap 2- New Town

I remember hopping between schools and towns with my mum and siblings, dad was always working so he couldn't leave our home town..

"Halle! You have a letter!" I heard Lucas yell out loud and clear.

I bolted down the stairs; he sends us money every week, my dad, and always gives me a little extra. By a little, I mean a grand, I know my dad loves me, and he's always told me how he regrets not being able to be in my life, so he sends me a lot, but not too much that I'd be spoiled, and figured Lucas wasn't old enough to know how money works.

When I get downstairs, I open the letter and to my surprise, it's not from dad, but from Jack.. He wanted me to come over, but I don't know why he didn't just text me, weirdo.

"How much did he send you this time?" said mom.

I look over at her, almost confused until I remember that we all thought it was a letter from dad. They all know that I have lots of friends, I'm likeable, and everybody knows my name, but we're all a 'different generation' so we don't necessarily send and receive letters.

"No money yet, this letter's from Jack." I say. "He wants me to come and have a sleepover at his house.. Of course, I'll just text him the answer instead of wasting a whole A4 sheet of paper on a yes or no."

I know it's wrong, but I don't really like Jack, or his house, but his mom gives me lots of food. Such good food, not too salty but not bad either; too much for me to eat, but it's there incase I eventually want more.

"You should go" Mom suggests. "Jack misses you, I heard all about his whining and whimpering for you. You're his best friend, even if he's not yours, Clara and I still talk you know."

Clara. That's her name, Jack's mom Clara, and my mom Beau. Two completely different people, from different worlds, colliding and becoming best friends.

"I'll think about it" I say as I turn around to leave, then I feel mom grab my shoulder.

"You're going to Clara's house, and you're going to see Jack." she starts to squeeze.. "Or I'll take away your allowance and ground you for a year."

The immense pain and burning I felt in that very minute was agony, I was being deprived of a bloodline and I could practically FEEL my shoulder turning black and blue.

"Ow, ow! Alright! I'll go!!" mom lets go of my shoulder and smiles.

"Go get ready. I'll tell Clara to expect you in an hour" mom walks off and I go upstairs to get dressed.

About five minutes after scrolling on Tiktok, I strip off and get into the shower. I like the feel of the cool water on my skin on a hot day.
Weirdly enough, I feel this weird impulse to turn off the shower and pull my towel on quickly, but I just ignore it.
A few minutes later, I hear the creak of the bathroom door and I immediately step back and wipe the water from my eyes.

"Hello? I know that the door wasn't closed a minute ago, who's in here?" I say this like in a movie the killer would actually answer, trying not to show that I was practically sh*tting myself.

There was no reply, and I decide to start washing my hair, singing to myself to try and stay calm, saying maybe it was the wind.. Until I hear the floor creak and at this point, my soul has left my body.. There was definately someone in the room with me..

"Come out now! I'll call the cops!"

Again, no reply. I continue to drench my face in cold water to sooth the nerves and I feel someone grab my side with icy cold hands...

I scream and jump back, slipping and banging my head on the corner of the tub. I'm still alive, conscious, I tell myself, but this feeling of overwhelming fear has made me dizzy and not even a minute later, I pass out...