Affliction

Chapter 12

Rose

No man can hope to find out the truth – without proper investigation. I read that once – It randomly popped in my head as I debated if I was needed any further in the hunt for Abigail's rapist. I still haven't heard from Jess, it's been days now. My mom still not home; I began pace back and forth in my room.

It was evening now – the natural lighting of my room began to diminish as the sun set. I checked my phone about a million times waiting for some sort of notification .

I really need more friends. Bing my phone finally alerts me, it was Jess "sorry it's been a little hectic over here – but we can meet tomorrow at the park behind the school?" she wrote, I responded a little too urgently.

Placing my phone face down on my dresser – and observe myself in the finger smudged body mirror that hung next to it. I began to reminisce on the days

I looked at the world differently – when things weren't always so "dark" for me; I stare into my own eyes reflecting on my life and the choices I made.

No one forced me to become a loner it just made things easier for me to cope.

I continue to stare into my emerald eyes, imagining my hair back to its natural Scottish state. I look at my attire – black leggings, grey tank and a whole lot of silver bangles; I looked so plain and boring, no wonder I have no friends.

Plopping face down on my single sized air mattress I give a huge irritated sigh through the pillows – I then face the bedroom door; I thought I heard something down stairs. Slowly I slip off my bed and creep towards the door peaking down the steps.

Luckily my room, like Abigail's was the first bedroom off the stair case – in fact my room was lucky enough to be placed directly in front of the stairs so I could see all the way to the front door.

The rustling continued , I creep forward as slow and softly as possible trying not to make any noise – the steps in my house were old and rickety so they would creek if I stepped on them, instead on leaning on the railing so I could peek into the living room/ kitchen area – nothing.

I really wanted to ask who was there- it's not every day my life is like a scary movie, but that never seemed to work in the movies. The girl dumb enough to do that is always the first to go.

Holding all the weight that I can on the railing I begin to pace myself down the steps, trying to not cause any creek noises – if someone was in my house I wanted to be able to have the upper hand.

Stepping off the last step – I've realized there hasn't been any other noises. I peek around the pole of the stairs and into the kitchen the light was on "I know I turned that off." I whisper assuring myself.

Creeping throughout the house but no one was there, was I hearing things – did someone break in? Not that they would find much other than the tv and coke.

"Hello." I finally state – it echoes in the silence, no response of course, my nerves relax as I realize I was still alone.

I give sigh of relief entering the kitchen to turn off the light. Entering the kitchen I notice there's something on the back door window pane. Look like red writing, I approach with caution realizing that my gut was right and someone was or is here.

The door was unlocked when I tested the knob – immediately I grab a chopping knife from the sink, and shut the door relocking it. Giving another skim or the kitchen I make sure for sure I am alone .

Once cleared I re-approach the back door, the marking on the window read in big red words "slut" the writing was on the inside of the door so who ever did it was able to get into the house through a locked door.