The Monster Within - Book 1

Chapter 33

When I'm sure Archer isn't going to come back out of his room I scurry into Apollos, dragging all my clothes out of his draws. I look around for something to put them in and see a bag strap, hanging out from under the bed. I pull it out and dump his contents on the bed, shoving what I can into it.

Then I turn and walk out the bedroom door, back down into the kitchen where I find a set of car keys hanging on a hook. I grab them and run for the front door, looking at a bright red, flashy sports car.

'What a douche bag.' I say to myself, aimed at Archer for having a car like this.

I jump into the drivers seat and set off for Esters cabin. My flight doesn't leave until tomorrow morning, but I can't spend another night in this house.

When I arrive it's exactly how I left it. The empty shell of a home with no life inside.

I walk up the steps and push the door open, walking over the threshold for the first time in over a month. I head upstairs, walking passed Esters room. I pause outside her door, feeling her absence. I wish she was here. Someone to tell me everything is going to be okay. Someone to hold me. Someone to be with me so I feel less alone. But there isn't anyone.

After a moment passes I continue on to my room, throwing myself on to the bed, feeling drained. My eyes start to flutter shut as soon as my head hits the pillow, riding me of my worries.

'What are you doing?' a familiar voice asks from the dark of my room.

I don't reply.

'Where are you going?' He asks.

I don't reply.

'Come back to me.'

'No.' I state, rolling over to face in the opposite direction.

'But you're mine.' He slams his hand down on my dresser, knocking everything to the floor, causing me to jump a little.

'Leave me alone..' I whisper into the dark.

'You can't run from me.' He warns.

'Leave me alone.' I say a little louder.

'I'll come for you.'

'Leave me alone.' I scream, sitting up in my bed, looking to the dark corner.

But he's gone. No one is here. Everything still sits in its place on the dresser. It was another dream. I drop myself back into the bed, holding onto my duvet unable to get back to sleep.

After several hours the sunlight starts to creep through my curtains. I push myself out of bed and into the shower, but the cascading water only reminds me of him. Of when we were last together.

Within the hour I've packed everything I can manage and make my way downstairs to the door. A letter catches my eye on the doorstep, addressed to me. I pick it up, shoving it into my bag as I rush to the car before starting my journey to the airport. I only wait around for a short time before I get on my plane, taking a seat by the window, giving me a view of the greenery below as the plane takes off. It's not long into the journey before sleep wins, after a long sleepless night. 

Sleep makes the flight go by quickly and a short taxi ride after that brings me back to the place where I started. My home in the busy city. I look up at the building, to the windows of my apartment. This isn't home. Not anymore. But I enter and make my way up to my floor, having no where else to go.

As I get to the door I see my note to Paul has been moved. My writing faces the door as a new message shows.

'Call me when you're back. Paul.'

I rip it off the door and carry it inside with me, screwing it up and throwing it on the counter as I walk past the kitchen.

I move straight to the fridge, famished after my long journey, but of course there's nothing in there.

'Take out it is.' I say to myself, moving to my junk draw where I keep the vast array of fast food menus.

I order a pizza and plonk myself down on the sofa, flicking through Netflix, trying to find something to watch that doesn't have anything to do with romance and love. I settle on a horror, hoping it'll have neither.

After a moment, the thought of that letter addressed to me from nans cabin pops into my head. It's weird how a letter was addressed to me there when I've never put it down as where I live. So curiosity gets the better of me and I climb from the sofa and search my bag for the white envelope.

I pull the letter out as I walk back to the sofa, taking a seat as I read.

Dear Cassandra Jones

The estate of Ester Jones

I am pleased to advise you that I have now completed the administration of Esters Jones estate. Please find enclosed:

The title deed to Esters home at Elm lodge, woodland drive, lycan creek, LC16 8LJ. All belongings inside the address are included with the title. Furthermore, a cheque of all monies across all of Esters banking accounts, including several savings accounts are awarded to you as sole beneficiary.

As I unfold the letter to read more a small piece of paper drifts to the floor. I lean forward to pick it up, looking at a cheque.
When my mum died I was left with a bit of money from her insurance which I used to buy my apartment with. But the number on this tiny piece of paper is much bigger. Too big. Someone must of made a mistake?

Then The doorbell sounds as the delivery guy arrives with my food, pulling my attention away from the many questions I now have.
I answer the door to him, taking the box out of his hands.

'That's £17.99.' He tells me.

I grab my purse out of my bag and hand him a twenty.

'Keep the change.' I say as I close the door, taking my pizza over to the sofa. I grab a slice and bring it to my lips as there's another knock at the door.

'Too late, I've already started eating it.' I shout through the door expecting it to be the delivery guy again.

I pull the door open, not sure what else he could possibly want, but freeze when I see it's not him.

'Paul?'