Twisted obsession

The rose.

                         The rose.

I had just finished painting. I cleaned up all of my supplies and paint brushes before putting them up. I let out a yawn while stretching. I got so distracted with my painting that I forgot to eat dinner or even take a moment to stretch my limbs out. I look out of one of the windows in my art room and stare at the trees. It always looks so creepy when it gets dark out because the trees turn pitch black while the sky is still lit very lightly. But I love it; it gives off a soothing feeling knowing I don't have to deal with other people when I'm at home. I turned the light off and walked out of the room before shutting the door. I walk into my kitchen, making myself a sandwich and a glass of wine. I sit down at my kitchen bar, watching a video on my phone while I eat my sandwich. I've always saved my drink for last when I'm eating something simple. I finish off my sandwich and start sipping on my wine. While I was painting, I had a weird feeling as if I were being watched, but I know it was just me overthinking. There's no way anyone would come out this far, right? I look around my kitchen and living room from where I sit, but I see nothing. See, Rhea, you are just freaking yourself out. I yell at myself mentally. After finishing my wine, I put the glass and plate in my sink. I slowly make my way up the stairs and into my bedroom. I walk into my closet, grab my pajamas, and then walk into my bathroom. I slip out of my dirty clothes and toss them into my laundry basket. Then I change into my pajamas. It's just a silk shirt and shorts; I can't stand being overly hot when sleeping. I finish everything I need to do in the bathroom before making my way over to my bed. Just as I'm about to pull back the covers, I notice a drawing placed on my bed. It's a rose in red ink. Okay, you know, maybe I was right about being watched earlier. And how the hell did someone get into my house without me hearing them? My art room is right by the back door, and my front door is by the living room. You would've thought you would've heard at least a creak on the wooden floors? I look around my room frantically, making sure there's no one in here. I even look out on my balcony. There's absolutely nothing. It's almost 11:30 p.m., and I'm now having to deal with this crazy shit happening. I frantically grab my phone and call Sienna.

The phone rings once, then twice, and on the third ring, Sienna answers the phone with a very sleepy "Rhea? What's up?"

I'm pacing in my bedroom. "Sienna can you come over, please? I'm actively freaking out and need you to come check and make sure this is real or not." I quaked out. I feel as though I'm just losing my mind and that this is just a dream, but if I see Siennas face then I will know it's not.

"Let me get dressed and I'll be on the way, okay?" She murmurs.

"Can we stay on the phone until you get here, so just incase I get murdered, you will know about it?" I tremble on my words. Rhea, stop freaking yourself out

Well thank you thoughts. I wish it was that easy.

"Yeah, that's okay. I'll be there in about ten minutes." I could hear her gulp over the phone. She knew something was wrong, but yet she tried her best to not show it.

I'm extremely paranoid the whole time I wait for her. I don't even know if I responded to her while she tried to talk to me. I run down stairs when I hear her say she's here. I unlock the door quickly and let her in before locking the door right behind her.

"Rhea, what's going on? You are really freaking me out." She gulped.

"Just follow me okay?" I ran up the stairs to my bedroom. I grab the drawing and show it to her.

"Did you draw this?" She questions.

"No Sienna! I didn't. I was in my art room for a while, and when I come back, this is lying on my bed!! I didn't hear anyone come in or out, and now I'm fucking paranoid." I stutter, goosebumps raising against my skin as we both look at the rose.

"Uhm... well, I don't really know what to do, Rhea. The best thing I can do is get someone to come install cameras. Did you check to make sure all of your doors were locked as well?" She asked.

I mentally slap myself in the face. You would've thought that would be the first thing you'd do! But no, I call my best friend.
She takes my slightly pink face as a no.
She walks downstairs to my back door to check and see if it's unlocked. And it is. I'm a fucking dumbass! That was the only door that was unlocked though, which is right by the room I was in. Why didn't I hear anything?

"So how'd whoever it was get in without me hearing them? I was in my art room, which is literally right there." I point to the room with the closed door.

"Honestly, it could've been before you got home. I know damn well you didn't go up there; you went straight into there to paint." She smirked at me.

"Yeah. I don't know what to do, Sienna; I've never had anything like this happen before." I stutter, my body shaking a little.

"I can stay here tonight if you'd like. I'll call tomorrow and get someone to come put cameras around your house." She says softly, I can hear how tired she is.
I nod my head at her. We both walked up to my room and decided to sleep.

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When I woke up, Sienna was already up and talking to someone. I sat there staring at her as she paced in the same spot I did last night when I found that little drawing. She looked over at me and lifted a finger up at me, telling me to give her a second and she will explain. I waited until she hung up to talk to her.

"What's up?" I asked

"I called someone about getting you some cameras. They will be here in about an hour, if that's fine, can I work here today? You can go to work or stay here today as well." She replied.

"I'll probably just stay here with you; I don't really feel like going to work. I didn't sleep the greatest last night." I answered.

She acknowledged what I said before getting up and going downstairs. I knew she was going down there so she could work, so I decided I'd take a shower.

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The company just finished installing the cameras and helping me set them up on my phone. Honestly, it gives me a little bit of clarity knowing I can see what's going on, both on the outside of my house and on the inside. Hopefully today will go okay, and I won't have another drawing in my home.

Me and Sienna spent the day with her working and me painting. She left a little bit ago to go back home because she has some things she has to do. So I'm all alone in my house again. It doesn't feel as scary anymore due to the cameras; I can feel safe in my own home. I finished up my day with dinner and a shower, and then I went to sleep.