Behind the Badge: Obsession in the Shadows

Notes

The morning sun beams through the window. Shining on my skin awoke me from my slumber. I yawn and rub my eyes, slowly waking up. I slide my feet off the bed as they make contact with the cold wooden floor.

I shuffle my feet across the ground as I open the door to brush my teeth. I look in the mirror, twisting the water on and cupping it in my hands, splashing water on my face. I wet my toothbrush and turn the water off. I apply the minty toothpaste and brush my teeth.

I spit the toothpaste out and brush my hair. The bristles of the brush softly pull against the tangles that are embedded in my hair.

I strip out of my pajamas and get dressed for work.

I sigh. Opening the door and walking to my car.

I open the door and start my car. Clicking my seatbelt. I went to turn on my radio. I notice a note. I open the note. I see it in black, bold letters. It was lovely seeing you.

Odd? And kind of creepy. Maybe Gregory put the note in my car yesterday? I just didn't notice.

I have shivers going down my back.

I gulped on my spit. Shoving the note into my center console.

I drive to work.

Next paycheck, I'll have to get my window replaced.

I parked the car unbuckled and turned off my car while walking to the bakery. I see a couple of my co-workers already here.

I smile at them as I clock in.

Immediately begin working, helping prepare goods for customers.

The door rings, signaling my attention to the customer who walked in.

I see Officer Griffin.

"Hello, officer Griffin, what can I get for you?" I say it with a small smile.

"I have this." He points to the muffins in the front.

"Okay," I say grabbing with the tongs.

"I see you got your car fixed." He says it with a question.

"Oh yeah. I did." I say it with a small smile.

"Anything else?" I asked, looking at him.

"No, that will be all." He says it with an unreadable expression.

I nod and shuffle my feet to the register.

2.50 I said, looking at him once again with a smile.

He slides his card, not looking at me. He takes the bag off the counter.

"Have a good day, Madison." He says this before strolling out.

"You too Officer Griffin, "I say loudly so he can hear me as he leaves.

I continue about my day. It was time to leave. I get in my car and buckle up. Starting my car, the engine slowly hummed.

I drove to my house and unlocked the door. Shutting it and locking it behind me.

I see a window open. My hair rises from fear. I grab the closest item to me, a lamp, and hold it tightly in my hands, my knuckles turning white.

I surveyed my house, looking for any possible intruder.

I didn't see anything. I closed the window and locked it.

I put the lamp back on and plugged it back into the wall.

"Should I call the cops?" That's so odd. There wasn't anything stolen.

I walk into my kitchen and open the fridge, grabbing a few items to make me dinner. That was normally my only meal.

I went to put all the items back up when I went to grab my remote. It wasn't working. I sigh, getting up and taking the remote with me, opening the drawer for fresh batteries. I open the remote and see another note.

I feel my chest righting from fear. I open the note, still not having touched my food.

You really should lock your windows. It's not safe otherwise.

I stare at the note in pure horror. I crumble the note and throw it in the trash.

I slide the battery's back into the remote.

I turn on the TV, trying to keep my mind from racing.

What the actual hell is happening?!

I should call the cops.

I walk over to the trash can. Can I dig the note out of the trash?

I walk outside to my car and grab the other note, carrying it inside. I lock the door and call the police.

Not the emergency line, but the local line.

"Hello, I'm trying to record some strange things that are happening," I say to the person on the line.

It was a man's voice. "Okay, ma'am, what seems to be the problem?"

"Someone is leaving me notes in my house and a car breaking into my house." I am frightened.

"They broke into your house." He asks

"Yes! My window was open, and there was a note hidden in my TV remote." I say explaining

"Ma'am, that's not breaking. That's just trespassing."

He says it plainly.

When I don't respond.

"Did they steal anything?" He asks me

"Well, no, but I didn't feel safe," I say defensively.

"Are the notes threatening?" He asks me

"Well, no, but I don't like the thought of some stranger in my house."

"Well, ma'am, if they didn't break into your house, they didn't steal anything; they only left you notes, which aren't threatening; there's nothing we are going to be able to do." He says

I felt tears threatening to fall.

"I'll make note of this. call if anything changes." He says this before hanging up.

I lightly toss my phone on the couch in frustration.

You have got to be kidding me?! How fucking useless! I guess they will do something when I'm fucking dead!

I clean up my dishes and hop in the shower. I try to alleviate my frustration and fear. I think maybe it's just a prank. I knew it wasn't, but if I told myself this, I'd be able to go to sleep tonight.

I get dressed in my pajamas and brush my hair and teeth. I walk around my house, locking each window. Before lying down, I fell into a slow, restless slumber.