Behind the Scenes

Part 11

Today, by the lunch, three bomb threats had been called. I was glad to get out of the school, letting Seth know what was going on. Unlike the other days, he messaged me back.

Seth: I need you to run an erin for me.

Me: What?

Seth: I need you to pick up the paint and apply a certain mask to the back of our target's costumes.

Me: Details?

Seth: I have someone who will be getting the costumes. Tonight, I want you to apply the image.

Me: Of course. I'm headed home now.

I controlled my breath.

When I parked the car into the spot, I climbed the stairs to my room.

A few hours later Seth walked into my room carrying a bag full of suits. He laid them down.

"Mom and Dad will be gone for the remainder of tonight. They are at another wine party."

He left as swiftly as he came. I took the suits, cans of paint, brushes, and walked into my bathroom. I sat down, pulled out the suits, surrounding myself with them, and began to paint the invisible masks. The smell was nauseating.

I don't know how long I painted, but eventually, I zoned out and fell asleep

~.~.~.~

I woke up to strong, lithe hands on my back, jostling me awake. When I was awake enough to understand who it was, my blood ran cold. I glanced around and noticed that the suits were gone, the paint sealed.

The man smirked.

"Well," he started. "What do we have here?"

My heart thumped in my ears.

"Get up," he said, his commanding voice sending disgusting shivers rolling down my back. I jumped up.

"I thought you were supposed to be gone." I whispered.

"i was. And now I'm back."

He grabbed my wrist and pried me from my bathroom and down the stairs. He lead me to the study on the second floor.

His grip loosened as he shoved me. I stumbled and closed my eyes, lowering my head.

When the door closed, I flinched, and my eyes flew open. My hands were pressed to my side.

I could hear him loosening his belt.

I held my breath. He smelled like methanol and alcohol. He was drunk.

The first hit of his buckle had my knees shaking. The second brought tears to my eyes. The third made my skin numb. I didn't feel the forth.

It continued, and I knew I'd have to wear long sleeves tomorrow.

My eyes had closed a long time ago.

But after a while, I noticed that he was gone, and my arms and legs were shaking.

He was gone, and a nearby clock was reading 4 in the morning. I scratched at my eyes as they burned.

I walked up the stairs, my legs shaking.

Seth's light was off.

I didn't want to bother him, so I continued on my way to my room.

I grabbed a night gown that wouldn't rub my skin and slipped into the bathroom. I left the lights off. I started the shower. Placing the gown on the counter and stripping down to nothing, I slid into the water.

I was exhausted, and found myself sliding against the wall, sliding into a sitting position.

I rocked back and forth, my tears mixing in with the stream.

Eventually I climbed out of the stream and threw on the night gown. I discarded the clothes into a hamper and walked into my dark room.

I carefully dropped into my bed.

I was awake most of the night.