Masked (#Wattys 2016)

Chapter 12

Nina looked around her as she carefully opened the front door of her house. By this time, she was terribly shaken by Archie's presence. She checked every room of the house, turning the lights of the room on as she walked by. Rose wasn't home yet, and she was getting worried with every tick of the clock. She decided to call her up to know where she was.

Rose picked her call on the third ring.

"Hello" came a tired voice from the other end.

"Mom, is everything alright?"

"Nina, yes. I'm on my way back home."

"Alright mom, be safe."

"I will be."

Rose cut the call. Rose never saw Archie as more than just her well wisher. Nina was caught in the spiral of her never ending thought when she heard a loud knock on the front door.

"Who's there?"

Nina knew, Rose couldn't be home so early. Her heartbeats became erratic. She took carefully measured steps towards the door. She peeped through the side window, there was nobody outside.

She went outside, there was nobody, all she found was a parcel gift wrapped beautifully. She picked it up and went to her room.

Who could've sent this? Tristian?

She carefully tore away the wrapping paper. She was not expecting the beautifully wrapped gift to hold something horrendous.

Beneath a few heart shaped cut out was an old and damaged picture of Archie and Nina. She took the picture in her hand and felt a rush of blood to her face. She was furious.

Why Archie? Why are you doing this to me? After all that you made me go through, after questioning my mother over you. Why?!

The box hit the wall with a thud, a piece of envelop fell from inside it. Nina walked towards the box, picking up the pink envelop, she broke the seal and took out a letter from Archie;

"I know you loved the gift i sent over, you thought i didn't know where you lived? I know you like the back of my hand, bitch. I know Rose isn't home yet, it would be such a tragedy if something were to, happen to her.

Calm down, I'm not going to do anything so soon. You see Rose is special, but you were the one who brought me to her, i have to repay you back for the favor you did, right? I am everywhere, I am watching every move you made. If you're still not scared, you should be. I know you'll give yourself the pep talk now, but that love, won't work. I know you're not capable of opening your mouth in front of your friends, which reminds me, I heard things aren't going too well between you and your best friend. Poor, poor girl.

Take care of my Treasure.

Love,

Archie"

Nina couldn't hold back her tears, the tears fell on the words Archie wrote in his letter. She couldn't understand why he was doing this, she was fighting a battle inside her. She was having mixed emotions, she was upset and angry at the same time. Archie knew all her weaknesses and he knew how to use all of it against her, he was breaking her, and all she could do was watch as she broke into a million pieces. The past she once thought she was over, was now haunting her. The past she once thought has left her for good, came back for revenge.

Nina regretted the fact she let Archie come close to her she regretted every single moment they shared together, she regretted every single kiss they shared.

I thought you were perfect for me. I thought you were an angel, you are a monster. Nothing but a MONSTER!

Nina rested her head on the pillow, her eyes still wet with tears. She kept staring at nothing in particular as she felt the world around her revolving. Sleep engulfed her soon, as she took a deep breadth in, closing her eyes to what felt like forever.