Should I Stay? (Slow Updates)

#1

**Casey's P.O.V

I could hear the TV in the living room. I rolled my eyes and walked out of my room to find my mother watching the news lady on the couch. "Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred last night at a jeweler's store on 8th Street. Video surveillance video has shown that the store was robbed by Alexis Knight and her gang." The surveillance video appeared in the corner, showing Alexis and her gang members breaking glass and taking anything worth taking. "The store owner found the store in disarray at 6 AM this morning." The lady continued, "The police are advising citizens to stay alert and lock all doors." The TV flipped off.

"You hear that? Another robbery." My Mother said with disbelief. She pushed herself off the couch and grabbed her coat and purse from the coat rack by the door. "You be sure to lock all the doors and windows while I'm gone, okay Casey?"

I nodded. " I know, I know mum. Just drive safe, okay? I'll see you when you get home." I plopped a little kiss on her cheek, gave a quick hug, and watched her dash out of our apartment. I locked the door right after and walked back to my room to get dressed.

My room was pretty boring; white walls, white doors, hardwood floors. My mom and I brightened the place up a little bit with a few philosophical posters and things about books since I love reading.

My bed was in the corner. I had a pink dresser that my grandfather had made for me when I was little In the opposite corner, along with a white bookshelf filled with books. Across from that was my desk where I kept my doodles.

From my dresser I pulled out a tank top and socks and grabbed a pair of jeans from my closet. Then I brushed my teeth and threw my hair up in a bun-type that looked like a rats nest but no one would be seeing me anyways so...

I made my way back out to the living room and crossed into the kitchen to grab a banana and make myself a bowl of Fruit Loops, my favorite cereal, which I enjoyed sitting on the counter and looking out the window. Our apartment was on the 14th floor of the building, the second highest floor, so we had one of the best views. All busy people of Bellevue looked like ants, same with cars. Winter was the best time of year because all of the spindly tress implanted in the sidewalks had white Christmas lights on them. At night it was like looking down at a sea of stars.

I shivered. Our apartment's heating system didn't react to the drops in temperature during Winter and Summer, so Winter was always freezing. I hopped off the counter after putting my bowl in the sink and walked into the living room to turn up the thermostat. A low hum came from the heating vents around the apartment.

Satisfied with the temperature, I grabbed a fluffy blanket from the closet and got comfortable on the couch with my banana and a book. I turned on the TV and played music while I read The Fault in Our in Stars. I'd seen the movie, but the book had been on my list of to-reads forever, so last week I forced my mum to take me to Barnes&Nobel to but it.

It had already grown dark by the time I'd finally finished the book. The sky filled with clouds and the base of the window had a sight glow from the Christmas lights and cars beneath it. I set the book on the coffee table and walked into the kitchen to warm up some spaghetti my mom and I took home as left overs from Olive Garden a few nights ago. I put it in for a minute and leaning against the counter to wait.

Dink!

My phone. I walked back into the living room and reached over the back of the couch to grab it. It was a text from my mom; "Be home later then usual. Make yourself dinner."

The microwave beeped so I walked back in to stir the pasta and put it in for another minute. My phone beeped again so I slid across the hardwood floor with my socks, like a boss, and unlocked it. "Aren't the Christmas lights beautiful this time of year?" It was an unknown number. I ignored it, grabbed my plate from the microwave, and sat down at the table. Another beep. Unknown; "Don't forget the Parmesan." My eyes widened.

This person knows I'm eating spaghetti. Were they watching me? Were they in the apartment? But how? I'd locked all the doors this morning. Where were they watching me from? I'm on the fourteenth floor.

Dink!

Nervously, I glanced at my phone to find another message from the unknown number; "Don't be afraid sweetheart. I won't hurt you. Just stay there." I dropped my phone and began to panic. Who was this? Do I know them? Are they going to kidnap me?

I grabbed my phone and ran into the living room because it had the most lighting and dialed my mum's number with shaky hands. I began to pace in circles as it rang. Pick up Pick up Pick up, I nervously chanted in my head.

"What's up dear?" My mom asked.

I forced out a response " Mom I'm getting texts from an unknown number, they're watching me, they can see me, I'm scared I think they're coming for me right now."

"Sweetie clan down, it's okay I'm in my way home. Just keep the doors locked, okay?"

Two soft knocks came from the door. I almost screamed.

"Mom they're here, someone just knocked on the door, mum what do I do, Help me!" I felt my blood rushing from the panic and my face flush.

The knocks came again.

My mom's voice became panicked as well. "Don't open the door Casey! Do not open that door, Call the police Casey right now. Call the police."

I hung up the phone and walked over the door to look through the little eye hole. There was no one there. Was i hallucinating? I unlocked the door to look into the hall. It was empty. I began to dial the police anyway when out of some corner behind me a hand covered my mouth. I tried to scream but I couldn't. Their grip was ridiculously strong. I pushed me and my attacker back, slamming them into the wall. I used my momentary freedom to blot to the door and open it but I was pulled back before I could escape. The attacker grabbed one of my arms while my other swung wildly, trying to hit them.

They hit the back of my knees, causing me to fall to the ground. They straddled my waist and held my arms behind my back as I began to cry. I still couldn't see them but they seemed... female? She pulled something from her pocket and held it to my face. it was soft and smelled sweet. I held my breath.

"Come on sweetheart. It's okay. Just breath. I won't hurt you." She cooed. Definitely a girl.

I shook my head trying to avoid the cloth but she head my head still and kneed my hip. I gasped from the pain, causing my vision to blur almost instantly. I slowly lost control
of my body and felt myself losing consciousness. "There we go." I heard her coo. I felt her pick me up bridle style and stroke my hair back. "You'll be okay. I love you." Was the last thing I heard before my world became black.