the visitor(on hold)

part 4

It was lunch time when I finally got out of bed. As much as I want to sleep in, I don't have the luxury to do so since I have to go do some errands and pay the bills. That is one of the downsides of living alone, you have to do everything yourself.

I will just have a quick shower and grab a sandwich on my way to an ATM machine. I remember I ran out of cash last Friday. Only a few establishments accept credit cards.

I took some fresh towels from the cabinet by the bathroom. I don't like reusing towels however taxing itis to wash loads of them over the weekend. When I get lucky, I could find someone to wash my laundry for me and just pay for the job. I don't really trust laundry shops so much, they might be mixing my clothes with their other clients, and I am particular with my soap and fabric conditioner, too. Call me crazy but I can't help myself with things that might be too ordinary for most people but I am particularly concerned with.

I turned on the water and let it run for sometime for the heater to kick in. There is no more relaxing shower but a hot shower. And with what I went through yesterday, I want to soothe my still aching body. Later, I will go to my favorite spa parlor and just pamper myself with a spa and a massage.

I went back to my bedroom to do the bed. It has already been a habit to always do my bed before getting out of my place. My mother used to tell us when we were little to make our own beds even if we have househelps.

I took all the used sheets and replaced them with a new set. Unlike towels, I only change my sheets every Sunday. While doing the bed I can't help but think about what happened to me the day before. Have I really imagined the trespasser? But it all seemed so real... and I had never, once in my life, experienced sleepwalking, had I been dreaming the whole thing. It was really crazy and I can't explain what it was. I just hope it won't happen again.

I went back to the shower, and the water is heated just right. I was about to enter the glass stall when I noticed something on my bathroom sink. As I had said, I have a mild case of OCD, so I have a particular thing with order and arrangement by just about everything that matters to me.

I went near the sink and found that something is missing. I have three cups that I alternately use when I do my brushing and the one that disappeared was my favorite. It was given to me as a part of a set by a special friend a few years ago, so it was dear to me.

The certainty shook me up so hard that I have to grab hold of the sink tightly to refrain my self from falling.

Someone has really been in my room!

I was not crazy after all.

Oh my God! He could still be inside with me.... I am not safe to stay here.

I ran away from the bathroom the moment I realized that I might not be alone after all. Hastily changing into the nearest clothes that I could take a hold of, I let my eyes roam around my room, with the hope that I will not be harmed by someone lurking and waiting to attack me. I know I am starting to panic and is on the verge of hyperventilating but I forcefully calmed my self down. I don't want to die here... not now...

My senses on full alert, I took my car keys from my night stand together with my wallet. I have to get out of here as fast as I could. I unbolted all the locks of my door and shut the door behind me, not caring if I lock the place up or not. I called for the elevator to come up to my floor. I glanced back at my place as I unpatiently waited for my ride. If ever the intruder will decide to charge at me, I have to be ready with something. So, I placed the all the keys in my hands in such a way that they looked like small claws, wolverine like. If I will get attacked, I believe I will have a small fighting chance with these steel claws.

The elevator dinged and I stepped in. As the elevator closes, I heaved a sigh of relief. At least I am on my way to safety. I will go to my brother's place right away. I moved to the farthest corner of the elevator and leaned back on the glass mirror. It felt cold on my back and sent shivers down my body. It's a good thing that I am not claustrophobic as this elevator has a very tight space. It can only hold at most 5 people and exclusive for penthouse suites renters only. I need to call my brother so he knows I am coming over.

Damnnit!

I forgot my phone. It was in my office bag.

Almost at the ground floor now. I looked at the red numbers flashing in the small panel where the buttons are.

3....

2....

2....

2....

2....

What's going on?

Why is this elevator still moving?

I pushed the G button again.

2....

2...

2....

And then the lights started to flicker.

I stared worriedly at the flourescent lights turning crazy on me, blinking on and off.

ON...

OFF...

ON...

OFF...

I punched on the emergency button as hard as I could, and at the same time trying to pry open the elevator doors which has finally stopped but on an unknown floor. I might be still be in the 2nd floor but I really have no idea since the panel where the floor numbers are shown had stopped working when the lights started to act up.

I shouted at the camera on my top left and signalled for help. I am pretty sure the guard on duty can see me in here waving frantically.

Why is this happening to me?

Why me?

I felt my sweat raining down my back. Any minute now, I hope help will arrive soon.

I banged both fists on the doors as I yelled for help.

Please hurry....

And then the lights went off.

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The emergency light enveloped the small space in an orange glow. My heart jumped when I caught myself in the mirror. I thought it was someone else.

It's getting hot in here.

Where the hell is the help? It shouldn't be this long.

I took my jacket off and threw it on the floor. I have no need for it right now. I sat on it and started to do some yoga techniques. I need to calm myself first or I will really lose control and faint.

Inhale....

Exhale....

Inhale...

Exhale...

Clear up your mind, Lani...

Inhale...

Exhale...

Calm sensations flowed in me... thank God.... I thought I am gonna lose it...

Inhale...

Exhale...

With eyes still closed, my breathing became steady.

Inhale....

Exhale...

......

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...................

All of a sudden....

"LANI!"

That clear whisper came very close to my right ear.