It was the perfect fifteenth date. Will took me to a new Hibachi restaurant that opened in town. We watched the chef cook the food right in front of us and participated in a game of "Try-to-Catch-This-Piece-of-Chicken-in-Your-Mouth". We weren't successful, but we giggled and had a blast. The food was delicious and I couldn't get enough of the fried rice. For dessert we ordered a triple chocolate sundae with two cherries on top. Will granted me the honor of blowing out the dazzling sparkler that was placed in it.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because I love you," he replied.
I smiled and blew out the sparkler. Then, we dug in and stuffed ourselves to the brim with ice cream.
After dinner, we walked to the park and watched the ducks and the fish swim in the river until it got too dark to see them. We, then, strolled back to my house, holding hands in the warm light of the street lamps. It being late in a small town, barely any cars drove by us on our way home.
When we got inside my house, I peeked into my parents' bedroom to let them know that we got home safely and joined Will in the living room. He was searching through the giant pile of movies that we have next to the TV.
"Any requests? Suggestions?" he inquired, his face starting to turn red from leaning over too long.
"Hmm..." I came over and laid my hand on his back and started to search. "What about The Princess Bride? I haven't seen that one in a while."
"Really? The Princess Bride?" Will straightened and looked at me doubtfully, the redness draining from his face. "That doesn't sound very... interesting. It sounds kind of 'little-kid-like'."
"No, it's a really good movie. Let's watch it. I'm sure you'll love it." I ran a hand through his jet-black hair and stood on my tip-toes to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Okay..." he said as he reluctantly put it in the DVD player and turned on the TV.
We settled down on the couch and snuggled up next to each other. After about half an hour, Will started to really get into the movie. He laughed at the jokes and tensed during the fight scenes. Then, he got up and said he needed to get some water.
"Do you want me to pause it?" I asked.
"No. It will only take me a second. I'll be right back."
I curled back up on the couch and directed my attention back to the movie. All of a sudden, a scream erupted from my parents' bedroom and was abruptly silenced. I sprang from the couch and grabbed my phone from the table. I started to dial 9-1-1 as I ran towards the sound that was no more. I sprinted past the dark, empty kitchen and into the bedroom. Above my parents' bed stood a familiar figure holding a bloodied knife.
Will's voice called out, "Put the phone down and keep your mouth shut," as he slowly came forward, pointing the knife at me.
I hesitated for a fraction of a second, thinking, "How can this be happening? This can't be real!" And in that moment, Will took the opportunity and sprang at me. The already slick knife sunk into the bottom of my ribs. Instantly, I felt the blood flooding my lungs.
The only thing I could think of at that moment was, "Why?"
"Because I lo-"
My eyes flew open and I sat up, my heart pounding out of my chest. I was in the living room and The Princess Bride was playing on the TV. I looked to my left and to my right. No one was there.
"Is everything ok?"
I whipped my head around and looked behind me. There stood Will with a glass of water in his hand.
