Paranoia

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

    "Raven dear? Are you ready?" Jena asked behind the door. Raven was still putting on her shoes.

     "Coming mom," she replied.

     "I'll go wait for you in the car. Don't forget to lock the door on your way out," Jena said and headed towards the stairs.

     Raven took her pouch from her bed and went out of her room. Locking the door behind her on her way out she met the warm sunlight making her smile. She headed towards the blue SUV and got in.

     "You look beautiful today dear. Did you sleep well last night?" Jena asked as she started the car.

     "Actually, yes," Raven replied with a slight nod.

     Remembering back, she did have a wonderful night. She slept well and there were no signs of Rebecca. She didn't have nightmares; she didn't even hear or feel anything. Just a matter of fact, there were no signs of Rebecca being here this morning either. Maybe she was too depressed yesterday, maybe she was daydreaming.

Sunday ended fast and there was no hint of Rebecca being near her, not a slightest hint of supernatural happenings.

     Monday came, nothing much happened. She was just watching TV, when she felt something cold swept behind her, making the hairs of her arm stand. Throughout the day, that was all she felt.

     Tuesday, and nothing peculiar seemed to happen. The chilling gust came around twice or thrice but other than that, none.

     Wednesday came and she felt more disturbed. She could hear faint laughter and the coldness came very often now.

     Thursday arrived, everywhere she went seemed cold. She was hearing the laughter, louder and nearer now, and her name was practically the melody to the echoing murmurs. Creaking floorboards and footsteps click against the wooden ceiling would make her shudder and hinder her from sleeping well at night.

     Friday, and everything started to worsen. Rebecca's face taunted her fear, and her words, her laughter, deafened Raven. There was no room for relief, no room to call for help. Hiding under her covers, she felt hot, but fought the urged to reveal herself. She kept the lights on, and locked both the door and windows. Her eyes were tired and all dried up causing a stinging burn. Rebecca's faced had been instilled in her mind and would see her even if her eyes were closed.

     She wanted to call for help, she wanted to feel safe, but she knew no one would believe her. All she could do is whimper silently under her covers as she waited for the day to end.

Saturday

     She couldn't believe she'd stayed up all day. Her eyelids were heavy, she smelled, she was hungry and she was parched. She hadn't had a shower, eaten and drunk anything since Thursday evening.

     I think, everything's clear now, she thought. There was no laughter and there was only a slight gust of cold wind.

     The feeling made her relax a bit and she gave out a sigh of relief. She slowly removed the covers from her head and looked up the ceiling.

     The room was dark and silent. She didn't remember turning off the lights. She didn't even remember getting out of the covers to do so. Maybe there was a blackout.

     She turned to look at her digital clock, 3:36. Something's wrong.

     There was a childish giggle next to her. She winced, her brows furrowed and her lips pressed together. Her heart raced frantically as she held her breath and slowly turned her side.