Shattered

Chapter 1

December 2nd

With a heavy sigh, I slipped out of my work attire, which consisted of a black shirt, black pants, and flats. At Honey's, the restaurant I work at, chefs don't wear the usual white stuff since we also serve specific menu items. Tonight had been a busier evening, so Hannah, my boss, begged me to come in. Of course, I couldn't resist, I needed the extra money.

I quickly changed into a black sweater that passed my fingertips and dark denim jeans, folding my work clothes and placing them neatly into my bag. I slipped off my tan flats, replacing them with my running shoes, knowing I would have to walk half an hour to the train stop.

"Heading out, Jess?" Caleb, a waiter, asked me as I tied my ginger hair into a ponytail and pulled on my dark green jacket. "Yeah, just finished my shift. Are you closing again tonight?" I gave him a sympathetic smile, sure he had to stay until three to close. "You know the drill. I would give you a ride since I'm on break, but that new trainee Christine is going to destroy something if I don't help out in the dining room." He scratched his head and rolled his eyes.

"Sucks for you. Anyway, I have to get home, but next time you're available I wouldn't mind a lift." I grinned one last time and waved as he mumbled a goodbye through his British accent. I pushed the back door open and braced myself for the chilly December air.

White fog blew from my nose and mouth as I breathed, tugging a smile on my pink lips. I wrapped my jacket tighter around my small body and began walking through the lonely streets. Not many people were out, just a few drunk men and some late-night travelers.

I hated walking this deep into the night, it always creeped me out. The train was useful since I didn't own a car, due to school debts, but I never felt safe, and tonight wasn't an exception.

With a paranoid mind and wary senses, I jumped at every noise, wishing I could be brave in situations like this. The feeling of eyes on my back had been plaguing me as soon as I began my trek. My nerves seriously weren't helping.

A loud car horn blew, frightening me to the core. I shrieked quietly, hoping no one heard. I didn't want to draw attention to myself, so I stuck close to the buildings along the empty alleyway.

With the sound of footsteps crunching rocks behind me, I sharply turned around, coming face to face with a black shadow. They were only about five feet away, so I hurriedly snatched my pepper can from my purse and sprayed remorselessly.

The man groaned loudly, but I didn't waste time and started running at full speed. Within a few short seconds, the heavy steps emerged from behind me. How did he recover so quickly? I didn't think long as my focus was on the lights of the nearing station. The train was approaching the platform, leaving me two minutes, at most.

I pushed my swaying hair out of my face, but the wind wasn't in my favor. The red locks clouded my vision, which prevented me from spotting the coming stairs, resulting in a very ungraceful fall.

I trudged on, rapidly standing back onto my feet, ignoring the scratches on my hands. I slipped past the closing doors, finally turning around as the train accelerated. I surveyed the scene, not a single trace of the shadowed man to be seen, as if I imagined him.

I shook my head and cleared the alarming thoughts. I couldn't call the police, seeing as I lacked any evidence of the pursuer, so I simply pulled my red scarf higher up my neck and collapsed on a cushioned blue chair. I leaned my head against the window, easing my headache, but a strong whiff of alcohol had me cringing my nose in disgust. I do drink, after all, I am twenty-one, but the smell was one of drunkenness. I glanced at the end of the train, spotting three men, beers in hand.

As soon as the train stopped at my platform, I rushed out, jogging to my apartment complex, which, lucky for me, was across the station. While I fiddled with my keys, trying to unlock the door, my body twitched in fear.

I hastily turned, catching sight of the dark shadow again. My hands moved faster, starting to produce sweat. The key finally slid into the slot, and I wasted no time turning it. With my free hand, I pulled out my phone, clicking the 'on' button five times. I never thought that I would need to use this method to call the police, but I was glad I had found the shortcut.

With shaking hands, I pushed my body into the stairwell, waiting for my call to go through. A rough hand harshly grabbed my wrist while I was shutting the door, forcing a scream to slip past my lips. The phone smashed to the floor, shattering most of the screen.

My body was yanked into a hard chest and a large hand covered my mouth, cutting off my cries for help. I scratched and tugged at his arms, attempting to free myself, but it was futile. "Stop squirming, it'll only be harder on yourself." A deep voice whispered.

I bit into his hand, using as much force as my jaw could supply. He gasped in pain and released me from the tight hold. I immediately lunged for the stairs, only making it up a few paces before he grabbed my ankle, pulling back. I let out a strangled cry as my chest slammed into the marble, my right cheek taking a beating.

The man flipped me onto my back and sat on my hips, pinning down my arms, yet I still resisted. From his pocket, he revealed a small syringe holding clear liquid. Before I had a chance to protest, the needle punctured my vein. I screamed in agony as he pushed it until the glass was empty. I continued to struggle, remembering these scenarios in horror movies, and it never ends well for the victim.

The man's body began to spin, as did the world around him. In the midst of my loopy mind, I heard my call finally go through, and a woman's voice. My screams slowly distanced, but I prayed the dispatcher heard me. Without permission, my eyes closed shut and I lost consciousness.