Insane - Who Are You To Judge? (Gripping Psychological Thriller)

Chapter 33 - Avery

The screams echo throughout the house, shaking the walls and causing the photos to tilt.

I stumble down the stairs, my breaths quick and sharp. My brain is working too fast for my feet and I trip on the last step, sending a cold pain up my leg.

The dim lights flicker, telling me to hurry my pace.

I almost feel safe, as though I have made it out, when something clinging to my neck weighs me down and causes me to crash down onto the sofa.

"Stop!" I yell, trying to protect myself. "Stop!" But he doesn't listen to me. I squirm underneath Him and my restricted lungs release an involuntary giggle as he wiggles his fingers on my sides.

I'm blushing and laughing like an eight-year-old girl. He's throwing his head back and laughing, flashing a goofy smile. Together we might as well be two primary school children sharing an inside joke, exchanging coy looks.

It was four months ago today that he approached me in my coffee shop. A day that I thought was one of my worst turned out to be one of my best.

I've never been all-in when it comes to relationships, but with Him it's different. I miss Him as soon as I close the door to his house. I wait for his 'good morning' text and the butterflies, which I have become very familiar with over the past few months, dance around in my stomach.

My reason and I really haven't been getting on, though. She doesn't like him and she isn't afraid to make that very clear. It feels so wrong to go against her better judgement like this, but I can't help myself.

It's been two months and twenty-eight days since I found the buttercups on my doorstep. Still no sign of Julian.

He always did like to have a dramatic flair, but waiting this long before making an appearance is unlike him. And it is certainly unnerving.

Every time I unlock my door and step into my house, a wave of fear rushes over me, when I realise that maybe tonight is the night he pays me a visit. I'm not prepared for when that time comes.

He isn't supposed to be out for at least another three years. I can't understand how he managed to swing his release after only seven.

"Avery...Avery." He shakes me gently back into the present. I shake my head, glance up at Him and smile. "You've been zoning out a lot recently," he jokes, "are you okay?"

"Yeah, of course I am," I reassure Him. I shuffle up and rest my head on the back of the sofa. "Hey," I start, nervous and unsure of whether I should continue. "I was thinking that maybe tomorrow night—" I hesitate again as my reason calls me an idiot. "If tomorrow night you would want to come round to my place? I could cook us dinner...I mean it will probably be spaghetti but it will be damn good spaghetti."

He's completely taken aback by my suggestion. This is the first time I have even mentioned my home in the four months we've known each other, let alone asked Him over. We never spoke about why I was uncomfortable with Him coming round, but it was definitely obvious and so he knows how big this is.

"Yes, um." He stumbles on his words, unsure of how to react. It's cute. "I mean sure, it will be nice for you to cook us something for a change," he jokes. I'm relieved by his attempt to lighten the atmosphere, it was getting a little too serious for a moment there.

"Don't speak too soon," I warn Him, "there's a reason I always have takeout."

I nestle my head into his sturdy shoulder and I rest my eyes. He wraps his arms around me and I feel safe surrounded by Him, warmed by the soft kiss he places on the top of my head.

When I open my eyes again, the room is no longer lit by the natural sunlight, instead it is lit only by an old lamp in the corner. It takes me a moment to adjust to my surroundings. When I do, I look up to see Him peacefully asleep.

I don't need to check the time to know that I should have been home hours ago. At this time in summer, the sun doesn't go to sleep until well after ten. The fact that the streets are completely black, suggests we are in the early hours of Thursday morning.

I have half a mind to just stay here, and pretend that I never awoke. I can wake up in a few hours, panicked that I slept over and have to rush off to work. It would be so lovely to stay here in his arms.

But I can't do that. I must get home. I can't allow Him to make me irresponsible in every decision.

Reluctantly, I pull myself out of his grip and a few moments later he is awoken by the air he is now hugging.

With his eyes only marginally open, he smiles at me and says, "Hey."

His husky tone warms my body. I take his hand and play with his fingers. "I've got to get going," I tell Him. "We fell asleep – it's half one. I've got work early tomorrow and I need to be home."

He pouts, saddened by the news. He resembles a needy puppy. Something which is usually intolerable, seems so sweet to me.

"No," he moans. "Just stay here and call in sick tomorrow. I can call in for you," he suggests, still slightly unconscious, "I'll just talk really high-pitched and cough loads."

I laugh at his imitation of my voice. "As much as I would love to witness that, I'm gonna have to go home."

I lean towards Him and gently touch my lips on his. I could stay in this moment forever.

Driving home is a struggle. It's only a fifteen-minute journey, but I have to pin my eyes open the entire time.

I meander towards my door. If anyone saw me they'd think I'd had a little too many tequilas. Though, my blurred vision springs into high definition when I reach my door.

There they are. Buttercups.

This is the second time I have found a small bouquet of buttercups on my doorstep. My previous sensation of being tired is a distant memory. I am alert and shaking as I open my door.

Everything seems normal. Nothing in the hallway is out of place. I relax – just a little.

Suddenly, as I'm taking off my shoes, my radio starts screaming The Foundations.

Why do you build me up, Buttercup
Just to let me down, mess me around

I know all the words by heart. And I know that nothing good will come after them.

I charge into my lounge and the light on my desk flicks on, revealing the silhouette under it.

I take a deep breath and an audible gulp. The walls are closing in on me and I can hear the buzz of the light bulb as if it is a jack hammer in my ear.

I stare directly into his emerald eyes. "Julian."

He flashes his white teeth and winks. "Hey, Buttercup. Did you miss me?"