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

Chapter 74 - Avery

It's 3:07pm. I haven't heard from Him all day. Literally all day. Not a good morning text. Not a how's your day going text. Not an I miss you text. Just radio silence.

I've messaged Him a few times to check in, as well. No reply. I've even called Him twice.

I've just come out of my last meeting of the day. It's safe to say it did not go well. I couldn't concentrate on selling points, when I haven't heard from Him all day. Especially after Julian's threat. I am fifty/fifty on whether the threat from the bastard after me is serious, since it seems like a pretty convenient tool to blackmail me with. But Julian is different. He doesn't throw words about without intention behind them. And now I haven't heard from Him all day.

As I am driving home, I lose count of the amount of horns that are beeping in my direction. I can't focus properly, let alone drive safely.

When I finally do make it home, I can do nothing but worry and watch the time tick by. One painful second at a time.

3:33pm

3:47pm

4:04pm

Still nothing.

I start to imagine the worst. Since Julian has been in prison, I don't know what he is capable of. How far he is willing to go.

None of this would have happened if I had just told Him, I complain to myself. If I had just built up the courage to come clean, he could've been on the lookout himself. He wouldn't be the sitting duck he is now.

I sit on the couch, staring blankly at the clock. The sound of its tick is like a high-pitched ringing in my ear. Every second that goes by is another second that I don't know where he is. What he's doing. Who he's with.

Julian can be charming. He's always been a lad's lad. He could've easily befriended Him. If I had warned Him about Julian, he would know not to fall into his trap. It's my fault. Whatever happens to Him is my fault.

I can't take this any longer. I have to do something to get my mind off Him. I hurl myself from the couch, slip on some running leggings and trainers, put my earphones in, and leave the house.

And I run. I run and run and run. I block out the world and focus on the music playing in my ears. The sound of my foot rebounding off the tarmac is almost hypnotic, it blocks out my thoughts and I think only about where I will next meet the road. If I stop I'll think about Him. If I stop I'll blame myself. If I stop I'll break down.

My music suddenly cuts off. I struggle to pull my phone from my pocket, as I continue at a steady pace, to find the cause.

It's a phone call.

It's a phone call from Him.

I grind myself to a halt.

"Hello? Hello?" I say frantically and out of breath.

"Avery, are you okay?" he replies. His voice is as calm and soft as ever.

I sigh and my knees buckle. "Oh my God, where the hell have you been all day?" My tone is now a mixture of relief and anger.

"I handed my phone in to Apple today to get it fixed. I told you that."

"What? No you didn't," I quickly reply. "I would've remembered that. You definitely didn't tell me." . "Jesus, I was so worried, I thought something had happened."

I hear Him chuckle softly. "Don't worry, I'm okay. I promise. I'm not going anywhere. Do you want me to come over tonight?"

A million thoughts fly through my mind as I contemplate his question. I'm not contemplating whether or not he should come round. I'm contemplating whether or not I should tell Him. "Yes," I say confidently, "See you at seven. Don't be late." I hang up the phone.

That yes isn't for Him, as much as it is for me. This is it. It's time.

Perhaps rephrase this sentence? There's repetition in it, you need to replace one word, I think.