Serendipity - a fortunate happenstance |✔

Chapter 24

I put the key in and turned it, waiting for the click sound, but there wasn't. I turned it twice to make sure. I pulled out the key back and put my hand lightly on the door handle, pushing it. It opened slowly. The door was unlocked. How careless was I to leave without checking the door. I got in and closed the door behind. I was hungry as I didn't have much for lunch thanks to Mel and Tia. So I went straight to the kitchen leaving my bag on the couch. Chicken pot pie must be still in the refrigerator. Mrs. Evans drop by and gave it to me when I was just about to leave in the morning. They say Chicken pot pie is the comfort food sent down to the South straight from heaven. My mouth watered as I waited impatiently by the microwave till it get heated. I didn't bother to take it to the couch even. I started digging in leaning on to the counter. The creamy filling of vegetables and the chicken covered by flaky crusts made it unbearable to my taste buds. I blessed Mrs. Evans culinary excellence.

The apartment was drowned in silence except for my low chewing sounds when I heard the cracking sound of the wood plank just down the hallway. I know that sound, because every morning I think to myself to get it fixed before I get swallowed up in to the floor. And I know for sure it wouldn't make a sound unless someone stepped on it. It is needless to say that it isn't me. I am supposed to be the only one in the house, unless...... I froze just the way I was as my mind registered the possibilities. I couldn't even swallow the bite in my mouth.

Crap! I didn't forget to lock the door, someone has just unlocked it, some stranger, someone who wasn't welcome inside. The headline of the newspaper I read couple of weeks ago flashed in front of my eyes. My heartbeat is ringing in my ears. Above all that my hearing went thousand times sharper to isolate the light thump of which could be footsteps. It was getting clearer by the minute from the kitchen counter where I was barely breathing.

I should think fast. I could run to the back door as fast as I could. It is the closest way out. I put my fork down slowly and reached for the knife just lying on the edge of the counter without making a sound. Securing myself with the knife in my hand, I straightened myself to turn to the back door. In a blink of an eye everything went pitch black. I panicked. For a moment I was confused, did he hit me? Am I unconscious? No, I still feel everything around me. I am alive...still. He might have turned the main switch off.

I didn't know where to turn to. My phone was in my bag which was on the couch. If I could reach for it, I could make a call to Liam. He couldn't be far from here. He would turn around and will be here in no time. But if this is what I really think it is, can I risk his life like that? No, whoever it is in my house, definitely is not a sane person. I thought of screaming for help. Poor Mrs. Evans would be the first one running to me. No I wouldn't do that either. Each tick made me stronger to face whatever it is...by myself.

I took two steps toward where I thought the back door is. Except my uneven low breaths, I didn't make a single noise. Adrenaline is rushing through me. Somewhere deep down I wished helplessly to wake up from this nightmare anytime now. It is a nightmare but it is happening with my eyes wide open. I pushed my thoughts back and tried to remain focused. I was in the darkness, so does he, I thought. Darkness would be in favor of us both. If I get lucky I could get out. And if he gets lucky...I don't want to know.

I almost got to the back door, when suddenly I was yanked away. He spun me effortlessly and pinned myself on to him as he slammed himself on to the wall. Whoever it was had his back on to the wall and my back was on his chest. One arm was curled over my chest pinning both hands of mine together. And the other was covering my mouth.

At first I thought he was going to choke me to death. But he seemed like in no hurry. Of course, why would he be? There's no one to save me here, my knight in a shining armor was a four inch kitchen knife which was helplessly stuck in his knuckles along with my vulnerable hands. My death wouldn't be something that quick and painless. But I wouldn't give up. I fought back. I struggled to get myself free from his hold. It didn't make much of a sound. But I tried to scream even though my entire face was covered from his huge palm. He tightened his hold even harder and whispered in to my ear, "Shush.....Ems...please."