Midnight

1. Overcast Skies

The cold air attacked me like a trillion razor blades piercing at my bare skin. I sat straight up in the bed, pushing myself against the headboard. The sound of raindrops violently beating against the balcony. My thoughts weren't quite in order yet. Snaps of the wooden screen door blowing open by the screaming wind. I hopped out of bed and darted across the cold hardwood floor to fight the treacherous storm--pulling the heavy door shut. Then released a desperately-needed sigh of relief. I searched the dark room through the flashes of lightning from outside. The green neon on the clock read 2:38 a.m. My heart began pounding heavy out my chest. The acidic adrenaline scorched my veins as I slowly crept into the hallway. My hands hadn't freed the door frame when I heard heavy footsteps pacing downstairs. I grabbed the aluminum bat from behind the door; it was my only ADT. I held the bat in a ready-to-swing position while I continued tiptoeing slowly. If someone was going to kill me tonight, they would have to fight for their lives as well. I had to be careful not to make the old floor creak. I placed my back against the wall once at the bottom of the stairs; 007 Style. The grumbling and mumbling sounded all too familiar. Still, no one was supposed to be in this house at this time. And if it's who I think it is, he's about to get a face full of a deserving bat. I could see his shadow become larger as he closed in on me. I swung the bat with every strength in my dainty body without stepping from behind the wall. He intercepted by the barrel, mid-swing-- slanging me out of hiding with it.

"Shit!" I cursed at him for overpowering me.

"Who are you fucking Cala!?" he yelled slurring his words. The musty alcohol battered my nares.

He was apparently drunk, again. My ex-boyfriend, Carlton, who I had been with for over eight years. I kicked him out two weeks ago, after coming home from work early to find him cheating with some dog face whore name Sierra. I never understood how this man cheated on me the way he did. I was no Beyonce, but I made heads turn when I wanted them to. I hated his soul. I hated the trees that released the oxygen allowing him to breathe. That wasn't the first time he cheated, but I'm determined it will be the last.

He stood six feet before me with dark, soulless eyes. His breath reeked of alcohol and musty marijuana. He was an unsteady sore sight. Nothing at all to look at anymore. After being cheated on so many times by him, he was no longer attractive in my eyes. He was as ugly outside as he was inside.

"WHO. HAVE. YOU. BEEN. FUCKING!" he yelled concisely to force his slurring off.

"Get out of my house before I call the police. NOW!"

I tried to assert some tone in my voice. He has lost his damn mind. Coming up in here!

"Cala, I know you fucking around on me. I was just trying to get you back. She didn't mean anything. I wanted you to hurt like I was hurting." he staggered closer to me.

"Your ass looked happy with that mutt of a bitch on top of you. You know what!? Get the fuck out. I don't have time for your shit! I have to go to work in the morning!" I pointed to my front door.

He grabbed the tall wooden bookshelf next to him, slamming it down, sending all my pictures and books along with it. Why the hell did I not bring my cell phone down here? I must want to die. I started to run up the stairs taking two at a time. My neck was yanked back as I felt his heavy hand take a wod of my coiling ponytail, slamming me onto the floor and against the wall. Tears began to wail up in my tired eyes. I know how this can end. It's how it always ends.

"I'm not asking again. Who?" His voice settled to a chilling relax.

"What are you talking about, Carlton? I didn't cheat on you, ever. I was loyal to you." my voice was cracking. The tears took slow strolls down my face. "Please. Leave. We can talk tomorrow." I lied. If I get him out, I plan on packing my things and moving to Antarctica. He stepped his long leg over me. Then sat in front of me on the second to last step.