Bad Dream

Chapter 5 : And Indulge in you

 The mirror in the bathroom is foggy with condensation, I wipe away a long patch of mirror . I look at my reflection , my skin is pale and the dark circles under my eyes give me a look of sickness , my eyes glow a moss green . I turn to the side in my towel and look at my body , I scoff at the bones of my shoulder . My long red hair brushes the bottom of my back ,the water dripping down to my ankles. I dress in my work clothes and brush my hair into a low bun .

As I walk into the kitchen I smell coffee brewing as the news reporter reports yet another murder, "...the body has been identified as 25 year old Tanya Holmes , she was found by the side of the road strangled , the coroner has reported that there were signs of sexual assault found on Tanya's body . Police have made no further comment on the murder".

I wonder if the same person who killed Clare Collins killed this woman too. I arrive at work and begin to make coffee , the first large rush ends and I lean against the bench .The cold wind blowing my hair into my face , as I go to brush it away I am vaguely aware of someone watching me . I look up , to find no one , a look of confusion crosses my face.

" Sahara ,we need two Cappuccinos", I shrug off the cold feeling down my back and get to frothing the milk . The second rush comes up .

"I never knew my feet could hurt this bad , I think I have lost all circulation to my feet", I laugh at Tamara's comments. I look into the crowd of people in front of the window . A person in a black hoodie is watching the window, all I can really see of them is a thin nose and full lips . I stand up straight , my heart beat increasing , "Tamara I am just going to go to the bathroom ,do you mind taking over for a minute ?" . I open the door and walk into the main cafe .I slowly edge my way to the door leading outside . As I reach the door my heart is beating 100 miles in my chest. I take a deep breath and quickly run outside to where I saw the man . I stop abruptly when I notice he isn't there anymore , I huff in frustration .

I walk back into the kitchen , I am filled with apprehension . I am the first to point out that I am not the normal candidate for someone taking an interest in me ,so this event causes high levels of suspicion to arise in me .

I get back to work trying to focus on the job ,but in the back of my mind like a gnawing animal the hooded person is there. As I finish work and prepare to leave I cautiously walk to my car . Suddenly I see the hooded guy standing next to a car about 3 metres away. This time I can see his face more clearly, his yellow green eyes piercing at me . A split second wavers between us before I run towards my car ,I reach the car and lock it as the hooded man walks around the car ,he waves a knife at me . I back out and see him smile ,it makes me feel like there is hot torch on my neck .

I speed out of the car park watching the rear view mirror .

The man just stands in the middle of the car park , "What the hell is happening !? This is bullshit . I must be crazy , maybe I should see a psychiatrist ? Well I am talking to myself ,isn't that the first sign of craziness?" . I chide myself.

I arrive home rushing out of the car, I contemplate telling my family about the hooded man . I quickly dismiss the idea. My Mum barely lets me leave the house alone as it is .

I strip off my work clothes and put on my running gear I need to get these thoughts out of my head.

I exhale and do stretches outside my house , once I have done enough stretches I begin a slow run. My breath soon becomes quicker and I can taste the cold air . I loop around the street corner next to the milk bar . A shape appears in the corner of my vision as I am thrown into the brick wall.