Taking Chances (Official Second Draft)

Chapter 12

NAIOMIE

My eyes open and the blinding sunlight makes me stir out of my sleep. Matt's arm is sprawled across me, as he is still fast asleep. I look around the room and realize we're home. I almost forgot we left the hospital to get some rest. I stare at the cream colored ceiling, listening to the wind blow the trees softly against the window. This moment in time all of my problems are washed away, in a far abyss they lie. Suddenly, taking me away from my thoughts my phone rings, causing me and Matt to both jump. He groans as I throw my hand over to the night stand and grab it. I see Officer Hale calling and decide to ignore it.

"I guess we should get ready then." He mumbles crawling out of bed and into the bathroom.

"I'll go make us some coffee." I yell. Quickly changing into some clothing I threw on some shoes and began walking down the steps when I heard sounds. I freeze in place, footsteps erupt from the living room. My heart begins to pound as they begin to get louder, approaching the stairs quickly. I try to scream for Matt but nothing comes out. I hear him start the shower as I stand paralyzed with fear.

"Naiomie, I'm so glad you're okay." I see Matt's mother running up the stairs. Confusion and relief hit me like a brick wall. She engulfs me into a hug and strokes my hair.

"Mrs. Pearson what are you doing here?" I say to her and her eyes widen.

"Oh my goodness I scared you didn't I! I should have called. We rushed home as soon as Matt called and then we saw the news." I had a feeling in my gut that Matt was going to call them.

"News?"

"About your father, it's all over. Matt's father got called into duty as we were on our way back.."

"What are you talking about?" She looks at me confused and pulls me downstairs to the television. Four officers stand in the room, two of them being Officer Hale, and Officer Pearson.

This morning Nottawa Ontario Police released a press conference about the murder investigation of Emma Robinson a twenty three year old college student in Toronto Ontario. A note left by a man named Thomas Lee was found on her body. The police say the note read "I'm looking for more, come find me." and was signed by him. We are going to show photos from the scene that we are allowed to release but, I am warning you the photo we are about to show is graphic, viewer discretion is now advised.

A photo of a woman, her face blurred out, lays on the ground with her neck slit from one side to another as she lays in the street appears on the screen. I gasp with terror almost falling onto the floor as my legs feel weak.

"Turn that off that's enough!" Officer Pearson says turning off the television.

"W-Wh-What." I sputter. Staring at the television with absolute awe. Mrs. Pearson begins sobbing. Mr. Pearson takes her into the kitchen.

"We knew him Sam! He ate dinner in our house! We celebrated Holidays with him!" I hear her yelling. I turn my head away from the blank screen and lower my body onto the couch to keep from falling over.

"Nai is the coffee ready?" Matt says walking down stairs in a towel, hair still dripping from the shower. "Whoa what's going on?"

"Naiomie I tried to call you this morning, we didn't want you to find out this way." Matt's father returns from the kitchen.

"Dad what is going on? I asked you to come home, but what is all this?" He turns to him. "There's no time to explain son, we need to get Naiomie to the station immediately. She could be in danger here."

"Danger what are you talking about?" He questioned.

"Naiomie it's time to go." Officer Hale grabs my arm and lifts me up leading me towards the door, all of the officers follow.