Maybe, probably.

Chapter 9: Quinn

That man gave me chills for hours after he left.

The way he winked at me...almost like...like he-

Like he was saying I'll see you soon. 

I was laying in my pitch black bedroom except for my open window, leaking some light from the ever-present full moon. 

No news from the man-the officer, about Kayla yet. My heart hurt from not knowing and I know its killing Gram and Maurisa too. Maurisa is very sensitive, which doesn't make much sense considering her daughter is very...strong, in the politest way I can say it. 

It probably comes from her father, currently at the police department, although previously searching and talking to Kayla's trashy friends about anything they knew, but they all came down with the same person.

Kayla's boyfriend. 

I turned onto my side, scanning my room, unable to sleep.

My room's walls were a lovely light yellow, with a white vanity on the wall, paired with a double-door white wardrobe. My bed was in the reading nook, a small twin-sized day bed with white and yellow pillows and blankets. 

And you can probably tell, my favorite color is yellow.

The diamond shaped window cracked open, illuminating light on me and my bed. Books lined each side of the wall. A white flower rug spreading across the floor and my shoes lined up all organized and clean like everything else in my room.

I sighed and turned again on my side. 

I'm too restless. I don't think I'll be able to sleep.

My breathing caught. 

Will I go to school? I haven't missed a day since Gram's stroke in 8th grade.

You're horrible, Quinn. Kayla's missing.

Missing...

Tears sprang to my eyelashes, and I sniffled in the silence. 

Maybe I can make some Double Chocolate Muffins in the morning for gram, it'll cheer-

TP!

I jumped in my bed, but then pulled the blanket up to my nose. 

A pebble sat on my blanket.

I stared down at it in confusion. It came from the window. 

What the...?

I sat up in my warm bed, crawling the foot of space toward the window. I braced myself on the window frame, peeking into the yard.

Silence.

The wind was quiet tonight. The woods in my backyard were still and the owl from earlier was gone.

It's almost too quiet.

Or maybe I'm just imagining things. I am home alone in my house, with Gram staying with Maurisa next door. She offered for me to stay there but I'd just be in the way. Plus...

Too many memories.

But the air felt so good against my face and chest. My silk pj's were a splurge from Mom's trip to France. The tank top and shorts were light pink and ultra soft. It might be cold outside, but I always got inflamed at night and heavy clothing never helped. JRA (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis) was never convenient for things like weather. It gets worse in the cold. But the pills I take in the morning really help throughout my daily activities as long as I don't overwork my self. Gram sees to that every day in the diner. Usually it just acts up at night. 

My messy bun's loose strains blew in the breeze. I continued to lean against the window frame, scanning my back yard once again. 

How the heck did a rock fly up here?

I laughed to myself. Whatever.

I closed my eyes and felt the subtle breeze that seemed to come from nowhere. 

CRACK

My eyes shot back open and my heart stopped.

A cold sweat started from the nape of my neck down.

There's someone there...

There, standing at the edge of the forest, about 50 feet from me, was a person- a shadow of a person.

Watching me.

I swallowed and found my throat bone-dry. I tried to wet it and failed.

The shadow was tall. Male. 

What do I do What do I do What do I do-

I fumbled around on my bed, as quietly and as subtly as I could without detection from the man, for my phone. As soon as I came into contact with my phone, the man vanished.

Now is your chance, call, call-

I scrambled to open my phone and as soon as I dialed in 9-1-1, the man was sitting on my window frame, inches from my face.

As soon as it registered in my head, I was screaming.

He clamped warm hands around my mouth and the back of neck.

He's so strong! Too strong! 

I was still screaming as he surprisingly gently pushed my onto my bed, flat on my back. As his weight bared down on me, I started kicking and clawing his arms and legs. 

I swear I could hear a wince, then a scowl.

"Quinn." He said quietly, but hurriedly. 

My blood stopped cold at that voice.

He grabbed my phone and turned on the flashlight.

No. Way.

"You." I hissed.

Asher smirked. "Hello, Princess."

———

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WriterGirl❤️