The Punished

Chapter 2: Numb

The blanket the EMT gave me was itchy and thin, but it was comforting as I sat there numb to my surroundings. Lacey was explaining what had happened again to the cops for what seemed like the third time now. They found it hard to believe that we hadn't seen any more than a glimpse of the attacker and couldn't give any details of their clothes or features. By the way they were starting to look annoyed and angry it didn't seem likely that I was going to talk to them any time soon. I had just watched a woman die in my arms. A woman that I had seen no more than an hour beforehand at Salems eating and... breathing. The image of her animated presence turning into her spitting blood happened every time I closed my eyes and I had some adjusting I needed to do. Lacey hadn't remembered her from Salems or the man she was talking to, so the cops didn't know either. I would have mentioned it, but every time I went to talk nothing came out. After a few tries of nothing happening, and acknowledging the fact that I only saw the back of the mans head anyways I gave up.

When I didn't show on time, my mother called and was greeted on my phone by an officer. She wasn't too thrilled and after learning what had happened, all hell broke loose and Lacey and I were back to our homes soon after. I just wanted a shower, which my mom understood and let me be. With the water turned on high I sat there and let the steam fog up my bathroom. The more suffocating it was, the less I focused on the events of today. I scrubbed, and scrubbed until my skin felt raw and got out. It wasn't long until my head hit the pillow and I was out cold, letting the numb leave and the nightmare take over. I dreamt pools of blood filling sidewalk cracks and the unknown killer finding his way back to me. I ran as fast and as far as I could, until I was at a dead-end, sandwiched between what looked like apartment buildings. I turned to see him coming out of the shadows. He walked towards me, but just like I couldn't speak to the cops, I couldn't move now and run from what I knew was coming. Without saying a word, he grabbed me by the throat and started to squeeze. I couldn't see his face, but I could see the gleam from the knife he was holding up and it was getting closer quickly. He pressed the knife against my collar bone and let it trail to right above my heart. I awoke just as he plunged the knife into my chest. Gasping for air, I thought I saw a figure in the hallway moving past my door, but chose to ignore it and fall back asleep. I was not the dumb blonde in horror movies that 'checked it out', and after the very realistic nightmare I just had, I didn't trust my mind anymore. 

The next morning was a blur. I didn't know what to do with myself. Normally I would go eat breakfast, check social media, and possibly make plans for the day. But was I supposed to act 'normal'? I had witnessed a gruesome thing and someone died in my arms, how was I supposed to go make some eggs? Opting for some coffee and time alone outside on the patio seemed like a nice compromise, so I did that. It wasn't until I was scrolling through twitter when I heard my mom shouting inside. I came in to see a bunch of people with police gear on storming my house and they didn't look happy. 

I immediately headed to my mom who was still at the door muttering profanities under her breath. "What's going on? Does this have something to do with yesterday? " I said once I got to her. 

"Unfortunately yes dear. They would rather look at a teenage girl who found the poor woman, as a murderer, than actually do their job and find the guy who did this. They got a warrant to search our house. There's nothing I can do Amelia."

I was quick to ease her nerves, as i didn't see a good outcome if I let her boil any longer. That is, a good outcome for the cops. 

"Everything will be fine mom. Let them look, I have nothing to hide. We both know I didn't do this."

I wonder if they were doing this to Lacey right now, or if she's next. I didn't get a call from her so I doubt they already paid a visit. Should I call her and let her know what to expect, incase they haven't gotten her yet? I'm yanked out of my thoughts when one of the officers yells, "found something". It sounded like it came from my bedroom, but that's impossible. The only thing scandalous in there is my vibrator, and I hope they don't bring that out in front of my mother. 

A woman comes out of my room with a bloody knife and as everyone turns to look at me, suddenly I don't feel so numb anymore.