Lure To The Woods

IV

Waking up with Heather's stupid pedicured feet in my face wasn't exactly how I envisioned my morning starting. I practically gagged. Pushing them out o my face resulted in her flying to the floor with a thud and a string of curse words to flood out of her mouth aimed at me. She glared up at me, but I simply placed my finger to my lips. I wasn't sure what the time was and Mum still could be home. I doubt she would be, since she usually started work pretty early, but I didn't really feel like being yelled at by Heather first thing in the morning anyway.

"Do you want any breakfast?" I yawned, helping her back up.

"You got any bud?"She asked hopefully, making me bark a laugh.

"For breakfast? It doesn't count as one of your five a day, you know? Anyway, my dealer left for Uni; he studies horticulture."

"At least he found his passion. Toast, please."

"Right. You know where the bathroom is and if you're going to steal one of my shirts, take an old one for gods sake." I instructed, slipping out of my room and hopping down the cold, wooden stairs.

We had spent yesterday evening just chatting and playing video games. She had calmed me down and told me to just try and move past it for now because it was probably one of our idiot friends playing a prank. What kind of stalker leaves a hand written note at the scene of the crime? We had a plan to ask everyone at lunch today.

It didn't stop me from feeling gloomy today. Thanks to Heather's tossing and turning, I went without sleep pretty much all of last night. I'd been in and out fo sleep for the last hour, but Heather's foot being directly in my face was the last straw. I had spent most of last night staring at the paint flakes on my ceiling once again, thinking about anything and everything.

As much as Heather tried to convince me otherwise, at the back of my mind I knew it wasn't a practical joke. Whenever I touched that note, it sent weird chills through me. At first, I thought it was fear, but after hours of holding it and reading it over and over I had scratched that emotion out. I didn't feel scared that I had received the note and I wasn't even scared of who had left it.

Obviously, I should be scared to death of this note, but it felt so genuine. Personal? Sincere? I don't know. All I do know is that it wasn't malicious or joking, as Heather believed it was. Maybe I was reading far too deeply into a simple post it note because of sleep deprivation, or maybe I was right. Dragging myself out of those thoughts, I whipped out my phone, texting Heather to let her know that Mum wasn't home and that she could come downstairs whenever she was finished with getting ready.

I popped some bread into the toaster and poured myself a bowl of cereal. I flicked the plastic kettle on and plopped two tea bags in mugs, waiting for it to boil. The house had a lot of windows, but I didn't feel like I was being watched anymore. They had kept to their promise and left me alone, thankfully.

By the time Heather descended the stairs with wet hair, I had already finished my cereal and cup of tea. She took forever to get ready. I gave her the toast and her tea, heading upstairs for my turn to get ready. I skipped the shower, too worn out for one, and simply sprayed on some deodorant instead. I pulled on a clean shirt and picked up my jacket from the floor.

Remembering to grab my school bag, I jogged back downstairs. Heather obviously didn't have any of her school stuff, but she usually just told our form tutor that she had home problems and they would all let her off unpunished. They were used to it by now, since she had arguments with her mum a lot.

"Ready to get going?" I asked, shrugging on my jacket.

"Didn't you wear those jeans yesterday?" She wrinkled her nose, joining my side.