The Roses

Part 7

Athena's alarm screeched, startling her as she threw her hand to turn it off. But instead of turning it off, her hand fell and the alarm clock followed with her. She groaned, ugh. Today is not gonna be my day. Athena always had a thing for signs. If she saw something that proves to be bad luck, she could tell that it wasn't gonna be the best day in the world. Of course, she could be right, but she could of course be wrong as well.

She finished off getting ready and trudged to the kitchen, surprised to see Venessa not waiting there. I guess she headed off to work early. She shrugged and continued to the note on the kitchen counter it read;

Hey Athena, I headed off to work early since they needed help with a patient. :( Sorry, I wish I could be there when you woke up, but there's eggs for you in the fridge. Love you, V.

As I predicted, she smiled slightly at the note and headed to work, not even bothering to eat.

⇼

After she finished another long day at work she drove home, just wanting to fall asleep as soon as she got home.

She opened her apartment door to hundreds of roses she knew they were from him; he had found her. A rush of anxiety hit her like a train, how did he find me? She had left him without saying a word, then she realized; he was a psychopath Athena, of course he found me. She questioned herself out loud, gently putting her bag on the table,

"Why do you always go for the psychopaths Athena?" Then suddenly almost as if someone was waiting for her to finish her sentence there was a knock, trying to restrain herself from opening the door, she approached the door looking through the peeping hole, trying to make sure she wasn't noticeable, she realized; it was him. He was staring right back at her. Frightened, she fell back, landing on a rose thorn; cutting herself. It was a small cut, but she soon realized the loud banging coming from the door; he was trying to get in. Terror rushed through her body, sending chills up her spine.

"Let me in Athena, I know you're there. LET ME IN," he yelled, frightening Athena even more. She sprung up and raced to her bedroom, not exactly the safest spot, but it was the first thing she thought of; a natural instinct. But when she reached the bedroom, him still banging at the door, she noticed; she forgot her phone. The one thing that could possibly save her from this nightmare; she had left on her kitchen counter right near the door. By the time she realized, the door had opened. He was inside. As soon as she heard the door open she quickly grabbed the steel bat she had under her bed for this exact moment. When she grabbed the bat she raced to her bathroom and shut it as fast as she could, trying not to make a sound in the process. She could hear him walking, a loud almost careless; like he knew he would find her. While on the bathroom floor she prayed. She prayed she would make it out alive, she prayed that Venessa would come back from work early, she prayed that he wouldn't find her. But in her gut she knew, he would find her.

"Where are you Athena? I know you're here, I've been waiting," he said smoothly, as if he thought she would respond to him.

"I still love you..." he uttered. She tried her best to calm herself down when she remembered; the laundry shoot. The one right next to her bedroom, if she could make a run for it, she could get out. Am I sure I'll make it? I mean I don't even know where he is... she decided she would.

She raced to the laundry shoot but he was right there. She swung her bat and he fell to the floor in a loud grunt. Before she could make it, he grabbed her foot; tripping her while losing the bat in the process.

He pulled her leg so she was right underneath him. She was kicking and squirming with all her might, as he pressed his body onto her, making her gasp for breath. He grabbed her wrists and she shut her eyes; scared of what he'll do or say. But instead of a gruff, husky voice, she was greeted with a familiar soft silky heavenly voice,

"Athena, hey hey, it's okay it's just me love," the voice reassured, while the voice slightly released it's grip on her wrists.

"V- Ve- Venessa?" Athena recognized the voice and finally opened her eyes. Just as she thought, Venessa was right there with a worried look on her face.

"Yeah, it's me sweetheart. You're okay, I'm here," Venessa's silky voice replied, while she gave Athena a grin.

"Wha- what happened? Where is he? Why are you here?" Athena asked shakily, while getting up from her position on the ground.

"Athena..no one was ever here love. What are you talking about?" Venessa questioned, her worried look becoming more serious.

"What do you mean? Dean what right here," Athena whispered, as she looked around to find the ex.

"Wait you mean the ex Dean? Honey, he was never here. It was just me, I found you freaking out on the floor; alone," Venessa breathed, becoming more worried than before, if that was even possible. Never here? Freaking out? Alone? What's going on??

⇼

"After you took your MRI, we have determined something you may or have not known," the doctor said, looking up from her clipboard.

"And?" Venessa asked, in a shaky voice. The doctor nodded and continued,

"We're sorry to inform you, but Ms. Athena Stone has been diagnosed with Schizophrenia."