"See you later Janelle!" shouted her friend Cindy. My back was aching after volleyball practice. I was in the mood for a much needed shower. I strolled up the empty drive way and admired the faint breeze that Fall liked to give. I felt a small vibration in my pocket and fumbled to reach my cell phone. The caller i.d. displayed it was Charlotte.
"Hey Char," I said into the phone making my way up the porch steps, "What's up? I just got home."
"My car won't start," explained Charlotte, "So I'll be a little late coming over tonight. Kris is gonna come pick me up then I have to drive him over to Asher's and pick him up later. You ok with that?"
I glanced at the clock on my phone and saw that it was a little past 6:30. I made my way through the front door after fiddling with my keys, "Yeah. I'm fine with that. How is Asher? After today and well, you know. Natalie's anniversary is coming up."
"I'm not sure. His parents are always out of town on business and he's barely sleeping anymore. And it's like so obvious my brother is in love with him and Asher just doesn't seem to notice. And his nightmares and all this other junk," she explained.
"Wow. Sounds like he's got a lot on his plate. I love how the whole school knows your brother is in love with Asher yet he doesn't even realize it."
"Yeah, it's sad watching Kris really slave over Asher but I know he isn't being oblivious on purpose. He just has a serious lot on his plate," defended Charlotte.
"Yeah. Well just call when you're here. I'm not going anywhere except the dreaded land of Calculus," I huffed.
"Ha ha. Alright. I'll see you in about an hour or two. Bye," she clicked.
My neck was stiff as I strode into the kitchen tearing off my stuff. My bag clunked on the hard kitchen counter sending a soft echo that startled me. I made my way around the counter and tied my hair back in a ponytail. I saw a note on the counter from my mother, "Janie, It's girls night. Be home late. Love you."
"Girls night my ass," I huffed. No doubt she's fucking one of her clients again. I threw off my mother's infidelity and poured myself a drink. I made a stiff martini and began to pour the sticky sweet nectar down my throat. It burned with delight as it warmed my senses. I set my glass down and walked upstairs to my bedroom. My feet felt heavier with each step as I walked up the stairs. The hardwood floor was cold underneath my feet. The metal banister was just as cold. The house was cold. Everything was cold. I was eager to hop into a nice warm shower.
As I began undressing I felt my phone vibrate in my pants. I slipped off my t-shirt and felt a slight brush of cold air against my chest. I pulled out my phone and scanned the caller i.d. It read Unknown. I answered with curiosity.
"Hello."
"Hello?" spoke a man's voice with uncertainty.
"Yes?"
"This isn't Natalie is it?" asked the man.
"Nope. Wrong number mister," I replied.
"I'm sorry. She has such terrible writing," he laughed.
I laughed back in politeness, "Well, it happens. Good luck in deciphering her scribbles."
"Thank you. Bye now."
I clicked my phone shut, set it on my dresser, and finished undressing. I slipped out of my bra and panties and wrapped a towel around me as the cold air began to penetrate my naked skin. I began walking over to the bathroom attached to my bedroom until I heard a loud rumbling noise. My phone was eagerly vibrating against the dresser. I sighed in frustration and made stepped over once more to answer it. The caller i.d. once again read Unknown. The vibrating sent a pulse through my hand as I flipped it open to answer it.
"Hello?" I answered in frustration.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I dialed the wrong number again," said the man.
"Well then I suggest you just wait till next time to see her and get her number," I responded, "Look. I'm not trying to be rude or anything but I've had a really long day and I would just love to get in the shower. And the fact that I'm admitting this to a stranger is beyond me."
The man laughed harshly, "Well don't let me keep a pretty girl like you from getting wet."
"Thanks," I said with disgust, "Bye now."
I hung up before he could even respond. I ran towards the bathroom in case my phone decided to go off. I quickly turned on the water and let it run letting my fingers gauge the temperature. It was nice and hot. Exactly what I needed. I tied my hair up in a bun to keep it from getting wet and hopped in letting the water soothe my tense skin. My muscles began to relax as I relished in the comfort and warmth the water offered. I stood mindless for a good 15 minutes until I lathered up my body with my favorite scented soap and rinsed off for the final time. I turned off the water and stepped outside and began toweling off. I felt ten times better. I strolled into my bedroom and put on my bra and panties. After hooking my bra a loud vibration startled me. I looked over at my phone on the dresser and walked towards it and answered it without checking the caller i.d.
"Hello," I said hesitantly.
"Hey," said Charlotte, "I have to wait for a tow truck so I'm gonna be a little later than I thought."
"Dang. That bad?"
"Yeah. It just won't start and Kris couldn't figure what was wrong. So we called the triple c or whatever."
"Triple A," I heard Kris shout in the background.
"Same thing," she laughed, "But I'll be there in like an hour."
"Alright. Bring some food or something. Mom's gonna be back late and there's nothing here," I said in hopes that she'll bring food.
"Ugh. Bitch. Fine," she laughed, "I don't know what I'm craving though."
"I don't care. Surprise me as long as it's food!"
"Alright. I'll see you in a bit. Bye."
"Bye," I said and clicked off the phone.
I slipped on a loose white dress and let my hair down. As it fell along the back of my neck it swayed creating a gentle breeze. I slipped on my red wine cardigan and made my way down stairs. As I trudged into the kitchen I set my phone down on the counter top. I finished the remaining of my martini and waltzed into the living room plopping myself on the couch. I flipped on the television and noticed that it was just approaching 7:15. I heard a faint rumbling noise from the kitchen and realized I had left my phone on the counter. I quickly scurried over to answer it. I flipped open the phone and quickly answered.
"Charlotte, just get in the damn car and bring me food," I laughed.
"Whose Charlotte?" spoke the man from earlier.
"Oh. It's you again," I said with disinterest, "She's just my friend. Uhm, I really think that girl gave you the wrong number."
"Oh, I know. I just wanted to call you again," he answered.
"Well. Why?" I asked annoyed and puzzled.
"To talk," he responded slowly.
"My Mother told me never talk to strangers," I bantered, "See ya."
I hung up the phone and shuddered at the creep. I strolled back into the living room and scooted back on the couch focusing on the television. I set my phone down on the coffee table and switched it off vibrate. I was tired of hearing that annoying sound when it vibrated against something. I returned my gaze back at the girl on the television in a heated panic. She was crying and going nuts about how her boyfriend was murdered. Stupid slasher movies. My phone went off startling me. Reluctantly I was met with the caller i.d. displaying Unknown once more.
"Dude. Listen. You seriously need to stop calling me," I answered.
"But why? All I want to do is apologize," he pleaded.
"You're forgiven. Now have a nice life and stop calling me. I'm obviously not Natalie and she obviously gave you the wrong number," I explained.
"No. You're not Natalie. She's dead," he said sternly. I froze at those chilling words.
"What did you say?" I asked tensely.
"I said that she was in bed," he explained.
"That's not what you said," I spoke seriously, "I have to go."
"Don't hang up on me," he instructed sternly.
"Bye." I hung up. I began to grow nervous. Normally prank callers were stupid kids who weren't being watched by their babysitters but he spoke of Natalie. My heart skipped a beat as the phone rang loudly once more. My hands were shaking as I flipped it open already knowing who was on the other line. I took off my sweater as I became heated with panic.
"Listen fool. STOP CALLING ME," I yelled.
"No you listen you fucking slut. If you don't keep talking to me I'll skewer you just like I skewered that little bitch Natalie," he yelled. I gulped loudly. My heart surged out an adrenaline rush.
"Who is this?" I asked, "This is so not funny."
"I don't play jokes Janelle," he spoke sternly, "I play games."
"How do you know my name?" I asked in fear. I ran to the front door locking it peeking out into the front yard to see no one there. The glass was fogging with every frantic breath I took.
"I know everything about you Janelle. From watching you at Volleyball practice, to you stepping into the shower, to that cute little white dress you're wearing right now. But where's your red sweater...that was my favorite part."
I froze. I was breathing frantically. My heart was pounding and the adrenaline was surging. My knees began to shake in fear. The phone was clenched in my hand and nearly pressed into my skull. The man was laughing. I began to whimper.
"What...what do you want?" I asked trying to choke back tears of fear.
"To talk," he spoke, "Simple as that."
"Ok. We've talked. You've had your fun. Now please, just leave me alone," I said wiping back a tear.
"You're not scared are you, Janelle?"
I hung up. I tried regaining control of my senses and made my way into the kitchen. My phone rang again but this time I ignored it. I controlled the situation now. I was so busy regaining my senses that I wasn't expecting my house phone to ring. It sent a loud ring through the kitchen that sent a scream out of me. I reached out shaking to grab the phone and saw the caller i.d. flash Unknown at me. I answered.
"What?" I asked.
"I told you not to hang up on me," he snapped, "And you don't pick up my call after I try calling back when you're so rude?"
I was shaking uncontrollably by now. "Look just call someone else and we'll leave it at that. I won't tell anyone what you're doing, ok?"
"And just what am I doing?" he asked in a deadly tone, "Huh? Janelle?" My breathing was my response. With each frantic up-and-down motion of my chest I had to try and clear my head. I needed a plan but I had no idea of what kind. An escape? My thoughts were strewn about as I stood paralyzed in my kitchen. My hand seemed frozen like a block of ice as I held the phone to my ear. The man interrupted my focus with his sinister laugh.
"You know not answering me is just as bad as hanging up, right?" I stood silent. I felt the air whizzing past me. I felt like every move I'd make was the wrong one. I scanned the kitchen and saw a knife rack sitting in the middle of the counter. I leaned over and grabbed the largest one. The sharp noise as I retracted it from the slot sent a shiver up my arm and chilled my blood. I never thought I'd retract my own kitchen knife for a means of survival.
"ANSWER ME!" he shouted. I screamed in terror.
"I don't know what to say," I began crying.
"Awwww don't cry Janelle," he falsely cooed, "Want to know a secret?"
"What?" I asked. I instantly heard a creak from upstairs. My head shot up in fear as I tried to listen for more noises. I arched around the corner and poked my head out into the hallway and up the stairs. My hand clenched the knife in a strict method. I was ready to fight. With knees buckled I yelled once more, "WHAT!?"
"You forgot to lock the back door," shouted a man from behind me. I spun around to see a tall and bulky hooded figure standing just inches away from me with a sharp blade in hand. It glistened in the light and highlighted its deadly presence. I screamed utter terror. I threw the phone at him as he neared me and ran down the hall screaming. As my feet trotted along the wooden floor I glanced quickly behind me and saw I was not being followed. My next thought was interrupted by a huge blow to my side. The hooded figure tackled me to the ground from the side and I let out another piercing scream. My body tensed up from the blow and the weight of the man on top of me. I was dazed and saw blurs. I snapped back into reality as he drew the knife to my face scratching the tip of the blade against my cheek. The sound of my skin scraping against his knife sent a primeval scream through my lungs. I picked up my knee and shoved it in his groin. He toppled over in muffled pains and muttered, "You fucking bitch."
I crawled over to my side and rose up preparing myself to run like hell. I stepped forward like an engine revving before its release of speed. I was unfortunately stalled as I felt the man's hand grab my ankle and pull it towards him. I reeled forward and face-planted against the hardwood floor. My arms ached as I tried to pick myself up off the floor. I shook my leg in a frenzy of kicks and adrenaline to continue my escape. I got my foot free and scurried forward onto my feet and bolted down the hall screaming. Adrenaline was fueling me at this point and I kept wondering, "Am I going to die?"
I turned the corner of the hall and slammed into the front door. I tried pulling it open and the door was locked shut. I fumbled with the locks until I saw the man's reflection through the glass coming at me with a hurtling guttural noise and his knife raised high. I screamed and lunged right as I watched him plunge his knife into my front door. He sideswiped me with his other arm sending me right back into the front door. My head hit the glass and I heard a silent crack. My head flashed throbs of pain as I sent out another piercing scream. I felt the back of my head and felt something wet touch my fingers. I bright my fingers into my vision and saw blood staining them. Another surge of adrenaline sent me bolting up the stairs. I was utterly dazed from hitting my head but I scurried as fast as I could. Pain was pulsing through my body as I let out helpless cries. I looked behind me to see the hooded figure hot on my trail. I felt a huge weight push me flat on the floor as I realized he had tackled me in a quick frenzy. My face hit the cold hardwood floor with a scream. He grabbed my pony tail tight in his grip sending tiny pricks of pain on my scalp.
He dragged me forward by my hair as I screamed for mercy. My skin burned as it was being dragged across the wood floor. My hands were clenched tight at my head hoping to erase all the pain I was feeling. I kicked and panicked and scratched the walls doing whatever I could to stop him. Then I felt it. The almighty punch that knocked the wind out of me. I gasped out loud as I looked down and saw him retract the knife from my side. My white dress had begun to turn a shade of crimson and my side began seeping with pain. I clenched my side and saw the ravenous amount of blood coming out. My hands soon turned into a bright sour red. I was still being dragged down the hallway and I noticed the paths of blood I left along the floor and the walls. I felt life slipping from me. I felt weaker and weaker until I sensed a stop in movement. My killer turned me onto my back and I watched a form of familiar eyes shoot a deathly glare back at me. I cried out in pain and betrayal. He raised the knife in front of me and I made an effort to hit it out of his hand until I felt his brooding knuckles slam across my face, turning me over, and another sharp punch to my back that sent a breathless gasp out of my throat. I repeatedly felt these punches until I felt drained of life. I looked back at the man who was murdering me. He stood hovering over me and emitted a primal noise from his heartless chest. I tried crawling over to the door once more but was met with a sharp pain in my head...or what I thought was my head. I was muttering out my last few breaths as he picked me up by my hair that was dripping my own blood and slammed me against the wall. I barely heard the thud as my body crashed against my own bedroom wall. I was so disoriented I didn't even realize I was being murdered in my own bedroom. My room was plastered with my blood and unheard screams. I saw my killer raise his knife and thrust it into my chest that sent the final cry and burst of air from my very soul. I barely felt the fall onto the floor and puffed out a few more breaths.
Finally I just enveloped into a brighter world and fell into a black oblivion. I was murdered in my own bedroom and I watched my lifeless body. My killer wasted no time wrapping the final touch on my death- the red ribbon that would connect me to everything that lay hidden in a bow of lies.