4. Fear

Ava.

I hummed as I walked up the stairs, a smile starting to creep up my face when I remembered how Keith kissed the top of my head.

I was glad he didn't make things awkward, if he was someone like me, our relationship would have been ruined.

I scoffed lightly to myself as I stripped out of my clothes. Everyone had left for the day and I ignored the pang of loneliness I always felt whenever it was just me. Adeola's place was only a walking distance away from here though, so I guess I should be thankful for that.

Thing was, she was always so tired after work that I always hated to disturb her on her free days. Everyone always assumed because I was an introvert, I liked to be left alone. Truth is, since my parents died...I've craved companionship more times than I could count.

Dating was out of the question though. I rarely went out. The only reason I'd not be alone for all of eternity was if a hot guy would randomly appear in my room.

Clubs or parties weren't my scene, and it was pretty hard to find a good looking guy at a cookout or a picnic or- anywhere. Heck, the only hot guy I've seen in years is Keith. I guess that explains my infatuation with him.

I wasn't shallow or anything, but before I could think about being in a relationship with a guy, he had to be attractive. Looks attract me faster than anything else. Thereafter, I could then try to see- if behaviour wise- he wasn't a douche. I can't be with a douche. It's just not....possible.

Anyway-

I stopped in my tracks, towel in hand when I suddenly heard something downstairs. I was about to have a shower but...maybe I should reconsider, seeing as how I was hearing things now. Well, to be fair, I had a pretty eventful day. I should be in bed resting by now, who knows what will happen tomorrow?

I folded my face towel and returned it to the drawers, tugging the drawstrings of my shorts tighter.

Then I heard it again.

It sounded like...something was repeatedly tapping on the counter or something. I was pretty sure I could hear a tap tap tap sound.

I walked slowly to my window, pushing the curtains aside as I peered outside. It wasn't raining. Then, what...?

My heart started to thud loudly and I swallowed as I clasped my shaky hands together. I subconsciously took note of the fact that I was probably over-reacting. What if it was just a rat?

Oh, Lord. That made it worse. I was actually terrified of rats.

I tiptoed over to my door, placing my ear against it. I slowly grabbed the door knob then stilled. Fudge- I must be so stupid- why didn't I think of the obvious one?

What if it was an intruder?

I placed my hands over my mouth in terror. That couldn't be possible, right? Even when my parents were running this place and business was booming, they didn't get robbed. So, why would they rob now? Business wasn't really anything special these days.

I swallowed when I heard a stool creak. Someone definitely just moved one of my stools and made no effort to be quiet about it.

Tears filled my eyes when I realized I was in trouble. There was no one around to help me. I hurriedly glanced around for my phone only to stifle a sob when I realized it was still charging behind the counter.

What am I going to do?

I only had one option left at this point. I had to go downstairs. Call it me being 'white' but I had to see what was going on.

Staying holed up here was doing nothing but worsening my anxiety and I feared I was going to have a heart attack from the fear of whatever was lying behind this closed door. Imagine me dying, only for my ghost to see that it was just rats afterall.

I'd be so pissed in the afterlife. I still had a lot of things to do on earth.

After the inner debate with myself, I decided to go for it. With shaky hands, I tugged on the doorknob and the door inched open slowly. I peered around it and down the stairs, wishing I could see the shop from here but of course that wasn't possible.

I left the door slightly open behind me as I inched slowly down the stairs. Who knows, I might have to run back here soon.

With my hands placed on the wall, I took the stairs step by step. The sound of my heartbeat was loud in my ears and I tried to silence my heavy breathing so I'd be able to hear properly.

I reached the end of the stairs and froze when I realized everywhere was completely dark. That confirmed my fears of someone being in here.

I never turned off the little overhead bulb in the kitchen. I slowly started to inch backwards only to stifle a cry when the light in the corridor went off, throwing me into total darkness.

I could feel myself start to have a panic attack and I clutched at my chest with a gasp. The back of my neck started to tingle and I realized I was a little....excited.

What is wrong with me? Am I broken?

The only thing my head was yelling at me to do now was run. I let out a cry and turned to flee. I got halfway and then collided with a hard surface.

I fell. Hard.

I started to tremble so hard, I thought I was having a seizure. That was a body. Someone was there, I could bet my life on it.

"Are you scared, my love?" A deep voice said from the dark and I raised a shaky hand to my mouth.

I couldn't place where the voice was coming from. The intruder chuckled and my head whipped about wildly, trying to get the direction he was standing in.

"Be scared. Be terrified. That's exactly what I want."

"P-please, i-i, God-" I sobbed, gibberish falling from my lips.

"Don't cry. I won't hurt you." He tutted. "I'm not a monster."

"W-what do y-you want from m-me? Please." I sobbed.

I could feel a presence right in front of me and I looked up, from my place on the floor, even though I couldn't see a thing. He was standing in front of me, I knew it.

"What's the rush?" He replied. "We have all night."

Am i- am I going to get raped?

"I beg you." I said, clasping shaky hands together as I rose to my knees. "I'll do anything, just don't hurt me."

"What part of 'I won't hurt you' don't you understand?" He said, his voice hardening.

"T-then what do you want me to do?"

I jumped when I suddenly felt a finger on my skin. He was trailing a finger down my neck and I sobbed harder, even though...I could feel my thighs clench.

"Hm." He hummed, then suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me to my feet. "Run."

"W-what?" I asked in confusion.

"Run." He repeated monotonously.

"B-but, I can't see."

"Fucking. Run." He said with a tone of finality. "If I catch you, I get to do whatever I want to you. I'm going to give you a headstart."

"I-"

"Go." He said sharply.

This has been my home for years, I should be able to find my way in the dark. I turned in the direction of the stairs and started to run blindly towards it. I couldn't hear myself over my thudding heartbeat and my loud breathing. I didn't even know where he was anymore, I couldn't hear anything but myself.

I bumped my toe hard into something and I let out a cry. I slapped a hand over my mouth, realizing I probably gave off where I was now.

I started to hobble my way forward and let out a sigh of relief when I finally touched the banister. I was almost there.

Even though I couldn't lean on my left leg, I hurriedly made my way up the stairs, placing my hands on the wall to aid my movement.

I was so thankful that I decided to leave my door half open. I got to my door and pushed it the rest of the way, quickly slipping in. With tears running down my face, I moved to slam the door closed only to get stopped by a foot.

I let out a cry of terror and tried to lean my weight against the door but it was useless. I was powerless against him. He pushed the door open and I stumbled.

How did he move so silently? I didn't hear a thing! Even now, I couldn't hear his footsteps.

"Peek-a-boo." He said smugly. "Now..shall we?"