Chasing You

Chapter 7

Helena’s POV

The morning arrived and I woke up to the whistle of the cooker and rushed out of my bed to get ready. I could hardly get any sleep after what I had dreamed last night and that’s why I am going to be late today!

I rushed out of the shower with wet hair and collected the clothes and wore them in a hurry before mom would come up stairs to check on me. I picked up the hair brush and stood before the mirror but as soon as I saw my reflection in the mirror I felt a strange feeling of nostalgia hitting me hard.

There was a woman who looked just like me in the reflection, the same rose blonde hair and the bright blue eyes but she was wearing a tradition gown from the medieval times and a hood covering her back and head.

Her cheeks had a hint of pink blush that seemed natural cause of the biting winds out side but her eyes held an inexplicable sorrow and yet there was a smile on her face. I kept staring at her as I moved closer to the mirror and that’s when mom called for me.

“Helena! Are you ready yet?” called my mom as she stood at the door of my room.

My heart jumped in tension as I looked towards my mom and then back at the mirror but that lady, who looked like me in the reflection, was gone! I was confused and tried to touch the mirror when my mom walked in and patted on my shoulder. I turned around in a sudden shock and my face held the confusion and tension of what had just happened.

“Helena, my dear are you alright?” She asked in a concerned tone.

“Mom… w..what happened?” I asked stuttering.

“I just came to tell you that since you woke up late, your dad will drop you off to college today” She said with a smile and hugged me.

I nodded as she left my room. I wonder if she might have noticed how nervous I had become but, I shook my head and looked at the mirror one last time, it had the same reflection as me and that lady who looked like me wasn’t there any more.

At breakfast all the three of us sat down and had cereal, some dry fruits. Toasts and vegetable salads. It was a scrumptious meal and I love having heavy breakfast for that gives me the real energy for the rest of the day. I chugged down the bottle of milk and saw a white mustache forming on my face. My parents laughed before I wiped it with a napkin.

After that, dad dropped me at the college and I rushed inside waving goodbye to him. He was standing there with a big smile and I was happy to see him smile like that for it filled me with joy as well.

After the classes I walked out of the college with Stacy to head to the library when I felt someone was watching me. I tried to brush that feeling off and I knew if I spoke of it to Stacy then she’d start off with the fantasy of “the secret admirer” again. We went into the library and bumped into Peter.

Peter was quite a shy guy who worked full time at the library and Stacy gave me a knowing smile before leaving us alone. Peter was a sweet person but, I only liked him as a friend. His actions however were very clumsy around me and he’d always try to strike up a conversation with me which would somehow turn into awkward ones. He was a sweet guy and was quite handsome as well but, I somehow never found myself looking at him in that way.

“Hey!” He said as he looked at me with a big smile.

“Hi, Peter” I said in a low tone.

“So back to your evening studies, hun?” he said awkwardly.

“Yeah...” I replied and kept my replies short and brief.

He stood there in silence as he watched me and I was thinking of ways to end this awkward conversation between us.

“Well, I better get back to studying” I said finally breaking the awkward silence between us.

“Sure!” He said and gave me some way to pass but he still held that smile on his face as he watched me leave.

“I feel pity for Peter” said Stacy as she walked from behind the book rack.

“You were here the whole time?” I asked in shock.

“You always break his heart! Come on, loosen up a little!” said Stacy as she nudge me teasingly.

“If you pity him so much then why don’t you approach him?” I spat back at her.

“Wow, go easy girl! I would have approached him but, he seems to be taken by you” she said teasing me again.

We moved up stairs and began to study for the exams and after the final bell rang to indicate the closure of the library for the day, Stacy and I got down and returned the books and prepared to leave.

Peter was at the counter and his smile was back again as soon as he made an eye contact with me.

“So, did you study hard?” He asked as he looked at me.

“Yes, Peter we studied well, but I’m worried about my performance, I’m sure it would be a cake walk for Helena though” said Stacy.

Oh God, she and her dramatic taunts.

“Well, if you want I can help you” said Peter.

He was a kind guy indeed and Stacy jumped at the opportunity and agreed to it immediately.

“Yeah! That would be a great help Peter! Thank you so much, you are a kind soul!” She said

Great! Now it would be very awkward to have all the three of us studying together. Stacy creates the mess and now I’ll also have to go with it. I just felt awkward with Peter around but, now I guess I need to get used to it.

We walked outside the library and Stacy stopped mid way.

“Oh my god! I forget to get the coat from the dry cleaners, I promised my mom that I’ll get it on the way. It’s not too late they close at ten in the night and I still have two hours if I run I can make it in time” She said

“Okay but don’t run take a bus or train to that place” I shouted as I saw her running already.

“Ya! I’ll see what I can do” She said as she ran.

I began to walk my way home all alone, it was dark but the city lights and the hustle bustle of the people around made it comforting as I walked. It was a busy street and the lights were everywhere, I never noticed how beautiful this city was in the night. I felt happy as I walked around watching different shops and people busy in their own lives.

I was walking slowly looking around for I had no hurry to return home. Mom and dad were going to be working late today so, I could take my time looking around and walk home a little late than usual. I saw a jewelry shop and thought of buying something for my parents on their wedding anniversary but before I could enter the shop I felt my arm being yanked from behind and my mouth covered by a gloved palm to prevent any of my screams escape.

I was taken into a dark alley and I was held real tight before I speak anything or even make a move.

The man then let go of me and I ran to the other end of the alley which was a dead end. I looked around to see a man in a black hoodie standing before me. There were no lights and his face was covered as he stood before me.

“You said you wanted your man to be gutsy, but that man back there was not gutsy at all!” said he as he took a step closer to me.

“Wh..who are you?” I asked with fear of my life.

I had no where to go and he looked like a tall well built man who could easily over power me. I was no weak person either, dad had taught me some self defense after that incident and I was determined to take him down with that.

I jumped a kick on him but he dodged it and grabbed my arms from behind once again capturing me from behind.

“Easy sweetheart, easy. I don’t want to hurt you, I just want you to know that you are mine” He said

His voice sounded familiar but, I was too vexed to think of anything as I struggled to free myself from his grip.

“you will soon see me and I don’t wish a bad start for us” He continued to blabber absolute nonsense.

“I’ll leave you with this for now. I’m sure this will keep the straying dogs away from you” He said and began to kiss my neck.

I screamed in fear and anxiety as I felt is lips and tongue on my skin. He let go off me and disappeared before I could fight back. I was panting with fear as I felt his touch on my skin which made me disgusted to the core.