FALLIN'

[17] The Maniac

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|| Disclaimer ||

The following chapter contains certain violent actions.The story is completely based on fictitious ground.

None of them are written with the intention of hurting any personal, social or religious sentiments.

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*Annie's POV*

I was smiling like an i***t, leaning against the door, thinking about our not-so-second 'second date'.

I wonder where is he gonna take me tomorrow. I tried so hard, but he just won't spill the beans.

'I can't wait to find out'

****

I turned on the shower faucet & let the water pour down my body.

'...haah...', I sighed loudly, as I allowed the hot water sooth my aching muscles.

The steam from the shower was thick & filled the air as I washed my exhaustion from the day.

I was busy prepping myself for having a good night sleep, so that I don't end up looking like a raccoon tomorrow!

I stood infront of the mirror, gawking at my own reflection. All I saw was a pair of tired eyes that have lost their gleam over the years.

'I guess I just forgot to love myself, huh?'

But tonight is not going to be about self-pity. It is going to be about self-love.

Pushing the gloominess aside, I opened my drawer & took out a sheet mask to put on my face.

I looked at the mirror & told myself, "Tonight, you're going to pamper yourself Annie!"

*****

I don't know what time it was when I suddenly woke up to the sound of my door bell ringing repeatedly.

I checked my bedside clock, only to discover it was 1.45am!

'Who could it be at this hour? Peter?', I thought.

Maybe there's some emergency.

I quickly grabbed my robe & went downstairs.

"Who is it?", I asked before opening the door.

Nobody answered.

I peeped through the spyhole but there was no one to be found.

'Might have been my imagination', I thought, returning back to my room.

Just as I was about to get into my bed, the doorbell rang again.

"Who is it?"

There was an eerie silence.

"Is there anybody out there?", I gradually tip-toed towards the door.

Once again, I tried looking through the spyhole. Still, no sign of anybody.

I looked down, slowly grabbing the doorlock, making an attempt to open the door, when suddenly there was a loud knock on the door.

My heart almost leaped out of my throat.

'Whoever it is, is gonna get a piece of my mind', I thought, swinging the door open.

"Hello, baby girl. Missed me?", there was the voice that I never wanted to hear again.

"Z...a....", was all that I muttered before my consciousness faded into darkness.

****

My head was pounding. Eyelids heavy. I tried to open my eyes, but failed. My mouth was dry, as I felt the need to quench my thirst.

Suddenly the thought of seeing Zack crossed my mind. I jolted in fear, trying to get up but was unable to do so. I can't move. Why? What on....I, I think my hands are tied. I tried to scream but nothing came out.

'It's okay. Calm down. It's nothing. Breathe in & out. Don't panick. Think. Think, what can you do now?'

'Jin! Yes, I just need to call him'

I tried to reach my phone on the bedside table.

"Ughhh", I groaned loudly in frustration, "I can't get there"

"Hey google, call Jin", I said loud & clearly.

"Who are you trying to call?", that known voice was enough to freeze me at my spot.

I could make out a dark figure squatting a few metres away from me, watching me.I felt a shiver run down my spine. I knew, it was him. Memories from the past came rushing back to me.

Hot tears rolled down my cheeks.

"I see, I still have that effect on you then?", he asked, clearly enjoying himself, laughing like a maniac.

"Why? Why are you here after so many years?", I spat out with all my hate.

"I came here to see my girlfriend. I missed you baby", he said, grinning.

"Girlfriend? Heh! ", I scoffed.

In an instant, he threw the chair across the room, breaking the mirror into pieces.

"SILENCE!!", he shouted at the top of his voice.

I could feel cold sweats running down my neck. I knew this man & the extent of his anger. He was crazy. One wrong move & he could kill me right here, right now. I swallowed in fear, remembering the night I left him.

"What made you laugh?", he asked, gritting his teeth tightly.

"I am no more your girlfriend, Zack. We broke up years ago", I tried to explain.

He clenched his jaws, pacing towards me. I tried to back off but couldn't. The rope tied to my hands were too tight.

He grabbed me by my face, pushing my head against the bed.

"Have you forgotten everything baby girl?", his eyes cold & proud. All I saw was pure venom.

Due to my lack of response, he forcefully squeezed my cheeks against my jaw, causing the insides of my cheek to cut open from the sharp edges of my teeth.

"Ughhh", I groaned in pain.

He looked me in the eyes, flashing me a duchenne smile.

"You MONSTER! F*cking MANIAC! ", I yelled in utter disgust.

His eyes red with anger, he raised his hand in the air but before it could land on me, my doorbell rang.

"Annie? What's going on? I heard weird noises"

'Peter? Oh! Thank God'

"PETER HELP M.....mmphh...mmphh...", Zack covered my face with his hand to stop me from shouting.

At this point, I could barely breathe. I was gasping for air, but he didn't release his grip.

Gradually, everything started to fade away.

'Am I dying?'

Soon, I didn't have the energy to fight back anymore. My consciousness seemed to drift off to nothingness.

******

.....

....

'Where am I? What is this place?'

I heard faint voices calling out to me, but who?

I slowly opened my eyes. Gradually memories rushing in~

"Zack!", I shrieked, sitting straight up.

"Shhhh! It's okay, he's not here. You're safe now"

Tears welled up in my eyes. I felt a lump in my throat. With a single tear escaping my eyes, all the built-up emotions came tumbling down. I hugged him tight & my tears kept spilling in an unbroken stream.

"Th...thank you so much Jin..."

"Uhuh.. it's okay.. shhh.. you're such a brave girl Annie..now, look at me.... you did a great job calling me. It was not possible to reach here so soon, that is why I called 911 right away. Also, thank Peter. If he wasn't here on time, God knows what would have happened"

I searched for Peter & saw him sitting across the room in a chair.

"Pete?", I called him.

"Ann", he came rushing towards me.

He held my hands, sitting down on his knees, "Thank God you're safe. I'm sorry, I should've come sooner"

I swayed my head in disapproval.

"Thank you", I hardly whispered, closing my eyes.

The room seemed unfamiliar.

"Where am I?", I asked both of them.

"I brought you here, to the hotel I'm staying in. Zack escaped before the police could catch him. It's not safe for you to stay at your place until the case resolves", Jin explained.

I sighed deep. 'Why me?'

*******

To be continued.. *******

Hi guys!

I hope you all are doing well. Please be safe out there. _/_

It is really very important to speak up against injustice before it's too late. Don't keep waiting for the right moment. There's no better time than the present.

Again, please be safe out there.

Love you all.

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