Crimson Shadows : Embracing The Unseen

Chapter V : Entwined Fates

The Marionette

Aunt Cynthia gave me a one-day leave, which I agreed to, and she was surprised I didn't argue with her because ever since, rest has never been my thing. When I discovered Grandma had cancer, I worked harder for her hospital bills, daily maintenance, and everything she needed to survive, but she was destined to die that day, and my hard work, the money I earned can't do nothing. A tear drops fall from my eyes as I remember the memories, the pain of losing grandma still fresh. The unspoken grief weighs on my shoulders, a burden I carry daily.

I had just completed my morning meal preparation when the doorbell interrupted me. I rushed to open it, only to be met with a sense of disbelief at the sight of a police officer standing outside. "How may I assist you, Officer?" I inquired. It was the same officer who had been present during the altercation at the bar; he appeared to be in his thirties and stood quite tall, but what could have brought him here?

"May I come in? I want to discuss something with you privately" He said making me curious and nervous of what his intentions are. "Certainly," I replied as I opened up my doorway wider for him to enter. Once inside, we proceeded to my living room where he took a seat on one of my comfortable sofas.

"May I offer you a cup of coffee, sir?"I asked, concealing my anxiety and unease in the presence of the officer. "No thank you, Ms. Anderson,"he declined politely. "I do not intend to remain here for long."

As I settled onto the sofa opposite him, his imposing figure loomed over me like an ominous cloud. The atmosphere was charged with tension and anticipation as we embarked on what felt like a clandestine rendezvous. His unwavering gaze bore down upon me, amplifying the weightiness of our encounter.

With bated breath, I steeled myself for whatever revelations he had in store for me; the air around us thickened with unspoken secrets and palpable suspense.

"Ms. Anderson, I want you to watch this." He broke the silence as he handed me his phone. I played the video; it was CCTV footage of the mysterious guy approaching me at the bar.

"It was deleted, but fortunately, we restored some deleted footages that night," he explained. I stared at the video, my heart pounding crazily, unsure how to answer if he asked anything. "I want to ask you..." He added, but his voice echoed in my ears, not wanting to hear another word from his mouth.

"By any chance, do both of you have a connection?" I froze, not knowing how to answer his question. I looked at him with a desire to confess everything, but my phone caught my eye beside me; a message saying, "Remember my words last night, Mon chéri." It's him. I gulped and let out a deep breath, calming myself and letting my nervousness escape my body.

"I appreciate your concern, Officer. We happened to cross paths coincidentally; no connection, just an unexpected encounter in a crowded place."I respond, feigning innocence. Fortunately he seemed to accept my explanation without much scrutiny.

" Oh I see... " He said as I hand him back his phone, "But did you see his face?" He asked again. My heart raced with a mixture of relief and lingering unease. His question pierced through my facade, and the fear of being exposed intensified.

"Unfortunately, Officer, it all happened so quickly, and I didn't get a clear look at his face. It was chaotic." I explained. The weight of secrets bore down on me concealing the truth behind a carefully crafted facade of innocence.

"Thank you for your cooperation Ms. Anderson." He said as he walk towards my door and shut it behind him.

***************************************

I came home early from the bar due to a sudden storm, I was almost done showering suddenly the lights turn off. I stand firm waiting for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, I wrap myself a towel and walk down stairs to get my phone, as I get my phone from the kitchen counter, I get a notification alert saying expect blackout due to storm. I look outside from my window; the wind is strong and the rain is heavy, a lightning strikes that gives lights revealing glimpses of the ominous figure standing outside. My breath caught, and a chill ran down my spine. His silhouette lingered in the flashes of lightning, a dark specter haunting the periphery of my existence.

Panic set in, and I fumbled to secure the curtains, attempting to shield myself from the ominous gaze. The room became a cocoon of fear as I clutched my phone tightly, contemplating whether to call the police. But a message appeared on my screen, a sinister reminder: "Enjoying the storm, Mon chéri? I always have my eyes on you, even in the darkest moments."

I fumbled for my phone, my trembling fingers dialing 911. The shrill ring of the phone shattered the uneasy silence of my dimly lit living room. My pulse quickened as I answered, the dispatcher's voice on the other end a thread of hope in the darkness that enveloped me.

"911, what's your emergency?"

A quiver in my voice, I described the eerie silhouette outside my window, the lurking presence that had haunted my nights. The dispatcher assured me that help was on the way, and relief washed over me momentarily. I dress myself up as I awaited the arrival of the police and each passing second seemed to stretch into an eternity.

The wail of sirens echoed through the storm, a cacophony of hope that promised to shatter the grip of fear. An officer, stern-faced and resolute, knocked on my door, bringing with him the semblance of safety. I eagerly recounted the unsettling events, leading him to the window where the stalker had been.

However, as the officer scanned the rain-soaked surroundings, his expression shifted from concern to skepticism. "Ma'am, I'm not seeing anyone out there. Are you sure you saw someone?"

Doubt gnawed at me, and I stammered, insisting that the stalker had been there, just moments ago. The officer, seemingly unconvinced, assured me they would patrol the area and left me with a sense of vulnerability.

The cruel reality set in – the stalker, adept at eluding capture, had vanished into the shadows once more. My plea for help yielded no evidence, and I felt a mix of frustration and despair. The storm outside mirrored the tumult within me, a tempest of emotions and unanswered questions.

As the police departed, leaving me alone in the dimness, I grappled with the haunting realization that my stalker remained elusive, slipping through the fingers of both law enforcement and my own attempts to unveil the truth.

*************************************

I awoke to the sound of thunder outside, but all I could see was blackness. After my thoughts caught up with what was going on, I realised my eyes were blindfolded and my hands were shackled in bed. As I attempted to pull my hands back and failed, I felt a presence in my room.

"Nice try, Mon chéri; I appreciate your bravery." I can't see him, but I can hear his footsteps becoming louder. Fear coursed through my veins, my helplessness resonating in the pounding of my heart. The stalker, my unrelenting tormentor, took pleasure in how vulnerable I am.

His voice, a sinister whisper, cut through the silence. "You thought the authorities could protect you? How naive, my dear. You're at my mercy now." The storm outside mirrored the tempest within me, my mind racing for an escape. With each step he took, the room seemed to constrict, the air thickening with dread. I struggled against the restraints, my attempts futile.

"Your futile escape attempts amuse me. You're mine to control, every move orchestrated by my whims." His presence sent shivers down my spine, a cruel reminder of the power he wielded.

I feel him start climbing on my footboard slat. The stalker, taking pleasure in his wicked game, muttered, "Remember, Mon chéri, every corner, every shadow - they all belong to me."

I attempted to kick with my left foot, but he caught it. I felt him place my foot above his shoulder while kissing it till his lips touched my legs. I attempted to kick him again with my other feet, but he caught it while leaving a hickey on my left leg.

"Stay still if you don't want your punishment, Mon chéri." he orders, and my body obeys, but I feel his gaze between my legs. I want to despise him for what he's doing, but the thought of seeing him in that scene makes me want to betray myself.

"But I think I let you pass tonight, you've been a good girl with that damn ass detective." I feel his anger in his tone, like a lion ready to devour.

The storm raged on outside, echoing the chaos that unfolded within the confines of my room. I closed my eyes, trying to shield myself from the nightmare, but there was no escape. The darkness enveloped me, a prisoner to the relentless pursuit that had tightened its grip on my life.

He suddenly placed his hands inside my shirt, examining my body. I closed my eyes as I felt a tear come from my eye, but he caught it with his index finger before it fell onto the bed

"Damn. You cry like f*****g Goddess." His whispered admission, filled with an unsettling mix of reverence and possessiveness, sent shivers down my spine. The dichotomy of fear and a twisted sense of adoration emanated from his voice.

"May I ask you, Mon chéri. Why are you this gorgeous? Even if you're crying you still have this beauty that makes me wanna capture every fleeting moment of your vulnerability, preserving it like a fragile masterpiece that only I get to admire." His words echoed in my ears, a chilling testament to the unsettling revelation that unfolded in the dimly lit room. The weight of his obsession and the darkness that clung to him became palpable. I shuddered, realizing the extent of his distorted emotions. The room seemed to constrict around me, suffused with an eerie tension.

A minute after I felt him get out of bed, my hands became free, and I hastily removed the blindfold, but there was no one in the room; it was as if no one had been there just before.

As the curtain fluttered in the wind, I felt a shiver run down my spine, the evidence of his recent presence casting an eerie ambiance in the room. The air grew heavy with anticipation, and I could sense his proximity drawing nearer, like a predator closing in on its prey.