The Intruder

Chapter 1

I was sitting at my desk and doodling in my notebook, impatiently waiting for the bell to ring. That last period seemed to have stretched infinitely. I was a perfect student - paying attention, taking notes… on most of my classes. However at that moment I felt I had to go home as soon as possible. It was as if I knew there was something waiting for me there. Even though that feeling had been tormenting me since that period started, I still couldn’t guess where it was coming from. My 17th birthday was approaching but it was the following day. I highly doubted my parents would organize something a day before. I looked at the clock and started counting seconds till the end of the period. Soon I was going to find out what was happening to me.

As the bell finally rang I sprung out of my chair, packed my books and made my way to my car. As I was leaving the parking lot I almost ran one of my classmates over but he seemed to have been in a hurry too so I managed to go straight home without wasting any time.

I parked my car in front of my house and went to open the front door. My hands were shaking and putting the key in was a struggle. The door was secured by three locks, meaning there was no one home. Or that was what it usually meant. When I went in, I certainly felt there was someone else in there with me. I closed the door quietly, put my backpack on the floor and grabbed an umbrella. I was not sure if I could defend myself with it but it was the only thing we kept in the hall. For some reason I immediately moved up the stairs, eager to check my room first. Maybe it was because of me being concerned about the jewelry I kept in there that I knew robbers would most likely take. Or maybe it was some incredible sense I had because as I moved closer I heard a sound of something small hitting the ground coming from my room. I should have been scared and again I don’t know why - maybe because the sound reminded me of the jewelry - but I went straight in there, armed in my umbrella only.

And that was when I saw him - a boy around my age, maybe one or two years older. Dark brown eyes, black hair and tanned skin. He stood in front of my desk, holding a cellphone and watching me.

‘You’re finally here’ he said, smiling slightly. He put the cellphone in his pocket and moved to face me directly.

Not letting go of the umbrella, I moved closer.

‘How did you get here?’ I asked, concerned about the safety of our house.

‘You shouldn’t leave your window open’ he chuckled.

I nodded, getting his point. However, my room was on the third floor. He must have climbed up there. With the way our house was built…. was that even possible?

‘I don’t think you live here alone’ my intruder stated and looked around to point out his admiration for the size of the house… or at least I think that was what he meant.

I shook my head.

‘My parents should be here in two hours’ I said and put the umbrella by the wall.

I have never been in a similar situation before but I was pretty sure I should have been at least slightly scared? I could not understand why I felt so calm near him. He broke into my house and I have never met him.

‘Okay then. We have a bit of time to talk then’ he stated, turning serious and pulling a chair from under the desk. He sat on it in a ‘cool’ way, with what is usually at the back in between his legs, his arms resting on the top rail. He pointed at my bed, silently inviting me to sit there.

‘That would be great’ I responded as I sat down. ‘Who are you and why are you here?’

‘I am Zach Parker’ he reached his hand out. Once I shook it, I could feel sparks between us.

‘Some static charge difference between us’ I addressed the sparks, which I immediately regretted as he bursted out in laughter. It wasn’t that long but felt like forever to me.

‘Yeah, good one’ he responded, calming himself down. ‘Which convinces me you are not gonna understand my next answer.’

He stood up and put the chair back under my desk.

I raised my eyebrows, getting annoyed.

‘Where are you going?’ I asked, still sitting, expecting him to sit down as well. 

‘This is gonna be pointless’ he sighed. ‘And it will only confuse you. Just try to get some sleep today, let’s meet up tomorrow and I’ll tell you everything.’

He moved towards the window, putting the curtains away. I stood up, ready to protest. Was he going to jump? Climb down? I was actually curious to see but I needed answers!

‘Tomorrow after school, I’ll pick you up.’ He put his legs out of the window. ‘See ya, Emily!’ He shouted and disappeared. I ran towards the window and looked around but he was nowhere to be seen.