The Masked Murderer

Recovery

I sat on my parents comfy blue sofa, with a warm cup of chamomile tea, and a warm, cozy plush blanket thrown over my legs as I watched the Notebook, my all time favorite movie.

I felt like a teenager all over again. My hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail and I left the house with no concealer or foundation, something I would've never done in a million years, but I looked at life differently now. I've learned not to be so superficial. I hadn't fixed myself up since I gotten out of the hospital, plus I was still in recovery mode.

I quit my waitressing job at the local café due to the injuries I sustained and the prolonged amount of time that it would take for them to heal. I wasn't ready to dedicate myself to part-time or full-time work just yet, not until I completely healed, mentally and physically, from the trauma. I knew I wasn't there yet.

My flashbacks weren't as persistent, but I would still get them every now and then. Overall, I was beginning to feel like a full recovery was very near and that made me quite happy.

Charles and I moved in together. I felt safer living with him than I did when I lived on my own. When he wasn't at home, I stayed at my parents house.

"Thanks for letting me stay here until Charles gets home from work," I said to Mom.

"Olivia, you are welcome here anytime, you know that,"

"I know, I just want you to know I appreciate it," I said while taking quick sips of my tea.

Mom leaned over the couch to hug me. Her short curly brunette hair rubbed up against mine.

"I love you my beautiful daughter," She said, planting a kiss on the top of my head.

I felt like the luckiest woman alive, to have such a loving family, and a fiancé that was so incredibly in love with me. I appreciated it now more than I ever could've before.

I was so engrossed in the Notebook, I didn't realize I had five missed calls from Charles, not to mention my phone was on silent. I called him back right away.

"Hey honey, sorry I missed your call," I said over the phone while twirling a few loose strands of hair between my fingers.

"Babe, I gotta work until three in the morning, I'm sorry. I'll see you then," Charles said with disappointment in his voice.

"No worries, honey. I'll be home when you get there. I love you, bye."

"I love you too, bye." Charles blew me a kiss through the phone. I puckered up and blew him one back, then I hung up.

Six months had passed since that traumatic event and I was learning how to be independent all over again. I thought tonight would be the perfect night to spend by myself since I technically wouldn't be spending all night alone because Charles would be coming home at three.

It was eight o'clock and I was growing tired. My eyes could hardly stay open. I felt them burning as they began to water, an indication that I needed to get some sleep.

"Mom, I'm going home now," I announced as I began walking towards the kitchen where Mom was knitting.

"Okay, are you going to be alright? Do you need Dad to drive you home?" She asked while setting her knitting utensils on the big oakwood dinner table.

I chuckled, "No, Mom. I'll be fine."

It never failed. Mom always asked me if I wanted Dad to drive me home everytime I came over to visit.

I grabbed my black jacket from the arm of the couch, where I put it down earlier, and put it on as I headed towards the front door.

"Lock up and set the alarm, Mom."

"Bye, Olivia. Drive safe." Mom held the front door open and watched me walk to my car.

I walked into the pitch black darkness of the night. The street light was dim, it didn't offer much light. I tried my best to feel and act confident, but deep down I was scared.

I unlocked my car doors and waved goodbye to Mom. She waved back and closed the front door.

Once I was inside my car, I immediately checked the back seats.

Should I check the trunk too?

I was being paranoid, again.

You're okay, Olivia. Stop it.

I started my car and began my fifteen minute drive home.

My phone rang.

It's probably Charles. I'll wait until I get home and I'll call him back.

I drove up to our small blue and white apartment complex in the middle of rural Charleston in Texas. The complex was small, it was a one story building, made up of a total of four apartments, including ours. Two of them were occupied by college students who partied hard, when they were home, but they were hardly ever home. The last apartment had an older woman that lived in it, she kept quiet and didn't say a peep to anyone.

I parked my car and hurried to my front door. I fidgeted for my key on my keyring, while unlocking the door, I heard a loud noise coming from the bushes outside of my apartment. I quickly pushed the front door wide open as I immediately stepped inside, then I swiftly closed and locked the door behind me.

Phew. I was finally inside. I turned on the lamp that sat beside our couch on the end table. Then I suddenly saw a shadow reflecting against the white wall. My heart pounded and my breathing got heavy.

"Meow,"

Oh it was just Henry, our cat.

"Henry, you scared me," I said to him while I delicately ran my hand across the smooth fur of his back, petting him.

I remembered at that moment my phone had rang in the car, so I walked over to my purse and took it out to see who had called me.

It read: 1 Missed Call- Unknown

Charles never called me from an unknown number.

Hmmm, I wonder who that was?

I dismissed the unknown number as being a telemarketer. I put my phone back into my purse and decided to take a nice, hot, relaxing shower.

I walked into our small bathroom and turned on the crystal knobs of the shower. The bathroom began to fill with steam, fogging the mirrors and creating a cloudy haze. The humidity of the steam seeped into my pores. I stepped inside and began washing my hair. The water felt so relaxing, the hot water trickled down my shoulders and down my back.

Knock! Knock!

Did someone just knock at the front door?

I turned the shower off and listened again.

Nothing.

Hmmm.. it's probably just my imagination.

I turned the shower back on and continued to wash my hair.

Knock! Knock!

I turned the shower off again and stuck my head further out of the shower, so I could hear better.

Knock! Knock!

Somebody was knocking!

Who was it at this time of night?

I grabbed my towel, dried off then wrapped it around me. I really didn't want to answer the door, so I turned the bathroom lights off, hoping whomever it was, would leave.

Knock! Knock!

I sat on the glossy blue and white tiled bathroom floor. My heart beating rapidly. I got on my hands and knees, crawling from the tiled bathroom floor to the grey carpeted living room to get my cell phone out of my purse, just in case I needed to call for help.

I sat my back against the back of our olive green couch. I reached over the end table to grab my purse and I accidently hit the lamp.

BANG!

Oh no!

The lamp fell over, crashing on the floor, the bulb broke into pieces. Glass scattered all over the living room carpet. I couldn't see exactly where because the only light I had was now scattered across the carpet. I decided to go back to the bathroom. It was hidden from view and nobody would know if I was home or not.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The knocking at the door got louder and more intense.

I continued tip-toeing to the bathroom, ignoring the knocks at the door.

"Owwwww!" I screamed, I looked at the bottom of my foot, glass from the light bulb had settled deep into my foot. Blood started leaking from the cut.

I went from tip-toeing to the bathroom to limping.

"Meow, meow, meow.." Henry cried.

"Quiet Henry," I whispered to my cat.

I looked at my phone. Ten missed calls from an unknown number.

Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!

What the hell is going on? Who's calling me and who's banging at my door?!

My phone rang while the banging at my door ensued. It was the unknown number again. My hands nervously shook.

I'm so sick of being afraid!

I answered the phone,"What do you want?! Huh?! Leave me the hell alone!" I yelled into the phone.

"Olivia, it's me, Jess," she said, "I'm at the front door. Justin and I got into another argument, I just wanted to know if I could crash here for the night,"

I put the phone down, holding it against my chest. I squeezed my eyes tightly as I breathed a sigh of relief.

It was my best friend, Jessica.

I put the phone back to my ear, "Okay, I'm coming to the door now, Jess"

I hung up the phone, got up from the floor and walked to the front door to let Jess in.

"Thanks Olivia, you're a lifesaver," Jess said as she gave me a hug.

**Did you enjoy reading this chapter!! Thank you so much!**