Finding Grace

Chapter 6

Going over the past 24 hours was exhausting answering question after question, even explaining the weird figure and dream last night, even telling them how the wires at work were cut and we were sent home because of it. Starting to think i was crazy they assured me after 2 hours I wasn’t and that i may have a stalker in my life. We drove back to where the break in happened, so the forensics can do a sweep of the apartment. Mark finally being able to leave once the cops deem he’s not a suspect. The only one that they have any interest in was the old man from the elevator, Cruz thinks he’s the main one to look into since he was around me most of the day. The think was he disappeared, he no longer showed up to the cafe, He wasn’t in the building because he never lived in the building.

A week goes by without a word from Detective Cruz They’ve gathered as much evidence as they could but sadly not much was found. They check the door for finger prints, nothing was found but my own and Marks. They checked my balcony and took the broken metal bar that scared me the night of the storm. From my kitchen cabinets to my bedroom dresser drawers, they left no surface untouched. Marking possible entrances and coming up to me asking if certain objects are placed weirdly or if it was my own doing. They did find one thing in the bathroom that i overlooked as one of Marks tools.

“Miss can you please come here and verify if this is yours or not?” One of the techs ask.

Going over to him focusing on what he has in his hand. A sharp green hand held pliers

“Uh no those aren’t mine, maybe they’re Marks.” Questioning him back.

“ Mr. Hens already stated that these aren’t his.” He states with no emotion.

Turning towards his colleges he places the pliers back in a bag “ please put these in evidence we might be able to find a partial print.”

After a couple of days they did come back with a print, but Cruz said that it’ll take time to go through system to find out who they are.

“ We’ve put some officers on your case.” Cruz adds as he orders from the diner.

“ So I’m being watched by this creepy old guy and some cops, Lovely.” I remark.

“ It’s for your safety, some girls have been abducted up north and one was just found a week ago dead.” He says deadpanned

“ Well as long as they keep their distance I won’t mind them looking after me.” Stating “ Have you even been looking for him i moved back into the apartment because I cant afford the hotel anymore”

“ We’ve been looking.” Cruz adds “ He doesn’t live in the apartment building nor has he shown up on the surveillance footage from the diners camera of the storm. He literally showed up one day and disappeared the next. That’s why i have people watching you for your safety.”

“ This is so not what i wanted when i moved here.” I utter

“ Well who would want this?” Cruz voices

Refilling his coffee and continuing to work the rest of my shift goes by with out a blur. The cops that Cruz put on my case are stocky one was tall over 6ft while the other was a little over 5’3. Both waved hi to me as Cruz drive me home and reassured me that this was needed.

“ Look I know you don’t want this and that you think I’m going a bit too strong but, right now isn’t the time to go easy,” Clarifying “ Stalkers get mad and act without caution or reason quickly and that’s when the most damage happens. The sooner we find him the soon that means this all ends and then no one is watching you, okay?”

“ I know and I appreciate all that your doing its just a lot, before i had my parents and then no one. I don’t know how to let someone help me even though its your job to.” I divulge.

“Don’t worry about what’s my job or not.” He expresses “ You just go into your apartment that we made sure was secure and sleep ill see you tomorrow morning at the diner. And if anything happens text the guys that’s why i gave you their number. Or you can text me” He mumbles

Blushing I smile “ sounds good.” Waving bye i head up and go to bed.

Waking up and feeling refreshed i decide to start the day right and go running in the park. Texting Cruz and the guys I’m going on a run and that they don’t need to follow since the park will be full of people this morning. Leaving the phone on the counter i change into some workout gear and head out the door.

Walking toward the park across the apartment building the fresh cut grass and the beautiful flowers fill the air. Looking around i notice my surrounding, Mothers and children on the soft pelted ground swinging on swings and going up and down on the see saw. Bikers coming up and down the path and joggers in the mixed. Joining in but keeping my pace steady and far from those in front and behind me. Going down the bike path few joggers have stopped and relaxed on the bench, passing them and turning around the bend i head up a bit more. Following the trail the track begins to narrow. One by one the bikers form a line and being to speed past me. One flys right past me causing me to lose balance and fall.

Cursing profanities at him as i stand and continue my way. Running up to the bench i sit for a minute. Waiting for more bikers to come around the bend and to get a good distance away from them. As the last of them come around i stand and continue my own run. When i was younger dad would always take me and mom to the little fishing pond near our house and there was a little track there that i would run when he would grill burgers and wait for his line to move. Running always gave me a fresh breath and a power to be free that i never had before.

Not knowing what happened i fall and stumble on the way down to the hard cement pathway. Scraping my hands and twisting my ankle i go down hard. Looking up to see that rocks and branches are everywhere, assuming they’re from last weeks storm i try to get up but my ankle not letting me just yet. Smacking my head for leaving my cell phone at home and not having anyone to call for help, I

scooch down the trail a foot or two looking for a bench to rest on. Seeing one about 4 feet a head of me i tentatively get up not trying to put any pressure on my sore foot and head over there slowly. This isn’t the first time that I’ve tripped and injured myself. Chuckling to myself the nickname my dad would give me, my favorite would be klutz, not very unique i know but it would make me laugh 8/10 times even when i was crying of the pain.

rubbing my ankle and it feeling a bit better i try to get up to put some weight on it.

“ Ahh” i whimper. not bad but i know i would need to ice it later on.

Suddenly something struck me, and I’m falling again. The smell of rotting meat filling my nose, i turn grabbing my head as it throbs. There he is the old man right in front of me. Plaid shirt and all looking at me with his blank eyes. Getting up and trying to run he quickly grabs on my ankles and drags me behind the the rose bushes. Throwing rocks and sticks at his head i kick his hands away, making another leap to get away form him.

“HELP! HELP ME!” I scream, “ SOMEONE PLEASE, CALL THE COPS.” I holler and the empty trail. Hitting me again and getting on top of me he holds me down and with one hand holds down my hands above my head, with his left hand, he reaches into his pockets. As he pulls up a rag, i continue to kick and scream for help. Putting the rag over my face and holding it down I fall deeper and deeper into unconsciousness. The last thing i see is his dark green eyes and the last thing i hear is his laughter.