Finding Grace

Chapter 4

Running I’m running, something is chasing me, the world is eerily calm. Not a single soul to be found, only me and whoever is chasing me are here. Sweat pools down my body, my chest is heavy as i continue to find anything and anyone to help me get away from whatever I’m running away from. Gasping for air i start running faster and harder. I’m being pulled back not being able to move. My feet are hitting the pavement desperate to get away from what’s holding me back. I keep moving not stopping and not turning back, only to hearing laughing from behind. “You’ll never get away Kat,” the mystery man howls at me. “ I’ll always find you.” He adds. His laughter hitting me in my core deeply terrifying me. Deep down i know he’s catching up I’m moving slower and slower barely at a jog now.

“keep going” i yell to myself!

“Keep.. Keep goi.. keep going! In the distance i hear bells. Church bells! Picking up my pace thinking i found my answer. Church bells! I exhale in happiness as i turn down a street only to come face to face with the old man from the elevator and dine. Stopping abruptly i take a step back only for him to walk forward. “ what..what do you want from me?” I question frightened. Silence he just continues to look down.

“ who are you and why wont you tell me what you want?!” I yell at him. “ answer me!” Screaming now. He raises his head and laughs, each breath i take his laugh grows, not wanting to hear him any more i lift my hands to my ears to deafen the torturous sound. Walking backwards to get away not watching where I’m stepping i fall. The cold hard concrete meeting my behind sending shockwave after shockwave of pain up my body. The man moving closer and closer as i push myself away not being able to stand yet. “ where ya going beautiful?” He questions. “ I’m just trying to help you be who you really are meant to be.” He says with a sly smile on his face. “ stay. Stay away from me!” I yell. As he comes closer i notice his clothing, the stained gray navy pants and the black crew neck shirt that has way to many holes to count. “You were in my house.” I whisper.. “what’s that know love i cant hear you.” He asked. “ YOU WERE IN MY HOUSE.” I shout. He stills the evil laugh coming out again. As he continues to approach me, i stand and make a dash to the bells again. “ oh don’t try that again love! I’ll always find you, you’ll never win!” He bellowed.

Passing store after store and house after house i realize where i a. Tivoli, New York. The quite little place from where I grew up. How did i get here? When, when did i come back home? What’s going on?

Coming across a house that looks all too familiar. The red brick house with yellow window panels. The little white picket fence and fresh mowed lawn as well. The house gives off cozy and comfortable vibes. Without realizing it I’m reaching for the door handle and turning the knob. Shocked its opened and what i see before me terrifies me even more. There lay in the foyer are my running shoes and next are my parents as well. The house was an exact replica of what i grew up in. Shiny wood floors, a comfortable gray couch with silver accents sown into it. Beautiful marble table with all the fruits you’d ever imagine. The one thing it was missing was my parents. The house loud but also so still. Heading up the stairs to please my state of curiosity i feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand… someone is here. Turning my head giving myself a whiplash, he’s behind me. Just standing in the door way but this time he’s in his trench coat, the collar raised up hiding his face, in his hand a bloody hatchet. Taking two steps at a time i run to the second floor going into one of the many rooms. Locking the door and banging my head in frustration i cry out “What is happening?” Sighing loudly i turn around. Stumbling and gasping for breath i take in the room. My parents room staring right at me. White linens lay perfect on a bed pillows perfectly placed on top. The beautiful vanity made of a dark mahogany with gold accents. Family pictures on all 4 wall perfectly placed. Not a spect of dust on anything. The room was straight out of a magazine. Remembering where i am and trying to get out i jump to the window. The door banging behind me. “Come on let me in.” The mysterious old man whispers. “ continuing to try to open the locked the door he grows frustrated. Growling he grows angrier, the door starts to shake as he slams his fists on the door, trying to kick it in as well. Standing frozen next to the window trying to open it. “ groaning” in frustration, its stuck I’m trapped. Realizing I’m stuck in a room with no where to go, the man outside continuing to try to break in. I fall to the floor grabbing my head i feel dizzy, everything is going fuzzy and i feel like I’m falling continuously, the sound of his kicks and bangs on the door are becoming distant and few. The world is turning black all around me, trying to stay awake i fall deeper and deeper into fainting. “ have to get out” i whimper over and over again.

Not knowing what’s worse the man trying to kick down the door and him finding me like this fainted on the bedroom floor of my deceased parents floor, or not how i even got to New York with a stalker at my feet. Slowing trying to regain consciousness i stand only to fall again, hitting my head on the nightstand as i go. Bells follows me, my head sore from the constant noise and pain from the hit. My world turns to black as soon as he kicks down the door, and walks over to me.

Jerking myself awake, confusion hitting me I’m back home in bed. It was just a dream. a really vivid and real dream. Grabbing the glass of water that is on the nightstand by me i take big glues trying to get the morning fog out of my head. Bits and pieces coming back to me in waves, my stomach heaving with nausea just remembering the smell of his cloths and how close he got to me. Tears form in my eyes as the pain sets in of remembering my parents home and bedroom, there’s must be a reason my subconscious is doing this to me. Deciding enough is enough and needing to confront the mystery old man that’s been haunting me for the last 24 hours.

Making it my mission to find him and to see what he wants with me. Grabbing my clothes and changing i head toward the bathroom. Washing my face and brushing my teeth more memories of my childhood come into my head. Jumping up and down with my mom and dad holding the jump rope. Going to the park and sliding down the swing. I push them down not wanting to relive and more pain then what i have already endured i turn the faucet off and go the kitchen for breakfast. Grabbing some cereal and some milk i set myself in front of the tv and turn on the news only to see that the missing girl from last night has been found in a ditch right off a highway. Her body lay naked only coverage was the blue tarp they respectfully placed on her. Nausea coming back at me full force after hearing bruises and rope burn, along with cut marks form the knife. Who would do this, why would they harm such an innocent soul for their own pleasure? Knocking coming from the door i turn the tv to another channel and throw the bowl on half eaten cereal on the table.

walking toward and yelling out. “ just a minute.” Grabbing a light sweater and throwing it on, i unlock the door only o be face to face with Mark.

“ Oh its just you.” I state indifferent

“Hey Kat sorry about not coming sooner, the rain wasn’t easy onus last night and our own basement started flooding.” Mark talks as he walks into my apartment.

“ Marks you have 10 seconds to explain to me what you’re talking about, you came into my house yesterday to fix the leak without even calling me to tell me, and you changed and even left you’re nasty smelling clothes in my bathroom!” I scream at him

“ woah woah woah Kat,” confusion on his face. “ i didn’t come yesterday nor did i change in your apartment.

“ but, but the hole is fixed. And and the clothes they were men’s clothes and wet from the storm and most definitely not mine.” With fear i my voice.

Mark runs into the bathroom the see that the ceiling is fixed and patched up.

“ Kat someone was in your apartment and it was most definitely was not me nor did i hire anyone to come to your place and fix anything,” cautiously he looks around and goes, “ You need to leave you apartment now!” Nodding my head i run toward my bedroom to gather as much as i could. I have to leave many safe space in order to be safe.

Who would come into my house, who would know about my leaky ceiling? Why would anyone want to do his to me?