Killing Heather

Chapter 16

I should have been spending my drive thinking about what I was about to do, or even what I was going to say. Instead I couldn’t get my mind wrapped around the fact that driving 130 on the interstate is just a fact of life now, or that this car is basically my whole life now.

I can’t risk going back to my apartment, and with my phone destroyed I couldn’t even pay my bills if I wanted to. If I go home I guarantee my mom will turn me in, so it looks like it’s really time to go for broke. If I’m going to prison then I might as well try to escape it for as long as I can. Besides… I’ve got a few ideas still.

I made it to her house in what seemed like 30 seconds but the red LED on the dash informed me it was actually 6 minutes. 6 minutes… it would take me 20 in the catfish. Goddamn this thing is quick.

I park a little down the street but this time I’m not hiding. I leave my belongings in the car, grab the keys and start making my way up the driveway to her front door.

Standing on her front step my hand reaches out to knock my knuckles against the door, but I hesitate. It’s late.. almost 1am at this point. f**k it.. there is no turning back now.

I go to make the move and the door swings open ferociously. There she stands in the doorway. She’s obviously distressed, and she looks like she hasn’t slept in days. There’s bruising up and down her neck peaking out of the orange tie-dye hoodie she’s wearing. Her hair is unkept, and honestly I could never imagine her looking so rough.

“It’s you.. what are you doing here?” She spits sharply

Confused as to how she knew I was there I took a quick peak around to notice the new doorbell camera I had originally not noticed walking up.

“I was on my way home from work when I couldn’t shake the thought of seeing all the cop cars in front of your house this morning. I know it’s none of my business but I really wanted to come and check in. Maybe see if there was anything i could do…?” Obviously I hadn’t seen a thing but it was pretty safe to assume, or so I thought.

She studied me intently for a few seconds before the words left her mouth.

“Yeah.. well. Some sick f*****g creep broke in to my house wearing a mask and r***d me last night. So no everything is not okay, and it absolutely is none of your business so please leave me the f**k alone!”

She begins to reach for the door to slam it on me, but I take a half step in a quickly retort.

“Holy s**t are you…” I pause. No she’s not okay i***t.

“… is there anything I could possibly do to help? I know another man is probably the last person on the planet you want to see, but if anything I’d be happy to serve as a little bit of comfort to show that all men aren’t out here trying to take advantage of you.”

She winced.. that was not the right thing to say. I nonchalantly reach around the back of the waistband holding my jeans to lay an inquiring finger on the knife I wasn’t sure I had.

“What’s your name?”

She broke the silence for a few seconds after I assume she was going over the things I had just said. Her words were cold and sharp.

“Anthony” I lied out of panic. I’m trying really hard to not make it noticeable how much I am freaking out inside.

“Well Anthony. I’ve got the sheriffs department on speed dial, and I will not hesitate to cut you with a machete if you do anything weird. You understand?”

I can’t believe it.. she’s letting me in. I just lied my ass off and it’s working.

“Understand?!”

“I promise- uhh…”

“Heather..” she quickly introjected.

“I promise, Heather. Kick me out whenever you want me to leave.”

She stood aside the doorway, opening the door for me to enter.

I took a deep breath, and I walked in.