Falling for Him

The Encounter

I wake up the next day with last night’s events fresh in my mind. I lay in bed reliving the memories of us. He really never gets tired. I roll over to find the other side of the bed empty. I wrap the bed sheet around my frame and head to the kitchen but to my surprise, it’s also empty. I take quickened steps toward the bathroom but once again, empty. I feel a sticking pain in my chest but I quickly shut it down. I’m over this. He left.

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The next few weeks fly by and I try my best not to confront Russell. I haven’t seen or heard from him. It’s like we never knew each other. I saw his car in the parking lot everyday so I knew he was real and it wasn’t just all in my head. I felt like I was just moving through the days of my life, not being present. My heart felt cold toward any and everything. Most nights I dreamt of myself drowning and always jolting from sleep in tears. I didn’t presume today to be any different. I pass his car in the parking lot as I make my way to my own. I head straight home as my usual routine to wallow in self pity. I walk into the apartment and head straight for the bottle of unfinished wine I had started that morning. I carry it to bed with me and somehow I drift off to sleep whilst deadening my sorrows with alcohol.

I have the same dream again, resulting in me jolting from my sleep. I glance at my phone, it’s just after 4:00 am. Makes no sense trying to go back to sleep, I’ll just slowly get ready for work, I thought to myself. I was still in my work attire from the day in front. I force myself out of bed and head toward the kitchen to make some coffee. I bring the steaming cup up to my face and inhale deeply before taking a small sip. I notice a shadow standing across the room. I rest the mug on the counter and turn on the lights.

I see him standing there. Dressed in all black with anger twisted on his face. My heart sank to my stomach. I run for the door but before I can open it to run through he grabs a fistful of my hair and pulls me back throwing me on the floor. I wince in pain on the floor, rubbing the spot on my head that hurts the most. Ben walks over to me, standing over me.

“Get up” he demands. I don’t move and keep my eyes directed to the floor. I hear him exhale deeply before he grabs me by my hair and pulls me along the floor toward the living room. I kick and scream in an effort to free myself but he throws me on one of the chairs like a rag doll. Tears stream down my face. Ben sits on the arm of the chair opposite me.

“There’s no escaping me Elise” he says in a condescending tone.

“Why are you here?” I utter through my tears.

“I’m here for you..” he spoke of me like something he owned, it made my stomach turn.

“How did you even find me?” I whisper.

“It wasn’t that hard” he says with a sinister smile. I eye the door behind him. He stands and slowly walks over to the kitchen.

“Y’know Elise.. you brought this upon yourself” he says as he takes a glass from one of the cupboards.

“All you had to do was forget.. forget what you think you saw and move on” he goes to the sink and fills the glass with water. He reaches into his pocket pulling out a small bottle which he empties inside the glass. His eyes dart to me to make sure I was well aware of what was about to happen.

“Are you going to kill me?” I say as I watch him closely. He keeps his eyes focused on me and his devilish smile appears on his face.

“And why would I do that?” The sarcasm in his voice was difficult to miss.

“I’m simply here to take you home” he tries to sound convincing.

“And if I refuse..” I mumble. The smile disappears from his face and is replaced with a darkness that shows that defying him was not an option. Ben walks over to me with the glass in hand.

“Let’s put it this way..” he stands over me, handing me the glass. I refuse to take it. He kneels down to my level, pushing my hair behind my ear. Gripping my chin forcing me to meet his gaze.

“If I can’t have you.. no one can..” he spat his words.

“Now drink” he offers me the glass once again, giving my a cold stare. I take it hesitantly and he cracks a smile. He stands and sits in the chair opposite me. He looks at the glass and then to me.

“Go on” he whispers while gesturing his hand to me. I bring the glass up to my lips.

“Good girl” he smiles as he watches me attentively. I appear to take a sip but his smile disappears in dissatisfaction.

“You must drink all of it” he instructs. I begin to raise the glass to my lips once again, but this time I launch it towards Ben’s face. I dart to the bedroom and quickly close and lock the door behind me. I lean my back against it and sigh in relief that I was able to create at least some separation between us. I hear him curse at me from behind the door. I look around for anything I could use to defend myself but come up short. My only other option was escape. I drag one of the chairs from by the window and barricade the door. I go to the window but it’s sealed, even if I could manage to get through, I’m so high up and there’s no way down. Ben bangs at the door, cursing angrily. I have to find a way out. The door shakes as he hits it repeatedly making my heart jump in my chest. It goes quiet for a brief moment before I hear him launch something at the door in order to break through. I can hear pieces of wood breaking off from the outside. It’s only a matter of time before he gets in. I frantically pace about the room moments away from having a break down. I see a crack begin to form in the door from Ben’s assault. I run into the bathroom and lock the door. I sit on the floor, pulling my knees to my chest, tears pouring from my eyes. With every banging sound I hear coming from the door, my body jumps in fright and I hold myself tighter as I think about what’s going to happen next.

There’s a loud crashing sound outside; I try to stay as quiet as I could possibly manage. I hear footsteps on the other side of the door walking about the room. I place my hand over my mouth breathing shakily as they stop on the other side of the door.

“Why do you have to make this difficult Elise?” with frustration running high in his voice. I hear him bang his fists against the door making me jump at the sound. I hear him release a deep breath followed by the sound of footsteps. I think he’s leaving. I stay in the bathroom on the floor for what seems like an hour whilst listening to any sounds coming from outside but there’s nothing but silence. I can’t stay in hear forever and no one’s coming to rescue me. I muster all the strength I could and bring myself to my feet. I unlock the door as quietly as I could and pause making sure no one is on the other side trying to force in. I slowly push the door open whilst peeping around the bedroom for any sign of Ben. I don’t see him. I take a step out of the bathroom but before I can release the breath I’ve been holding, someone holds me from behind the bathroom door. His hand is against my mouth squeezing it forcefully, preventing me from screaming. His other hand holds my body against his, preventing me from escaping but I still try to fight my way out. His lips brush against my ear.

“I meant what I said b*tch.. if I can’t have you.. no one else can” he whispers into my ear. I feel pressure against my stomach and he grunts as he forces something against me. His grip loosens from around my mouth and I look down to see his hand holding the handle of a knife and blood beginning to stain through my clothes. He whips me around to face him, withdrawing the knife and stabbing me again. This time I feel pain and my knees begin to give out making me lean against him. He holds me close to him, forcing the knife further into my stomach, twisting it into me. I yelp in pain against him.

“This is your fault” he whispers, letting me fall to the floor. I place my hand on my wounds trying to apply pressure to stop the bleeding but what was the point. I feel blood dripping from my fingers whilst I lay on the floor unable to move. I vision becomes blurred but I see Ben step over my body and walks toward the door. He looks over his shoulder at me before he leaves and I think I might’ve seen sadness in his eyes. Soon I feel myself drifting away into a deep sleep, my body felt cold and lifeless. It felt like just in my dreams only this time, I don’t think I’ll wake up again.