He's My Killer

Chapter Twenty-Eight

CARTER

I pulled the drawer open and grabbed her phone before closing it again. I gazed at her and she looked so eager.

If she knew.

I handed over her phone and she took it without hesitation. Her lips were holding back that smile.

"So eager, babe."

She looked at me and a smirk formed on her face. "I am, Boss man."

I bit my lip, holding back my laugh. This girl. After a moment, I got myself back to business.

"My buddy Rick will drive you home. Take care of yourself."

She eyed me for a moment. "No tricks?"

I held my hands up. "Not at all, babe."

Then a smile appeared on her face. "Well, I don't know if I should thank you or...?"

I snorted. "Call it being generous."

She gave a nod and without another word, she said bye and walked out my office with Rick behind her. I tapped my fingers on my desk in silence.

"Jim." I called to one of the guards that stood outside my office. He entered with respect.

"Boss man?" He stepped forward from the entrance door.

"Follow her. Make sure she doesn't see you. When she gets to that house make sure you switch cars frequently. When she leaves that house, you leave and stay on her." I said.

He looked questionable about my orders and he had a confused look soon formed.

"What is it?" I questioned.

If I wasn't in the mood, I wouldn't have taken his concerns for my orders.

"Not that it's none of my business, Boss man, but-" he paused unsure if to continue.

"Go head, Jim." I sighed in irritation.

"You said you're letting her go."

"Not that it is your business but I told her what she wanted to hear and that's all you need to know. Can you do the job or do I have to find someone else?"

He straightened. "No, sir." He said and was still standing there.

"Why are you still here?"

"Sorry, Boss man. I'm on it." And he turned, walking to the door.

Tiana. Tiana. Tiana.

I may have given her the hope of being free of me and leaving her alone for good but letting her go is far from the plans I have for her in the future.

I won't lie. I've become very fond of her even though I knew little about her on a personal level. Of course I knew she had two religious parents that preach to the church. I knew she had an older brother named Troy and I'm still working on where he lives. I knew she had struggled through her years of living with her parents. They loved her but they never allowed her to do much in life. Like prom or go to house parties.

Then I found out their beliefs in hip hop or rap or other music that doesn't fit their category is labeled as the devil's music.

But I don't know her. Like her favorite color or what she enjoys to do, being productive. And honestly, I don't give a fvck about it.

I'm good at playing my mind games and with her, it's more of a challenge. Her boldness is what makes me so fond of her.

Just makes it more interesting for me.

I called Jim before he was gone. He turned back.

"If anything and I mean anything happens to her, that's your life. Understand?"

He gave a quick nod. "Yes, Boss man." Then he was gone.

This game was only starting, babe.

****

TIANA

Rick pulled up to the house that he was instructed to take me. I was here. My parents.

"Good luck, Queen."

"You too, Rick. Thanks."

And with that I got out the car and was literally running to the door. I knocked on the door and waited for the door to open.

Rick was still waiting, I guess waiting to see me get in safely.

After a moment went by, it still didn't open.

I knocked again. Another minute went by. No one answered.

Now I was getting concerned.

I stepped off the door mat and pulled it back, relief fell over me when I saw the key. I grabbed it and unlocked the door. I pushed it open and the house was dark.

"Mom! Dad!" I called out into the dark house.

Silence.

My hand reached over and trailed over the wall until I found the light switch. The lights flickered on. My eyes narrowed at the open kitchen.

Something wasn't right.

I left the door open and walked in further. Walking straight to the kitchen. I turned the lights on and my heart dropped at the sight. It was a mess everywhere but what had me was the amount of blood all over the floor.

Oh please no.

I turned and I saw Rick at the door. He looked at me and I didn't bother asking why he was in here.

I called out my parents and I ran past him up the stairs. I didn't get far when a hand caught my wrist.

"Stay here, Queen." He said and reached behind him, pulling out a gun.

I listened to him and he went up the stairs with his gun pointed up. He disappeared around the corner, turning on lights.

My eyes filled with tears. Where are they?

I looked over the living room and saw it was neat and tidy. I looked over the floor and saw something sticking out under the couch.

I walked over and bent down. A loud sob left my lips when I saw it.

It was a finger.

I heard Rick coming down the stairs and he was talking to someone. "No, Boss man. No ones here. The master bedroom is a mess and the kitchen is a bloody mess."

I cried again.

Where were my parents?

When Rick saw me by the couch he walked over to me. "There's a finger under the couch." He said while pulling me up.

"Where are they, Rick?!" I cried. My mind was racing.

"I-I don't-" he paused and listened onto the phone.

He then pulled the phone from his ear and handed it to me.

"He wants to talk to you."

I shook my head rapidly and turned away from him. I did not want to talk to him. He was probably the cause of this.

"Queen-"

"I don't want to talk to him. I'm going to change out of these clothes." I said while walking away from him and up the stairs going to my room.

I heard Rick talk on the phone again and I went to change.

I closed my door and locked it behind me. I pulled out my phone and typed in the familiar number I should have called a long time ago.

I held the phone to my ear and listened to it ring. It ringed one last time before he answered.

"Hello?" His voice raspy.

More tears welled in my eyes. "Troy." I cried.

I heard him shift before he spoke. "Tiana? What's wrong?"

"I-I just need to get away. Can I come over?"

"You need me to get you from Washington-"

I sighed. "I'm not at Howard and before you ask, it's a long story. I'll meet you. You still live in Phoenix?"

"Yeah. What's going on, sis?" He asked in a firm tone.

My brother was my only friend and he knew something was seriously wrong if I was the one willing to drive all the way to Arizona.

"I'll explain when I get there. Just send me the directions to your house."

"Okay."

"Thank you. I love you."

"I'll see you. I love you too and be careful."

With that I ended the call.

I sighed and went to my closet. I grabbed the black book bag and went straight to my draw. Grabbed clothes and went to my bathroom grabbing my extra hygiene bag. I changed out the clothes I had on and put on a tank top and grey leggings. I put on a black jacket and my gym shoes. I put my hair up into a high ponytail. I had to change my hair color and maybe cut it a few inches.

I can't have him finding me again.

I can't stop but feel like it was Carter's doing. That he was playing some sick game.

So, I was going to go live with my brother and we'll figure out what happened to my parents.

My faith in God is high. I knew they were still alive. They had to be.

I could hear faintly that Rick was still talking to Carter.

I had one chance to escape. For good this time.

I grabbed my book bag and looked around in my room one last time. I sighed and headed over to my parents room. I pushed the cracked door open further and I wanted to cry again.

It was a mess. Glass everywhere and things all over the room. I sighed and pulled open my father's drawer. I remember when I was little he kept a box that held things that were dear to him. 

Especially the keys to his Benz.

I spotted the box and pulled it out. The key taped under it. I opened the box and relief went through me when I saw the keys. I grabbed them and slid them into my pocket. I left the room but not before grabbing the picture of my parents with me and Troy.

I headed downstairs and saw Rick was nowhere then I saw him in the kitchen still inspecting.

When he passed the wall to the kitchen, making him disappear in view I hurried out the front door. I noticed they scratched the cars up as I ran to the driveway and clicked the unlock button.

Not caring, I got in and tossed the book bag into the passenger seat. I locked the door and started the car. I reversed the stick and looked back as I backed out quickly. Once I had enough room I put it on drive and just then, Rick came out yelling for me to stop but I sped off down the dark San Francisco streets not once looking back.

I had enough of this shît.