INSIDE

CHAPTER 12

She walked through the damaged property with a certain air of boredom around her. She was in fact bored, and actually hated how the building smelled. The air smelled dusty mixed with the scent of dried blood.

The old fool must have cut himself again. She always wondered why he didn’t go about kidnapping people and hurting them. At least that would get the police on his trail. It could be the perfect way to do away with him. She smiled at the thought, it was actually a redeeming thought she visualized.

She stood in the dimly lit passage and looked around the familiar environment. It brought back memories. Memories that felt like yesterday.

She knew she would find him here. He held this place like some type of souvenir.

It was quiet. Looking at her phone, she checked the time.

It was 8 in the morning; Jason had not called to ask where she was going to. She didn’t bother much; she would think of that later. For now, she had work to do.

She wondered why the entire building was empty, he wasn’t anywhere in sight. She actually dreaded seeing him, but she came all the way here with so much zeal, she wouldn’t let it all go to waste.

She moved ahead through the dimly lit corridor. She thought back to that night, with thunderstorms and her little feet. She remembered the little sobs she heard coming at the end of the corridor. She felt chilly remembering what happened after.

Stopping in front of the room, it didn’t look the same, no bed, no warmth and no battered woman on the floor.

The door was pulled out of its place to give the room a more disheveled appearance.

Stepping in, she scrunched her nose in distaste. The stench coming from the room was horrible.

It smelled of everything disgusting.

The man wasn’t there.

She looked around the room. Looking up, she made out a hole in the ceiling which was the only source of light to the dark and empty room.

She made out the drawer in the shadows. Pulling it out, she found nothing except for the knife. Thinking it would come in handy, she took it out and stuffed it in her jeans. Walking further into the room, her face twisted at the sight before her. Her face was everywhere. This man was taking pictures of her. She felt like setting him on fire.

Her wicked thoughts didn’t last long. The silent footsteps coming from behind her made her alert. It was a different ball game sneering behind his back, but she was never able to face him. Her inbuilt fear was what made it easier for him to prey on her.

She turned in the direction of the sound and saw his haggard figure. She felt her pulse quicken and struggled to maintain her composure.

“To what do I owe this visit”? She heard the dry and familiar voice for the first time in 10 years. She suddenly couldn’t find her voice.

“You have something to say”. He said with almost certainty, with his eyes doing a silent dance. He never stepped away from the doorway.

“Stop following me”. She couldn’t recognize her own voice, it sounded shrill. He widened his eyes in silent amusement. She missed the silent movement of his legs. They were moving quietly and eagerly towards her.

“Stay away from Jason”. She didn’t think her voice carried out the desired effects.

She heard the sound of his legs moving against the floor, she saw her body freely falling before she even had the time to react.

He leaped from his position onto her. The force pushed them both to the floor. There was a fierce struggle with him on her. She felt the sharp sting of the knife digging into her waist. He was dragging on her hair with too much force, it hurt so much. His grip was so strong, she did a quick mental check on what to tell her husband if he asked about her missing scalp. Gathering all her strength, she kicked him off her. She struggled to steady her eyes as the impact of the fall made her dizzy. She had to think of ways to get the knife out of her jeans. They both breathed hard for air, but he looked determined and ready to be back up on his feet.

He was surprisingly strong for his age. He regained his composure and lifted his body up. Moving across space with speed, he got hold of her hand, but she pulled away. Looking into her eyes, he gave her a chilly smile, she was finally in his grasp. Using this opportunity, she pulled the knife out of her jeans. He was finally able to push her to the floor, but he suddenly froze. He looked down at her hands. It held a knife. The metal was held firmly on his chest.