INSIDE

CHAPTER 11

Standing on the balcony, he sipped his hot chocolate absentmindedly. It was a cold night, the town seemed quiet too. Safe from the light that illuminated his surroundings. He strained his ears for the lookout for sounds coming out of the bedroom but was greeted with peaceful breathing. She was obviously asleep.

Thinking back to the conversations before, he had to admit truthfully that he was in fact creeped out by the look on her face. He didn’t see the terror in her eyes or the silent pain that comes with the aftermath of a tragic incident. One would think she was a strong woman, but after his meeting with Sister Martha he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was not right with her.

She has a stalker.

He didn’t know what to believe as she refused to let him in on who exactly was after her, and for what reason also. It was obvious she knew who it was. Why was she hiding his identity? Why not go to the police for help? How long was this up? It confused him. She confused him in many ways.

Drawing attention to his now empty cup, he gave out a low sigh. He could feel a storm coming. It gave him shivers because he knew it was going to happen in the worst way possible. He had to do something, he knew he had no choice but to dig into her life. He would have to meet Sister Martha again.

She could hear his sigh from her bed. Envisioning the look on his face, she wondered if it was the right move. She begged him to let it go and just protect her, but he had questions. Jason was a curious man, but he knew when to draw the line. That was one of his good qualities. But she knew that he would dig, and she wasn't looking forward to it. She could definitely handle that man, but she didn't feel the thrill of it. It had to be at least enjoyable. She had to do something to tame Jason. And that man, she would deal with him first. She felt her head boiling all over again. She hated that man. She figured it was hatred because it was intense, the intense feeling to get rid of him in the worst way possible. She was never able to feel anything special for anyone, but for some reason she wanted to keep Jason safe, and far away from her bad side. She couldn't bear to think of his sad eyes, watching her like a sinner.

She was indeed a sinner.

She imagined those eyes, just like her mother. They pleaded with her, she felt him pleading with her when he asked about her wrongdoings.

She didn't do anything wrong. She just ended the sufferings and pains someone had t go through. It felt like a noble deed for her. She felt like a savior, but they would never understand that she did it for them.

I did it for you mama.

But she did have regrets.

He survived.

That man survived. He should have perished along with the house in the fire.

How did it happen that he escaped? He was dead drunk that day.

But she couldn't deny that he was of use. Despite his obsession with her, he had the wrong thought which he carried around like a crown. A thought that vindicated her.

She had to find him, and she knew just where he would be.

She stilled her heart and focused her mind on getting enough sleep. She felt exhausted from all the worries of the day.

She heard Jason move across the balcony to the kitchen sink.

She heard him walk into the room, and she shut her eyes out of reflex. Wondering why she did that. She noticed his movement stopped by the door.

He was definitely watching her.

She heard the sound of the light switch and felt the light go off.

His movement became steady.

She heard the bed creak, a clear sign that he was on his bed.

Then silence.

She knew he wasn't asleep, but it was dark. She felt it was safe to open her eyes.

Turning over, she made out his face in the darkness, she felt warmth in her chest.

She was not used to this.

Ignoring the feeling, she made a silent vow to protect him from her.