Hidden Truths

Chapter 4

I know what I'm doing is stupid. I've watched enough movies to know that I'm walking into a trap. But despite what my mind is telling me, my instincts said to go downstairs. And that's exactly what I'm doing.

I run downstairs and head straight for the living room. I switch on the lights and look around. The TV is smashed on the floor, shards of glass everywhere. The sofa is turned on its side on the other side of the room, its cushions lying on the floor in front of and beside it. Some of the cupboard drawers have been thrown across the room while one of the doors is hanging on its hinges.

Who on earth did this? Not Alex; he's at Jacob's house to work on a project. I look around again to see if anyone's here. No one at the moment. Did some crazy dog break in and wreck the place? Probably not.

Wait. Alex can't see this. He can't come home tonight. I phone him. He picks up straight away.

"Hey sis."

"Alex, hey, listen. This is gonna sound crazy but you can't come home tonight. Under no circumstances must you come home. Okay?"

"Why? What's going on?"

"Erm..." I look again at the wreck. "Nothing. Nothing's going on. I just think it would be easier for you to stay over rather than come home. It's really late."

"No, I'm coming home." He sounds like he's muffling his phone so I can't hear. "Aunt Kathleen? I think there's something going on at home. Can I go-"

I scream over the phone to shut him up. "No Alex! Please, please don't come home. You're gonna stay where you are and that's final." I hang up before he can retaliate.

I should probably call the police. Alex is probably panicking and screaming to come home now. As I start to dial the emergency number, I hear a male and very amused voice.

"Good job on keeping your brother out," he says.

I turn around. There he is, standing by the door to the kitchen. He continues, "We wouldn't want him to see all this, would we?" He gestures to the wreck.

I can't see his face- he is masked. And dressed in all black, only black. Something about him makes me feel vulnerable and scared, really really scared. I try not to show it and almost succeed but my voice betrays me. A cliché question.

"W-what do you want?" Oh god. I'm trembling. I never knew I was so weak.

He chuckles sinisterly before answering, "Now don't you want any introductions? But since I know who you are, let's get down to business, shall we Samantha?"

The way he says my name makes all the blood drain from my face. I freeze and hold my breath. I stare at him silently. I know him but I don't know him.

He takes advantage of my sudden paralysis and moves towards me a little casually.

I don't move.

He comes closer.

I don't move.

He's now inches away from me.

I don't move.

He's directly in front of me.

I still don't move.

He leans forward.

I wish I was able to move.

He grabs my shoulders and pulls me towards him.

I close my eyes.

His lips are at my ear. I can feel his hot breath fan against it. He whispers one sentence.