Sitting with Sara in my living room, I explain everything about last night in a very anxious and urgent tone. She wasn't sober enough yesterday to listen to me, but now - after 6 shots of coffee, she looks alert. Now she knows everything: about my stalker, that husky voice and his promise to come back again.
She is silent, thinking about my problem. Her legs are crossed like a boss lady - very unlike mine, I like sitting cross-legged. She looks tense, her long fingers tapping on my new imported ebony table. She's the only girl I can truly trust. Though she sometimes acts like a bitch, believe me - she's a darling at heart.
As she doesn't say a word, I move my eyes from her to my surroundings.
The newly furnished living room looks breathtaking. Dimly lit by flickering wall sconces and a chandelier, the room exudes an eerie elegance. Deep, rich tones dominate the space — crimson, charcoal, and obsidian — layered in heavy velvet drapes that fall dramatically from arched windows. The walls are covered in dark wallpaper with subtle damask patterns that come alive in the candlelight.
Very mindful. Very demure.
"I think we should report this to the police. What do you say? I don't trust such jerks.'" She says, showing her concern
"Hmmmm…" I was deep in thought. Should I change the colour of the curtains?
"Anything could happen Luna, we should not waste time!" Sara barks
"Hmmm…. I will file a complaint. I don't want any trouble. I wasn't able to enjoy the party because of that bastard." I reply, still thinking about the curtains and the stalker at the same time.
"I know girl. But let's not dwell in the past. I'll be leaving now, I've work. Will you be alright?" Sara asks.
I know if I show her that I'm scared, she won't even let me pee alone and will stay here. I can't trouble her – or myself.
"Yes. Don't worry. I will text you if something happens." She knows I'm faking the courage.
"Shut up! I'm staying here for now." She says.
God, this bitch really knows me.
"I'll be fine, Sara. You've got a lot of work at the office. I'll definitely text you if anything happens."
She looks at me for two whole damn minutes before saying anything.
"You'll call me, okay?"
"Yes ma'am" I salute her.
After Sara leaves, I open my laptop and sit back to work on my book. I can't compromise my work for some shitty guy. I can't disappoint my readers. I love them.
It's meditative to work. It's like ink bleeds from my soul whenever I start writing. Words talk to me. They dance, following my steps, my rhythm. I don't know what's happening around me while I write. The only thing that exists is me and my words.
I hear a creaking sound… a creaking…. Someone is walking upstairs…. WAIT! WHAT???
Why is there a creaking sound in my bedroom? Oh god. Ohh lord. Not again!! no thief please!! No stalker too!!
I wipe my sweaty hands on the sofa. They are instantly sweaty. Am I this scared? I'm all frightened - trembling like a leaf on an autumn tree in stormy winds. Why do things like this happen to me? Why lord why? What have I done to deserve all this?
Jumping down from the sofa like a scared cat, I look around for something. Anything! Anything to protect me!
Grabbing the knife from near the fruit basket I went upstairs. Will this petty knife save me? What if he has a gun? Is this my last day?
The mahogany wood floor creaks beneath my footsteps. With trembling legs, I reach the bedroom door. I wait there for a minute, taking deep, shaky breaths…..breathe in… breathe out
And then slam open the door.
No one.
literally no one.
No thief. No stalker. Not even a cat or bird.
Still trembling, I open all the curtains to let the light enter the room. The room is now lit - with zero human traces. I open the bathroom door, the wardrobe, shake the curtains, even check under the bed, but all in vain. No one.
literally no one.
Was I daydreaming??
Is the hangover from last night not gone yet?
sitting on the bed, I take out my phone from my pocket to text sara when suddenly a notification pops up.
"Pathetic attempts to find me. Foolish woman."
All enraged, I type back with gritted teeth:
"You motherfucker! How dare you enter my house! You thief! You wait and watch how I will put you behind bars!"
As I dial the emergency number, another message pops:
"Tell whoever you want to… WILDFLOWER.
No one will save you.
You've caused a lot of trouble to me. And I can't let you go until things are sorted."
I cut the call before it could connect.
I've troubled him?
How the fuck? I don't even know this bastard. Spewing all lies.
As I stand to leave the room, I feel something under my foot. I glance down.
A book?
My favourite book?
Why is it here?
Where did it come from? The last time I read it, it was in the sunroom. And not only that - it's open.
Picking it up, I glance at the page, brows furrowed.
The first line says: "As he stepped forward, the sky rumbled."
A sudden lightning strike hits a nearby tree.
Oh dear lord!
Why is the sky suddenly so dark outside? It was perfectly sunny a minute ago.
But now, the room has plunged into darkness - just like that day in the café.
I can't stop myself. I read further:
"A tall man, with shadows that followed his every step, his every command.
Making everything tremble with fear, he walked alone like a predator.
The dark mage- the illusionist- the one everyone was afraid of.
The earth shook as his name echoed throughout the battlefield, making even the air shiver –
Lucifer."
Lucifer….
A whisper brushes my ear.
I tremble with fear - grave fear - as his name echoes from behind me.