Chapter 1
....Thud.
I jolted awake at the sudden noise. The movie I'd put on was just showing the credits so I knew I hadn't been out for more than an hour.
Where was I? Oh...it was all slowly coming back.
My parents had left the house for me to stay in for the weekend since they'd be flying to Paris for some higher class dinner parties and meetings with my older sister. And of course when I asked to go with them, they asked who would take care of the family house? Me. That's who.
For some reason they valued my sister - Lorelei, a hundred times more than they did with me. She was older, prettier, smarter, a multitasker. She had perfect school records and had freshly graduated with a law degree from Harvard University! She was a social butterfly and had a perfect boyfriend who matched with such amazing skills! Lorelei could speak three different languages, she could play the piano, the violin and the harp all so perfectly. She could play them all at the same time if she tried. And even if she failed she'd still be favoured.
'you tried your best!' 'you were still as amazing as ever!'
Me? I did everything twice as harder as she could. I knew five languages. I could play the piano, guitar, the cello and I had mastered all the songs they'd love to hear from her. I took art classes, voice classes and I was in the midst of spying for harvard. But all of it wasn't enough for them. They called me a tryhard, a copy, too ambitious!
But when Lorelei had a simple tiny dream, they'd turn it into their new project. She wanted a house? Done in the matter of seconds. A car? Done. Money? Done!
It was amazing that they couldn't see that their own favouritsm had blinded them so easily! Despite my protests and trying to get their attention for the 18 years of my life, it seemed my older sister had forever taken up all the space in their small hearts without even trying.
Lorelei loved this of course and was an even bigger bitch to me. When younger she'd love the idea of our parents loving her more but despite that she still tried to care for me. Those feelings got weaker over the years and she used our parents kindness to her advantage. Blaming me for stupid things and waving her assets in my face whilst I had to get onto my hands and knees to beg our parents for simple things.
Another Thud.
I looked up at the ceiling and gulped, shrugging off the blanket I'd wrapped around me. I glanced at the window and saw rain.
Maybe the thudding was a tree? Jeez that sounds dumb.
I got off the couch and shivered as the cold wood flooring met my feet. I walked over to the old staircase. Despite the houses age, my parents never got rid of it. Why? My sister.
'i just can't say bye to the childhood memories! Please mother and father! If you don't get rid of the house I'll work twice as hard!"
Ha. Twice as hard my ass. But that pathetic act was enough to let them keep the house. It was always fun to explain that my whiney older sister was the reason why we still had our suburban themed family home when my friends asked why I lived here if my parents were well off.
Thud.
I felt beads of sweat begin to form at my forehead whilst I looked at the darkness at the top of the stairs. I chewed on the inside of my lip whilst my left leg lifted to stand on the first stair.
Ding...dong.
I sighed and turned to the front door, walking back down to open it. As I did I met a familiar face. My sisters boyfriend - Andrew.
He looked a lot different but I guessed it was because of the rain.
Before I got to ask what he was doing here, he pushed past me and walked into the living room, leaving me stunned. I didn't know what else to do but close the door and follow the wet trail he'd left.
Once I entered the living room I saw him standing near the lit fireplace, his coat draped on one of the chairs.
"Andrew? What're you doing here?"
It was weird for him to come over. He was always tied to my sister's side which made me think he'd left with them. I studied him harder and lightly scoffed.
Andrew Prince. The perfect boyfriend. Rich, spoilt, rude, narrow minded, full of himself and an obnoxious prick. Yeah. He matched my sister perfectly. The bastard mistook me for a maid the first time he'd met me.
"Is Lorelei here...?" He asked, trailing his fingertips against the wood of the mantlepiece.
"Um. No. Didn't she tell you she's going to Paris for the weekend?" I questioned. I knew I wasn't wrong. She was dramatically sobbing when she complained about having to leave Andrew.
"Oh right. I forgot....do you have any drinks? I was a bit tired and couldn't drive."
Weird.
"Sure."
I hated the fact that I had to be nice to the asshole. He was annoying and a prick. Nothing good came from him being around.
I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a glass from the cabinet, walking over to the sink to wash it out. I pondered for a while. What could I even serve him? It was a family house. Not the fancy places he took Lorelei or his friends to, to grab some drinks. I could just imagine his wingy little voice.
"You should have better drinks here!"
Ugh.
I tipped over the glass, letting the water pour out. I leaned over and turned off the tap, sighing. Before I could move, two large hands wrapped around my waist.
I froze.
"Persephone.."
I wanted to lurch. It was Andrew!
"Hey! Get off me!" I yelled, dropping the glass into the sink and pushing off his arms.
"Shh. Relax."
I tried to push him away once more but he was too strong.
"Don't fight it. I've seen how you've been looking at me." He whispered.
Looks of utter disgust? If so he was right on.
"I know you want it." He stated. I could almost feel his smirk.
Before I could process what was truly going on, his hands moved up to my chest, groping my breasts. My eyes widened and I turned to meet his face in which he had a playful look displayed.
"Hey! You bastard! Stop!" I yelled, trying to push him away.
"Come on Persephone." He laughed. "I know you want me. Don't worry, I'll have you moaning my name soon enough."
He bent me over the counter, a large hand keeping me in place whilst his other hand reached for his belt.
No. Fucking. Way.
Panic shot through me and I felt tears begin to well up. This couldn't be happening. I looked over at the sink and remembered the glass I'd dropped in there. I used my arm and wriggled out of his grasp slowly whilst he continued to fiddle around with his belt. my arm dropped into the sink whilst I searched for the glass.
"Gosh, Persephone. You don't know how bad I've wanted this. To fuck your pretty cunt." He snickered, the sound of unzipping filling my ears.
I continued searching, more desperately now with little hope that the darkness of the kitchen would hide my movements.
"When I heard Lorelei was leaving. I knew I couldn't miss out on this." Andrew hummed, the sound of clothes falling echoing throughout the room.
His hands reached for my pajama pants, itching them down. My hand finally brushed against the glass. I grabbed it and swung my hand up, my eyes clamming shut as I made contact with his face. There was a loud bang and a harsh thud, followed by a groan.
I looked down and saw him sat behind me, his hand cupping his cheek whilst blood trickled down his hand.
"You fucking bitch!" He groaned, leaning forward and grabbing my legs, pulling me down.
I met the hard floor with a bang, groaning as the pain set in. I felt his arms reach for my bottoms again. I didn't hesitate in kicking his cheek again, cringing as his blood spread onto my foot. Andrew groaned in pain, cupping his cheek again. I searched the floor and spotted the glass that was now broken on the floor. I grabbed a large shard and scrambled to my feet, running back into the living room to grab my phone.
I was about to dial for the police, for anyone but I was confused. There was silence. Too much silence. Andrew hadn't ran after me.
I was filled with confusion but I continued to dial for the police, my other hand extending in front of my with the glass shard in my hand.
"Hello, 911 what is your emergency?" A female voice asked.
"There's a man in my house. He....he tried to assault me."
"Okay are you in a safe area?"
I gulped and moved towards the kitchen.
"No. I don't think so."
A loud strike of thunder illuminated the hall, making me jump slightly.
"Okay ma'am, the best thing you can do is get to a safe room and lock the door."
"Yes I know that but....can't you send someone?" I asked, passing the staircase. I momentarily paused and looked up at the darkness ahead, more fear flowing through my veins.
"Yes, ma'am. What is your address please?"
I heard a slump and quickly turned back to the kitchen.
I walked closer, the sound of the woman on the other line fading as I ventured further.
"Hello?"
"Uh yes?" I asked, finally entering the kitchen, moving to the sink.
"Your address ma'am."
I gulped and turned to the side where I'd left Andrew. My blood ran cold and I felt my body freeze up.
Andrew was......dead. A knife had been impaled in his stomach and there was a large wound in his neck, blood still spurting out onto the kitchen floor. I let out a cry and felt tears fall as I backed away.
"Ma'am?"
"He's dead!" I cried, my breathing becoming unsteady as I finally felt the wall against my back. "He's dead. He's dead in my kitchen!"
"Ma'am? I need you to calm down. What's happened?"
"I...I wanted to check but he's dead. He's been stabbed in the neck and stomach and he's bleeding out on the kitchen floor." I stammered, not able to take my eyes away from the grotesque sight in front of me.
"Ma'am. I need you to stay away from the body and calm down. I need your address so I can send you help. Don't touch anything in the room and get to a safe space now."
I wanted to listen to her but I couldn't move. I just stayed staring. Not because I wanted to but because there was something wrong. Breathing. Steady breathing behind me. I glanced down and saw it. Shoes. Big shoes. A strong smell of an expensive smelling cologne behind me.
I hadn't bumped into a wall. It was a person.
"Ma'am?" Hello? Ma'am, can you hear me?"
I couldn't answer, my throat was dry and more tears were falling as I trembled violently. I tried to take in a steady breath but it was in vain as I couldn't stop the sobs coming out of me. I then felt someone take my phone off of me, letting it drop to the floor. I looked down once more and saw a large foot crush my screen.
A large hand trailed against my side and then continued upwards to my neck, gripping tightly. I struggled against the hand, scraping my nails against his hand. My vision blurred and I felt a pain in my hand. The shard. I brought my hand up and stabbed it into the strangers hand.
A hiss of pain came from behind me as the hand left my neck. I basically fell to the ground, breathing as I backed away. I looked up and another strike of lightening hit, illuminating the kitchen and allowing me to see a tall man dressed in all black with a mask. A familiar one that represented a fox.
I backed away more, still shaking. I felt myself slide in something and looked down. Andrew's blood. I cried out in shock but then looked over to the stranger. He had recovered from my attack and was walking over to me.
I crawled away as fast I could, it was pointless to try standing in this much blood. A hand grab ed my leg, dragging me back. I turned onto my side and slashed his arm, making him release me.
I had no other task than to survive. I had to.
Once away from the slippery mess I crawled to my legs, running out of the kitchen and then upstairs. I heard heavy footsteps behind me and knew I had to act fast.
My old phone. It had to have at least some battery in it...right?. I ran to my room, locking it behind me. I ran over to my bed, lifting it to see my old phone. I turned it on and sighed in relief as I saw it light up.
Only 4%??
It was better than nothing. I opened my dial pad and phoned 911
"Hello? 911, what is your emergency?" A male voice asked.
I let out a yelp as a harsh bang was heard from the other side of my door.
"I need help! There's a man in my house and he killed my sisters boyfriend. I need help! Please send someone over." I sobbed, looking over at my door that was being broken down.
"Okay miss, can I have your address?"
"23 Leyland road. Please hurry!"
"Yes, ma'am we've dispatched a group of officers and an ambulance will be on the way, please try to stay-"
No....NO NO NO! IT'S DEAD.
The door continued to get attacked, my handle flying off completely. After a few more hard bangs it stopped.
I breathed heavily and got off my bed, walking to the other side that was away from the door to crouch down behind it. I heard the footsteps leave and a sigh of relief left me. Was he going to leave? What did he want from me? My questions were cut off as I heard another loud bang.
I froze and glanced at my door to see a dent. Another hard bang. The dent grew. He had an axe.
I sobbed and realised I didn't have time. I got onto my stomach and slid under my bed, holding my breath as I tried to mute my cries.
My door was soon broken down, bits of wood hitting the floor. I watched as heavy shoes walked around my room slowly, opening my bathroom door and searching my wardrobe.
A deep sigh came from my attacker before they walked over to the door. Just as they were about to leave they froze, walking back to the center of the room.
They stood there for a while before walking to the side of the bed near my feet. I tucked my feet in as far as I could, not wanting to get stuck. The stranger dug threw my drawers, throwing out papers, pens and pencils, eventually groaning in annoyance. I heard a yank and then a crash of more glass. Soon enough they kicked over my bedside table and then there was silence.
I let out small and steady breaths, more tears leaving my eyes.
Before I had time to react, two hands latched onto my legs from under the bed, my first reaction was to kick and lash about but there was no point. They were bigger and stronger than I was. I was dragged out from the bed within seconds, straddled by the stranger after with my arms pinned above my head.
"Get off! Please!" I yelled, scraping at his hands and trying to kick my legs against his back.
It was all in vain. I eventually stopped struggling after I saw the stranger wasn't doing anything at all. Just staring. I then realised the mask. A kitsune mask that was used in Japanese festivals.
I breathed heavily as I stared into the blacked out holes of the mask, noting the blood on the corner of the mask and the blood that coated his bare arms.
"Please." I weakly pleaded.
Was it my time? Was I really going to die? Who would miss me? I didn't even know anybody. I hardly had friends, a reputation of my own, my parents thought of me as a little piece on the side and my sister's despised me. When she finds out Andrew and I died here together I'm sure that'll raise suspicions.
'i don't care that my slut sister died because she was sleeping with my boyfriend all along!'
They'll all hate me, my family, relatives. Anyone I meet will know me as a burden. That's the way it always has been.
Maybe this isn't so bad. They'll have what they wanted.
I looked back up at the stranger who was now digging through his pocket.
They pulled out a black cloth and brought it to my mouth and nose, pressing it roughly against me.
Darkness slowly covered my view as my eyes shut.
I guess this was finally it.
