I hear, “Aunt Janice?”
I take a calming breath and clutching the phone to my chest I say, “She’s at the café.” My voice is hoarse from the fear pulsing through me. I take another step away from the door and towards my window, just to be safe. If that man comes through the door I’m out of the window in a heartbeat!
“Okay, thanks.” I hear him call out and seconds later I hear a click of a door closing.
I wait another ten minutes, listening to every single sound. Every creek and rustle in and around the apartment makes me jump with fright. I rush to my cupboard and yank out a pair of shorts and a shirt. I get dressed as fast as I can manage. The skin on my face stretches tight. It’s way past the time to wash the mask off.
I grab the flashlight I always keep next to my bed. I swear I’ll whack that man into another blood group with the flashlight if he’s still here! I keep the phone close, ready to press dial and I slowly open the door.
I peek down the passage and listen again for a few seconds. I sneak down the passage on my toes, doing my best not to make any noise. The kitchen and lounge is clear. I rush to the door and make sure it’s locked and then the thought hits hard – what if he’s in Jan’s bedroom, or the bathroom?
My heart starts to thump in my ears and I run to the kitchen. I drop the flashlight and grab one of Jan’s cooking knifes. I hold it at waist level and I start to creep towards the hallway. I watched a program about self-defense once and the man said to stab from the waist, not swing from over your head. You have a better chance of striking at the attacker that way. I keep replaying it over and over in my head as I make my way down the hallway. I can’t afford to hesitate! I must just stab and run.
I reach Jan’s room and throw the door open. I rush in with a shrill shriek, my eyes darting everywhere. I check behind her bed to make sure the room is empty. My heart is doing a wild dance in my chest, as I start towards the bathroom. I peek inside and when it’s clear I creep towards the shower. I shove the shower curtain aside with another shriek escaping my throat.
I’m just about to relax a little when the thought hits again – he could’ve been in the bathroom as I passed by it, going to check on Jan’s room first! I’m such an idiot! I should’ve checked the bathroom first. I peek out the door and run across the hallway to my room. I slam the door closed and lock it. I run to the other side of my bed and drop down behind it, clutching the knife.
I’m going to die of a nervous breakdown if that man doesn’t get to me first! Another minute creeps by excruciatingly slowly and then I give up and dial 911. I can’t stand it anymore.
The operator is kind and he manages to calm me a little. I hide behind the bed until I hear a knock at the front door and a muffled, “Ma’am, it’s the police!”
I hate leaving my safe spot as I crawl from behind the bed. I’ve forgotten about the knife and it gets stuck in the carpet, my hand slips over the blade and a sharp burn makes me suck in a harsh breath. “Ow!” I leave the knife on the floor and cradle my hand to my chest as I run for the front door. I quickly unlock it and yank it open. I’m so relieved to see the policeman that I can’t hold back the tears. I throw myself at him and start to sob hysterically.
Strong arms catch me and hold me close. “Are you alone? Is there anyone with you?”
I sputter through my tears, “I don’t know. He was just there. I didn’t even get a good look.” I pull back a little so the policeman can search the apartment for me. “I just ran.”
Another policeman I didn’t see at first walks in and starts to go through the apartment, while the other one stands by me.
“You’re bleeding!” The policeman takes hold of my arm and in a stunned daze I take in all the blood. “Did he attack you?”
I