Warnings: angst, mention on slight stalking, mention of blood, mention of past death, I take no claim in owning the pictures used in this story along with the people mentioned in this story.
Authors note: Hello lovies! Just wanted to give you a quick introduction to this chapter. Chapter five is a filler chapter, and basically just holds some basic information you, as the reader, will need to continue on with the story of Raeelynn and Harry. Trust me it is about to get ✨ spicy and juicy ✨ with drama. So buckle up and enjoy this short update because chapter six is gonna leave your head spinning!
Spending the entire day laying in bed, eating complete junk, and going over the work that Casey did for me was quite shockingly the one thing I needed the most. I’m quite impressed. For someone who is not taking English literature, she sure knows more than just the basics of the study. Sighing as I finally finish reading over her notes and the peer review she did for my assignment, I close my laptop and begin to gather up the loose papers that I have spread out across my bed. Clicking the pen in my hand over and over again, I lean back and stretch out my muscles. I think over the last few days. Staring blankly at the ceiling, I trace over the swirl patterns in the plaster above me. I lay there trying to convince myself that it wasn’t real. It never happened. Getting up out of bed, I make my way to the opposite side of my room. It had to have happened, or you wouldn’t have been late. You wouldn’t have owed a debt. Standing face to face with the closet door, the thought of if I really wanted to look played over and over again. I could simply go back to my bed and keep them hidden deep in the bottom of my closet and forget they exist. But that just isn’t possible..
Taking a step back and fidgeting with my fingers, I go over the facts that I know are to be true. There were three of us. The blood soaking through the tips of my shoes. His lifeless body laying there. The way he stood above him as if he meant nothing to him.
The life that he so easily took. The burning ache in my legs and lungs as I tried to run.
His hands on my body. His grip getting tighter as his chest beat against mine as we tried to regain our breathing.
Fast cars. Tinted windows. Reckless driving.
Green eyes staring into mine. The window. Blondie.
Bloody hell. I really saw a stranger murder someone in cold blood.
Gnawing my lip raw, I push aside the thoughts and open the closet door. Closing my eyes for a brief moment, I give myself one more out. I sigh, crouching down so my knees are on the carpeted floor. I slowly reach my hand in and feel around for them. Soon enough, my hand makes contact and I clasp my fingers around my white vans. Carefully pulling them out, I hold my breath.
Maybe it was just a dream. A nightmare if you will. Surely it didn’t really happen. There will be no blood. You’re just tired and making things up.
I open my eyes slowly and look down at the canvas and rubber in my hands. My breath hitches and my palms get sweaty. My once perfectly white vans are covered in rusty red blood. The material ruined and stained with the memories of that night. The coldness that slid its way down my spine as his lifeless body slowly fell to the ground. The look on his face at the reality that he’d been caught red handed with his crime. The ache of my muscles as I pushed my legs and lungs harder than I ever have before. The darkness of his emerald green eyes getting darker the more he looked at me as I refused to follow his instructions. The nauseated feeling that kept creeping back as the thoughts of whether I would make it out alive or not was on a continuous loop in my head.
How the hell did I witness a murder and make it out alive?
How did they just let me walk away? Surely they will come back for me. They have to. There’s never once been a book that I’ve read where they ever just let the witness leave unscathed and move on with their life as if nothing ever happened. Surely they will be back. Maybe this is their game. How they get off making people go crazy in their own home until they can’t handle it anymore. Not knowing whether they will come back to finish the job or leave you alone. Maybe that’s what he wants. For me to go mad with fear and off myself. Save himself from having another body to clean up right? Count it as a suicide…
I quickly throw the vans into the off my closet and slam the door shut. Leaning against it, I try to regain my breathing. Bloody fucking hell. Raeelynn you just keep digging yourself deeper and deeper don’t you?
The front door opens and slams shut causing my gaze to shoot up and look out into the hallway. Staying silent, I don’t dare move a muscle.
Heavy footsteps echo down the hallway getting closer and closer to the bedroom. Holding my breath, I inch closer against the wall. As my eyes don’t move from the door. Nothing was scheduled. He didn’t have an appointment for me today. My heart beats in my chest like a drum. Blood rushes into my ears. I surely couldn't have forgotten another one. The door knob slowly turns. The person on the other side doesn’t say anything. My lungs are begging for air as I sit and wait.
“Hey Raee, you still up? I stopped by that Thai place that you like. I was thinking we needed a pick me up after our weekend,” Casey calls out as she swings the door open and throws her purse on the floor next to my dresser. My body instantly relaxes and I lean my head back against the wall. “Girl, why are you on the floor looking like you just saw a ghost?” She asks as she holds up the bag full of food. This is why I love her. She doesn’t ask questions. She shows up and supports me with no hesitation. A small smile spreads across my face as I push myself up off the floor and make my way over to her. I engulf her in a tight hug. The force of my body pushes her back a few steps, but she doesn’t hesitate to wrap her arms around me.
“Thank you,” I whisper in her ear as I fully relax against her. The adrenaline coursing through my veins slowly dies down and my heart slowly goes back to its normal rhythm. She stays silent for a second before a chuckle leaves her lips.
“I mean, I love all the attention I’m getting at the moment, but what exactly am I being thanked for?” She asks as she lets me go and heads out to the kitchen. I follow her, sitting down at the bar, waiting as she begins to plate the Thai food.
“For just being you… and for helping,” I say quietly I avoid her gaze as she slides a plate across the counter. It’s silent for a moment before she picks up her plate and points over at the television.
“Binge watching session. Now. Get ready we are going to make that couch our home for quite a while,” She announces, bouncing her way into the living room and flops down on the sofa. She glances over her shoulder at me and throws me a smirk. “C’mon, Raee I am not getting any younger here.” Trying to fight the smirk that’s making its way across my face I shake my head. I follow her example and grab my plate and welcome the distraction that she knew I needed.
“Alright, guys. That's a wrap on today’s class. Don’t forget to leave your essays and peer reviews on my desk as you make your way out. I will have them graded for you by next week. Please begin reading and working on the next assignment. Your final writing project will be worth eighty percent of your grade, so you all need to take this seriously. I didn’t give you the entire semester to work on it for nothing. Make sure you utilize the journal you have been keeping. I am available all week if you guys have any questions.” Professor Tilly announces as she ends the class for the day. Students begin packing up their belongings and collecting their assignments and make their way out. Sighing, I follow their lead and make my way towards the front of the class. Dropping the assignments off on her desk, I hurry up and make my way out of the class fighting the crowd in the process. I push open the doors of the literature hall, squinting at the blinding sun, making my way down the steps.
Holding my bag straps tight, I zig zag between people, wanting to just make it to my car before this pound of makeup Casey applied this morning melts off.
“Look you can’t walk up on campus with your face looking like this without people questioning it, and you most definitely can’t say you fell. No one will believe you.” Casey states as she pins me to my bathroom counter. My face in between her hands as she continues to blend everything in. Groaning, I try to move my face back.
“Look Cas. I appreciate all your help but trust me, wearing this much makeup is going to be way worse than a bruise the size of Manchester on my face,” I bargain as I jump down off the counter and turn to look at what the masterpiece she was trying to create.
“Raeelynn Michelle,” Casey scolds, grabbing my shoulders and turning me around to stop me from over analyzing myself in the mirror.
“Okay. Okay. You win. Finish up, though I gotta leave a bit early to stop by the library.” I give up and take my seat back on the counter, letting her finish her work.
Rolling my eyes, I continue my walk through the busy campus. My lip was almost completely healed, surprisingly which gives me one less thing to worry about. I can’t help but feel slightly paranoid that someone is watching me. Glancing over my shoulder, I quickly look around to see if anything is out of the ordinary. Nothing. Just a bunch of college students rushing around. Some are listening to music. Some are on their phones. While others are simply just enjoying the sunshine. Taking a deep breath and shaking my head, I turn back around to continue my journey but run into a brick wall instead. A brick wall with chocolate brown eyes.
“Bloody hell.” I huff, my hands catch my fall scraping against the rough sidewalk.
“Oh my god! I am so sorry. Are you okay?” A deep voice asks as their hand hangs in front of my face, offering to help me up. Furrowing my eyebrows I squint up at the mysterious man. I hesitate for a few moments before placing my hand in his. He gently pulls me up and takes a step back.” I should totally watch where I am going. I am so sorry,” He apologizes again. His eyes scan up and down my body and gives me a lopsided smile. He’s tall. Has dark hair that is perfectly styled up and slightly to the left. His facial hair is neatly trimmed. It compliments him perfectly. Tattoos line up and down his arms, covering any skin that once was bare.
“It’s okay. Totally not your fault. I was the one that just stopped out of nowhere.” I chuckle softly as I gently wipe off the back of my jeans and straighten my shirt out.
“Well, let me make it up to you. Can I buy you a coffee at least? My mum would be so disappointed if I wasn’t the gentleman she raised me to be,” He said a slight chuckle leaves his lips and he lifts his arm up to run his hand through his locks.
“I’m uh actually late for work,” I say as my lip finds its way between my teeth. I can’t help but scan up and down his body. He’s attractive. Nodding slightly, he smirks.
“Maybe another time then? Uh-” He asks as he holds his hand out for me to shake.
“Raeelynn.” I enclose our hands together, gently shaking it.
“I’ll see ya around. Sorry again.” He takes a step back and motions for me to continue. I quickly step around him. He looked oddly familiar, but, for some reason, I can’t place where I have seen him before.
“Oh, dear, how are you feeling? Richard and I were so worried when Casey said that you needed the whole weekend off,” Gloria says as she wraps her arms around me and gently sways us back and forth. I rub up and down her back softly as a small smile spreads across my face.
“I’m doing so much better. It must have been something I ate,” I lied. She withdraws her arms from around me, holding me at arms length. I stare at my shoes to avoid her gaze. I can’t help but feel guilty that I left them high and dry this weekend with what was going to be the biggest sale of the year.
“I’m so sorry! I feel terr-” I start off but she cuts me off.
“Now, don’t you dare apologize. You have already done enough for us and this store. You can’t help that you weren’t feeling too well, now, can you, Darling?” Gloria says as her tiny hands move to my cheeks and forces me to look at her. “All that matters is that you are here and feeling better,” She whispers. She gives me a small smile and lets go of my face. I smile back at her, giving a silent thank you before excusing myself to drop my things off in the breakroom.
Inhaling deeply, I welcome the sweet, musky smell of the books surrounding me. Being away from this place for a few days didn’t help the feeling that engulfs me when I am here. The freedom. The way I am so at ease inside these four walls. I’m myself here. I can be whoever I want to be when I am here with no fear of failing. No fear of punishment. No fear of him. I’m grateful for Richard and Gloria giving me the chance to work here. They didn’t need to accept the small, wide eyed, eager girl who showed up at their storefront all but four years ago ready to beg, bribe, and talk her way into a job. I smile to myself as the memory floods my mind. I run my fingers across the row of books absentmindedly as I make my way down the aisle to the back of the store.
I wave at a few of our normal regular customers as I make my way through the store and slightly tidy up along the way even though I’m technically not on the clock. I just can’t help it. The fact that I have not been here for almost two days has created an itch deep inside me. I need to just run through all the aisles, picking up every single book. Set up displays. Talk to customers about the new hot author is at the moment. To just be here and soak up as much normalcy as I can. It’s the one place I can really be me.
I quickly type in the code for the back room and throw my belongings on the chair. I clock in then head back out to the floor. I rummage through the collection of books that customers changed their minds on before purchasing. Grabbing one of the small book trolleys, I grab a few books and neatly stack them by genre. Making sure they all still have the correct price sticker, I fill the cart up and start to work my way aisle by aisle putting the books back in their rightful place.
I’m on my third trolley before I notice the same weird “someone-is-watching-me” feeling from earlier work its way back up my spine. The air around me seems to chill as I place another hardback book on the shelf. Glancing over my shoulder, I squint and look down the row. Taking a deep breath, I shake my head slightly brushing the thought away and get back to work. Grabbing a few more books off the trolley, I grab the step stool, and place it in front of the non-fiction section. I run my fingers up and down the spine of the top book, welcoming the rough service. I bring it up to my nose and inhale deeply. The smell of new books invades my senses causing a smile to form on my lips before placing them in their rightful place on the shelf.
Grabbing the shelf for levage, I stretch to try and pick up a book that was left laying down. I balance myself on the shelf as my tip toes balance my body on the stool. My fingertips barely brush the paperback as I stretch with everything in me to reach it. Groaning, I finally give up and decide that I will just have to move the stool over a few inches to reach it.
“Need a hand?” A deep voice calls out behind me. Quickly turning on my heel, I lose my balance. The step stool jolts back and forth underneath me. Gravity wins and I reach out for anything to stop me from falling backwards but fail. I brace myself for the hard landing but it never comes. The fall feels infinite until I feel warmth surrounding my body. Arms hold onto me tightly, holding me hostage. My heartbeat pounds in my ears as the adrenaline courses its way through my veins.
I slowly open my eyes, not knowing what to expect. I slowly look around me before following the lines of the arms that have found home around my body. My eyebrows furrow as I try to wrap my head around what is happening.
“You alright? Didn’t mean to scare ya,” The brown eyed boy from earlier asks as he smiles down at me.
“Are you following me?” I ask in shock. I quickly remove myself from his grasp. He frowns down at me and he stays silent. I run my hands up and down my body fixing my uniform of any wrinkles. I quickly looked around in hopes no one saw what just happened.
“Are you just going to stand there gawking at me or are you going to answer?” I demand as I take a step back distancing myself from him. He chuckles under his breath as he leans up and grabs the book I was previously reaching for and holds it out to me before leaning against the bookshelf.
“Sassy one, aren’t ya?” He laughs as if he just made a joke. He notices me not reaching for the book and he gently lays it down on the trolley before running his fingers through his hair. “I’m looking for a book. This is a bookstore innit? I don’t necessarily believe that leads to inquiries of following someone,” He shrugs as a smirk soon finds its way onto his face. Running my tongue over my teeth, I contemplate his response.
“You were at my school. You asked me to get coffee with you. I said no. Now, you are here. At the place that I work. What are the coincedences of that? There are plenty of other bookstores in the area, so I will ask again. Are you following me?” I tuck a piece of fallen hair behind my ear and reach for the trolley.
“Books’n’Realities is the closest bookstore to where I live. Plus, it is the only store that is currently in stock of the book I need,” He explains as he makes his way in front of the trolley stopping my movements.
“What book is that exactly?” I ask with a raise of my eyebrows. He licks his lips as he looks down.
“Okay, so you got me. I wasn’t intentionally following you, but I fancy you. I have for a while. And when I ran into you today I kind of thought that this was my moment to talk to you,” He admits as he slowly lifts his gaze back up to meet mine. I’m at a loss for words. Everything is finally falling into place the more I take in his appearance. He’s the guy. The guy Casey was talking about. The one who comes in and sits up front and asks her about me.
A chuckle of disbelief leaves my lips as I move the trolley to the left of him and continue down the aisle.
“You’re unbelievable. Let me save you time and energy. I am not interested. Clearly you didn’t get the memo when I never spoke to you before as you tried to harass my friend for information. I bet the whole “running into me” today was a total gateway in your pea brain. News flash! That is creepy and quite frankly unacceptable. Get a new hobby and leave me and any other women you might have done this to alone.” I seethe glaring at him. I decided to leave the trolley behind and just get away from him. He steps in front of me once again, blocking me in. His eyes turn from the rich chocolate brown to coal black. His stare doesn’t falter as he takes a step forward, causing me to take a step back. He lifts his hand up to graze his fingertips along my cheekbone. He slowly leans closer causing his breath to hit the side of my neck.
“Trust me. You rather it be me watching you than any one of the others. I’m the nicer one of the pack.” He whispers, causing the hair on the back of my neck to stand straight up. My face falls. Pack? Without even a second ticking by, his presence is gone from my personal space. Looking up at him my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“Wha-” I start but he interrupts me once again.
“Don’t ask questions. Just keep to your normal routine and nothing will happen.” He threatens as he slowly backs away, turning on his heel and makes his way down the aisle. He stops right before the end. He glances at me with a smirk “Oh, and I have a message for you. He has something of yours. He will be by to deliver it in due time.” He goes to turn back around. Taking a step forward, curiosity gets the best of me.
“Who are you? Who are you talking about?” I question.
“The names Liam,” He declares as he pulls his jacket closer to his body.
“What do you have of mine?” I demand, taking another step in his direction. He holds his hand up, stopping me. With a tilt of his head, he once again smirks at me.
“You know the saying ‘curiosity killed the cat’?” He whispers. Nodding my head, my lip finds its way in between my teeth.
“Trust me. You’re gonna wanna be alive for it. All I can say is make sure that friend of yours isn’t in your apartment, or he’ll change his mind.” Before I can even comprehend what has happened Liam is gone in the blink of an eye and I am left standing alone curious and terrified of what the hell is going on.
Trying to finish my shift at the bookstore was anything but easy. My mind raced a million miles a minute with everything that has taken place these last couple days. Trying to get lost in my work seemed difficult as I tried to start a new project. I would zone out with all the possibilities of how Liam knew who I was, why he had been following me, and why the hell he had spent so many weeks hounding Casey about me. In the process of trying to remain calm, I had knocked over two displays of new releases, forgot to put price tags on the new arrivals that needed stocked, nearly tripped over the mop bucket as Gloria and I were finishing up the closing chores for the night.
“Dear, are you alright? Do you still feel ill? You haven’t been yourself all day,” Gloria asks as she places the back of her hand along my forehead. A small smile works its way across my face. Nodding slightly, I grasp her hand and give it a gentle squeeze.
“Yes, I will be fine. Just been a long day, that's all. No need to worry about me.” I assure her quietly. I gather up my belongings and slide my arms into my jacket sleeves. Reaching for my backpack, I quickly stuff some of my school work back in and begin to zip it. “Hey, you haven’t happened to see a small, black journal laying around, have you Gloria?” I ask as I sling the straps over my shoulders. Turning slightly to glance over her shoulder, she takes a moment to think about it. Her eyebrows furrow as she sets the price gun down on the counter top and turns to lean her back side against it.
“No, I haven’t, unfortunately. Why? Have you lost one?” She asks as her arms cross over her chest. Worry consumes her facial expression as she frantically moves her glance across the room. Straightening up, I adjust my jacket and the loose pieces of hair that lay in my face. I look around the break room one last time.
“Uh, yeah. I seem to have misplaced it. It’s for a school assignment and I can’t find it anywhere. No worries, it's probably in the back of my car or stuffed on one of my bookshelves at home,” I lie. She nods her head before pushing herself off the counter and walking over to me, pulling me into a tight hug.
“Alright. Well you get on home now. It’s getting late and Casey mentioned that you had a big assignment due today so you must be worn out. I’ll finish up here and have Richard come and get me once I am finished. Hopefully you find your journal, Dear. I’ll keep an eye out here for it as well.” She says as she backs away, holding me at arms length. I give her a small smile before saying my goodbye. I make my way up to the front of the store, but stop myself before grabbing the handle. I turn towards the back exit.
No, Raeelynn. Don’t even think about it! You know what happened last time.
Gulping, I take a deep breath and make my way to the back door. I fight the urge to just leave through the front door and head home. My hands hover over the door handle, debating with my subconscious on if I really wanted to go through with what I know I need to. Making the rash decision and pushing the door open, I welcome the cool wind that brushes against my burning skin. Deja vu takes over as that night consumes my thoughts again. I make my way into the dark. Coming near the dumpster, I see nothing but an empty alleyway. Holding my breath, I round it, waiting to see his lifeless body still on the ground. My eyes grow in disbelief.
My heart stops beating. There is absolutely no fucking way.
No evidence to prove what happened that night was actually real. The adrenaline from that night pulses through my veins once again. The chill of watching his body fall in slow motion to the ground consumes me. I picture the blood soaking through the concrete and through my shoes. Kneeling down, my fingertips gently grazed the rough ground where his body laid. Where his blood flowed. Glancing over at where the tinted black Mercedes sat, there is just an empty street. Not even the tire tracks from Harry flooring it away from there. Surely there should be some trace. Surely someone would have found the body and reported it to the police. Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen anything about a missing person. Or even a murder on the news.
I quickly stand and make my way out of the dark cold alleyway, heading towards the light. Gripping my keys tighter between my fingers, I make my way home through the empty night. The slight burn of my calves draw me out of my daydream as the muscles scream for me to slow down. I was speed walking without realizing it. Glancing over my shoulder, I try to rid my mind of the thoughts that someone was still watching me. I let out a breath I was holding as I see my building come up into view. Basically running the last few yards, I throw open the glass door and take the steps two at a time until I reach the third floor.
Fighting with the keys in my hand, I struggle with finding the right one to fit the door knob. My hands shake as I find the right key, slide it in, and twist it open. Stepping in and quickly closing the door behind me I lock it and throw my stuff on the floor. Relief floods my body as I welcome the safety of my home. Taking a few steps in, my hand searches blindly for the light switch. The kitchen fills with light and I make my way to the fridge in search of something quick and easy to eat before I throw myself into bed.
"Well, you’re home early," A deep, raspy, familiar voice calls out. I see a shadow move out of the corner of my eye. My body goes rigid. I grip the door handle tighter. My breath hitches in the back of my throat and I glance to where I keep my kitchen knives. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." He warns. His voice becomes louder, closer, and deeper, "I heard you met a friend of mine tonight. Glad to see that you received my message." Harry says as he wraps his fingers around my wrist and slowly removes it from the fridge door.
"What do you want?" I ask. My voice is rough and scratchy. "I didn't go to the police. I kept my word." I whisper as tears pool in my eyes, threatening to fall. I knew this was gonna happen. I knew that he would come back for me and finish what he started. I clear my throat and slowly turn to face green eyes staring down at me. He corners me against the counter, letting out a loud laugh.
"I wasn't worried in the slightest whether you would go to the police or not. They wouldn't have believed you anyways." He taunts as he takes a step back, flinging his long limbs onto the counter. He crosses his legs and his fingers grip the edge of the granite. He leans forward.
His eyes never leave mine. I don't answer him. We just continue our silent stare down. I lick my lips and try to control my rapid heart beat.
"What do you want with me?" I ask. I keep my tone hushed, afraid anything louder will cause him to snap. I take a step forward, hesitantly glancing around my apartment trying to plan my escape.
"Don't worry about anything else other than keeping your normal routine," Harry says as he runs his fingers along the outside of his mouth with a shrug. "I had something of yours. I return what isn't mine. It's only fair." He jumps down off the counter and walks towards the front door, totally ignoring my question.
"Better lock up. Wouldn't want strangers wandering into places they shouldn't be. It's a dangerous world we live in, Raeelynn," Harry teases as he quickly opens the door and steps out without another glance in my direction. Stunned and confused, I quickly ran to the door and locked it. Deadbolt and all.
What the bloody fuck is going on?
