by L A Walton
“I will thanks.”
Laci crawled under her sheets and closed her eyes. She wanted to sleep but the whispering voice returned.
“Sweet dreams Laci.”
If she had been asleep, the piercing scream from her throat would’ve woken her.
CHAPTER 13
“Laci are you okay? What’s going on?”
The light was switched on to reveal Laci holding on to her comforter in the middle of the bed. Declan saw the wild look of fear in his sister’s eyes. “Laci,” he said cautiously.
“He’s here Declan. I heard him,” Laci whispered.
“Who’s here?”
“My stalker,” Laci looked as if she was going to scream again.
“Did you see him?” Declan began whispering as well.
Laci shook her head, “I heard him.”
“Okay…I’m going to look around.” Declan proceeded to check under her bed and through the closet and adjoining bathroom. He didn’t see anyone. He even checked the window to make sure it was locked. “Laci. No one is here. Are you sure you heard someone?”
“Yes, I’m sure!”
Laci watched the look of confusion on her brother’s face turn into concern.
“I’m not crazy Declan! I swear I heard someone.”
Declan nodded, “Well I didn’t find anyone here so what do you want to do? Should we call the cops?” Declan glanced at Laci’ cell phone which was charging on her nightstand.
“And tell them what? That I’m hearing someone whisper to me in the dark? I’ll sound like a lunatic.”
“Then what do you want to do?”
“I don’t know.” Laci began biting her thumbnail…a nervous habit she hadn’t engaged in since she was a teenager.
Declan walked over to Laci and grabbed her pillow and comforter, “Follow me.”
“What are you doing?”
“Just follow me.” Declan walked downstairs and tossed her blanket and pillow on the floor.
“Declan!”
He then went to his room and grabbed his blanket and pillow. “We’re going to do something we haven’t done in years Laci.”
“What’s that?”
“A living room campout!”
“Declan, we’re too old to be sleeping on the floor.”
“Speak for yourself woman!” Declan tossed their blankets on the floor along with their pillows. The house was dark except for the glow from the television in the living room. “Listen Laci…I know you’ve been stressed out lately. I didn’t see anyone upstairs so let’s just sleep downstairs for tonight until we can figure out what you heard in your bedroom. Maybe it was just some random noise that you think sounded like someone whispering to you like the AC vents turning on.”
“It wasn’t an AC vent but fine…just for tonight Declan.”
Declan laughed, "Hey Laci...do you want to tell ghost stories?"
Laci didn't respond. Instead she tossed a pillow from the sofa at him.
"I'll take that as a no," Declan whispered.
The two of them settled in on the floor and slept. Laci was grateful that Declan wasn’t directly calling her crazy or a coward. She felt like both.
A few hours later, Laci woke up and sighed. She wasn’t getting much sleep because the floor was too uncomfortable. She thought about sleeping on the sofa but it would also be uncomfortable. She thought about what Declan had said earlier and wondered if her mind wasn’t playing tricks on her. As a psychologist, she understood more than most how stress could affect a person’s mind. It was totally plausible that it was all in her head. She hated being afraid in her own home and she resented the man that had sent her the notes and texts in order to scare her.
Laci sat up and looked over at her brother Declan. He was fast asleep with his arms spread out. Laci smiled. Declan was a good brother. He even sacrificed his bed so she wouldn’t be afraid tonight. She got up and tiptoed to the staircase. Laci didn’t want to be afraid to sleep in her own bedroom. She walked up slowly in the dark. When she got to her room, she ran to her bathroom and turned on the light switch. She then walked to her bed and laid down.
For her, this was a test in bravery. Eventually she drifted into a fitful sleep. An hour later, she awoke. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness and she could see a figure standing in her bedroom doorway.
“Declan?” she whispered.
The figure didn’t speak. She couldn’t see any distinguishable features, just the outline of his body as he stood in the doorway.
“Declan what are you doing?” she asked. The bathroom light wasn’t enough for her to see by but it did allow her to catch a glimpse of the knife he held in his arm. “Declan?”
The man still didn’t answer. Laci was frozen with fear. “Declan!” Laci screamed, hoping to wake her brother up. The dreadful thought that Declan could be dead downstairs filled her mind. She screamed again and the figure at her doorway ran away.
“Crap! Laci stay in your room! Call 911! Now!”
Laci gave a quick prayer of thanks as she heard her brother yelling from downstairs. She quickly grabbed her cellphone and dialed the police. She heard her brother groaning, glass breaking, and then a loud thud.
“Declan?” Laci had quickly given her house information to the 911 dispatcher and had ignored her instructions to stay on the line. She disconnected the call and walked to the edge of the staircase. She could see the front door open and Declan on the floor.
“Declan!” Laci ran towards her brother who wasn’t moving. She got on the floor and began calling his name. She noticed the bruise on his face and a deep scratch on his left upper arm. “Oh my God. Declan wake up!” She lightly patted his cheeks until he emitted a soft groan.
“Declan wake up,”
“Enough already,” he moaned. “What the heck happened?”
“Are you okay?” Laci asked.
“Where is he?” Declan asked.
“I don’t know. I think he ran out,” Laci said as she looked at the open front door.
A few minutes later the police and an ambulance arrived to find Laci and Declan sitting on the sofa. Declan had a bag of mixed veggies over his eye. The paramedics bandaged up the cut on his arm.
“This is a fairly nice neighborhood," the officer remarked, “And you said you didn’t notice anything missing?”
Laci shook her head, “I don’t know. We haven’t really checked but all of the valuables are in a safe. He was just watching me while I slept I guess…”
“And you didn’t see his face?” the officer asked looking at Declan who cursed under his breath.
“No, he had some kind of ski mask on. He was dressed in black. That’s all I remember before he hit me over the head with a vase.”
The officer nodded and finished taking their statements.
After they left Declan looked at Laci, “I don’t know what’s going on but we need to get a security system installed.”
Laci nodded. Tonight was scary. Laci wondered if the intruder had been hiding in the house or had he picked the lock and broke in like the police officer suggested? She shivered at the thought of him being in the house and hiding.
“Declan?”
“What is it?” His rough tone told Laci he wasn’t in a good mood.
“I’m sorry,” Laci began crying, “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”
“How is this your fault? Hey stop crying Laci. This is not your fault. Some guy broke in…how’s that your fault?”
“He broke in because of me.”
Declan shook his head and frowned as he hugged his sister. “Don’t worry Laci. It’s gonna be okay. I promise.”
Laci nodded but she didn’t believe him. She had a feeling that from now on, things were just going to get worse.
“Henry! We have to see Dr. Cummings this Saturday. Did you finish your journal?” Portia called out to her husband who was downstairs working on some random art project in his study. She was in their bedroom putting laundry away. As she was about to leave the roo
m, she noticed a small key on the nightstand by Henry’s side of the bed. She picked it up and looked at the dresser drawer he always kept locked.
Portia looked around and quickly unlocked the drawer. Inside was a small journal. “Why would he hide this?”
She placed his journal with hers to take to their appointment on Saturday. “If I don’t do this he’ll forget it like always.”
Kay, Amber, and Laci sat at their local Red Robin gorging on the bottomless fries.
“So Laci…are you going to tell us what’s going on with the dark circles under your eyes?” Kay asked. "It looks like you were up all night. It wouldn't have anything to do with that handsome co-worker of yours would it?"
“Someone broke into my house last night.”
Amber and Kay stared at Laci in disbelief. Amber put down her burger and looked at Laci, “So why are you just telling us this now? That’s not news you wait to tell your friends.”
“Sorry,” Laci murmured, “It was a rough night and Declan got hurt.”
“Your brother was hurt? Is he okay? Are you okay? Did they take anything?”
Laci shook her head, “He's got a black eye. They didn’t take anything. It was just a crazy night.”
Kay nodded, “I’m sorry Laci but I’m glad you’re okay.”
Laci gave a weak smile, “It’s fine. My brother wants to install a security system.”
“That’s a great idea,” Kay looked at Amber, “Don’t you think so?”
“Yeah…of course it is. Alarms that automatically call the police are great in case you can't call them yourself.”
“Amber…I’ve been meaning to ask you…did you date a police officer before and not tell us?” Laci asked.
Amber looked surprised, “What?”
“What? Amber hid a boyfriend from us?” Kay laughed.
Amber blushed and shook her head, “Of course not.”
“So you never dated an Officer Bishop before?” Laci asked.
Amber looked uncomfortable, “Why are you asking me this Laci?”
“I’m just curious. I met him.”
Amber coughed, “No. I don’t know him.”
“Are you sure? Because he seemed to know you Amber.”
Kay looked puzzled, “That’s weird. Why would he say he went out with Amber if they didn’t date?”
“I don’t know,” Amber shrugged, “Maybe he has me confused with someone else.”
Kay didn’t let it go, “You don’t get confused about the people you date. Are you keeping secrets Ms. Gabriella?”
Amber tossed her napkin over her food, “Why do you keep asking? I told you I didn’t date him. He must be confused. I’m going to the bathroom. Excuse me.”
“You want me to come with you?” Kay asked.
“No,” Amber noticed she was a bit too vehement in her answer so she answered again, “No…it’s okay. Thanks. I’ll be right back.”
Laci couldn’t help but notice how upset Amber looked.
“What was that about?” Kay asked Laci once Amber left them.
“I don’t know but it seemed strange. Officer Bishop asked me to help him get back together with her…but she’s telling us she never dated him.”
“It's weird...but maybe he did get her confused with someone else.”
Laci looked at Kay and asked, “Hey are things okay with you? I mean you’re not having any problems are you?”
Kay laughed, “No. Why?”
Laci shrugged, “No reason…but if you ever have any problems…it doesn’t matter what…you know you can come to me, right?”
Kay smiled, “Of course I do and the same goes for you. You, me, and Amber…we’ve been best friends since college. Marie Ann’s gone but we’re all important to each other.”
Laci smiled. Kay was right. They were all important to one another. She thought of Amber who was still in the bathroom. Laci wondered, "Why did she deny dating Officer Joe Bishop? Did he lie or was she lying?"
Amber looked visibly upset when Laci mentioned Officer Bishop. There was more to this story than Amber was letting on and one thing was definitely clear. Kay, Amber, and Laci may be best friends…but they all had secrets.
CHAPTER 14
Amber sat across from her ex-boyfriend, Officer Joe Bishop. She adjusted her posture against the red pleather seat at their local Ihop. Joe was smiling at her, “Did you want me to order you your favorite? Blueberry pancakes?”
Amber frowned, “I don’t eat those anymore. Listen Joe, I called you here so we could talk.”
“What did you want to talk about?”
Not one to mince words, she got straight to her point, “Are you going around looking up my friends?”
“What? What are you talking about?”
Amber sneered, “Please Joe. I know how you are. Did you tell Laci that I was your girlfriend?”
“Laci? You asked me to meet you here because of her?”
Amber nodded, “Why else would I ask you to meet with me?”
“Oh I don’t know…maybe to talk about our relationship?”
Amber sighed, “What relationship? We used to go out. Emphasis on the words used to."
“You seriously don’t want to give us a second chance?”
“Why would I Joe? I told you I don’t want to date an officer.”
“Why? Because your friend told you that dating a cop was stressful?”
“That’s not what she said Joe. I asked her how to deal with the stress of dating an officer. She told me it was something I would have to get used to and accept. I didn’t want to accept it so we broke up. End of story.”
“No, we didn't break up. You dumped me.”
“Stop splitting hairs Joe. Laci just helped me work things out about what I did and didn't want in a relationship.”
Joe gave a bitter laugh, “It always comes back to Laci. Why are you so obsessed with her?”
Amber laughed, “I’m not obsessed with her. She’s my friend. Of course I care about her and what she thinks.”
Joe snorted, “Yeah? Well I was your boyfriend and you didn’t seem to care about what I thought. I should’ve known better than to think you wanted to get back together.”
“Yeah you should have.”
“When did you become such a bi-?”
Amber stopped him from calling her a curse word, “Don’t even go there Joe. We broke up and I only wanted to meet you to tell you to stop bugging Laci.”
“Is that what she told you? That I’m bugging her?”
“Does it matter? We aren’t getting back together. Leave my friends alone.”
“God, why did you even date me if you hate me so much?”
“I don’t hate you Joe.”
Joe reached his hand across the table to try and grasp hers, “You don’t?”
Amber quickly moved her hand out of his reach, “No, I don’t. What I feel for you is something like…”
Joe smiled, “Love?”
“Indifference.”
Laci drove to the computer store to pick up her laptop. She had been a bit jumpy lately and even started paying attention to the cars that appeared in her rearview mirror’s reflection. She was becoming paranoid that someone might start following her. As she pulled into the parking lot, she looked for a spot that wasn’t surrounded by other cars. She ended up parking at the far end of the parking lot.
As she made her way to the computer repair counter, she scanned the faces of the customers to see if any of them were familiar. For all she knew her stalker was here at the store with her.
“May I help you?” a young man with a nametag that read “Marco” asked her. He had long hair pulled back in a ponytail and a faint mustache that looked like a smudge of dirt.
“Hi Marco, I’m here because I’m supposed to pick up my laptop.”
“Name?”
“Laci Cummings.”
His eyes squinted as if the name sounded familiar to him. Laci wondered if he listened to her radio show.
“I’ll
be right back,” Marco said as he left her waiting at the counter for a few minutes.
“Okay ma’am, we cleaned it up for you. It had a pretty nasty virus on it so we installed new antivirus software on it. You know you’re supposed to update your virus protection software every year, don’t you?”
Laci didn’t know that, “Oh…I thought it stayed current on its own.”
Marco shook his head in dismay, “I have customers come in here all the time and they don’t realize that new viruses are created every day. Old software isn’t advanced enough to protect your electronics. You need to update your software all the time.”
“So which virus did I have on my computer?”
“A pretty scary one. It has a lot of different names. It’s a spying program that allows hackers to watch their victims.”
Laci nodded. This was something she was aware of. “Is it gone?”
Marco nodded, “Yes, but you should still be careful about what videos you’re clicking on. Sometimes a link on Facebook or in an e-mail can install it again.”
“Okay, thank you.” Laci paid Marco who scratched his head as though he were thinking. “You seem really familiar,” Marco said. “Have you come in here before?”
“No, this was my first computer repair.”
Marco looked at the receipt's signature and smiled, “You’re Dr. Cummings? Dr. Cummings the advice columnist, right?”
Laci smiled, “I give relationship advice for the newspaper and am on the radio show Love Guru.”
“Wow that’s so cool! My girlfriend loves your show. She only went out with me after you told her that she should try dating someone different. She used to only date athletic men and I’m not exactly athletic.”
“That’s wonderful,” Laci replied, “I’m happy to hear that. Normally people tell me that I’m the cause of their girlfriend breaking up with them but I’m glad I was able to help you in your relationship.”
After Laci walked out of the store, she couldn’t help feeling good about herself. She scanned the parking lot and spotted her car. Parked next to it was a large white van. It was old and dirty. It had a door on the side that probably slid open.
