Carter's Beloved

I’m Calling The Police

Madison P.O.V

~Flashback~

The smoke blew harshly in my face as I stood up. Father was having one of his late night parties and the whole house was littered with middle age bachelors and bachelorettes drinking till the sun goes up. Trap music continued to play loudly, deafening me, as I walked towards Dad.

Girls which had just become adults surrounded him. The table was cluttered with wine bottles and shot glasses. He seemed to be to immerse in his make-out session because he didn’t notice me. The lights were dim and I could barely make out ways around me.

It had been another day when I had come home after school to find Father in his moods. His stocks seemed to drop considerably after a terrible scandal with a minor. He wandered around the house screaming at servants and firing them.

His competitor, Blaine Smith, had earned abundantly since Father’s downfall. He seemed to think it was a magnificent idea to throw a party when we were on the verge of bankruptcy, not to mention with his 16-year-old daughter at home.

It was one day where I felt the loneliest and wished for him to die. The night was growing darker by the moment; I pushed drunk people aside to go into my room. Fortunately, I had installed an electronic door lock two years ago for this reason. I hated when people came into my room and left after making out on my bed.

I had my bags prepared for leaving and thought it was the right day today. It was the day before I would meet Carter and confess what I would do. It was always peculiar to tell my feelings to him; I don’t think he ever knew about our family’s competition.

Either that, or I hid it really well. He had never come to school with worries of his own. It was always me with the crazy family. I stopped telling him what was happening at home after Mom’s death. I still remember the day so vividly, her body lying on the floor with a pool of blood beneath her head.

Father hadn’t even freaked out when he got the news. Calmly arranged the funeral as I cried my heart out. I think that was the turning point for me. I stopped eating thrice a day and stopped talking too much. I never showed this in front of Carter but in front of my Father.

I wanted him to know how the hate over the years had piled up to become a gigantic mass. Father never seemed to care, he had more children than I could count, but I knew if I went it would be significant damage to his reputation.

I was the only true born; the rest were mistakes that he had paid to keep away from him. The sudden sound of fighting awakened me from my trance, and I stepped downstairs to see the commotion.

Father was lying face first on top of a car and the crowd was growing around him. My mouth opened wide as I ran near him and looked in his eyes. He did not recognize me.

~Flashback ends~

I dropped my coat on the sofa, and I walked to the kitchen. Carter dropped me off at my house moments ago, I feel bad for making him travel to help me in the night.

I grab a glass of water and look outside of the windows. A shadow moves quickly across my eyes. I focus my eyes and see it escaping from my garden. I keep my glass on the counter and run towards the door.

Security’s gone and I’m home alone. I check if all my doors are locked and open the security camera which overlooks the garden and exit. The man is still there staring at my house, he’s dressed in all black with a mask on his face so I can’t tell who he is.

He looks at my house for a few more seconds and steps away, slowly disappearing into the darkness of the night. I alert my security right away and step out of my house. If someone is near my house tonight, I better not be in it in case they break in.

I leave through the backdoor without my car and scurry. The streets are empty except for the occasional cars passing by. I reach the beach an hour later and book a ferry. Fortunately, the last one leaves  soon.

The ride to a small island is peaceful. I see the city disappearing behind me and soon I reach the island. It’s small with most people being fishermen, but anything to get away from the city where I’m being stalked.

I walk around until a find a rest house and book a room. I lay in my bed for a long time waiting for sleep to hit me. I spent all night tossing and turning and before the dawn, push away the covers and walk out to the beach.

The water is clear, and I meet myself to a rising sun. It looks breath taking as it slowly rises, shining its light on the water. I turn around and meet his eyes.

He’s the same person I saw yesterday, staring right back at me. My heart beats quickly and I walk casually across the beach, trying not to make eye contact or seem too obvious. The fishermen are out dragging their boats into the river, not paying any attention to us.

I hurry back to the ferry station and book one back to the city. I have an event I need to attend today and cannot be late. I look back frequently to see if he is following me, but I don’t find him.

I go to my house and change quickly; I need to be there in a few hours. I can’t help to wonder, what is that stranger doing around me?