Scarred Knight

Eat

Lake

Asher dropped me off at my building with a promise of picking me up later in a few hours with Trace. I trudged up the stairs, forgoing the elevator for my apartment on the fifth floor as usual, and my mind went to the shadow that seemed to be keeping watch over me from the darkness. I wondered if the ghost has answered my unasked question that I had left for him this morning.

A thrill shot through me as I imagined him doing just that. My steps quickened on their own as I thought about my diary sitting open with a question written on it and an uncapped pen waiting to be picked up.

I reached my floor and then turned to the left on the landing for my apartment when the person coming opposite me collided with me. I staggered back with a oomph, but instead of apologizing the man just ran down the stairs. “Arsehöle.” I muttered, rubbing my arm to lessen the sting as I neared my apartment door and pulled out my keys to open it.

I felt the eyes on me and automatically a slow smile came to lift the corners of my lips. I looked around the quiet hallway, but of course I didn’t see anyone, still I couldn't help but say aloud, “It’d be nice if I know that I’m not crazy, to feel you watching me all the time.”

A beat passed but nothing happened. I sighed, unlocked the door and shut it behind me as soon as I entered because of the little rascals living with me who doesn't let go of any opportunity to run outside.

I only took a step inside and in a flash the dark brown fur ball came running toward me, circling my feet before pouncing upward. I caught Crook in my arms and gave him a soft pat, smiling, only to bit back a groan when another grey and white fur ball came, this one slumping down on my feet and digging it’s claws in. “Agh… Fudge!!” I shook my leg and got a vicious snarl in return before she gave one last, quick s***h of her paw and then sauntered off to perch on the arm of the loveseat, licking her paws.

Cradling Crook in my one arm, I ventured further into the living room. My heart was racing, dying to run straight to the diary on the kitchen counter and see what’s waiting for me, if anything. As I neared, I saw it was closed with the pen tucked between the pages. I let my bag drop on the floor and made myself to walk past it and fill the pans for Fudge and Crook with water and gave them a treat each.

And then, when I thought I had wasted enough time in controlling my excitement, which wasn’t enough, I stood in front of my diary and prepared myself. My fingers shook as I slipped my finger between the pages and opened the diary.

The pen was capped. And under my three worded question, “Are you real?” was the answer, I was hoping for. “Very Much.”

I smiled, my eyes once again wandering around me, wanting to catch him lingering in the shadows but I didn't find anyone. Shaking my head, I closed the diary and made my way to my bedroom. I was hungry, but I had gotten good at controlling my eating habits. I didn't want to be a fat freak again. I didn't want to be that girl again, with less self confidence and more pounds to carry around on my small frame. I wasn’t really starving myself, but I only ate when I thought I should and when I couldn't take the rumbling of my stomach anymore as it begged for food.

I slumped down on the bed and closed my eyes. I felt the sharp claws of Fudge as she walked on my leg and then finally settled on my thigh. I knew from experience if I tried to move, to be comfortable, I’d get another set of scratches so I just laid there. As I relaxed, I thought about the day I’d had at school. Tina— the beautiful, she-devil aside, everything was nice, till the point he entered the class.

He seemed to hate me and I don't know the reason. Alex Carter. The stranger who saved me when I had thought no one would. The devil, that looked like God himself, who had visited me during all the nightmares turning them into pleasurable dreams. Now my teacher. That was a joke, he can't be a teacher and I was sure of it.

I sat up and hissed when Fudge showed her displeasure as I fished out my phone from my pocket and opened the search engine. I typed Alex Carter and soon there were number of results. I searched through them but none of them was him. I added teacher beside his name, inwardly scoffing, and just as I knew nothing new surfaced about him then either.

Hmm. So Alex Carter, are you even real? What if he was using a fake name? And, what if there's a reason behind his hatred? Didn't he answer my question to why he was here, with a single word? You.

It had shook me then and now the possibilities only made my heart clench and thud against my chest with renewed fervor. What if he is really here for me? But I don’t know him. Or may be, what if I don’t remember him?

I dropped the phone by my head and turned on my side, closing my eyes, I did what Mrs Wilson had told me to do when too many things crowded my mind, so I won’t end up having an episode and black out. What? Didn’t I tell you I wasn’t normal? No, I am not. Far from it. But, I was getting there, hopefully.

I thought about all the things that make me feel safe and peaceful. Things that make me smile. I thought about the family I have got, the people who had helped me through all the black holes I have suffered. Liam, Trace, Asher and Chase. And, Mrs Wilson and her soft but firm voice. I felt my mind relaxing and my breathing slowing down as my heart calmed too.

I woke up with a start, groggy and disoriented, not understanding what woke me up. I looked around myself and my vibrating phone got my attention just as the door bell rang. I swiped to answer, seeing it was Trace calling. “Yeah?”

“Open the door, Lake.” Trace sounded worried.

I blinked my eyes a few times to get rid of the sleep and jumped off the bed, making my way out of the bedroom. As I neared the door, I realised that Fudge and Crook weren’t on the bed with me, where they usually would be. Unlocking the door, I turned around and my eyes fell on the sofa where both of them were… sleeping peacefully.

“Damn it, Lake! You know how worried I got. I was about to call Asher and Chase.” Trace rushed out and I didn't miss the fact that she left out Liam’s name.

“I fell asleep, Trace, and as you can see I am fine and no one broke into my apartment.” I replied, walking back into my bedroom, just as Crook ran past me and a moment later I heard Trace’s excited shriek.

I rolled my eyes, knowing Trace wouldn't even remember for what she was so worried now that she had Crook to pay attention to. My feet faltered and my lips fell apart as I took in the plate filled with food to the brim, covered with a glass dome resting on my bedside table. So, someone did break into my apartment. Hmm. Why was I even surprised?

With slow and sure footsteps I moved closer to it, my heart beating so loud I couldn't hear anything else, not even my own thoughts. As I neared, I glimpsed a small piece of paper tucked neatly under the plate. I plucked it out.

Eat.

I pursed my lips, not wanting to let him see the smile that wanted to let loose if he was looking.

“What's that?”

I quickly fisted the small note and turned to face my friend. “Are you hungry?” I asked instead of answering her question.

“Everytime.” She replied and with Crook cradled in her arm she sat down on the bed.

We spend next twenty minutes eating and talking about trivial things. It was only after I ate the last remaining meatball that I noticed how Trace was smiling while looking at me. I arched my brow and questioned, “What?”

She shook her head and replied, “Its really nice to finally see you eating without fretting about all the calories and your weight.”

I chewed and thought about what’s she said which wasn’t wrong. She was right. I do tend to play with my food instead of eating it and yes I do get anxious about my weight. I knew it wasn’t right, but anyone would behave the same if they had a she-devil and her group of minions there to bully you day and night. But right now, as I ate the food and talked with her, there was no thought of anything except that he left me food and I was hungry so I ate as he told me to.

Damn.

I smiled at Trace, not knowing if what was happening was a good thing or not as doubts started to close in on me. I just hope it’s the former.

.

.

.

So... It's a suspense thriller romance... Just wanted to put it out there. Let the story build and the cards will slowly unfold, and as I have said before please Be Patient with me, you'll get your answers.

To be continued..