Days went by, and I couldn't even comprehend what Jeff had told me. And each day, I would scream, and cry, and scream some more. I tried to tell everyone that he was coming back for me, that it wasn't over. I don't remember much other than the screaming, they often had to sedate me, afraid I was going to kill myself. Little did they know that is the exact opposite of what I was doing. After a week, coming out of a particularly heavy dose of sedation and pain killers, I stopped screaming.
As I lay there in a daze, I watched the wind blow a bare tree outside the hospital window, the swaying of the naked branches kept me calm. I was surprised...how the world kept moving, even with HIM out there. To me, my world all but halted, sending me tumbling to ground, feeling like I will never be able to get back up. I let out a breath, closing my eyes, I could still see his eyes, never closing, forever staring. But I could still see that look, that god damn strange searching he was doing as he made me suffer. What was he looking for?
I closed my eyes, several tear rolling down my cheeks. I just wanted to go home, for it all to end and for my boring life to come back. My eyes stung, I felt cried out honestly. I considered buzzing the nurse so I could get another sedation and sleep these feelings away.
My head turned to the sound of the door opening, half expecting Jeff to be there, his knife in hand, his forever smiling face watching me like prey. To my surprise, it was my father. He looked exhausted and worn down, knowing him, he was probably been at home, not sleeping or eating since the this all began. I gave him a weak smile, hoping to comfort him. He smiled back, weak, like mine, but happy that this was the first time he seen me in days that I wasn't screaming.
"Hi." He said, his voice cracked, making him clear it. "Hi." He repeated clearer now but still worn.
"Hi." I said unenthusiastically, sighing and closing my eyes as he walked closer. The closer he got, the more my eyes watered and the more I felt my chin tremble. I opened my eyes when he was beside me, making me let out a sob. "Daddy..." I said in a shaky voice. I could see the hurt in his eyes, seeing me like this. It only made me cry harder, but I kept my eyes open, wanting to see my father.
"Can we please go home?" I begged, my voice nothing but a pathetic plea. My dad nodded, tears forming in his own eyes and he leaned down and embraced me, kissing my hair. "Please...Please." I begged over and over, I couldn't stand being here anymore. I just wanted to go home, I wanted my life back. I felt him nod again, a tiny sob broke from him.
We held each other for several minutes, until I pulled away because I couldn't breath due to my face buried in his shoulder.
"Ok." He coughed, wiping his face, nodding. "Ok." He repeated, I'm not sure why. Clearing his throat, he went to the door, opening it but didn't leave my sight. He flagged down a nurse, after a minute, one noticed and came over. As they talked, I let out a shaky breath, looking back towards the window, seeing the naked tree. The sun was shining brightly, though it didn't help my mood. I pictured the cheesy movies where in sad or depressing moments, like the death of a character or whatever, it would always be raining. I huffed, why was I thinking of such a thing? This wasn't a movie.
As my father walked back he, he gently placed his warm hand on my shoulder, I turned back towards him. He smiled as warmly as he could muster, which wasn't much.
"Lets go home."
After a final mental and physical check up and a release form signature, I was allowed to go home. A nurse returned my clothing, I froze, seeing the blood stains where Jeff had stabbed me, I trembled, my hands only an inch away from grabbing the clothes. They looked as if they had been washed, having a strong soapy smell coming from them. But the blood stains were still there, almost as fresh as when my blood was seeping into the formerly white cloth.
"Are you alright?" The voice snapped me out of of it and I quickly grabbed the clothes, not saying a word. I stepped into the bathroom and changed into them as quickly as I could, trying not to think about what happened last time I wore these. I stepped out and pushed by the nurse who was talking to my father, making a mad dash to the car. I could hear my father walking behind me, not saying a word. I was practically running to the car by the time I reached the front doors, wanting to get home and out of these damn clothes. Grabbing the car handle, I let out a sob as I found it was locked. I yanked on it again and again, my breathing quickening and heart racing. My eyes darting around, looking for Jeff, I could feel his eyes watching me. He was probably laughing at me again, like before.
"Hey!" Wiping around, I seen my father with an angry yet worried look. I held back my tears, my legs jittering as I continued to look around for Jeff. When I heard the car unlock, I nearly ripped the handle off, yanking the door open and jumped in. Slamming it closed, I let out a breath, tears streaking my face again. I don't think I could ever get used to this feeling.
My dad got in, I didn't look at him, still trying to calm down. He didn't start the car, watching me.
"Look at me." Slowly, I opened my teary eyes again and looked at him. The tears made him take a sharp breath, rubbing his face. "Maybe you should stay for a few more days." My eyes widened and I felt like my own father was unknowingly sentencing me to death.
"NO!" I screeched, making him immediately turn to me. My eyes pleading with him not to make me stay here any longer. "Please..I just want to go home." After a minute, he only nodded, starting the car and driving out of the parking lot.
Nothing was said for the entire drive home, I pretended to sleep so he wouldn't ask me any questions, but I was sure he knew I was faking. When we arrived home, I opened my eyes and stared at my house, it seemed so...strange now. Sighing, I got out and walked in the house. As I entered, the familiar aromas enveloped me, making me take a deep breath in.
For the next several days, I didn't say a word, I refused to leave my father or brother's side, even while sleeping. I hardly ate, I didn't shower and I would wake in the middle of the night, dripping with sweat and crying. But they put up with me, to my surprise. My brother wouldn't talk to me, but he would do small things, poke me with his smelly feet, throw things at me, typical brother stuff. That was far more comforting than hugs and petting, it made me feel...like nothing changed.
After a week, and my brother was at work, I woke alone in my bed. I nearly screamed, stumbling out of bed, desperate to get out of my room, where I hadn't even looked in since I got home. Once out, I slammed my door closed and I trembled, I wasn't sure why my room frightened me. Maybe it was being alone which scared me more. I forced myself to take several deep breaths, pushing my self off my door. Turning around, my dad's door was closed, meaning he was asleep. Walking to the kitchen, I seen it was 2 am, making me swallow.
I was alone for the first time in a week. Shaking my head, I grabbed by face, why did I have to wake now? Jeff was probably waiting for me to be alone for him to torment me even more. I paused, forcing a breath. No, he wouldn't do it while I was in my house, with my father right there. Would he?
"Probably." I said out loud, he would. This was Jeff, he wouldn't care if he had to gut anyone as long as he is enjoying himself. I sighed, rubbing my face, I felt like shit. I probably looked like it too, but at the moment, knowing that Jeff was playing "Cat and Mouse" with me, I just couldn't bring myself to care.
Turning around, I stared at my room, part of me terrified of going in but another part was telling me that I might as well get it over with. After nearly 10 minutes of arguing with myself, I gritting my teeth and took a step towards my room.
That step didn't move for another 5 minutes, again I took another step and pushed through all my thoughts of going into my father's room. I even considered falling asleep on his bedroom floor, but I could I just imagine the conversation when he woke.
It took a 20 some odd minutes, but I made it to my room, standing outside of my door. Closing my eyes, I grab the handle, turning and pushing with a swift movement. Nothing. I sighed, feeling silly I got so worked up. Stepping in, I closed my door and got back into my bed. It was comforting but weird. I looked at my laptop, the headphones still plugged in. This is where it all began.
I briefly thought about smashing my laptop, but the idea immediately was pushed out of my head. There was simply no point in it.
A tap made me freeze. My eyes darting around. Still nothing, but every nerve was on edge. After a few minutes, my body relaxed. I let out my breath, closing my eyes. Again, another tap. This time I jumped up, searched my entire bedroom, expecting to find him in there. I even peeked under my bed, as if I was a child expecting to find a monster. But that thought wasn't too far off. When I found nothing, my breathing accelerated.
Childishly, I crawled back onto my bed and hid under my blanket, as if the thin material would protect me from Jeff. But not being able to see anything or what was in my room just made me tremble even more. I closed my eyes and covered my ears, trying to drown out the world around me. All I could see was his face, I could hear his laughter, feel his cold hands. It was almost like he was there, right beside me, tormenting me with his presence.
The tab turned into a loud BANG on my window, I let out a scream and grabbed my pillow and covered my head with it.
"NO! NO! LEAVE ME ALONE! PLEASE!" I cried, sobbing into my mattress.
I could hear him, laughing, enjoying my suffering. I continued to sob, pulling the pillow tighter around my head, making it hard to breath. I gasped, trying to take a breath of fresh air, my lungs aching for air. My fear kept me under the suffocating pillow, I continued to cry and sob.
"Please..." I whimpered. Wishing for him to either show his face or leave. Not being able to see him, but knowing he was there, was driving me insane.
Finally, my urge for fresh air made me emerge from the pillow and flip the bedding away from my face. I kept my eyes closed, taking in a deep and loud gasp. I covered my ears, not knowing what else to do. Finally, I opened my teary eyes.
Nothing.
I suddenly grew angry and threw my pillow, having it hit the door with a soft floof sound, falling down without another sound. I groaned and grabbed my face, my nails digging into my flesh. I was tempted to drag my nails down my face, but I let out my breath and fell back into my bed.
I opened my eyes, seeing my window, it was dark except for the quarter moon right outside. Despite what little of the moon was showing, it gave enough light to see the tree outside my window. As the wind blew, the branches, tapped the window. Glaring at the tree, I groaned. My arm flopped over my eyes, huffing loudly. A few minutes later, I moved my arm, my eyes shifting to the window.
Staring back at me...was a pair of dark, ominous eyes, focused and determined. To my surprised, I didn't scream, eyes wide, heart racing. I felt like he was pinning me down with those eyes, unable to move, to struggle, hardly able to breath.
Laughter filled my room, sinister and horrifying.
"Stand up." He mouthed. Swallowing, I slowly stood, our eyes never breaking. His look makes my breath catch in my throat. As I now am standing level with him, eye to eye, all I could think of was how much I missed looking at the moon only a minute ago. Jeff chuckled, leaning against the window frame.
"You look like shit." I couldn't help but glare, making Jeff chuckle again. "But still looking damn fine." I lifted a brow, my cheeks lightly burning but the glare never left my face. I could never understand him, he wants to kill me but calls me fine, saying he prefers the chase and doesn't really want to kill me. "So...how's life of the mouse treating you?" He started laughing uncontrollably, his eyes still focus on me It was strange watching him, laughing without his eyes ever closing, never blinking. They were blood shot, dull, dry looking.
"You here to finally kill me?" I said before realizing it. His laughter stopped short and a dark, angry glare followed.
"Kill you?" He growled, banging his fists on the window frame, I flinched but I didn't move. "I fucking told you. I like the chase! But I will fucking kill you if you keep pushing me!" He snapped. His voice made me gasp and shutter. Satisfied with my fear, he calmed and leaned back onto the frame. Jeff smirked, his eyes looking past me and into my room. It was untidy since I tore my room apart, looking for him.
"Nice place. Mind if I come in?" He laughed, jumping down from the AC he was standing on, moving to the patio doors, which were unlocked. Jumping from my bed, I stumbled off the bed, scrambling to the doors. I only made it to the kitchen when I saw him opening the patio doors.
He was now inside my house.
"M-My father is home!" I desperately try to find anything anything to get him out of the house.
"So?" He shrugged, walking in, casually walking around. "I won't be long Babe." My eyes whip to my father's room, not a sound coming from his room. Both relieved and terrified, I thought about screaming to have my father come rushing out to protect me. But just as I opened my mouth, a cold, clammy hand slapped against my mouth, the other gripping my throat and pushed me to the wall. My eyes shift back to his, who were wild with anger and rage.
"If you don't want me to put your 'Daddy' into permanent sleep, you will keep your fucking mouth shut." I tried to swallow, his hand tightening and making it hard to get the small amount of saliva down, his smile broadened at my struggle. I end up just making a small nod. Jeff chuckled and pulled his hand from my mouth and pats my cheek.
"Good Girl." He says like a man praising a dog. I refrained from glaring, still mindful of his hand on my throat and who he was. Pulling away, he keeps his dark eyes on me before turning towards the kitchen's fridge. "Hmm. I'm starved." Jeff casually said, opening the fridge. He roots around for a minute before pulling out last nights left overs, chicken, rice and steamed veggies.
Not even waiting, he grabs the cold chicken and bites into it. The chicken is gone in only a few bites, throwing the plastic container onto the counter, ignoring the rice and vegetables. Before long, he eats nearly everything in the fridge and grabs the milk jug. Popping off the lid, he drinks a third of the jug, having much of it spill from his cut open cheeks and drip down his neck and getting his shirt wet. Jeff lowers the milk and lets out a satisfied sigh.
He put the milk back, not bothering with the lid and closes the fridge. Wiping his face, he picks his teeth as his eyes settle back on me. I had a surprised and disgusted look on my face. He ignores the look and wiped his hands on his filthy sweater. I caught myself wondering when was the last time he washed that damn thing.
I shift uncomfortably now, glancing down the hall, praying that my father will wake up and cause Jeff to leave. When my glance return, Jeff was leaning over the counter, his face only millimetres from my own. Gasping, I jump back, Jeff wasted no time grabbing my shirt's collar and yanking me back towards him. With a swift movement, Jeff slammed my face down onto the wooden counter, one arm twisted behind my back, his other hand gripping my hair. I refrained from screaming, only letting out a muffled grunt, trying to worm my way out of his grip.
Jeff chuckled at my feeble attempt of escape, only tightening his grip on my hair and pushing even harder on my arm, making it feel as if it was going to pop from it's socket. After a minute, he huffed and let go of my arm but jerked my head back so it was beside his. I could feel his hot breath on my face, his breath stunk horribly, the smell of now sour milk mixed with his breath. Slowly, I moved my now completely numb arm, resting it on the counter as the blood rushed back to it.
"You're a pain you know that?" I kept my eye closed but I couldn't help but think, how was I being a pain? I wasn't the one stalking him, torturing him for mere kicks. But he never expanded on that sentence, making me think he way just saying it just to mess with my head. Unhappy I didn't respond to him, he jerked my head back again and bit my ear. I let out a squeal of pain, my nails digging into the wooden counter top. "That's more like it." He chuckled.
My eyes snapped open when he pushed closer to me, forcing me to lean over the counter again as he continued to press against me. Heat burst into my face, I tried to turn my face away from him in embarrassment. Jeff let out a sharp laugh.
"You enjoying this? You're more of a freak than I am." Those words struck me hard, making tears well up in my eyes but I clung onto them. I refused to cry, not now. He chuckled again, continuing to move and shift against me, causing me to blush more. After a few minutes, I could tell Jeff was now getting bored, due to his movements all but stopped. I opened my eyes, instantly regretting it, seeing his blood stained knife havering over my hand that was still sprawled out, gripping the counter for dear life.
My whole body began to tremble and shake violently, causing Jeff to laugh again. Leaning closer to my ear, I could hear him breathing.
"Afraid?" I swallowed, barley able to nod and choke out a sob, the tears now freely flowing down my cheeks. He mockingly nuzzled my neck, kissing my trembling shoulder. "Good...you should be." He whispered.
Than he jabbed the knife straight down, going right through my hand and into the counter. I opened my mouth to scream but Jeff was quick enough to cover my mouth, only a muffle shriek that wasn't close enough to wake my father escaped. I sobbed into his hand as the blood started to pool around my hand. My fingers twitch involuntary, several of my longer nails broke from digging into the wood.
Jeff released the knife and my mouth, completely standing back from me, tucking his hands into his hoodie, watching me with an amused grin.
"You better pull it out if you want to stop the bleeding." I couldn't help but glare with such an anger I hadn't felt since our first meeting. This brought that damn look back, that searching he kept doing. In too much pain to focus on Jeff, I turned back to the knife in my hand. A large amount of blood was continuing to grow. I let out a exhausted sob but forced my other hand up and around the handle. My hand was shaking so badly I lost grip several times. Finally, after about 5 minute, I got a good as a grip as I possible could and gave a good hard yank. The knife jerked up a few centimeters but stopped as my hand went flying off the handle. The quick motion made my whole body swing and my hand twisted on the blade. Letting out a cry I held my wrist.
"Fuck..." I sobbed, but forced a breath, determined to remove this bloody knife. Again I gripped the handle, pausing for a moment and gave another hard pull. The knife, thankfully, came out in a sloppy jerking motion. I instantly dropped the knife and clutched my hand.
A slow clap reached my ears, making me look up to see Jeff have a mildly impressed look, but more amused than impressed smile. I glared hard and refrained from sticking my tongue out like a child. I all but ignored the insane psycho in my house and went to the bathroom. Luckily, I had taken some coursed in first aid in high school but I already knew I was going to have to go back to the damn hospital.
As I cleaned the wound, Jeff leaned against the door way watching me with a bore expression. I tried ignoring him but the longer he stood there the angrier I grew. Finally, I all but growled, shooting my glare toward him.
"Will you fuck off!?" I snapped. To my surprise, Jeff laughed, walking closer and pinched my cheek. I pushed his hand away, only for him to grab my wrist and, with a gentleness I never would have thought he would have, pressed his lips on the back of my hand. This gesture left me almost in a daze of confusion. How could he flip so easily, it was making my head spin. I didn't notice my cheeks brightening as his eyes returned my gaze. Just a quick, he pulled back and flicked my forehead, snapping me from the confusion and the anger instantly returned.
"For fucks sake Jeff!" I groaned as I started wrapping up my hand, which thankfully had stopped bleeding. Jeff ignored me, casually walked back to the kitchen and picked up his knife. Putting it in his pocket, he went to the patio doors, sliding the glass door open and glanced over his shoulder.
"See you around Babe. Hope to have another date really soon." I opened my mouth to curse at him again but he was already gone. Sighing, I closed the door, looking at the time, it was now almost 5:00 am. As exhausted as I was, I cleaned up all of the blood, changed, even showered. By the time I was done, I decided I should head to the hospital and get my hand looked at.
Writing my father a note, I grabbed my keys, started my car and was heading back to the damn hospital.