Out of the Woods

by Sunshine1220

Something evil happened that night, under the canopy of trees, but Bella's foggy memories are too terrifying to be believed. And the texts from her husband have left her with more questions than answers. The only thing she knows for certain is that whatever destroyed her life that night is still lurking. Her escape will be more difficult than just being pulled out of the woods.

17. Chapter 17

17.

The eleven o'clock news drones on while rain patters against the window. It's as soothing as it is hypnotic. It's also a pleasant distraction from hearing the details of a recent murder in Port Angeles. With wool socks on my feet and my favorite fleece blanket wrapped around me, I'm curled on the sofa, sipping warm cider. Quite happy where I am, I snuggle deeper into my blanket.

If I weren't so content, I'd crawl into my bed. If Alice were here, she'd make me. The thought makes me smile.

The meteorologist's forecast hasn't changed. We're in for a stretch of rainy days. I make a mental note to get my rain boots out of the closet.

Another sip of cider warms my insides. But another, unfamiliar sensation fills my lower belly. Gentle flutters tickle me from the inside. Halfway into my pregnancy, I'm expecting to feel movement. But nothing could have prepared me for the overwhelming emotions that surge through me when I actually feel the tiny life we created.

"Hello, baby." Tears—happy tears, for once—fill my eyes. I place a hand over where the tiny fluttering continues to tickle me. "I'm so happy you're here. I can't wait to meet you."

With my eyes closed and a smile on my face, I cement the moment into my memory so I can someday tell my little one about the first time I felt them move. Warm and basking in happiness, I drift off.

Minutes, maybe hours later, something rouses me from sleep. A strange, ominous chill washes over me, causing every fine hair on my body to rise. If I wasn't certain I triple checked the locks before settling on the sofa, I'd swear someone was watching me.

I feel silly calling out to ask if anyone's there. It's irrational to feel what I'm feeling, but my logic and intuition war with each other as the feeling grows.

"Hello?" I whisper, my voice tremulous. "Is anyone there?"

Nothing but an infomercial and the continuing rain can be heard in the apartment.

"You're being ridiculous, Bella," I whisper as I shift the blanket off my lap and stand.

Just to be sure, I check the locks again. Assured I'm secure and it's my mind playing tricks on me, I turn off the TV and place my mug in the sink.

But as I make my way down the hallway, the feeling of being watched once again ripples through me.

I close my eyes and breathe deeply. "It's all in your head."

Stepping into my dark bedroom, though, the feeling intensifies.

My heart pounds.

"It's all in your head."

I scurry into bed, pulling the covers over my head.

Sleep is elusive. Something pulls at me. Something close but just out of reach. Eventually, I fall into restless slumber.

The next morning, sitting on the edge of my bed, I stare at the drying puddle beneath my window.

"It's not real," I whisper, willing the words to be true.