Honor Student

chapter Twenty-Nine

The next morning I awoke alone. I felt beside my and my fingers ran across a piece of paper that crinkled under my fingers. I picked it up and held it in front of my eyes.

I miss you.

Love, William

I smiled and pushed myself off of the bed to get ready for school.

The last few days began to run together. I spent all of my free time preparing for graduation and getting ready for vacation. I slipped in a few hours to hang out with Becka and Claire, knowing that I wouldn’t make it to any of the graduation parties. William and I were leaving for California the night of the ceremony.

I grabbed a bag and made my way across town to William’s house. I was excited to show him the new white bikini I had bought for our trip. I raced up the stairs to his place and slipped the key he had made for me into the lock. William was sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. A small piece of paper hung from his fingers. He glanced up at me as I walked in. I smiled but he didn’t return it.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, throwing my things on the counter and hurrying to his side. I was careful not to touch him. When he got upset he resorted to his old self and became very distant. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes and held out the piece of paper. I took it from him and opened it to read the contents.

Before I kill you, I want you to watch her die.

I dropped the note to the floor and clasp my hands over my mouth.

“Oh, my god.” I whispered. William nodded but didn’t look my way. Instead, he stared off in the distance.

“We have to call the police.” I said, my voice shaking. He ran his hands through his hair, debating on what to do next.

“I’ll take care of this.” He pushed up from his seat and headed for the door. I jumped up, blocking his path. I put my hand on his chest. His eyes glanced down at my hand and back to me. I pulled it back, not wanting to press my luck.

“You can’t go over there. You are going to do something you regret!” I could feel the lump forming in my throat and I had to blink several times to keep my tears from falling.

“I’m not going to do anything to her. I just want to end this thing once and for all.” His eyes burned into mine. I bit my lip and stepped out of the way. “Lock the door. Do not let anyone in this f*cking house. I don’t care if they are on fire. Do you understand?” He yelled. I nodded and followed him to the door. I watched him disappear down the steps through the peephole. I turned my back to the door and laid my head back against it as I slid to the floor and hugged my knees to my chest.

It felt like an eternity had passed since William left and I kept checking my phone to make sure it wasn’t dead. He hadn’t called or texted me and I was going out of my mind with worry. A rapid knock came at the door above my head. I nearly jumped out of my skin and crawled across the floor a few feet away from it. I turned around and watched as someone wiggled the handle and pounded louder.

“William?” Angela’s frantic voice called from the other side of the doorway. My phone vibrated on the counter and I jumped to grab it, afraid Angela would hear it.

It’s not Abby! I’m on my way!

I looked to the door and back to the phone. I typed as quickly as my shaking fingers fingers would allow.

Angela is here!!!!

Do NOT let her in!

I held the phone to my chest as her voice grew louder and more hysterical.

“I can hear you in there! Please, please let me in!” I bit my lip and walked towards the peephole. If Angela was the one writing the notes than I had no reason to pretend I wasn’t there. If I told her William wasn’t home, maybe she would leave.

“He-he’s not here!” I called out, my voice cracking. She grew silent for a moment then pounded again.

“Please, let me in!I’m going to die!” She shrieked. I stepped back. That was awfully dramatic, even for a woman scorn.

“Go away!” I yelled, trying not to sound scared. “I’m calling the police!” I tried to keep my voice steady. She pounded, rapidly and screamed on last time. After a moment the hallway was silent and I looked into the hole to see if she had left. Suddenly, an eye appeared staring back at me. It wasn’t Angela. I jumped back and put my hand over my mouth to keep from screaming. I was breathing so hard I thought I would pass out.

“Are you going to come out or do I have to find my way in?” His voice was menacing and it sent a shiver down my spine. He moved the handle to the door and slammed his body against it a few times, but the lock held. I grabbed my phone and called for William.

“H-he’s in the building..I think h-he killed her..don’t come in here!” I stuttered unable to keep from breaking down.

“Emma, calm down. Breathe. No one is here.” My heart lept into my throat. I slammed myself against the door and looked out. William stood, searching the area around the door, finding nothing out of place. Suddenly, the lit space behind him darkened.

“William!” I screamed. William spun around and the man hit him hard across the cheek. “No!” I yelled, helpless against the door. William recovered and swung hard towards the man. His fist connected and sent him stumbling backwards, but he caught himself just before falling down the staircase. Something caught William’s attention out of view and it was the perfect opportunity for the attacker to strike again. He hit William hard in the stomach causing him to double over and make a gut wrenching moan. William used his elbow to hit him in the ribs. He grabbed him by the hair and pulled his face into his knee. The man swung wildly, blood soaking his face. He connected a few times but William wasn’t about to give up. He kicked out in front of him, his foot landing square on the man’s chest, sending him flying down the steps to the landing below.

“She’s alive!” William yelled. I could hear him talking quietly off to the side by the steps up to the next floor. I bit my lip as I watched their shadows moving.

After a few moments, a text vibrated my phone.

Go to the third floor and wait for me. Don’t make a sound.

I grabbed my things off the counter and stashed them in a cupboard down below. I rode the elevator upstairs. I sat quietly alone in the dark as blue and red lights flashed through the cracks between the windows and the blackout curtains. After awhile, my eyes adjusted to the darkness and I was able to make my way around the floor with out running into anything. I came across some shelving in the very back of the room. I ran my hands over the items, examining them. There were whips and chains and a few items I had never seen before. I felt my cheeks burn as I came across a long smooth object that was silver. I twisted the bottom and it vibrated in my hands, causing me to jump. I sat in back on the shelf and continued to look around as my hand vibrated again. My heart nearly beat out of my chest.

Come down, unless you want me to come up.

I smiled. As tempting as it was, ater the night we had I wanted to relax. I hopped in the elevator. When the doors opened, I peaked around to make sure we were alone. William stood alone in the center of his living room. I ran to him, my feet unable to carry me quickly enough to his arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he squeezed me tightly, lifting me from the ground. Tears if relief sprung to my eyes.

“Shhh…” He whispered as he stroked the back of my hair. “It’s over.” I pulled back from him and cupped his face in my hands. “It’s over.” He repeated, looking into my eyes. I rested my forehead against his and closed my eyes.

“I was so worried.” I whispered, shaking my head. His grip tightened.

“It was Angela’s husband. The cops took him away. They took it as nothing more than a husband who suspected his wife of cheating. We’re safe now.” He kissed my forehead, letting his lips linger.

“She knows” He shook his head. “She doesn’t know who was in here. As far as she knows it was a one night stand and you left before she woke up.” I took a deep breath.

“How is she?”

“they took her to the hospital to do some scans, but she is going to be fine.” His hand slid up and down my back to comfort me. I didn’t want to leave his arms. He picked me up and carried me to his bed.