This Chapter Is Dedicated
To My Best Friend and 1st Reviewer
On This Story:

KIM S.

Ch. 9: Follow Me

“Follow me
And everything is alright
I’ll be the one
To tuck you in at night
And, if you
Wanna leave, I can guarantee
You won’t find nobody
Else like me”
-Uncle Kracker

Di’s POV:

I stared at the note, terror rushing through me. Why? Why was this happening? What was so special about me? Well, other than my parents...

Is that it? Is that the reason that he’s using me? My family history? Is he another fan like Andy and Becca? I just don’t understand. I just don’t get it. Why do this?

Was he really going to come for me?
I grabbed my cell phone and ran out of my dorm room, feeling surrounded and watched, all of the sudden. I knew it was irrational, no one but my roommate was in that room, but he had been there. He had laid on my bed, perhaps even gone through my things. He had marred the only place I had left as a safe haven. The only place I could feel safe, without feeling the fear of finding another dead body.

Another dead body. I almost puked as I thought of those three dead people back at the party. There had been so much blood. And the smell...it was indescribable. There were so many smells in that room, all mingling, all lingering. I could still smell it, even now, drifting through my nose in large wafts. There was the metallic smell of blood, the salty, sweaty smell of fear, the tangy smell of sex, the smoky smell of gun powder, and the disgusting smell of human waste. All of these were permanently imprinted in my brain.

And he intended for me to smell more? He intended for me to see more? Feel more? I can’t. I can’t! I’ll go crazy. I just know it.

If I haven’t already.

A sudden movement in the corner of my eye caused me to turn abruptly. I looked around me, instantly panicked. Nothing caught my eye, no shadows that shouldn’t be there, no more movement that I could see, but I still felt...watched.

While I waited for a serial killer to jump out of the bushes, I finally registered my surroundings. I was in the same place where we found the first murder victim. Was it only yesterday morning? It seemed like years ago. You know how they say ‘time flies when you’re having fun’?

This was not one of those times.

Another movement in the corner of my eye made me spin around again, looking, searching for what caused the movement. Once again, I saw nothing suspicious. Everything seemed just as it should be.

‘Seemed’ being the optimum word.

“Who’s there”
No one answered. I jerked my head from side to side, still looking, searching. I kept spinning around, looking for a surprise attack that never came.

“I know you’re there. Show yourself!”

It was still eerily silent. No owls hooting, no whistling wind, nothing. Just silence. It was...haunting.

“Fine! Don’t show yourself. But I still know you’re there”
No reaction. My rational side tried to tell me that I was in shock, that no one was really there, that I was just yelling at shadows. But my instincts were screaming, telling me someone was there, and that they were up to no good. And, no matter what my rational side said, my instincts wouldn’t listen. This wasn’t an exam, or a test. This was life, real and terrifying. It didn’t have to be rational.

“What do you want?! Huh? What is it you’re after”
Still no answer. Somehow, this only increased my panic. I knew someone was there. And if that someone wasn’t willing to say something, then they couldn’t be up to any good.

“I’m not scared of you!”

It was a silly denial. It was perfectly obvious I was scared, terrified even.

And that someone in the shadows knew it as well as I did.

“You won’t get away with this! The cops will find you, and then you’ll pay! You’ll never have me”
My eyes widened, my heart beat faster, and my breath stopped then. Because, this time, the shadow answered me.

With a laugh.

It wasn’t haunting, or evil, or scary; in fact, it was beautiful, incredible, almost lyrical in quality. I felt the beauty of it wash over me, terror still chilling my blood, and tried, desperately, to find the source. But, there didn’t seem to be a source, it seemed to come from everywhere, surrounding me in beauty.

I turned then, and ran, ran as fast as I could, as far as I could. I don’t know when it was I dropped my cell phone, I certainly didn’t do it on purpose.

I finally stopped, but, this time, I looked at my surroundings instantly, wondering where my aimless run had brought me.

I only hoped it was safe.

But my heart stopped when I realized where I was. I was in a neighborhood (can two houses, one on each side of the road and a football field length between them be called a neighborhood?) not far from the school, in front of a house. But it wasn’t just any house, this was Zeggy’s house, the place of three earlier murders. There was police tape over the door, and all the lights were off. The cops were long gone, taking the bodies with them. I just stared, directly at the house.

That was where my first party was held.

That was where I fell in love.

That was where I received my first kiss.
That was where three people breathed their last breaths.

I heard footsteps then, heavy ones, directly behind me. I swung around, eyes wide, hands out, ready to attack my attacker.

A man in a felt hat instantly stopped, even backing up a few steps. I wondered, briefly, how I must look to cause such a reaction.

“Hey, hey, hey. I’m just going home, little lady. Don’t want any trouble”
I stared at him warily, not set at ease by the kind, if corny, words.

The man, slowly, eased past me, watching me carefully. I just stared right back, not moving an inch except to keep him in my line of sight. When he was finally on the other side of me, he paused.

“You know, maybe you should head home, too. You seem, pretty, uh, jumpy.”

I just continued to stare, showing no reaction. He nodded warily than took off down the street, allegedly to his home. I watched him go, still not relaxing, even after he vanished around the corner of the block. I looked around me carefully, still panicked, afraid. I didn’t think I would ever get rid of that feeling. It felt as if it would weigh on my shoulders for the rest of my life.

However long that might be.

I felt a tear slip down my cheek. I had a killer after me. ME! The girl whose supposed to always fade in the woodwork, going unnoticed, misunderstood, and alone. And he wanted me!
Why me? Why now? Why, why, why??

I slowly turned around, feeling the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Someone was here. And not just any someone, but him. He’d followed me.

This time, it wasn’t silent. There were some slight noises, like dogs barking, coming from the other house. Before, the absolute nothing in the air had enhanced my terror. Now, the irregular bursts of noises made me fear that one of them might mask the sounds of his approach.

I saw movement from the corner of my eye, this time not slow and leisurely, but fast and close. I didn’t turn to him, instead I ran again, but I was so tired, so exhausted. I knew I wouldn’t be able to make it very far. I needed the energy I had left to fight, to struggle.

And the closest place was the place I didn’t want to be most.

I ran inside Zeggy’s house, ignoring the distaste and fear. I looked around, shocked at how different it looked without the hundreds of people crowding every iota of space. But I didn’t stop going, running forward, wanting out of the house, not only because it held haunting memories, but because if I stayed, or went upstairs, I was cornered.

I ran, heading toward the back door Edric had taken me through earlier.

I was panting, each breath was becoming more difficult, more painful.

I continued toward the back when I heard a sound. I paused. It was coming from the back door, where I was headed. I didn’t understand what it was at first and then it hit me. Someone was opening the back door!

The creep had looped around back!
I instantly turned around, heading back towards the front door, taking care not to make any noise that could be used in finding me. It was difficult, it was so dark, almost pitch black. The only light was the eerie glow of the moonlight drifting through the windows. But, even that I had to avoid, because I would be easier to find in the light.
And then I heard the front door being opened.

I instantly froze, terrified. How could he be at the front door? I just heard him come through the back, and the most direct route to and from there is this one, and I didn’t hear him run...

It’s not possible.
And then I realized. There were two of them! Not one killer, but two!
I hurried to the nearest door, easing it open carefully, and peaking inside before hurrying through. I was gratified to see it was a small closet. A nice place to hide.

And be raped, murdered, and stashed.

I shivered. Okay, need to get out of the closet. I made myself calm down, and listened to what was going on outside the closet. I heard creeks made by footsteps, and a few stumbles. They weren’t trying to be quiet. Then again, they didn’t need to. I was cornered, little, and alone.

I heard a few mumbles, and figured they were talking to each other outside. I swallowed hard, straining to hear what was said, but I couldn’t quite pick it up.

I heard them split up then, one going back to the front area, one to the back. Then I heard them opening doors and moving things around.

They were searching the rooms for me.

I put my head against the wall, forcing myself to think. They were going to find me. If I didn’t move, they would, eventually, find my hiding place, and rape and murder me. I didn’t want to die.

So, how do I get out of this?
I listened to them, going through the rooms, and finally made my decision. I opened the door to the closet, peeking out slowly, even though I hadn’t heard anyone enter the room. I slowly edged out of the closet, closing the door behind me. I tip-toed towards the front door, listening to the noises they were making in the house. I finally got to the den with the stairs beside me. I stayed in the shadows of the stairs, sticking to the walls like I was Spiderman. I could see the front door through the open screen door. All I had to do was walk through that open door way, through the foyer, and open the front door.

In open space.
I could be free. Just a few steps, and I’m free. But those few steps will put me in the open, in clear view of anyone who happens by.

I closed my eyes slightly, taking some deep breaths. Then, I opened them, preparing to walk those few steps. I took the first step towards the door, shaking in terror. I really wanted to scream. But, even if the neighbors responded to the scream, the killers would get to me first. I couldn’t scream. I had missed that chance when I had run into this house.

I had taken the second footstep towards the door when I heard one of the killers heading towards the front door. I panicked when I saw him in the foyer. I instantly melted back into the shadows, glad I was wearing my black overcoat that fell from my neck to my ankles. Nothing on me but my face would show up bright in the shadows. If he glanced over here, he would see me. I knew it was a he by the size of him. He was tall. Other than that, and the bulky look of him, I couldn’t see a thing. He was covered in black, bulky clothes from head to toe. He even had a mask on over his face and hair. Not even his skin was shown.

He was turned toward the door, looking through the coat closet beside it. I made a spur of the moment decision, and rushed up the stairs, careful not to make any noise. I was never so glad for my forced ballet lessons as I was then, for I was fast but graceful. I reached the top of the stairs and leaned against the wall, listening. I didn’t hear anything, except my beating heart and the man rummaging through the coat closet. I swallowed hard, my mouth too dry. It felt like it was full of cotton. I knew I was sweating horribly, and I couldn’t seem to stop shaking. But I forced my brain to think logically. It was the only thing that could save me in this situation.

I don’t want to die.

That thought was being repeated in my head, like a litany. I forced myself to think beyond that, beyond the images of these killers’ previous victims.

Okay, they were going to finish up downstairs, and figure out I wasn’t down there. Then they’d come up here, looking for me. And there aren’t any doors up here to escape from. So, what do you do now?

Well, logically, they would know that I had discovered a murder in Zeggy’s room, and that I wouldn’t want to be caught dead in there, especially with them in this house. So, that was the best place for me to be. But, I didn’t know if I could do that.

It’s just a room.

I repeated those words silently, each step I took towards Zeggy’s room. It was more difficult than I ever could have imagined. I felt my stomach do flips and bile enter my mouth as I eased myself towards that room.

It’s just another room in this big, old house.

I tried telling myself that. Really, I did. But I still felt faint. I briefly smiled over the thought that I’d almost rather turn myself over to the psychopaths downstairs than enter that room.

Almost.

I finally ducked underneath the yellow, police tape and entered the room. I instantly felt like coughing, hacking, puking. The smell was still there, if a small bit faded by the open window. And the blood stains were still in the carpet. Everything but the bodies was still there.

It was then I heard the first step on the staircase creak under someone’s weight.

Fear of being discovered instantly came alive in my veins. I tip-toed as fast as I could to the other side of the bed and ducked down, crawling underneath. I was careful not to step in any of the bloodstains or hit any small thing, making it change direction.

I felt my heart pounded with each step the two killers took. I couldn’t see anything except the bed sheet, but imagined their feet walking down that hallway, all of them covered in black. Just more shadows in a night full of them.

They systematically checked each room. I could hear it. I heard them pause by Zeggy’s room, finally. At least one of those men was there. Standing at the open doorway. I stopped breathing. In that moment, I think I was even able to stop my heart from beating, because I was so afraid that he might hear it. The silence stretched out. It probably was only a few seconds, but it felt like thousands, millions of years passed in that moment.

I finally let myself breathe again when he moved on. Now, they were both past this room, checking the rooms next to this one. I had to think. I might, might be able to get back down that hallway, down those stairs, and out that door without them seeing me. But I didn’t want to risk everything on a might, if I didn’t have to.

But I couldn’t stay where I was. They’d find me for sure, then. They’d check all the rooms, then, knowing I wasn’t in those, they’d check this one.
I had to get out.

“Isn’t this fun, Diamond? I just love games of hide and seek! But I will find you, my precious, and then I’ll have you. You won’t ever see my face, but I’ll have you. But, don’t worry. I won’t kill you. No, no. I won’t ever kill you, I just wanna have a little fun.”

I shivered. His voice was loud, and yet, obviously, fake. Why was he using a fake voice? If I died tonight, I couldn’t tell anyone anything?

Did he really mean to not kill me? Not that it mattered. There was a reason, after all, that rape was called ‘a fate worse than death’.

I made my decision then, crawling out from under the bed. I was going to head for the door, no matter the risk. My logical side was screaming at me not to go, that it was a trap, but my panic didn’t leave me a choice. I had to get out of there. I couldn’t wait any longer.

I was heading for the door when the curtains moving caught my eye. I stared at the window for a moment, then made my way towards it. Maybe, just maybe, I could get out of here without risking detection.

I walked up to the window, and stuck my head out. And there, right up against the window was a tree. I eased myself out onto the branch, then eased myself down, angry because I had never hung out with my brother and cousin while they were climbing up and down trees. It could have helped.

“There you are, my precious Diamond”
I looked up, eyes wide, terror instantly replacing frustration. One of the psychopaths had his head out the window in the room next to Zeggy’s.

I looked back down, swallowed, then made myself jump. I landed on my butt, but I got up fast, setting out at a dead run.

And that beautiful laugh followed me down the road.

I don’t know how long I ran, but it was a while before I tripped over something, probably my own feet. I was too exhausted then to get up or hold back my tears any longer. I lay there, sobbing wildly, not even hearing someone’s approach.

But I did scream when that someone touched my shoulder.

I jerked my head up staring into a pair of green orbs that practically glowed down at me. I couldn‘t see more than that through my tears or panic, so I just stared up into those eyes, fear still riding me hard. I pushed myself away from him, struggling backwards, as far away as I could.
“Please, don’t rape me”
It was barely a whisper, filled with all the terror I had felt in the last few hours. I didn’t know what to do. When he reached for me, I whimpered, scared out of my mind.

“Di, it’s me. Di! Come on, Di, it’s me, Edric”
Slowly, his words penetrated. And then, so did the compassion and hurt in those eyes. I finally saw who exactly it was I was looking up at. Edric Forrester. My hero, my savior, and my love. His hand was reaching out to me, just hanging there in the air. I slowly reached out my own hand, knowing full well that it was more than my hand I was giving him, but also, my trust, and placed it gently in his. He smiled down at me, causing me, even in my still panicked and fearful state, to smile back up at him.

And, when he helped me up, I collapsed in his arms, sobbing like a madwoman.

A/N: OOOO! Now, how was that for excitement? I hope you all liked it! I really, really do! And it was long, too! TEN PAGES, BABY! Woo-hoo! That is my all-time record! The reviews must have invigorated me!

And, btw, somethings may seem rushed, after the last chapter, but I’ll tie all the loose ends, I promise.
WOW! I have reviewers! WHERE HAVE YOU ALL BEEN?
Oh, well, I guess it doesn’t matter, you’re here now.

Review Responses (YEAH!):

Kim S. : WOW! YOU REVIEWED! I’m so happy! Thank you EVER so much! I hope you liked this chappie! It’s dedicated to YOU!

I Murder On Impulse : You know, since I’m a writer of mysteries and randomly kill off people in my stories, I suppose you can say that about me, too! I love that name, btw. Very cool. Anywho, I’m glad you like my story!
No Smoking, Babe : Wow, you change your name a lot. But that’s cool. Anyway, I looooove this one, it’s so hott! And, yes, Andy’s in the story. Who knows if she’ll die or not, though? So, the white arse wasn’t good, or was good, just not in the same theme as everything else? I’m so glad you luf me, I luf you, too!

Luv ya,
Tashi :)