Chapter 1

It was 10pm, I had completely lost track of time. I was too busy focusing on my assignment for my undergraduate business course.  Time had flown by so quickly while I was busy typing away. The only reason time became a factor was due to the noise outside. There was a banging noise like someone was trying to find a way inside. I looked out of the front window and could not see anything. As I was heading towards the kitchen to look outside of the window, there was a banging on the back door.  

My stomach churned and I was paralyzed with fear. I was fixed in place, completely frozen, until another bang happened this time, louder. I jumped and spun around and saw a shadow flash across my front window. There was another loud bang, this time from the front door, then another and I heard the back door slam open against the worktop.  

My adrenaline kicked in, and my feet were moving. My mind was swirling; I was so scared I didn’t know what to do. I found myself heading towards the downstairs bathroom, once inside my finger fumbled trying to latch the lock. I heard footsteps run past the door in the hall and up the stairs. My breathing felt so loud; I was convinced that they would hear me. My hands covered my mouth trying to stay quiet, as I heard the footsteps come back down. Thud, thud, thud. Two male voices were heard from the living room. More footsteps came past the door, and I saw a shadow stop and come back to the door, underneath. The door handle rattled; I had been found!

“She’s in here!” A voice shouted.  

“Open the door!” He shouted.

His voice was dark and deep. The door shuddered with thumping. I reached for the window behind the toilet and undid the latch. I climbed out as quickly as I could and found myself running down my driveway as I heard the bang of the bathroom door finally being kicked in. I heard shouts between them as my heart pumped. My legs carried me, running down the street.  I came upon a crossroads and looked around. I saw someone to the right and ran towards them. I heard shouts from the direction of my house.  

I saw a tall, dark, handsome man in a suit walking towards a car. My gut pulled me towards him. Could he help me? The voices are at the crossroads now. Getting closer and closer.

I stopped breathlessly in front of him. He looked startled. “Are you single?” I asked quickly.

“Excuse me?”  

“Are you single?” I asked quickly, “Please, I need help.”

He looked confused but I heard the voices shout, “Check right, I'll go left!”

I grabbed the lapels on his jacket and pulled him against me onto the wall. His left hand settled next to my face on the wall propping him up, as my left hand cupped his face and pulled him into a kiss.  

I heard someone run by on the phone. “Fuck, I can't find her.”

He pulled away and my eyes shot around the street. The street was empty and there was no one around. I looked back at him and found a confused look on his face. My knuckles were white as I was holding onto him so tightly. Slowly, uncurling my fingers, I released him. The tension in my fingers causes me pain. He stepped back and straightened his jacket.  

Adrenaline was still pumping through my veins, pushing fear into every nerve ending in my body. My heart was pumping so loudly it took a few attempts before I heard anything apart from that. My breathing still heavy and my eyes still shooting around the street looking for shadows.