CHAPTER 2

I gripped the knife tightly, waiting for the figure to show up, but there was nobody there. I couldn't help but think about the noises I heard, they felt so incredibly real.

I quickly drank the water and raced back to my room, hoping it was all a figment of my imagination. But was it?

- - -

I swung open my bedroom door and headed towards Jason's room when I heard him whimpering from my room. "Mu-um, Jason is crying", I cried out to mum.

Mum was in the kitchen making breakfast downstairs, so she couldn't hear me.

Mum barely saw me after Jason's birth. I grew jealous of him because he was getting all the love and attention, especially from mum. 

I looked at him for a while as he whimpered and made baby noises. I reached out to carry him out of his cradle." Mum!" I called out to her again as I struggled to carry him.

"Should I bring him down to you?" I asked, successfully putting him on my shoulders. His weight pounded on me, I was unable to keep my balance whilst carrying him, causing me to stagger as I took each step.

I could hear the clashing of plates downstairs, so I took Jason out of the room. When I looked down, I saw mom setting the table.

Jason's outburst got even louder, and that caught mum's attention. She accidentally dropped the glass plate she was holding when she looked up and saw me carrying him.

"My baby!" Mum exclaimed, racing up the stairs. 

"He has been crying, and I tried calling you mummy". At that moment, I lost my balance and was about to fall, along with Jason.

"Noo!" Mom shouted and immediately pulled Jason away from me, causing me to fall flat on the floor. I smacked my hand hard in the process. And, of course, Jason cried even louder. 

"Shh-shh, don't cry my love… Shh-shh, it's ok mama is here," mum says, petting him to stop crying. 

Mum gave me a stern look and forcefully pulled me up, followed by a loud slap across my cheek, "don't you dare touch him again, do you understand me?" 

I cried out in pain as I looked at her frightened.

"Do you understand me!" She yelled.

"Yes mummy" I said, bawling my eyes out. 

She grabs me tightly by my wrist. "Come here" she asserts, dragging me down the stairs recklessly.

"You bastard child!, getting on my nerves all the time. You're becoming a nuisance, you know. If not for your father, I would have taken you back to where you came from", she pushed me towards the broken plate. 

"There, pick them up and trash them, and I do not want to see you anywhere around Jason" she concluded. I picked up the broken pieces, crying uncontrollably…..

                            

I open my eyes abruptly as the gentle caress of sunlight, like a whispered invitation, rouses me. Of course, I can't have it all. The bed happens to face directly at the sun's rays, obstructing me from getting any more sleep. 

Lately, it feels like my dreams are just me reminiscing about past events. This one dream holds a special place in my heart because it was the start of everything turning into a living nightmare for me.

I stretched so hard in bed, and my stomach started gurgling like it was crying out for food. I couldn't resist the hunger, so I got up and headed straight to the kitchen. 

I stood looking around the empty kitchen, "I need food" I said out loud as I wrapped my arms around my stomach.

I went to the bathroom, washed my mouth and face, and then I was ready to go get something to eat.

I walked down the street a little, I saw a mini mart just across the road.

The bell above the door rings as I push the door open. I walk around different aisles to pick the things I need. 

As I placed the items from my cart onto the counter, I couldn't help but feel the male cashier's eyes on me. He was quite the catch, but not my catch. He had this nerdy look, and I was not one to be into nerdy guys.

"You're new to town?" He asked politely. I looked at him puzzled. "I haven't seen you here before," he continued.

"Oh! Yes, I just moved in" I answered subtly.

He nodded his head as he listened "Welcome, I hope you enjoy Southgate as much as we do, I'm Ned, by the way." he said, smiling broadly at me.

"Yeahhh, I'm Olivia" I replied, feeling uncomfortable already.

My anxiety kicked in as a few customers stood behind me waiting to pay for their items. "Nice to meet you Olivia"

"That will be twenty dollars" he said delightfully.

I handed my card to him, which he proceeded to swipe with the machine. I took the bag and headed out of the store. 

I walked up the little stairs that led to my apartment, and as I reached my door, I dropped the bag I was carrying. I reached into my back pocket to grab my keys.

"Hey! Are you the new neighbor?" A voice interrupted me. 

I turned to the side, I noticed a lady standing by a door on the same line as mine, just one house away. 

"Me?" I asked.

"Yes, you." 

"If you're asking whether I just moved in, then yeah, but I don't know if I'm the new neighbor" I said, causing her to chuckle.

"You're a funny one, I'm Lily, by the way". 

"Olivia" I replied, returning the gesture.

"I guess I'll see you around then" she concluded. 

"Yeah" I replied, picking up the bags as I struggled to get them all at once. I kicked the door open and made my way inside, slamming the door behind me.

- - -

"Mum, please, I'm sorry, it was a mistake, I didn't mean to push Jason" I screamed in tears as mum pulled me by my hair.

"Useless child, I'm going to teach you a lesson" mum revolts, dragging me towards the basement.

"Mum, stop you're hurting me" crying profusely, I could hear Jason in the background laughing hysterically.

"Shut it, unwanted bastard" she asserts, throwing me into the basement and shutting the door.

"Mum no, mum please, I will never do it again, it was a mistake, mum pleaseee" I screamed, crying uncontrollably. "Mum please open the door, it's too dark in here, I'm scared" I pleaded, banging the door continuously…..

I gasped deeply as a knock woke me up. I found myself lying on the couch with my hand deep in my bowl of popcorn. I quickly switched off the TV as I sluggishly dropped the bowl of popcorn on the table before heading to open the door. 

"Hi" the lady said with a bright smile.

"-Uhm you have something on your-" She mutters and gestures with one hand, indicating that something was on my face, all while holding a pie with the other.  

I watched her mouth words, but my brain was still in that post-nap fog. It takes me a good five minutes to fully wake up and process what people are saying to me after a nap.

I stood still like a scarecrow without saying a word.

"Well, I'm the lady next door-" she continued, staring at me in anticipation, waiting for me to speak.

I started to regain myself a bit. "Oh, Ladia, please come in" I said, opening the door wider for her to enter.

"Uh It's Lily, thank you for letting me in. I just wanted to officially welcome you to our neighborhood, so I made a pie as a piece offering, piece as in p-i-e-c-e not p-e-a-c-e cause you cut out piece from a pie, get it?" She looks at me smiling in anticipation.

I looked at her perplexed. It felt like a kindergarten talking gibberish to me. "Oh, yeah I totally got it, well you shouldn't have, thank you" I took the pie from her and placed it by the kitchen counter.

She smiled extensively "Nahh it's nothing, really" 

"Don't you want to have a seat? Let me get you a drink."

"Oh no don't worry about that I have to leave, I have somewhere to be" she said, making her way to the door as I walked behind her, "nice place you've got here by the way, in case you ever need anything, I'm one door away". She concluded.

"Yeah, I sure will. Thanks for the pie once again" I said, shutting the door.

I went over to the counter to look at the pie. The golden crust is perfectly flaky and buttery, with a hint of cinnamon sprinkled on top. 

I took a knife to cut a piece out and have a taste. "Hmm, tasty", feeling its rich and luscious taste, bursting with the sweet and tangy flavors of fresh fruits. 

I continued eating. Each mouthful was a heavenly combination of sweet and tart, melting in my mouth. 

After I was done, I headed straight to bed as I was so full of the best pie I have ever had.

7:00am

The alarm woke me up on Monday, just like usual. Back at home when I used to work, I would always set the alarm for this time. I turned it off so I could continue sleeping.

Evening came, and I was feeling restless and bored at home all day doing nothing. I went by Lily's place to see if she was up for a chat. I knocked on her door, but there was no answer. It seemed like she wasn't home.

  

Feeling a bit disappointed, I stood there for a moment, contemplating what to do next. I realized that I needed to clear my head and shake off the boredom. So, I decided to take a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood.

Moving out is a big deal. I'll be twenty-four in a few months' time and I still felt like I wasn't ready mentally. It had started to dawn on me the real meaning of adulthood.

As I walked briskly down the dimly lit street, a strange feeling washed over me. I couldn't shake the sensation of being watched, as if someone's eyes were fixed on the back of my neck. Glancing over my shoulder, I caught a glimpse of a shadowy figure trailing behind me. My heart pounded in my chest, and my steps quickened.

Every turn I took, the stranger mirrored my movements, maintaining a constant distance. Panic set in as I realized I couldn't shake them off. 

With trembling hands, I reached for my phone, ready to dial for help. As I was about to make the call, I took a quick glance back but the stranger vanished, leaving me with a lingering sense of unease. 

I took a deep breath, an unsettling feeling consumed me. I suddenly felt a presence in front of me. 

"Hi," the stranger said abruptly, gripping my arm.

I passed out…