AllFreeNovel
Share Us
PROLOGUE
Juliette Reed slammed the door behind her, her breaths coming in short gasps. She fumbled with the various locks, her trembling fingers securing each one as if her life depended on it—and perhaps it did. Every window was checked and rechecked, the blinds drawn tight to block out any prying eyes. Her heart pounded relentlessly in her chest, a drumbeat of terror. As she peered through the narrow slits between the blinds, she vowed to keep everyone out, determined to protect herself at all costs.
The day had started innocently enough. Juliette had been working on her laptop at her favorite cafe, sipping coffee as she designed yet another logo for a client. The warm hum of conversation enveloped her like a comforting blanket, giving her a sense of normalcy that she desperately craved.
As she walked home, her mind replaying the details of her latest project, Juliette couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled, and an icy chill raced up her spine. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, rationalizing that it was just her imagination running wild. But when she caught a glimpse of a dark figure in her peripheral vision, her blood ran cold.
"Easy, Juliette," she whispered to herself, trying to quell the rising panic. "It could be anyone." But deep down, she couldn't help but fear that she knew exactly who was stalking her.
Desperation fueled her movements as she darted down alleys and side streets, attempting to shake off her pursuer. Her lungs burned with each ragged breath, and her legs threatened to give out beneath her. Despite her best efforts, however, the figure remained a constant shadow, always just out of sight. She could feel it closing in, a predator stalking its prey.
Please, not him. Not now, she thought, the words a frantic plea in her mind. The idea of her ex-husband finding her after all this time was too unbearable to consider. She had moved across states, changed her name, and started a new life just to escape his clutches.
But as she reached the safety of her house, she couldn't help but question if it was ever really possible to outrun one's past.
Seeking refuge from the impending threat, Juliette rushed down into her dimly lit basement, the musty scent of old boxes and damp earth mingling with her fear. The lightbulb hanging overhead cast eerie shadows on the cracked concrete walls, amplifying her sense of isolation and vulnerability. In one corner, she had meticulously stocked up on canned food, water bottles, and emergency supplies, a fortress of provisions that both comforted and terrified her.
"Please, please let this be enough," she whispered, her breath hitching in her throat as she eyed the stacks of cans and crates filled with bottled water. She had always feared that someone would come after her, a dark specter from her past that she couldn't shake. Now, it seemed that her worst nightmare was coming true.
As she paced the small confines of the basement, her mind raced back to Eric, her charming, handsome ex-husband who had turned her life into a living hell. He had swept her off her feet with his smooth talk and easy smile, only to reveal himself as a monster once they were married.
"Juliette, you're nothing without me," he'd sneer, his voice dripping with contempt as he tightened his grip around her wrist, leaving bruises that would last for days. She could still hear the echoes of his cruel words, each barb like a knife cutting deep into her soul.
The impact of his abuse had left her a shell of her former self, paranoid and constantly looking over her shoulder. Even now, years later and miles away, she couldn't escape the terror that gripped her heart. She wondered if she would ever truly be free.
The sound of the doorbell sliced through the house like a razor, shattering the tense silence. Juliette froze in her tracks, eyes wide as her heart began to race. She had meticulously locked every window and door, praying for safety, but the piercing chime brought the fear crashing back down upon her.
"Keep everyone out," she whispered, her voice trembling with terror. "Just keep everyone out."
Juliette scanned the room for a place to hide, her pulse pounding in her ears. Spotting the narrow space between the living room couch and the wall, she squeezed herself into the cramped alcove. Her breath came in shallow gasps as she pressed herself against the cold plaster, praying that whoever was at the door wouldn't find her.
Please, just go away, she thought, her hands clenched into tight fists. Leave me alone.
The doorbell rang again, sending a jolt of panic through her veins. Eric's voice slithered into her mind like a venomous snake, his taunts echoing cruelly in her head. "You think you can escape me? You're pathetic, Juliette. I'll always find you."
She tried to block it out, shaking her head as if she could physically dislodge the tormenting memory. But no matter how hard she tried, his voice continued to haunt her. As the seconds ticked by, however, the icy grip of fear began to loosen, replaced by a slow-burning anger.
"Damn him," she snarled, her face contorted with rage. "I won't let him control me anymore. I won't."
With newfound determination, Juliette crawled out from her hiding place. She knew she had to confront this threat, whatever it may be. It was time to stand up for herself, to prove that she was stronger than the woman Eric had tried to break. Steeling herself, she rose to her feet and marched toward the stairs, each step fueled by the fire in her heart.
"Eric doesn't have power over me anymore," she vowed, her voice steady and resolute. "I'm not afraid."
Climbing the staircase with determination etched across her face, Juliette prepared herself for the confrontation that awaited her. She knew this was her chance to reclaim her life and end the cycle of fear once and for all. No matter who stood on the other side of that door, she refused to let them intimidate her any longer.
At the top of the stairs, Juliette hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady herself. The doorbell's resounding note still lingered in her ears, and her heart pounded with anticipation. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, and whispered a silent affirmation. "I am strong. I can face this."
Still...it wouldn't hurt to know who was there, would it?
Her hand trembled as she reached for her phone, pulling it from her pocket. With a few taps, she opened the app connected to her front door camera. Her eyes darted to the screen, searching for the source of her fear, but the face staring back at her was not Eric's. Relief flooded her chest, though her pulse continued to race.
"Thank God," she murmured, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.
Taking another fortifying breath, Juliette approached the door, her fingers gripping the handle as she prepared to open it.
"Didn't expect to see you," she said, forcing a smile. "Were you the one following me from the cafe?"
For a few moments, the figure stared at her, saying nothing. Then, in a tone of unsettling calm: "Sorry, Juliette, but this is for the best. You'll just have to trust me on that."
