I want to argue, but he’s right. I can handle ten minutes by myself. I’m a big girl, and what can possibly happen in ten minutes?
Ky leaves, and my stomach sinks a bit. I’m trying not to be dramatic, but night is always the worst. I hate the spookiness of the dark, and the shadows outside hiding the unknown.
Since the house is so offset from the highway, and close to the water, only the floodlights and the moon provide any decent kind of light, and trust me when I tell you, it’s not all that much. You can’t see a thing past the pool. It’s just a black abyss rolled out right in front of you.
I go back to studying. Distraction is good. I try to concentrate on the words in front of me, but they’re blurry. I’m stressing myself out for no good reason. I take a breath. Ten minutes. Ten stupid minutes by myself.Kira, don’t be such a wimp.
Back to studying.
I’ve finally calmed myself down enough to comprehend the words in the book. Sentences and paragraphs are finally making sense. Ah, there, not so bad.
A few quiet moments tick by before a flash of bright light illuminates the room, followed by a sharp, loud crack. I scream. I scream bloody murder and hit the deck, barricading myself behind an island stool.
Not so calm, not so calm.My heart feels like it's going to punch right out of my chest, and I’m having difficulty catching my breath.
Then the rain starts pouring down. It just falls right out of the heavens in heavy sheets.
It barely ever rains in southern California, and thunder and lightning is even more of a phenomenon. A few tears fall from my eyes, induced by the fright.I’m okay; it’s okay,I talk myself off the ledge. I listen to the sound of the rain showering on the roof. It’s such an unusual percussion to me, but beautiful all the same. Lightning flashes once more, brightening the room. I’m surrounded by windows, so it radiates in every direction. The thunder claps loudly again, but I only jump slightly this time. I was prepared. I crawl out from behind the stool and stand. My fear being gradually replaced with curiosity. I’ve never seen lightning so close to the coast before. The lights flicker as I walk across the kitchen to stand by the windows. A blackout would totally suck, but I’m mesmerized by the rain hitting the glass and the bursts of lightning flitting through the house moment by moment.
I think about Ky, wondering if he made it to the liquor store, or if he got caught in the torrential downpour. Either way, this is definitely going to prolong his return.
The lights finally go out, and I’m struck with a pang of dread. Alone, in the dark. It’s never a fun thing.
I stay planted in place. Hopefully, the blackout will be brief. How long can rain this hard last? I start to hear things outside. Bangs, crashes, thumps, all no doubt a result of whipping wind. I jump whenever I hear a new sound or thunder cracks when I’m not expecting it.
There’s a slam on the window right in front of me, and I startle like a spooked cat, then lightning flashes, illuminating the dark, and the figure standing right in front of me. A blood-curdling scream escapes from me as I trip backwards over my own feet and hit the ground. My elbow wails in pain as I crawl across the cool flooring in a panic, tears rushing down my face as fast as the rain outside. I struggle to breathe, but am suffocating from the fright, stilI continuing to scurry to the closest room with a lock. The bathroom. Lightning strikes, and it allows me to see my way. I stand to run, gaining momentum, but I slam into something hard. No, not something, someone. They try to lock me in their arms, but I fight.
“No!” I scream, crying in terror. “Let go!” I kick and punch, adrenaline coursing through my body like a supersonic electric charge.
“Kira!” My name echoes through my fit. “Kira!” He shakes me like a ragdoll. “Calm down, it’s me.” Ky battles to break through my panic. As crazy as he has driven me over the past couple days, I have never been more thankful to hear his voice. I sob as I melt into him, burying my face into his wet chest.
“There’s someone outside. I saw him. He was by the window. He was watching me.” I suck in precious air as I incoherently ramble.
“What? Where?” His muscles tense beneath my fingertips.
“In the kitchen. By the back windows. I was watching the storm, and then he was just there.”
“Okay, I’ll go check it out.”
“No, Ky, don’t leave me again.” I grab onto his shirt desperately.
“I have to go check it out, Kira. That’s what I’m here for, no?” I look up at him in the dark, lightning bursting at just the right moment. I see the concern on his face and the intensity in his eyes.
I don’t want him to leave, but I also know he has to go.
“I’ll lock myself in the bathroom.”
“Good idea. Don’t open it for anyone but me.” He’s strict with his instructions.
“Okay—”
“Kira.” He clutches my face and points it up toward his. The house illuminates again, and thunder crashes, but suddenly I’m not scared.
“I won’t, I promise. Only you.”
“Only me, Snow.” For the first time ever, my nickname gives me chills.
Ky sends me off into the bathroom, and I lock the door behind me. I can’t see a thing, so I feel my way around until I find the vanity, then the toilet. I sit down, wrap my arms around myself, and rock, trying to keep the hysteria at bay. Someone was out there. Someoneisout there, and they’re after me. I shake inconsolably.I’m not crazy. I’m not crazy. I saw him. I saw him.I continue to convince myself.I’m not crazy.I begin to cry. So many emotions are leaking out, certainty most of all. Validation. Truth, reality, sanity.
