Chapter Twelve

Wait, my phone! I left it in my bag at home. I stopped in my tracks and turned back but my house was already out of sight, only the blue roof was now visible. I was still in the neighborhood. I drew my lower lip between my teeth and considered the two options I had. Go back for the phone or continue running. I fidgeted nervously on the street eyeing the roof of my house.

I decided to draw up reasons why I should go and vice versa. I should go back because; I needed my phone to call Sam to come pick me up, I needed to get my phone to tell Mom and William to be careful, (He could hurt them for crying out loud!). I needed to get my phone before he went through it. I needed my phone because...it's my beloved phone!

I shouldn't go back because; The psycho could still be there. What if he tries to carve his initials on my forehead?(Duhh! He's a fucking psycho). What if he can't control his sexual urge and tries to rape me? I cringed and wrapped my hands around myself. He could me watching me now!

Screw the phone. I took on my heels again. The thought that he could be watching me even now put me more on edge. I spared a glance over my shoulders. Nobody was behind me. The street was completely empty, even more eerie. There was no forest or trees around here but all psychos had their ways. Maybe he was using a pair of binoculars and watching me from afar.

I needed to protect myself before I could protect others. On foot, I would reach Sam's place in minutes. Number one of why I needed my phone, taken care of. I can always call Mom with Sam's phone and Mom can reach William. Problem two, solved. As for number three, there really was nothing to hide in my phone. I was sure he already had my number and my pictures, probably from Facebook. It would be hard to believe he didn't have those already.

In no time, I was on Sam's front porch ringing the doorbellbell. There were low unfamiliar voices coming from inside, possibly the TV. "Honey, please see who it is". It came from Amanda. I could tell she was in the kitchen with the way her voice sounded distant. Footsteps approached and the door opened to reveal Paul, Sam's dad, towering over me. His handsome face broke into a smile. Anyone could see that Sam got his good features from him.

"Alexandria, come on in". Paul was the only one that called my name fully. I had told him times without number to call me Alex but he was one stubborn man. I gave up eventually.

"Thank you, Paul". I came inside and saw that Paul had been watching the news. Very boring thing. I pointed upstairs to him, silently asking if Sam was in. He answered in the positive and sat down to his news. I popped into the kitchen and said hi to Amanda who was preparing dinner and I also drank a cup of water before going up to Sam's room.

I tried the door knob, it wasn't locked so I just went in without knocking. He was on the floor and had his back to me playing a video game. PlayStation. I rolled my eyes, this is what he does when he drops me off?

"What do you want, Mom? Dad knocks even when he's a man like me but you mom... What if I was unclothed?" He shook his head without completing his sentence.

I scoffed, "Your mom used to bathe you".

He paused the game and turned, surprise written boldly on his face. "Babe?"

"Flesh and blood. You should be doing your assignment not THIS".

Sam crumpled his face in disgust, "Now you sound like my Mom".

I managed a chuckle and plopped down on his bed. "That's a compliment, whether you know it or not".

"What's up?" He raised a brow. "As much as I would like to believe that you're here because you missed me already, I know that's not it".

"Sam", I started gently, "I have a secret admirer".

"I'm not surprised". His jaw tightened.

"And he's a psycho". I added.

"How do you mean?". A line appeared between his brows.

I told him what I saw in my room, he listened intently with effort not to explode in rage. "I don't even know how he went in, the door or window, if he's still there or not. I was so scared I ran all the way here". I put my head in my hands. He stood up and sat beside me, taking my hands in his.

"It's okay. Nothing bad will happen now alright? I'm with you".

"That's right", I said suddenly remembering the note. I reached into the pocket of my skirt and gave it to him. He read it.

"This guy has gone mad, psycho". He fumed.

"Tell me about it".

"He mentioned Samson here. Is it Elijah?"

I nodded.

"What did he do to you? Did he touch you? I swear I'll—"

"No. He was assigned my partner for a biology experiment and we're done with that. He flirted with me and when I brushed him off he got mad. That's all".

"That bastard. He'll learn a lesson from me too". He clenched his fists in anger.

I sighed, there was no talking him out of it. We went quiet, both immersed in our own thoughts. My mom!

"Sam can I borrow your phone? I have to call my mom"

"Sure thing". He stood up and went for his phone on his study desk. He handed it to me and sat back down beside me.

I put in my mom's number and it came out as '𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘦'. "Really, Sam?"

He shrugged, "It's true".

I frowned, he grinned. "Come on, babe, you're overthinking this thing. The babe there is you and not a child. I know that's how it sounds".

"What are you talking about? I thought of no such thing". I denied and dialed my mom. I knew that was not what it was but it just came to mind. I imagined mom and Sam having a baby together. Ew!

"What's so ew-wy?" Sam looked ready to laugh. I went beet red, I did not just say that aloud. Shame on you, Alex.

Thankfully, mom picked up so I didn't have to reply Sam. I put the call on speaker.

"Yes, Sam". Mom's voice came on.

"No, it's Me. Are you home? Are you okay?"

"Yes, Darling, of course. Why wouldn't I be?" She laughed half amused, half confused. I sighed in relief. "Where are you? I saw your shoes and bag the moment I got in. Where did you have to go to so fast that you couldn't have waited to keep your stuff where they belonged? How many times will I have to tell you that—"

"Mom", I stopped her before she could nag to the point of irritation. "What about William?"

"What about William?" She threw the question back to me.

"Is he okay?"

"He is. Or at least the last time I checked with Ben's Mom, he was. Now you tell me, are you okay?"

"I am now that I've heard from you".

"Why? Did something bad happen?" Worry was now evident in her tone.

"Yes. That's why you should listen to what I'm about to say. Lock all the doors and windows now. If you see any strange person in the house or lurking around the house, call Dad or the Police immediately but first, you have to run alright?"

I did not know yet what this psycho guy was capable of, so I took no chances in warning mom to be careful.

"Why don't you calm down and tell me what really happened? Whatever it was, I'm sure you're overreacting".

"I'm not Mom. You haven't seen my room yet right? Go see it then you'll understand me a little bit".

"Young lady, I've been to your room to return your shoes and bag which you so carelessly dropped in the living room might I remind you".

I breathed deeply, summoning all the patience in me. "And you didn't see something strange?"

"Yes I did notice something strange...Your room was messy. Now that's strange considering that's how it is every other day". Mom finished sarcastically.

Sam and I shared a look that screamed '𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭!"

"There were no roses on my bed?"

"Is that a rhetorical question?"

"Mom, I'm serious here".

"I'm also serious, no".

"No glass of wine?"

"I wish. Your room was messy as always. I have to go now, I'm quite busy and got no time to fantasize over a bed of roses or a glass of wine. Be sure to be home in time for dinner and to tidy up your room before that dinner". The line went dead.

I handed Sam his phone. "That means he went back after I left to clear up the roses and take away the glass of wine or..."

"Or he was still there when you left". Sam finished for me and I felt goosebumps.