Chapter 7

The next week began more or less peacefully, although Linda was rather nervous about Saturday when they were going to travel to Silent Hill. Today was Wednesday, and she arrived to work as usual, and this time Alice arrived there a bit earlier and was preparing for work.

"Hey, Lin! How are you?" she greeted her friend with a hug.

"I'm ok, nothing to complain about," Linda replied. "And I slept peacefully, can't believe it myself."

"Finally, at least for one night you got peace. By the way… you know what? Yesterday I got a call from our new acquaintance."

"You mean James?" Linda asked curiously.

"You guessed it right," Alice winked.

"And? What did he want?"

"Um… he was wondering if I'm interested in meeting him somewhere after work. Well, I'm not going to miss my chance, so I said yes to him, and he invited me to a café today at eight," Alice said with a little blush on her face.

"Wow, is that so? I'm glad to hear it" Linda smiled. "Looks like he's truly interested in you. And I'm somehow sure he's a good person."

"I hope you're right," Alice replied. "My ex wasn't a bad one, but… the fate decided that we had to separate."

"You definitely had a better luck with guys than me," Linda was a bit frustrated. "At least your ex treated you well, which I can't say about mine. Mitch was a selfish person, always caring only about himself. At first he didn't show it, but when some time has passed, he revealed his true self. Finally my cup was full and I decided that we shouldn't be together anymore. I can't stand being always a second one whose interests and wishes don't actually matter."

"Understandable. I also wouldn't bear such treatment. He probably wanted you to be submissive or something."

"I guess so. And you know, he was pissed that I decided to leave him. What's worse, I found out he was cheating on me. I confronted him, but he said he wanted open relationship. He also said he loved me very much, but I don't believe that. If he did, he would have treated me differently. Sure, his male pride suffered. The worst thing is that he began threatening me when I said I was leaving him. He just said – you will remember me, I guarantee you that. You will regret your decision, just wait."

"Oh god, what a bastard," Alice huffed. "Only a low and shallow-minded man can threat a woman, and it wasn't your fault."

"Exactly, he thinks it's all my fault, that he hasn't done anything wrong. And it's no use to make him think otherwise."

"Well, that's his problem. You mustn't be responsible for the things you're not guilty for."

"I know, but… when we argued about this "open relationship" idea of his, he hit me. That was the last drop. I said I'm leaving him once and for all, no matter what he says or does. And at that moment he started threatening me. To be honest, I'm afraid. Believe me, Alice, he's a total psycho. I don't know what he's capable of."

"Jesus…" Alice widened her eyes in shock. "Does he still get on your nerves?"

"I changed my phone number and e-mail address, and lucky for me, he doesn't know my new street address. He only knows where my family lives because when we dated, I lived with my family."

"That's good. But he still lives in Portland, doesn't he?"

"I don't know," Linda replied "and to be honest, I don't even want to know. At least I haven't stumbled upon him till now, but it doesn't mean at once that he's not here."

"I hope you never see that moron again," Alice said sympathetically. "He doesn't deserve such a woman like you and doesn't deserve that you suffer because of him."

"And I don't suffer," Linda replied confidently. "I'm happy I left that rascal. I also hope I never see him again. And I hope you have a good time with James today" she winked playfully.

Alice blushed again.

"We shall see," she replied shyly. "And I really hope that you find your happiness soon. You deserve it."

"Thanks, dear," Linda smiled warmly. "I'm so happy I have you, seriously. Such a shame that we aren't sisters of one blood."

"Does it matter that we're not of the same blood?" Alice chuckled happily. "We are like sisters, and it's all that matters."

"Right!" Linda approved and both women burst into happy laughing. "Oh, by the way, would you tell me tomorrow how was your date with James?"

"Of course, what's the question about?" Alice laughed. "You always are the first to know the details, and so be it."

"Ok then. If you're in good mood tomorrow, then all is clear," Linda chuckled.

The workday slowly drew to the end, and exactly at six both young women finished their things and left the office. Alice was in a hurry this time, she had to manage to get home to change clothes and put some make-up. So she waved goodbye to Linda and hopped into the bus.

Linda slowly continued her way home, all that time being lost in thoughts. She was happy that her best friend most likely would find a man, but deep inside she felt sad. Somehow she wasn't so lucky with men in her life. Either no man saw her more than just friend, or she crossed her way with such scoundrel like Mitch. Linda was even beginning to think that her fate might be staying alone all her life, but she hoped for the best anyway.

The young woman was lost in thoughts so deeply that she didn't notice a man approaching her. She didn't manage to move out of the city center where her office was, when a hand grabbed her arm roughly and a male voice spoke behind her back:

"Well, well, isn't that a pleasant surprise, Miss Higgins?"

Linda turned around and faced the man behind her. It was no other than Mitch.

Damn it, just great… When you think of shit, it always happens, - Linda thought but stayed calm.

"What do you want?" she asked in an unsatisfied tone.

"Nothing actually. I was right here at the moment and noticed you passing by," he replied with a mock in his voice.

Linda was grateful that she stumbled on him in the city center, where there are many people around, and not in some dark alley. Who knows how this meeting might have ended in that case…

"If you think you'll succeed in persuading me to return to you, you're just wasting your time," Linda said, freeing herself from his grip.

"You broke my heart, Linda, and I can't forgive you that," he practically hissed. "You know I loved you, but you decided to abandon me. How else do you think I should react?"

"Listen, darling, if you really did love me, as you say, you wouldn't have slept with other women!" Linda snapped out. "Or did you really think I would deal with it and behave so like it's nothing?"

Mitch clenched his fists in anger. He barely held himself from punching her into face.

"I've told you hundred times – she means nothing to me! And even if I slept with her a few times, so what? Which guy doesn't do that after all? I wanted you and still nothing has changed!"

Linda just grinned snidely.

"Oh really? I must say you have a strange concept of love. Know this – I don't believe a single word of yours. If you thought I would submit to you, then you're pretty wrong. And I see, you barely keep yourself from beating me up. You're fallen too low, Mitch. Only a rascal is able to beat a woman. Knowing your true nature, I don't want to be with you ever. And now, be so kind and leave me alone. I don't have time for this bullshit and there are a lot of things for me to do."

Hearing this, Mitch finally snapped. Something like clicked in his head, and he slapped Linda. He didn't even pay attention to the fact that they were in the middle of the city. Overwhelmed by rage, he grabbed her hair painfully.

"If you thought you can talk to me like that, you're very wrong!" he practically yelled. "And if you think you know what hell is, I'll show you the real hell, bitch!"

"Hey, what do you think you're doing, man?" one of the passers intervened while people slowly began to surround them.

"You better mind your own business and don't interfere, you jerk!" Mitch screamed at him. "It's between me and her only!"

"And I say, you better let the woman go, or I'll call the police right now!" the guy hissed back, taking out his cell phone. Seeing that he meant it, Mitch let Linda go. He was back in reality, realizing that he had no chances with the crowd around, so he had no other choice but leave for good.

"I leave for now, but remember – it's only the beginning. I'll get to you, be sure of that, and next time there will be no lucky escape!" he threatened. But Linda still was calm like a statue. She was already pondering about a plan on how to teach him a lesson.

"You know what? If you want to get to me, then look for me in Silent Hill. That's where I'll be waiting for you," she replied without any emotions and left, not forgetting to thank the man that wanted to call the police. Mitch was confused about her last words. He wondered what she meant when she said she would be waiting for him in a place he never heard about, but anyway he would remember that name. He was determined to give it hot and strong to this arrogant bitch, so if she was going to this strange place called Silent Hill, so be it. He would catch her there. With that thought he turned around and left for home.

Linda arrived home after thirty minutes because of a small traffic jam and flopped on the sofa. She was so irritated like she has never been before. What a snobby jerk! She felt frustrated because of the fact that Mitch was in her way again. But on the other side, it was actually good. Linda knew that if he was determined to do something, nothing would stop him. He would do his best to get to her. And if she goes to Silent Hill, he would go there, too. Remembering that Silent Hill was a dangerous place, Linda grinned evilly. He wanted to show her hell, but in the result he would be the one to go to hell.