***

The next morning I woke up to the sound of something shattering in the kitchen.

My heart pounded in my ears and my muscles stiffened, not allowing me to move from under my comforter. I could hear slow footsteps echoing throughout the small apartment.

A quick glance at my clock let me know it was nearly 7 am. It seemed like a strange time for someone to break in.

My bedroom door knob rattled and turned.

My breath caught in my throat.

"Kate, where's the broom? I can't remember where we keep it."

"Jaylie! What the hell, you scared me to death!" I picked up my pillow and flung it at her.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to wake you, but I dropped a glass cup."

I groaned and rolled over onto my side. I had totally forgotten. Jaylie, my roomate, had just started a new job where she was now working morning shifts.

Normally, she wouldn't be leaving for work until noon, like myself.

"It's in the shoe closet."

I vaguely pointed in the direction of our front door.

Since I was already awake, I figured I might as well get ready for the day.

I sat up and rubbed the drowsiness from my eyes before going into the bathroom.

I took a quick shower, trying to relax my still tense body.

When I got out, Jaylie had already left and, thankfully, the glass was all cleaned up, and I made myself some breakfast.

I slowly ate my bowl of cereal in silence and stared out the window at the morning traffic. I washed my dish and turned on the news, where an alert was being broadcasted.

"-- Another girl was reported missing last night and officials believe it was another kidnapping, making that three in the past two months. Neighborhood watches are being put together and local cops are doing extra runs.

"Be sure to keep an eye out, lock your doors at night, and stay safe. Back to you, Jill."

"Thank you, James. Those poor girls. We can only hope that they are okay and will be found soon. Everyone out there try to stay safe.

"And speaking of staying safe, the newest update on the approaching tropical storm --"

The television switched off and all the lights went out.

"God dammit!"

We were unable to pay the electric bill this month. I sighed and went to go change into my black pencil skirt, white blouse and pulled my hair up into a bun.

Around 11:00, I ate a small lunch and decided to leave to work early, as the afternoon traffic was just starting to pick up.

•

About halfway through my shift, I had yet to see Jason and I was silently grateful.

"Excuse me, miss?"

"Yes, sir?" I turned around to see the same man. The same man as the day before who had asked for the manager. Who had asked questions about me.

I realized I was staring for too long and probably looked awkward.

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Just a coffee refill, please."

I grabbed the pot and filled his cup, being able to get some good looks at him.

He was an older man, in his fifties perhaps, but he was in great shape and his hair was only starting to gray. And I knew for sure that I had never seen him before.

I shook off the uncomfortable feeling of his stare on my back as I headed for the kitchen to make some more coffee.

•

When my shift was over, the cafe was decently empty with the exception of a couple, an old lady, and the strange man. I untied my apron and put it in the laundry bin. I peeked into Jason's office so I could clock out.

"Wait, Kate. Can I talk to you?"

"I'm not coming in your office, Jason." The other day was the first time he had tried to make any real move on me. He was getting more aggressive and confident and I didn't want to be alone behind closed doors with that.

He threw his hands up playfully in surrender. "How about outside then?"

I sighed and grabbed my bag before following him out of the building. He walked out to the parking lot, and we stood next to my car.

"What is it?" I looked up at him while searching through my purse for my keys.

"You're fired."

I nearly dropped my purse in shock.

"What?"

"You're fired," he repeated. "I have no use for you to work here anymore."

"But...but Jason! I need this job. I'm barely making it by as it is! Don't do this! Please." I realized I was begging but I was on the verge of tears. Why did this have to happen to me?

He stared me up and down and his lips curled into a smile.

"I guess I could make some sort of arrangement..."

My tears blinked away and I was immediately filled with disgust.

"You're a pervert!" I spat at him.

"Come on, Kate," he spoke with open arms. "If you want to keep your job." He slowly inched towards me, backing me into the car.

I silently cursed myself for not having any pepper spray on me. Instead, I clutched my keys and slowly took them out of my purse.

"Get away from me!" I was practically yelling at him. He grabbed my wrist and caught me off guard, and I dropped my keys.

I ripped my arm from his grasp and bent down to pick them up. I momentarily paused when I caught a glimpse of my tire. Jason noticed the shock on my face and stood where he was as I walked around my car.

My front two tires were slashed.

"Did you do this?"

"Of course not, Kate."

"Don't call me Kate," I said through gritted teeth. I folded my arms across my body and began walking out of the parking lot towards the abandoned back streets where a closer bus stop was.

"What are you doing?" His voice didn't sound far off and I assumed he was following me so I picked up my pace.

"Going home."

"Walking?"

I didn't respond and just kept my head down as I made it to the sidewalk.

"You're not walking home, that's ridiculous. I'll give you a ride." His hand landed on my shoulder, but I shrugged him off.

I kept silent.

"Katherine--"

"No!" I was now screaming. I could feel the tears starting to form again.

"Just stay away from me, Jason!" My pace was now more of a jog, but he was still closely following me.

I looked back to see he wasn't too far away and still moving forward. With just my luck, I lost my footing and fell over, scraping up my left arm, causing me to drop my purse.

I reached for it to grab my phone, but Jason stepped on my hand, holding me to the ground.

I cried out in pain when he forced more pressure down.

"If you would just cooperate, this could go a lot nicer for you. But now you've made me mad."

He brought his face down close to mine and I spat on him.

When he backed away to wipe off his cheek, I swung my leg around and kicked him in the thigh. He fell backwards on the ground and I scrambled to my feet, leaving my purse behind.

I stumbled around, just trying to get away from him, but I could hear his footsteps getting closer.

Just as I realized I didn't have the strength to overpower him and escape this, I could see a light shining from behind me.

Headlights.

I turned and saw a truck heading this way and I waved frantically to get their attention. The truck pulled over and the window rolled down.

"Get in!"

The tears almost overflowed with gratitude. I jumped in and shut the door behind me as quick as humanly possible.

We sped away leaving Jason far behind.

I was breathing heavy and wiped the escaped tears from my face. I looked up at the man who had just rescued me from what could have been a terrible situation.

"Wait..."

He gave me a quick glance before staring back at the road.

"You're the man from the cafe--"

A hand from the small seat behind me flew out and covered my mouth.

There was a second man in the truck with me. How did I not notice? This was so stupid of me.

I frantically struggled against the vice grip and bit the person's palm.

I reached for the lock on the car door but a white cloth with a strange smell replaced the hand.

I clawed at the person's arm, trying to get away, but too soon my eyelids grew heavy.

I could hear a sigh of relief from the man behind me and felt the faint touch of him moving my hair away from my face.

All of my senses became dull and I could feel myself slipping towards unconsciousness. Yet, within the last few moments I remembered, I could hear him whispering into my ear.

"Welcome home."

***