Chapter 5 First night

As I enter the lobby, the security guard nods and smiles, but his gaze lingers, making me uneasy. I return the smile politely, despite feeling uncomfortable. His eyes roam my features for too long, and even after I walk away, I sense his stare following me. I recall noticing him watching me when my parents and I first viewed the apartment. I thought it was normal then, but now, with my parents gone, his gaze feels more unsettling. I shake my head, chiding myself for being paranoid like Dad. The apartment has top-notch security; Dad wouldn't have chosen it otherwise.

I should focus on my upcoming semester, not a security guard doing his job. Later, as I settle into bed, Sienna's voice on the phone asks, "Really planning to follow all your dad's rules?" I chuckle, and she sighs, frustrated. I shrug, "No choice. I don't want Dad to drag me back to Texas if I break a promise. And lying to him isn't an option."

Sienna lets out a disbelieving grunt. "What about the rule about boys? You're going to meet new guys on campus! What if you can't resist a charming, smart, perfect guy?" I laugh, and she insists, "I'm serious! You're not thinking of staying single until 30, are you?" I counter, "You're single too," and she cries out, "At least I have crushes! I've told you about them all - the hockey player, the hot nerd, the soccer team captain. You never share anything about boys. You're always the listener, and it worries me." I bite back a smile, waiting for her to continue. "Worried that you might become a nun!" She sighs, and I laugh. "Come on, Nev, give me something! Anything." She pauses, thinking about possibilities on my new campus. "I'm waiting for exciting news. I won't even mind if you say the professor is hot." I almost shout, "That's not appropriate!" She chuckles, "Nevermind, maybe I've read too much Wattpad." I raise an eyebrow, "You still read Wattpad?" She echoes, "You haven't installed it? You should! It might inspire you, awaken your adventurous side." I correct her, "I am adventurous, I love trying new things and traveling." She adds, "Not with boys. You might figure out your preference. I think you'd like the hot nerd type... or athletic guys... or maybe older men, like a professor or CEO." The word "CEO" catches my attention for some reason.

Sienna says, "Now I know your fantasy!" I'm speechless, unsure how to respond. She adds, "Seattle's full of CEOs; it'd be awesome if you met a hot one!" I'm unsure if she's joking or not. I ask cautiously, "Are you sure Dad's not around? If he hears this, we're in trouble!" She reassures me, "I'm safe in my room." I shake my head, chuckling. Sienna and I have different personalities, but our conversations are never dull. We talk for hours, but I don't discuss boys since I have nothing to share. After our call, my eyes feel heavy. I glance at the clock - 9 PM. I yawn, feeling exhausted from the day. Before bed, I check my surroundings. I pick up my book, place the bookmark, and put it on my nightstand. I hug my teddy bear, Mr. Bear, and smile. I spray my lavender face mist, inhaling the soothing scent. Finally, I turn off my lamp, and the room dims, except for the living room light and city lights outside. I snuggle into bed, close my eyes, and hope for a sweet dream. Just then, my phone rings, and I groan, seeing Dad's number on the screen. Oh no!

I answer Dad's call, and his anxious voice fills my ear. "Nevaeh, how's everything? Is your new room comfortable? No curious neighbors bothering you?" I interrupt, "Dad, I was trying to sleep. You've called five times since you left Seattle today." Mom chuckles in the background, whispering, "Give her space." Dad persists, "I worry about you, and I want to make sure everything's okay." I smile, knowing his concern comes from love. "You're the one who can't sleep, aren't you?" I tease, knowing it's true. He confirms with silence. I reassure him, "Everything's fine, Dad. I'm a big girl, remember?" He sighs, still worried about my independence. We chat for a few more minutes, and I share my plans for tomorrow. After we hang up, I sigh and try to sleep again. Just as I'm dozing off, I hear a faint crack from the living room. I sit up, my head snapping in that direction. Though I didn't turn off all the lamps, it's too dark to see anything from here. I'm sure I'm just hallucinating; no one can break in without a key.

The silence is deafening, and my heart races wildly. Scenes like this only happen in movies, not in real life, right? I try to calm down, but my mind is racing with worst-case scenarios. Do I fear a psychopath or a ghost more? No, Nevaeh, focus! My heart skips a beat as I hear the door close, followed by the unmistakable sound of footsteps in the silence. Oh God, it's a burglar. I wish this were just a nightmare. I grab the phone with a shaking hand and dial the operator, praying for the 24-hour security to come to my rescue. "Good evening, how can I help you?" a calm voice answers. I almost drop the phone as the shadow from the living room moves closer to my bedroom. What if the intruder hears me? What if they threaten my life? Should I beg for mercy? "Someone..." I choke, my voice shaking uncontrollably. "Someone broke into my apartment." My body goes numb with fear as the footsteps draw closer, the sound of shoes on the wooden floor getting clearer.

"Are you calling from your bedroom, Ms. Spencer?" the operator asks, her voice now alert. "If so, please lock the door until security arrives. I'm sending them immediately." I quickly get out of bed to follow her instructions. I should have done this earlier, but I was afraid I wouldn't have time to call for help. As I'm about to close the door, a force pushes me back, and I let out a small scream. A man in a security uniform is standing in front of me, staring at me intensely. He's the middle-aged security guard I've seen in the lobby before. His gaze makes me shiver. I step back, trying to create distance between us. "What are you doing here?" I ask, trying to stall until help arrives. He doesn't move, his eyes fixed on me like I'm a prized possession. I feel trapped and scared. "You're pretty, don't you know that?" he says with a creepy smile, his voice full of lust. I'm horrified and try to compose myself, looking around for something to defend myself. But he corners me against the bed, and I stumble, falling onto the mattress. I roll onto my side, facing him, and let out a soft cry.

He leers at me, his eyes gleaming with excitement, as I lie helpless on the floor. His gaze makes my skin crawl - he's unhinged. Just as he's about to pounce, I summon all my strength and kick him in the chest. He groans, and my survival instincts take over. I grab the bedside lamp and strike his head, causing him to snarl in anger. I try to scramble away, but he grabs my leg, and I fall face-first onto the floor. I whimper in pain, and suddenly, the front door bursts open. Footsteps and shouts fill the room, and the psycho's grip on my leg loosens. Another guard tries to help me up, but I flinch, fearing another betrayal. I cower against the bed, trembling, as the scene unfolds before me. The psycho struggles as two guards pin him down, handcuffing him. "What the hell, Dave? Get off me!" he spits at his friend, who looks shocked but does his duty. The other guards seem disbelief-struck, too. I'm consumed by fear - can I trust them? What if they're just as twisted? The apologetic guard tries to reassure me, "We're so sorry, Ms. Spencer. We never expected Nico to snap like this." Tears stream down my face as I realize that even though I've been rescued, this place will never feel safe again.