Nell
PRESENT
It’s the lamp going out in the living room that alerts me the electricity has been cut. I jump to my feet, knocking my empty mug onto the floor. A crushing fear tightens my chest. It’s too early, I’m not ready.
If they come for you, it will be in the dead of the night, Alex had told me.
But it’s not the middle of the night, it’s barely nine.
What if they come earlier, when I’m still downstairs? I’d asked.
Focus on getting to your bedroom where you can lock yourself in, Alex had said. Don’t let fear muddle your thinking.
Remembering his words, I take a breath to calm myself, then grope my way to the door. The hall is in complete darkness. I’m about to run to the stairs when a dark shadow peels itself from the wall. I cry out in shock; they’re already inside.
What if I can’t get to my bedroom? I’d asked. What if they’re already inside?
Scream, Alex had said. Use your voice. Take a deep breath and scream as loud and as long as you can. You’ll have a couple of seconds before fear numbs you. Use them well.
I open my mouth to scream but fear has already wound its steely grip around my lungs, squeezing the breath from me. My eyes pick out a looming mass, advancing down the hall toward me. I scramble back as fast as I can and feel the kitchen door behind me.
If you can’t get upstairs, don’t let yourself be backed into the kitchen, Alex had said.
But what if there isn’t anywhere else to go? I’d asked.
Then try and arm yourself with a weapon. You have knives on the workbench.
I grapple for the handle and as the door swings open, I stumble backward into the kitchen.
They follow me in and kick the door shut.
The room is in total darkness, confusing me for a moment, because there should be at least some light from the light well.
I recover quickly and step to my right, visualizing the knife block next to the cooker.
But as if they can read my mind, they bar my way, forcing me to move to the left, my feet tripping over each other as I back around the island, until I come to the far end and can go no farther.
Whatever you do, Alex had told me, don’t let yourself be cornered behind the island, because if you do, there will be no way out. You cannot let it happen. Do you hear me, Nell? You cannot let it happen.
Yet here I am. My legs tremble at the implication. As my eyes adjust to the inky darkness, the looming mass defines itself as a black-clad figure standing on the other side of the island. There’s a movement, followed by a swish in the air. My throat constricts; they have a blade.
“Stop!” My voice rings out and to my astonishment, the air stills.
“Before you kill me,” I say, keeping my voice strong. “I need to know who you are.”
I wait a beat then dig deep inside me for my greatest fear.
“Is it you, Alex?” I ask.