Her eyes snapped open as the thud resounded throughout the house. Sleepily she looked around the darkness of her small, light pink bedroom. The quiet darkness revealed nothing to her as she sat up in her squishy full sized bed. Listening she thought she could hear the quiet murmurs of people talking just down the hall. Pushing the bright pink down comforter back she silently slid out of bed and began tiptoeing across the hard wood floor to her door. Pressing her ear against the dense white wood she could swear she heard people having a conversation along with another noise she couldn’t quite place. Turning the brass knob she opened the door just enough that she could peek her eye out through the crack between the door and the frame. Seeing that the hallway was still dark she opened the slowly opened the door and slid out into the silent hallway.
Looking to her left she noticed the light coming from under her parent’s bedroom door. Cocking her head to the side she padded down the hallway towards her parents room. As she crept towards the door she could hear the sound of hushed voices becoming clearer along with the sound she couldn’t place… it was almost like the sound of a puppy whining. Grabbing the hem of her light blue Little Mermaid nightie she continued to sneak down the hallway. As she reached the far end of the hallway she held her breath and pressed her ear to the white pine double doors that protected the entrance to her parent’s bedroom.
“-told you I wouldn’t let you get off that easy. This is probably going to be one of the best things I ever do in my life,” a feather light voice whispered from the opposite side of the door.
“But, please don’t all we have done is try to help you. I don’t even know what happened to you after he did that-, “she heard her mother whimper.
“SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!!!” the women screamed. Taking her ear off the door the little girl started to turn the knob, opening the door just enough to peek through. Light immediately filled her eyes and poured out into the hallway. The overwhelming smell of pennies filled her nostrils and made her gag as she fell to her knees, tears filling her dark grey eyes. The girl collapsed onto the hardwood floor of the hallway and began sobbing uncontrollably at the sight in front of her face. Her tear streaked face looked up into the bright light of her parents room, her dark chestnut hair falling into her face. She screamed and beat her small fists on the floor, splashing blood everywhere.
Nothing she was seeing made any sense, nothing she was hearing made sense; lights, bright lights, white hallways, white beds, white coats, the smell of disinfectant, the sound of a million and one people talking, screaming, crying. A blur of a leg, red stained bleach blonde hair-
“Serena are you okay, baby?” Chase whispered shaking the women from her nightmare.
Opening her eyes Serena looked around at the familiar bedroom she had been sharing with Chase for the past three years. The dark purple walls with a thick black stripe running along the top; the bright, white, luxurious carpet; the huge, dark oak four poster bed. She ran her hand over the smooth wood post and tried to shake the fog of her nightmare off. Serena rolled over on her side so she was flush with Chase and inhaled the familiar smell of Irish Spring and Barbarsol. Staring straight ahead she watched the dust dance in the golden rays spilling in through the floor to ceiling windows. Looking past the spectacle of dust and watched the commotion of the city carrying on in the early morning light. Just beyond the madness of the highway she noticed the serene atmosphere that surrounded Central Park.
Stretching her slender limbs and pushing the heavy white comforter off her body Serena climbed out of the bed. Giving Chase a quick kiss on the cheek she quickly strode over to her walk-in closet. She flipped on the overhead light and glanced around the seemingly endless space. Striding to the back she opened one of the many dark oak drawers built into the wall and pulled out a pair of short neon yellow running shorts. Closing the drawer she opened the one just above it and pulled out a black sports bra. Shrugging out of her purple NYU sweatpants and black tank top she slipped on her shorts and bra. Turning Serena examined herself in the full length mirror at the back of the giant closet.
She frowned at the image of the person frowning back at her. Her dark grey eyes had dark circles under them and her skin had taken on a ghost white appearance. She ran her hand through her chest length dark chestnut hair. She watched as it fell limply back into stick straight defiance. She rolled her eyes at the thought of Chase always saying she was his angel.
“Yeah,” she whispered to herself, “his angel of death….” She frowned deeper at her own thoughts. Her friends were always telling her to lighten up and stop mopping around. Sighing she strode back out of the closet and towards the tall maple doors that lead out into the hallway. Closing the door silently behind her Serena padded down the beige carpeted hallway to the extravagant white marbled entry way. Pushing the call button on the elevator Serena searched around for her black running shoes. Opening the small shoe closet to her left she noticed the shoes were thrown all over instead of in their respective cubby holes. Chalking it up to Chase being his usual messy self, Serena rummaged around and pulled out her running shoes. Slipping the ultra-light, breathable shoes over her white, socked feet, she gently ambled onto the elevator.
Closing her eyes Serena listened as the thick metal doors closed behind her. Breathing deeply she listened to the whir of the elevator as it traveled 13 floors down to ground level. With a small ping the metal doors slid slowly open. Turning around Serena surveyed the dimly lit lobby. Everything from the faded red carpet to the tan walls had a gloomy appeal today. Looking out the towering front entrance doors she could see the ominous black clouds threatening another storm. Shrugging her bare shoulders she dashed toward the huge glass doors her chestnut hair bouncing lazily behind her. Reaching the door it swiftly swung open and the green suit clad doorman gave a stiff nod to Serena as she jogged past.
Tearing down the sweeping grey stone steps in front of her building Serena was hit with the smell of car exhaust and dirty shoes. Wrinkling her nose at the overpowering odor Serena started towards her destination. Serena weaved her way through the stream of people on the sidewalk and dashed quickly across 5th avenue. Smiling, Serena jogged into the peace of Central Park. Without hesitation she ran off in the direction of the Bandshell.
Minutes later Serena found herself laying down in Sheep Meadow under the gloomy darkness of the sky. Sighing, Serena picked herself up and walked started wandering toward the next grassy area. As Serena crossed the small path in between the two grassy alcoves she noticed a statue she hadn’t noticed before. Strolling toward the dark bronze sculpture she noticed the humongous eagles first. Looking closer Serena noticed the frightened goat wedged between the rocks about to be devoured by the birds. The sky was now the color of charcoal and the ominous birds of prey on the sculpture glared back at Serena as she inched closer trying to get a better look at the trapped ram.
A cool fall breeze blew through the park, making the almost bare trees brush together. Looking around at the scene Serena saw the place was deserted. Over the whispering wind Serena thought she could hear the slapping of shoes on the pavement. Shrugging it off to a noisy tourist, she looked back at the statue in front of her. Leaning in something caught her eye. Looking at the gap between the eagle’s wings Serena saw nothing but the park behind the sculpture. Cursing herself for being so jumpy Serena glanced around her and noticed it was almost black as night in the park now.
She started off back towards 5th avenue at a hurried pace, hoping to beat the coming storm. The wind was screaming now as she ran back towards her penthouse, but she swore she could hear shoes slapping behind her. Throwing a quick glance over her shoulder Serena saw a tall women running after her.
The woman’s long dark hair was flying wildly behind her as she sped toward Serena. Her long thin legs covered only by a thin pair of black leggings and her upper body covered with a thin white tank top. Confused, Serena stopped running and turned to face the women chasing her. The women came to a dead stop directly in front of Serena’s face. She was so close Serena could see the small beads of sweat dripping down her face and smell her rancid breath. Turning her head away to get a break from the smell of a garbage dump Serena noticed the small scar running down the left side of her neck.
Serena’s hand flew up to the same spot on her own neck and she ran her long slender fingers over her own scar. Her eyes widened instantly and she started staggering backwards. The women’s full red lips twisted into an impish grin. Her storm grey eyes lit up as she too saw the scar on Serena’s neck.
“Funny, isn’t it?” she asked in a sing song whisper, “how alike two people can be. Do you even remember who I am?”
Serena couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She hadn’t seen this woman since she was 10. Not since the night her mom was murdered. Quickly the entire night came back to her; the blood, her cackle when she saw Serena screaming, running into the dark evergreen forest behind her house to escape the same fate as her mom. Trembling, Serena staggered backwards away from the woman’s penetrating glare. Every step Serena took was fluidly matched by the women, her long legs carrying her ever closer with every step.
The park was now deserted. The sky had become an impenetrable fortress of ominous charcoal clouds. The rumble of thunder filled Serena’s ears. Suddenly, the dam that was holding in the rain broke and a cool rain started pouring from the sky. The cool rain drenched Serena to her bones. Shaking now Serena took off at a dead sprint back toward 5th avenue. Sheets of rain were gushing down from the black clouds, causing a thick mist to rise from the damp, warm ground. Rain pelted Serena’s face as she darted down the paths.
The white mist now rising up from the ground gave the park and eerier feel as Serena tore through. Tears streamed down her sopping face as the memories of that horrible night invaded her thoughts and tainted her world once again. The heavy rain, along with her torrent of tears was making it impossible for her to see anything.
Shit, she thought desperately. I don’t even know if she’s chasing me anymore. Desperately Serena glanced in all directions. She only saw the white of the mist and the sheets of rain coming down from the sky. Panicking, Serena picked up her pace. Crunching quickly down the path Serena veered off into the damp grass to cut straight to 5th avenue. Squinting behind her Serena tried to see if anyone was following her. To her dismay she still couldn’t see anything. Bolting out into the lush open field Serena tripped.
Rolling end over end Serena landed on her back, staring up into the torrent of rain. Head still spinning Serena lay on the sodden ground, sorting out her thoughts. Suddenly a tangle of dark damp hair was hanging in Serena’s face. Dazedly Serena looked up into the cool grey eyes of a killer, her mother’s killer. Her grisly mouth pulled into a wicked grin. The sadistic look in her eyes oozed crazy as the girl pulled a small knife from under her tank top.
Straddling Serena the girl grabbed her arm and pulled sharply on it bringing it up toward her own chest. Calm grey eyes on desperate grey eyes the girl flicked the glinting silver blade out of its protective cover and over Serena’s trembling wrist. Slowly the girl lowered the razor sharp blade to Serena’s thin wrist. Pushing just slightly a pin prick of blood appeared under the blade. Smiling demonically the girl pushed harder and moved the blade horizontally, cutting the width of Serena’s wrist.
The crimson blood oozed down Serena’s pale arm toward her body. Serena whimpered as the red liquid ran like a river from the deep cut on her wrist. Tears ran from her eyes as the girl brought the blood stained blade down again on her arm. Looking up into the rain Serena realized this was how she was going to die; slowly and painfully from a million tiny cuts to her body. Closing her eyes Serena let the freezing rain flow over her, numbing her from the outside in. She could hear the girl’s psychotic giggle as she sliced Serena’s arm open.
“You’re going to remember me for a long time,” the girl hissed.
Suddenly Serena felt the blade dig deep into her arm, opening up a small chasm down the middle of her trembling arm. Blood surged out of the gash like a raging river. Serena tried to scream out in pain, but the girl’s slender hand was covering her mouth an instant after the incision. Tears streamed from Serena’s eyes. Her whole body shook from the cool rain still pouring down around her and loss of blood. Serena felt hopeless; she could see the blackness coming to meet her.
Through the mist and pouring rain Serena saw a black figure approaching her. The weight on her chest disappeared. The rain came down harder and cooler. The dark clouds hung lower and bellowed as thunder shook the ground under Serena. The lightning illuminated the entire park around her as she laid there, blood seeping from her arm and covering her front. The dark figure came ever closer and Serena new this was it, it was her time; He was coming for her. The figure sped toward her through the dense mist and torrent of rain. Smiling, Serena stopped fighting and let the blackness swallow her up.
Chase woke with a start as the last beat thunder echoed through the master bedroom. Slumping back down into the plush silk covers Chase rolled over and reached over towards Serena’s empty spot. Right, she went running, Chase thought glumly as his hazel eyes fell on empty space. Thunder rung out through the bedroom once again as Chase lay there staring at the ceiling. Sighing, he pushed the heavy comforter off himself and swung his feet over to meet the lush white carpet. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes he stumbled to the master bathroom.
The room filled with bright light as he flipped on the light switch illuminating the lavish bathroom. To his left was the white marble counter top complete with white marble double sinks and gilded mirror fit for a queen. To his right was the grey marble Jacuzzi tub Serena had had put in. Ahead, fixed to the back wall was the huge dark grey stone walk-in shower. Staggering ahead Chase shrugged off his boxers and slid open the opaque glass door that was the entrance to the shower. Cranking the water to scalding, Chase listened to the quiet around him.
Standing in the dimly lit shower Chase thought back to this morning. Letting out a stress laced sigh Chase wondered how Serena would take his news of deployment in her current state. Serena had been slipping further and further away from him lately. “Ever since her damn father showed up last week,” Chase said into the steaming shower.
I planned to have Chase go away on deployment to Afghanistan all while Serena is trying to fight the girl who hurt her in the park. Serena is going to go and find her father and talk to him about what happened the night her mother died. Chase is meanwhile going to be in Afghanistan doing marine stuff and trying to help her as much as he can, however they are going to grow apart while Serena spirals further and further into the girls demonic world and the mysteries of what happned to her mother start to disturb her even more. Then in the end she will find out what really happens to her mom and Chase comes home.
