Taken Read online

  “Yes, OK.” I tell her finally. “We went back to his place and it was amazing.” I smile as I recall the memories from last night. “He made me breakfast in bed this morning.” I tell her. Somehow her grin widens as she squeals and then winces again, rubbing her temple.

  “Oh my god. That is so romantic.” she gushes.

  “It was.” I say. We are silent for a few minutes and then the subject is changed and we joke and laugh about the party.

  “Bobby got so wasted, he went skinny dipping in the pool. It was hilarious.” Cleo tells me. Bobby is on the football program at a nearby college and he likes to think he’s the funniest guy around by doing crazy stuff, like jumping into a pool, naked, on a cold night.

  After a while, we decide to get some lunch from the cafe down the road. We are at a table waiting for our order, I get myself a bacon and double cheese panini and Cleo gets another large coffee.

  “So,” Cleo says, “are you excited about Barcelona?”

  “Of course I am.” I say with a grin, “I wish you could come with us though, we would have so much fun.”

  “One day we will go on a girl’s trip. Just you and me. For now though. You better bring me back some amazing gifts.” she says.

  “Sounds good to me.” I laugh.

  ✽✽✽

  We are at the shopping centre, looking around for ideas of what to wear to our next party. The Halloween dance. The college puts one on every year. It's a night where the girls get to dress up and for the boys, it’s a chance to play tricks on everyone.

  “What about this?” Cleo says to me. In her hand is the sluttiest nurse costume. I turn my face up at the tiny fabric and shake my head.

  “Do you really think I would wear that?” I ask.

  “I can hope. Your body is gorgeous, when are you going to show it off.” she says, “What about this one then?” this time it’s a black, leather cat suit, tail and all, a pair of cat ears come with it. “Aww, come on.” she complains, “You would look hot.”

  Again, I shake my head and laugh, “Find your own costume.” I tell her. She pouts but goes off looking through the store.

  A little while later, I find the perfect costume. It’s a couple’s costume for Toby and me. He is a little bit of a nerd so I know he is going to love it. Cleo tries to peak at it but I hide it away. I decide to keep it a secret until the night, I also buy some makeup to go with it and jewellery to match. I then spend the next two hours, following Cleo around while she looks for her costume.

  An hour and two stores later and Cleo finally picks out her costume. She decided to go as Wonder Woman and she truly looks amazing.

  We head back to Cleo’s afterwards and have a movie marathon. We pick a bunch of cry-worthy chick-flicks and share a large bowl of popcorn to throw at the TV during cheesy moments. A few hours later and I head back home.

  It’s 10 pm and I'm sitting on the sofa in the living room when someone knocks on the door. Mum and Dad don’t need to knock and Toby and Cleo are both at home. I can’t think of who else would be here, we never get any visitors.

  I stand and make my way over to the door, peering out of the peephole, I see no one there. Frowning, I open the door and look outside, nothing. A quick look out into the empty street tells me it was probably some stupid prank by the kids who live down the road, it’s not the first time they have done it.

  Turning to go back inside, I notice a small yet long box resting against the wall on the ground. Who would be out delivering packages this late? I pick it up and take it inside. I set it on the table in the kitchen and gently open it. I gasp at what I see.

  Inside is the most beautiful purple rose I have ever seen, a long single stem rests on top of a silver, silk fabric. A note is attached, there’s no name so I open it and read the words.

  My dearest,

  How are you today? I have missed you so much.

  I saw you earlier. You looked so happy.

  You are so beautiful.

  You don’t know how special you are to me.

  The moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew we were going to be together. You’re strong, beautiful and feisty, everything I love in a woman.

  Sadly, distance has done nothing for my heart and I long to be with you again.

  But not yet, the time will come when we can be together again.

  Until then,

  I am forever yours.

  It looks like a secret love letter. I dismiss it, thinking someone sent it here by mistake. I look for a return address but find nothing. I leave it on the counter and go back to binge watching Orange Is the New Black.

  A couple of hours later and I decide to go to bed. Dad is working late again tonight and Mum has gone out with some friends so I make sure to lock all the doors and windows and turn out the lights before making my way upstairs. It doesn’t take me long to fall asleep. I dream of one day getting my own love letters.

  CHAPTER 22

  The next morning, I wake up early to the smell of bacon. Mum is making breakfast. My stomach makes a loud rumbling sound and I obey its command. I quickly slip on my slippers and make my way downstairs.

  “Just in time.” Mum says as I round the corner into the kitchen.

  “Morning, Mum.” I say as I take a seat at the small table in the corner.

  “Have a good sleep?” she asks.

  “Hmm. Oh, something got delivered here last night, I think it was a mistake but there’s no name or address on it.” I gesture to the box and letter to her left. She too gasps at the rose and reads the letter.

  “Weird.” she says, “Leave it there. I’ll ask around and see if anyone knows who it's for.”

  Breakfast comes in the form of a bacon sandwich, I grin and add some ketchup to it and dig in.

  After breakfast, I take a shower and decide to have a lazy day. It's Monday today and in exactly one week, I’ll be off to sunny Spain. Mum has gone out and Dad is at work so that leaves just me alone in the house, again.

  I'm resting on the sofa, with my feet up. I have my laptop on my knees and a bunch of snacks on the table. I am looking at places to go shopping in Barcelona. I’m hoping to get gifts for everyone while I’m there as well as some jewellery for myself and possibly an entire new wardrobe of unique Spanish clothes.

  Just then, the phone rings. The room is so silent that I'm caught off guard and almost scream at the sudden noise invasion.

  “Hello?” I say into the receiver. Silence. “Hello? Is anyone there?” I can hear someone breathing on other end and frown. “I’m hanging up now.” I tell whoever it is then put the phone down. I shiver, suddenly feeling cold, even though the heating is on high.

  I try to forget about the call and go back to looking online at what I can do in Spain.

  ✽✽✽

  A couple hours later, I am watching movies on TV and texting Cleo, when a knock sounds on the front door. I glare at it before moving. It’s only 11 am, who would knocking this early. It better not be another prank. I smile when I look through the peephole. On the other side of the door, I see Toby standing there.

  “What are you doing here?” I give him a quick hug and peck his lips before pulling him inside.

  “I told Dad I wasn’t going to work today.” he tells me. I’m glad he did. He looks at my table of empty snacks and laughs, “What have you been doing today?”

  “Not much so far.” I laugh as we sit on the sofa. My head rests on his shoulder as he wraps his arms around my waist. “I was going to yell at whoever was interrupting my down time but I think I’ll let you off.” I grin at him.

  “Hmm, well, let me show you my gratitude.” he says, his eyes move to my lips and my body instantly heats. His lips slowly move forward until they cover mine and then he’s kissing me.

  The kiss is slow at first. He gently lays me down on the sofa and then the kiss deepens. My hands slide across the muscles on his back. While he uses one hand to support his weight, the other caresses my hip. His lips move to my neck and shoulders. My eyes
flutter closed as his hand travels below my belly button.

  With his lips back on mine, his fingers slowly disappear under the fabric of my pyjama bottoms.

  CRASH!

  I bolt upright, almost smacking my head on Toby’s.

  “What was that?” I whisper.

  “I don’t know. It was probably a branch or something.” Toby tells me.

  I hear a rustling outside the window and with a racing heart, I go over to the window and look outside. I find one of Mum's potted plants smashed on the ground. The gate is swinging to a close, my eyes look to the trees. There is no breeze.

  “There was someone in the garden.” I whisper, “They were watching us.” I say as Toby holds me.

  “You don’t know that babe. There could be another reason how the plant smashed and the gate was opened. You can’t jump to conclusions.” I know he’s right but I can’t help but worry.

  After Toby leaves, it’s almost lunch time. Dad is at work and Mum is out with some of the other parents still, so I decide to order a Chinese from the local takeaway and then I pick out some more movies to watch.

  45 minutes later and a knock on the door tells me food is here. I grab my purse and open the door. No one is there. Confused, I walk out to the gate and look down the street. Again, no one is there. I go back inside and just when I’m about to close the door, I see something.

  There, resting against the wall on the ground, is another box. Frowning, I pick it up and take it inside. I stare at it while I think, I never did find out if Mum asked about the other one yet.

  I decide to open it. Again, I gasp at its contents, an identical flower sits inside, this time however, the flower is pink in colour. Opening the letter attached, I read it, hoping to find some clue of who it belongs too.

  My dearest,

  You look beautiful as always.

  You almost saw me today. It was close. I saw you on the sofa in your house.

  I have to tell you. I don’t like that boy you were with. He doesn't deserve you, he's just a boy and you need a man. The things he was doing to your body are the same things I imagine myself doing to you. It made me hot just watching you.

  Do you like my flowers? Their beauty is nothing compared to yours.

  Soon we will be together again.

  Until then,

  I am forever yours.

  My heart races in my chest as I read the letter over and over again. Could these letters be... for me? My stomach churns. Is someone watching me? Looking into the house? Stalking me? My mind works overtime, there has been nothing to suggest that there is someone watching. The question is, who would do such a thing? My mind instantly goes back to the events of last year and my stomach drops. It can’t happen again.

  CHAPTER 23

  I spend the rest of the day, sitting on the sofa with the curtains drawn, doing nothing but think about the letters, which are now sitting open on the table in front of me. I go over them again and again. Both letters suggest I know this person. I don’t know that many people apart from at the college but somehow, I don’t think it’s someone there. The letter also suggests that it’s been some time since I last saw this person.

  I continue to mull it over until the evening, until the doorbell rings, bringing me out of my thoughts. I look over at it like it’s poison. I decide not to open it. If it’s someone important then they will call the house.

  The doorbell is pressed again,

  And again.

  And again.

  I swallow my emotions and slowly walk over to the door. After a minute I gently pull it open. There’s nobody there.

  I look down in the usual spot and there I see it. Another box, another letter. I debate leaving it where it is but I know whoever it is leaving them won’t give up until I take it. I grab them quickly and slam the door shut, locking it again, then I go back to the sofa.

  I stare at them for what feels like hours but really, it’s only been ten minutes. With shaking fingers, I slowly open the box.

  Inside is a blue rose on its usual silver fabric. I don’t find them beautiful anymore. Opening the letter, I take a breath and read its content.

  My dearest,

  I miss you.

  The curtains have been closed all day so I haven’t seen your beautiful face. I long to see you again.

  No matter, it’s almost time for us to be together.

  Until then,

  I am forever yours.

  It's short and it gives me the creeps. What does he mean by it’s almost time for us to be together? Fear starts to manifest all over. I decide it’s time to call Mum.

  It rings and rings and then goes to voicemail. I tell her to come home as soon as she can. Then I call Dad. He is working late tonight and doesn’t like to be called at work.

  “Hello?” his voice comes over the speaker.

  “Dad?” I say, “I’m sorry for calling you at work... but... I can’t get a hold of Mum.”

  “Tayla? What’s wrong? You sound scared.” his voice is instantly alert.

  “I need you to come home Dad.” I tell him, “I think someone is stalking me.”

  ✽✽✽

  Half an hour later, Mum and Dad are both home. Dad picked Mum up from one of their friends’ houses.

  “Tayla, what do you mean someone is stalking you? How do you know?” Dad asks. I tell him about the letter that first got sent here. How Mum and I both thought it was a mistake but the second one was clear.

  As my parents read over the letters, I watch their faces, changing from confusion then to disgust and finally to anger.

  “That’s it, I'm calling the police.” Dad finalizes. Mum and I look at each other and she gives me a reassuring smile and a hug. The police will take care of it.

  Not an hour later, there are two policemen standing in our living room. One is round and balding, the other tall and full of muscle. They are reading over the letters and bagging them up, taking them so they can try and get some fingerprints off them.

  “OK, since he hasn’t actually threatened anyone yet, there isn’t much we can do right now. We will see if we can get anything off the letters and we will check nearby cameras.” the first officer says to my parents and hands them a card with his number on, then he turns to me, “If you see something or get another letter, you tell us immediately, got it?” I nod my head.

  10 minutes later and they leave. When the door is closed, my parents come over and wrap their arms around me, saying soothing words in my ear but I hear none of it. This just got real.

  We decide to keep the curtains closed and the windows and doors locked from now on. Dad has to go back to work tomorrow but promises to come home on time in the evening. Mum promises to stay with me all day.

  Right now, I'm sitting on my bed, it's past midnight and I can’t sleep, not knowing when he will come for me. I have been texting Toby all night, I told him about the letters and the police being here. He feels guilty for what he said this morning. He wants to come over, to be with me, but I tell him to stay away. It’s for his own safety, I don’t know if this person following me is dangerous. I can’t let anyone get hurt.

  As I'm in the middle of texting back Toby, my phone signals I have a caller. I look at the name and brace myself.

  “WHY THE FUCK WERE THE POLICE AT YOUR HOUSE!?” comes the pissed off voice of Cleo.

  “Cleo, stop shouting, you’re going to make me deaf.” I tell her, holding the phone away from my ear.

  “Why... were... police... at your house?” I sigh before telling her everything.

  “WHAT! WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME!?” she screams again.

  “Cleo, calm down, it only started yesterday and I only realised they were meant for me a few hours ago. The police are handling it now, I just want to forget it.” I tell her. She sighs before apologizing. We talk for another few minutes before we hang up, I promise to call her tomorrow.

  The next morning, I am in bed thinking about who could be following me, when Mum calls me down for breakfast,
I slip on my slippers and turn towards the door. Something catches my eye though and I turn back. I feel my blood run cold. There, sitting on my windowsill, is another box.

  “MUM!” I scream, “MUM, COME QUICK!” I hear her bounding up the steps before she appears in my doorway, gasping for breath.

  “What? What is it?” she asks trying to catch her breath. I step out the way and her eyes widen as she sees it.

  “How?” she gasps, “Everything is locked.” I wonder the same thing myself. We have alarms on the windows and doors. We would know if someone came in last night. Did he come in? Was he in my room? Watching me?

  I suddenly feel faint and sit back down on the bed. Mum mumbles something before she runs out the door. I hear her on the phone a few minutes later, talking to the policeman that was here yesterday. He tells us not to touch anything and to wait for him to get here.

  He arrives shortly with two other policemen, as well as a guy in a white coat. He starts dusting the place.

  Before the letter is removed, I tell them I want to read it. I have to know what he said.

  You shouldn’t have called the police, now I'm mad.

  Whatever happens now is your fault.

  They can’t protect you.

  YOU ARE MINE!

  I will see you soon, Tayla.

  I drop the letter like it’s on fire, tears fall freely across my face. He’s coming for me.

  CHAPTER 24

  “Mum, I'm scared.” I am sitting on the sofa with Mum next to me. The letter saying he is coming for me was left two days ago and I am constantly on alert. I jump at every sudden noise thinking it’s him.