I am Here.

The credits rolled at the end of the movie. Yawning, I went to the bathroom to take a shower. Right as I was about to get in there was a soft tap against my window. Stopping dead in my tracks, I looked outside and saw nothing. Shrugging, thinking it was just my imagination I hopped into the shower. Hot water washed over me as it washed my day away. Humming, I turned off the water. As I was drying off, my phone went off. There was a notification from my dating app. It said "I am here." My heart stopped as I realized that I did not have a dated tonight. Also there was not picture. My mind did not have much time to process.

A loud crash echoed throughout my apartment as the glass clattered against the black marble floor. My heart was pounding out of my ample chest as I reached for my black silk robe. Shakily my hands struggled to tie the slick ribbon around my small waist. My bat sat at the right side of my bed. Shivering in fear, I grabbed it with my sweaty palms. Quietly my dainty hands reached for the black marble doorknob. A pregnant pause elapsed as I thought if I should open the door or not. An earth-shattering bang shook against my door. My lungs struggled for air as I looked for a place to hide. Over in the eastern corner, my black wardrobe warmly called for me. Not thinking, I hid in the back of my wardrobe, and tried to slow my breathing as for the intruder not to hear. Light flooded my room as my door flew open. It got even brighter as my lamp was turned on.

"Come on out, Lucy!" A cold familiar voice called out. "You really thought you could escape me and that I would never find your stupid ass." My brown eyes flickered in fear as I realized who it was. It was Michael, my ex-boyfriend whom I had only dated for two short weeks. Drawers thudded against the floor as he howled in frustration. A sharp pop shot inches from my face as I shouted out in panic. The room went dead as he manically laughed. My heart stopped beating as my body stood paralyzed with pure terror. His heavy boots walked across the room to the wardrobe. My arms tremored as I raised my metal bat to whack him on the head. The doors flew open as his gaunt face was lit up with a cruel smile. My metal bat swung through the air as it clanged against his head. He stumbled back as he fell back onto the door with a heavy thud. His eyes were closed as the blood started to pool out around his dark greasy hair. My feet ran toward the front door as I bolted out of the white door. The dirt cut into my heels as I ran down the street to my next door neighbor. She was a sweet old lady with whom I had breakfast with occasionally. My ears pricked up as I heard my front door slam against the brick walls of my house.

"Come back here, little rabbit." He teased angrily. "The fox always gets what he wants, and you are what I want." He giggled childishly as another pop shattered the still night around me. A sharp pain shot through my leg as my bone shattered. Hot salty tears fell from my eyes as I crumbled to the ground like a pile of discarded laundry.

"Help!" I screamed between sobs. "I need help!" He was nipping at my heels as all of the lights on the street flickered on. People's locks jingled as they all rushed to open their doors. By the time someone had a door open, he was standing over me. His green eyes wide with craziness as they glistened. His gun was aimed in between my two fear-filled eyes. The tears ran down my face as warm wet blood was soaking my black robe.

"Get ready to d-" He shouted with an evil grin as he pulled the trigger. My eyes shut waiting for the final moments of my life to be blown away when he crashed next to me. His green eyes faded as the life left him, leaving me a quivering sad pile of flesh.

"Lucy, are you okay?" A soft elderly voice inquired as they brushed my messy hair away from my eyes. "I called 911." She set down her Winchester rifle as I grabbed her hand. Her voice faded as blackness engulfed me.

Bright lights blinded me as my eyes fluttered open. I opened my mouth to speak, but a soft hand patted mine.

"I wouldn't try to speak, dear." Her familiar voice commented. "You had a tube down your throat during your surgery." I sat up and embraced her tightly as tears welled up in my eyes. She patted my back as I shook in her arms.

"Thank you." I squeaked out. She smiled as she pulled away from me and offered me a pink milkshake.

"It is strawberry cheesecake." She stated with a jolly grin. "It will help your throat." Gratefully I accepted her offer. The pink liquid cooled down the itching burning in my throat.

"I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for you." I whispered. "You are amazing." Chuckling to herself, she shook her head.

"I was just returning the favor." She explained with a shrug. "Besides who else would be my surrogate granddaughter. Now you must promise me that you will have dinner with me every Saturday. You can bring your famous desserts." Simply nodding, I relaxed against my pillow. The birds chirped cheerfully as I just sat there with a weak smile on my face, looking forward to the future.

A couple of weeks later, I sat at her table across from her in a red lacy dress. My cast was black, so I had to match. My long dark hair was in a braid. She was in a navy blue t-shirt and pair of jeans.

"Here is to many dinners in the future." She toasted with a joyful smile. Chuckling to myself, I raised my glass of red wine. We clanked glasses as the music played softly behind us.