After leaving the club and forgetting to inform Erin of her grand escape, Kelsey slipped on the big t-shirt finally relieved to be out of the revealing black dress. She felt safe within her little apartment not liking the ways Erin had fun. But she also was grateful her friend tried to involve her which made Kelsey feel loved.
As she tossed the garment to the ground in distaste since she didn't plan on wearing it again, she couldn't help but wonder how Erin was able to make her wear it out in public. Why hadn't she argued more?
After shaking her head, she walked over to the cabinet where her glasses were placing them on her face once again feeling some odd sort of security. Covering her face with these small frames made her feel more hidden which she enjoyed so no one could harm her.
Her golden locks were now placed in a high pony tail as she wore baggy sweats finally sitting down comfortably against the small couch in the living room. She relaxed in her seat taking a long deserved breath annoyed at the nights occurrences.
She finally picked up the book that had been occupying her mind since she had left it on the couch before she headed out to the club that evening. Holding it in her hand, her mind drifted to Stephen who somehow made her stomach clench since the whole situation was uncomfortable. How did the man know her?
Before she opened the book to the page she was originally on, she glanced up to the clock on the wall noticing it was nearly one in the morning causing her to sigh in frustration. She then closed the book laying it next to her on the couch picking up her cell phone cursing at herself for forgetting to call out of work that next morning.
Not only did she have an early shift tomorrow for work, but she felt like she might be overly exhausted looking at a computer screen all day which is why going to the club was a bad idea from the start!
Being a computer engineer seemed like an interesting career choice for someone like Kelsey, but anyone who actually spoke to the girl could feel the intelligence radiating off her including her own boss.
Even though it was one in the morning, Kevin was a friend who never seemed annoyed to speak to Kelsey at work since he approached her often about customers he had dealt with for the day. Although he was her manager, she could feel his intentions of being more friendly which made her think he'd be okay if her phone called him.
Quickly she dialed a number placing it near her ear hearing a couple rings before a groggy voice answered seemingly concerned.
"Hello? Kelsey? Is everything okay?" Kevin's overly sweet voice made Kelsey almost forget about the days instances, but she knew the call needed to be short.
In fact, she nearly giggled knowing he was already worried.
"No no! I'm totally fine…" she started before biting her lip knowing she didn't need to explain anything more. "But I'm afraid I'm going to need to call out for tomorrow."
She bit her lip again nervous at the reaction Kevin might give. It may be unprofessional to have called him at this time of day but she also had never missed a day of work and thought she might need a day to recoup.
"Are you sick?" Kevin asked quickly seeming more awake now. "I can come over if you need help." He offered making her almost snort. It was cute how he was worried over her.
Relief washed throughout Kelsey's mind remembering how understanding her manager could be, but she also felt some guilt not trying to ruin his sleep for his early morning.
"I just don't think I'll be able to function much!" She replied honestly. "I feel bad for the late notice, but I haven't taken a sick day in over a year… so I'm hoping you'll be alright with it."
Kevin laughed instantly before replying, "If anyone deserves a break, it's definitely you. All the hard work you do for us is insane."
A short awkward pause began almost making Kelsey wish him a good night before he spoke once more.
"You know, I've actually been curious to see if you'd like to go to lunch."
Kelsey stopped for a moment feeling stunned. Was this guys asking her out at this moment?
"Like a date?" Kelsey asked innocently holding back a laugh at her managers attempt of dating.
"Well, I just would like to take you. I realize this is probably not the best time to ask, but I have to do it at some point. I haven't been very courageous at work." He said hesitantly making Kelsey widen her eyes in surprise.
"Couldn't you get into trouble asking me out?" Kelsey asked trying to avoid giving him an answer although she could feel him desperately want one.
"I just have to speak to HR. It won't affect your job if that's what you're worried about."
But before Kelsey could reply, a loud banging sound erupted at the front door making her jump dropping her phone. Her eyes went to the door seeing it shake vigorously almost like it was able to be torn off the hinges.
"Kelsey?" Kevin's voice came soon waking Kelsey up from being frozen.
She looked toward the ground grabbing the phone with her voice shaking not feeling the security she often felt.
"Kevin, I think someone's trying to break in…" she whispered looking around the room seeing if she could grab something to defend herself.
But she couldn't focus very well on the conversation as the banging became more rapid making her look around trying to form a plan of action. Her heart was racing and could probably beat out of her chest any moment.
"Lock yourself somewhere safe! I'll call for help!" Kevin said immediately, but his words were in deaf ears since Kelsey was no longer listening.
Kelsey hung up not needing to be distracted by more questions trying to figure out what to do in this terrifying situation. The door continued to be hit as angry voices from behind could be heard, but all the words were either a different language, or not audible.
Kelsey dropped the book as she left the couch rushing to the kitchen to grab a knife knowing she would need some something to defend herself with if the attacker did bring her door down.
She then looked up second she could hide in her bedroom perhaps in the closet making it more difficult for the intruder to enter. This could possibly give the cops more time to arrive since she knew Kevin would have already reached them at this point.
Kelsey sprinted to her room locking the door shut as she dragged her dresser over as a barrier. She then rushed to her closet closing the door frame facing her bedroom door. Seconds more of the hysterical banging continued before a final blow came making her realize the front door had finally allowed the stranger to enter.
Footsteps slowly walked along her apartment as she tried to control her breathing from within the closet finally hearing them come closer to her door.
She felt terrified as her heart raced with fear. The knife she held in her hand was being held tightly raised as though she was ready to strike.
Just as the stranger began to enter her bedroom, Kelsey slowly backed up to the end of her closet saying a prayer as she closed her eyes.
After two steps and not feeling her back hit the backboard, but rather something strangely itchy, she turned seeing tree branches sticking out in some of her clothes.
"What the-" she began to say as she heard another loud thud making her continue to follow the branches through her clothes needing to retreat.