Sera
Kaden left and I slept for a few hours. Now, I'm awake and restless so I go for a walk around the neighborhood. It might seem foolhardy to some, but growing up in foster care has made me very protective of my space and autonomy. I am scared, but I will not let some punk scare me off what is essentially, my first home. It may be rented, but it's mine.
Is Kaden yours too?
Sighing, I think about the man in my life. He's honestly the most confusing person I have ever met. He can be so intense sometimes yet disappear for a week. I'm not sure what else is going on in his life, but I think it's time we have the talk about whatever this relationship is. Making a mental note to just talk (nothing else!) the next time I see him; I decide to call Mila. I've not heard from my friend in over a week, and she must have gotten up to some mischief without me. I'm searching my pockets for my phone when I notice a man walking a few meters behind me. He doesn't seem to be paying attention to me, but I have to repress a sense of foreboding.
Trying to shake off my fear (he's probably just an innocent guy going to get groceries, Sera), I finally locate my phone (I have so much junk in my pockets) and call my friend.
"Hi babe!"
"Mila! It's been a while. How have you been?"
"Me? I've been fine! Super busy but you know how it is." A small giggle makes me instantly suspicious. "Mila, girl, what have you done?"
Laughing out loud now, she says "Don't worry Sera. I have a surprise for you., It'll get to you in two weeks." Eyebrows raised, I start peppering her with questions about the gift but she isn't budging. I'm in the process of trying to bribe her when I notice movement from my periphery. The man behind me is now walking closer to me. Wearing a pair of jeans, and a hooded jacket, it's impossible to see his face.
"Mila, I need to go, okay? I'll call you in a bit."
"Sera, what's wrong? You sound frightened."
Laughing nervously, I answer quietly, "I'm not sure but I think the man behind me is following me."
Mila's shriek doesn't help my nerves. "Babe, you need to get out of there. No, wait, if you run, he'll know you've clocked him, and he'll chase you. Call the police, or someone. Oh God, I'm too far away to do anything…"
This is why we are friends obviously, both anxiety prone and nervous as hell.
"Mila, I'll call Kaden and call you back when I'm safe."
Her incredulous "Why would you call Kaden? Is he…" is cut off when I disconnect the call. Keeping the phone to my ear as I press 1 for speed dial, I'm gratified when the phone gets picked almost immediately.
"Kade…"
"Hello, Sera..."
Confused, I look at my phone and see Detective Mitchell on the line. I must have called him by mistake!
"Oh, Detective Mitchell, there's someone following me…"
A calm "Where are you?" steadies me a bit until I peek back and notice the man is so much closer than before. I speed up while I look around erratically. I honestly am not sure, there's an abandoned block of flats to my right and a small park to my left."
"Oh good, I know where you are. You're not too far from your apartment. Turn on your location so I can track you, then I want you to run. Just run without warning straight through the park. I'm coming towards you now. Don't worry, I'll stay on the line. Are you ready to run?"
Nervously I utter a soft Yes. The man seems to know something's up because he quickens his steps towards me.
"Now, Sera!"
I take off full tilt towards the park. Footsteps thunder behind me and through the phone. The detective must be running towards me also. My heart is thundering in my throat, dammit, you need to exercise Sera. This is how people die. The slow ones are killed off first; and I can feel my breath wheezing through my lungs. The last time I ran was in high school, from some bullies. With the detective's calm voice in my ear (he isn't sounding close to a heart attack at all), I pelt through the park, and I am almost through when a hand snags my sweater and jerks me back.
Screaming like a banshee, I am spun to come face to face with the man.
"You need to stay away him if you know what's good for you, girly." Foul breath wafts over my face and I unintentionally gag.
A glance behind me, then I'm shoved hard away from him, as he takes off running in the opposite direction.
"Sera! Sera!"
Dazed and on the ground, I am trying to sit up when the detective runs to me and slides down to the ground.
"Hey, Sera, are you hurt?"
Wincing, I brush off some gravel that's stuck to my thin leggings and wince when it hurts a bit.
"No, not really. I'm just shaken."
"You're bleeding. Here, I'll help you walk to your apartment. I must ask you some questions about this encounter, though. Please describe anything you can remember about the perp."
Shakily, I recount everything I can remember about the guy.
We get to my flat and he helps me inside, to the couch. My knees are really throbbing now, and my right palm is also bruised.
"Do you have a first aid box?"
"I…Yes, I do, but you don't have to bother. I can clean up my…"
"Hey, hey," bending a bit to see my face. "It's okay. Go and change and wash off your knees and hands. I'll wait here."
When I come out, he has my first aid box open.
"I'm really sorry for the bother, Detective Mitchell."
Kind blue eyes smile at me, as he shakes his head.
"Call me Mitch. And it's fine, you're no bother. I was in the neighborhood to see the guys at the precinct." He gently dabs my scraped knee with methylated spirit, blows on it gently, and adds antiseptic cream before putting a band-aid carefully on it. The whole process feels a little intimate and I'm not very sure what to do with myself.
Stretching out his hand so I can place mine in it, he starts cleaning out the small pieces of gravel stuck in the abrasions. Wholly focused on his work, I take a minute to admire long, pale lashes, almost missing his words.
"I came to follow up on the vandalism issue, since this isn't technically my precinct." He gently raps my hands in bandages after following the same process, then looks up and says earnestly,
"April, I think there's someone after you, first the vandalism, then this stalking attempt. If you add it to Kaden's own issues, I think you might need to move somewhere safer in the meantime. Do you have somewhere you can go?"
"What do you mean Kaden's issues?"
Nonplussed, Mitch looks at me and says, "You know?"
My blank face must show him that I infact, do not know anything, because he starts to backtrack quickly.
"I mean, since he said you're friends, I thought he would have told you. He probably didn't want to worry you unnecessarily…"
He said we're friends. Sera, this was all in your mind. You knew you weren't the type of girl someone like Kaden would date.
'April, did I say something wrong?"
"Oh, no," I hasten to assure him. "Thank you for taking care of me. I really appreciate it. Can I make you anything?"
"No, I'm good, and you should rest those hands. Let me make you a cup of tea, okay?"
A few minutes later, my tea is ready and Mitch has hunted down some cookies for me.
I escort him outside and impulsively give him a hug.
"Thank you so much, Mitch. I am grateful. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't close by."
Pulling back a bit, he looks at me and I'm struck again by how goodlooking and kind he is.
"I know you don't want to leave your home but please be careful. If you need anything, call me, or Kaden."
Nodding, I wave him off then go in and lock the door. It's barely evening but I am exhausted. I drink my teas, eat my cookies, and crawl into bed. My last thought before my eyes close is if Kaden truly, only sees me as a friend.
Kaden
I asked Thomas to drive off, much to his confusion but I was not feeling too stable. Now, I am sitting down with Dr. Mekonu, my African American therapist. Her office is the same as always, mildly scented, with cool, calm décor tones throughout. Just sitting there for a few minutes soothes me. She's been helping me manage my symptoms since I was sixteen, so she knows the drill: allow me sit with her and wait for the inevitable outburst. When it comes, it pours out like a word-avalanche. Dr. Mekonu sits still throughout, makes the occasional note in her book, and allows me to talk. When my words taper off, I'm pacing her carpeted floors, and I can feel myself getting upset again.
"Okay, Kaden, you've done good. Did you use our techniques for when you get upset?"
"Yes, I did. I even went for an hour-long pottery session, and I felt better. Talking about it now is making me upset."
"OK, Kaden. It seems you are more upset by..." a quick glance at her notes "…Sera hugging your friend."
"He is more of a colleague, not my friend."
"OK, but did you find out why Sera was hugging him? You said there's someone stalking you, maybe something else happened?"
Suddenly, I'm panicking for a totally other reason. Dr. Mekonu is right. I acted too hastily, without considering all the options." My thoughts are interrupted by her question on whether I've booked an appointment for my Risperidone. It totally skipped my mind, but I assured her I'll book it soon. Suddenly, I am in a hurry to leave. I check the time; my hour is up so I stand up but Dr. Mekonu's voice stops me at the door.
"How are the nightmares, Kaden?"
I know I should tell her I get them every day now, but that will lead to a longer talk. As her long-time patient, she's almost more of a grandmother to me sometimes, and she won't mind giving me an extra half-hour if she doesn't have a patient.
I need to see my girl though, so I must leave.
"No nightmares anymore. I'm good, doc!"
With a wave, and a reminder to book my appointment, I'm allowed to go. Finally.