" So you rejected Davis?"

I watched as my mother mentally crossed out another name from her prospective son-in-laws list. She sighed as she sipped her lemon water. She's been trying harder than usual to lose weight. Something about gaining her youth and rekindling the flame between her and Dad. I couldn't wrap my head around all this goofy love stuff anyway so I always choose to remain as a silent observer.

" I'm not ready for marriage. Plus I feel like he's going too fast , don't you think?" I was trying to calm her down so that I didn't have to answer any more questions. " We've only been together for a few months-"

" Two years and three months , Belle. Two years and three months. " She spoke with a stern face.

" You've been keeping tabs , huh? " I rolled my eyes as I scrambled my brains in search for a reason why I'd failed to last in a relationship. " Listen...mum...I just..."

" Just?" She groaned and threw her arms around me from the back. " Belle , I don't want to pry into your life or anything , but I just hope you'll find a guy...no...the right guy and settle down one day. "

" Yes mother dearest. " I kisses her hand and took a deep breath.

There was nothing particularly wrong with Davis. Infact , he was an amazing guy. He was handsome too. I gazed at the diamond ring on my finger . It was beautiful and I didn't deserve to be wearing it.

I had just left Davis on one knee at my favorite restaurant. He'd planned a surprise engagement. All of our friends were there , most of his family too. I just stood there like a snowman and watched him put a ring on my finger. He had a wide smile on his face while I looked like I'd just seen a ghost. I didn't realise when I'd left the restaurant at all. My mind was blank and I felt like I was in a dream.

" Belle ! Belle wait! " I could hear him running after me.

I didn't stop. I couldn't. I didn't have the answers to any of his questions. Why was I leaving like that? What did he do wrong? Why didn't I say anything?

" Taxi! " I quickly called for a cab and came straight home.

" Just a simple reminder , you're not getting any younger , Belle. " My mother's voice broke through my chain of thoughts.

" You never let me forget , do you?"

I gave a dry smile. I was feeling awful and u couldn't hide it.

" It's okay. Cheer up , " She patted my shoulder , " Maybe the next guy will be better."

" Amen!" I laughed as I stood to go to my room.

Sometimes I just wanted to disappear or turn into a butterfly or something. Looking in the mirror , I see the same average looking nobody that was often sidelined in high school. I was practically the invisible blonde girl with braces. Well , atleast the braces were gone now.

" I'll just sleep it off. " I flung my heels across the room and landed on my bed. It wasn't long before I drifted off.

" Belle...Belle..." I was hearing voices again. I turned In my sleep and heard it again.

" Belle..."

I sprung from my bed and looked around my room on panic mode. I was sweating and hyperventilating all at once. It was dark outside.

It was 3 am. My heart sank even deeper. Since young , kids used to say it was the hour of the dead.

" Stop acting so childish!" I pinched myself. " It's all in your head. "

I sipped my coffee as I worked on the kitchen island. I was a seasoned insomniac so staying up was no big deal. I scrolled threw my latest story.

" Fraud in the parliament . "

I'd always wanted to be a part of the world of journalism and luckily I did. I work with the Newland news channel. I had tonnes of work load but I didn't mind.

" Mayor Flynn Baldster..." I squinted to read of my laptop.' I forgot my glasses up stairs. Typical of me..."

I dragged myself to the staircase but stopped in my tracks. The lights were off and that explained the numerous shadows in the room. And yet there was this one shadow at the top of the stairs that was different. My heart was already pounding in my chest but I was adamant on believing I was just seeing things.

" It's in your head. It's all in your head. " I placed my foot on the first stair and almost tripped. My legs were trembling immensely.

I took the next step with a fixed gaze on the dark silhouette a head of me. I took the next step and noticed that it was also getting closer. I froze in place. I could almost see my heart beat from my t-shirt.

I held my chest and closed my eyes. I prayed silently and opened my eyes again. It wasn't there anymore.

" It was all in my head. Ha!" I was laughing all on my own. I probably looked like a psychopath. I wiped the sweat from my forehead and laughed at my foolishness. It was probably my anxiety pills that were getting to me.

I took another step but stopped again when I felt a chill down my spine.

" Belle..."

My soul left my body immediately. It was that same voice. The voice I'd been hearing since I was eight , but this time it was closer than ever before. I could feel a presence standing right behind me.

" Belle. "

I didn't let myself register what was going on. I sprinted up the stairs and made for my room. I shut the door and grabbed the nearest defense I could get which unfortunately, was my bedside lamp.

I held it like a sword and was ready to attack the moment that door opened.

I could hear footsteps coming to my room and I felt the air leave my lungs. I could see a shadow beneath my door. My chest was swollen with fear and tears were pouring down my face.

" Belle. "

The sound again...from within my room.