The night felt still. Silence filled the air except for muffled footsteps on my ceiling from the tenants who lived above me in my luxurious apartment complex. I climbed into my warm queen size bed, it had purple and white silk sheets and a matching bed set. I laid my head down on a fluffy white pillow and drifted into a deep sleep. I was unaware of the dangers that were lurking in my apartment hallway. The second level. An intruder had entered the premises somehow without setting off any alarms. An uninvited guest looking for belongings to steal, or young victims to stalk. His intentions were unclear as his movement was sloppy and he didn't come prepared. He didn't have a weapon in his hand, or a black bag thrown over his shoulder. It seemed random. Or in his case familiar. He wasn't looking for just anyone or anything, but he had someone in mind. Someone, whom he knew relatively well and shared an interaction with at one point. He knew the code to enter her suite, 204. He knew precisely where her bedroom was. He knew she had a small black fluffy dog whom she called Lucy, that would instantly approach this estrange man suddenly in her home and begin barking frequently. Resulting in her waking up in a state of panic. But he knew the exact kitchen cupboard where she kept the dog treats hidden. As soon as he gave Lucy a small white bone from the kitchen cupboard, Lucy hushed up and disappeared out of sight. He had full access to her home, but he had no use for her wallet or her electronics or even sets of valuable jewelry that she owned. He only wanted her, just her. But there was a problem. She was already married. He saw endless picture frames sitting on mantles and end side tables of the newly happy wed couple. He did a full tour of the suite using his phone as a flashlight as he passed by every photograph. He wanted to eliminate her husband. Take him out of the picture entirely but she cared for him deeply. Her one true love Alex. who she had loved for ages. The intruder walked into the door frame of her bedroom, she was fast asleep dressed in a sky-blue loose tank top and black sweatpants. He saw a calendar hung on the wall. He studied it for a while. "Alex's flight home, October 17th." Circled in red ink stood out to him. She was alone, isolated. No man to protect her, no man to touch her soft lust skin, she was vulnerable and such a petite girl at that. Her shoulder length messy blonde hair was tangled on the pillowcase of where she rested her head. He looked down at her fingers and saw her wedding ring placed gently along her fourth finger. The intruder didn't know what to do with her, but now he had her, all alone just like he wanted. He saw her diary perched gently on the modern bedside table beside her bed. He saw a bookmark and opened her last entry and began reading to himself, inside his mind. He was filled with rage and bits of curiosity as she confessed, she might be pregnant as she missed her scheduled period date, and she was beginning to feel symptoms. She was going to take a test and if it was positive, she would share the overwhelming exciting news with her husband Alex "It's far too soon after the wedding, am I even prepared? Will I ever be? I'll write in here again once I know for certain, Xoxo Kacey." She signed her name in cursive and ended it with a heart at the end of her name. The intruder scrolled through the pages of her diary. The intruder's hands began to shake. A baby? I can't give you a baby! this is all wrong! The intruder thought to himself. He placed the diary back down and stared at her tiny body frame. He wanted to climb on top of her, kiss her in every way. Touch her, feel her, thrust inside of her even if it was against her own will. Then kill her, leaving her breathless. He climbed on top of her body and tried to pull her pants down, she awoke and began crying. His large fingers pulled down her pants so hard he scratched her. "STOP!" She screamed. He paused as he realized his DNA was now on her body, he was angry at her as she kept making this difficult. He covered her mouth with his right hand and grabbed her neck with his other hand and pushed down, she grabbed his arms in an attempt to push him off her. But it was no use, he was far more stronger and bigger built than she was. She smelt cigarettes on his breath as her attacker leaned in to kiss her, but she dodged him. She moaned and squealed as she feared for her death. She predicted it would happen in a matter of seconds as he was blocking her airway. But to her surprise he released his hold and climbed off her and escaped the room as if suddenly he just changed his mind and decided he didn't want to kill her. She was unable to identify him as it was pitch dark and her attack happened in the middle of the night. She only assumed it had to be a male by the large built. She rubbed her eyes and reached for her mobile phone plugged into a wall outlet close by. She dialed her husband's phone number in a state of panic but unfortunately, he wasn't awake at that hour. She walked into the living room and found Lucy chewing on a white bone, it was from her treat bag. But Lucy can't reach that high, she's far too small. She stood there questioning the events that had just taken place in her home. She walked to the front door. It was unlocked. Her attacker knew the passcode. He's been here before She knew for certain. She felt as though she was unable to sleep, she took a warm shower, and it was there she noticed the scratched, but she made the fatal mistake of washing away all his DNA. She realized her mistake and became deeply depressed and crawled back into bed, becoming restless. 

Two Weeks Later

Her husband Alex was still away; he was a pilot. Traveling through Paris France the most romantic city in the world. Somewhere she longed to be after the break in. She no longer felt safe living alone, she was always independent but since the break in she found herself walking on eggshells always checking behind doors, consistently looking outside her windows. She had no idea who her attacker was and quite frankly he could be anywhere. All she remembered was fighting for her life and feeling his large body on hers. She wanted to be prepared in case it were to happen again. She found herself always fearful of going to bed. He broke in when I was sleeping. Perhaps if I hear him, I can wake up. She thought to herself. She drove to a music store and found herself asking for a rather strange request from the store owner. Sets of Bells that can be dangled by rope or string. The store owner kindly showed her the selection of bells and what each one sounded like. She smiled as she imagined tying these bells to doorknobs around her apartment. Having a secret hidden weapon that would give her the advantage of her attacker. Patience and silence. Something he wouldn't expect. She returned to work, a lawyer working abnormally long endless hours at the office. She carried on with her daily routines. She tried to move on from that traumatic experience the best she could. Then one Saturday she invited her best friend Grace over for a glass of wine. Grace had a rich dark chocolate complexion about herself. She was an African American with red velvet box braids in her hair. Her body type was thick. Grace wanted to be a fashion designer and Kacey admired her for always keeping tabs on the newest fashion trends. Grace was rather peculiar about the bells which she had seen draped over every doorknob in Kacey's apartment. Grace asked Kacey about the bells in her apartment, which Kacey followed back with a story of her traumatic break in. Grace adored her creativity and strength and they both celebrated with a bottle of wine and agreed that Grace should spend the night. Grace knew about Kacey's pregnancy scare "You shouldn't be drinking if you're pregnant." Grace spoke softly to Kacey. Kacey gently placed her wine glass down. She cleared her throat "It was only a scare. I'm not pregnant just hungry." She gave a giggle. The girls found themselves ordering pizza and watching a romantic comedy. Grace was relieved to hear that Kacey wasn't pregnant. She was rather delighted in fact. While Kacey was admiring the romantic scenes throughout the movie and thought about Alex, Grace was fantasizing about something more intimate. Although she was best friends with Kacey, she kept a forbidden hidden secret from her. Grace always found herself captivated by other females around her. She was a lesbian and found herself falling for Kacey, but she knew Kacey shared a romantic interest with Alex, Grace told herself she had to keep it a secret. However, there were opportunities that presented themselves to her more often than once. When Kacey asked to borrow Grace's lip gloss and rather than just handing her over the glossy tube, she imagined picking her up and placing her on the sink counter in the bathroom and grabbing her and kissing her as hard as she could. Or another moment when Kacey couldn't get the zipper to go down on her dress she asked for Grace's assistance and as Grace unzipped her black cocktail dress from behind, Kacey's back was completely exposed. Grace mistook this for flirting and believed a spark was there but then it got replaced with feelings of rejection and confusion when Kacey brought up stories of her and Alex. She loved Kacey and just wanted to be with her, even though Kacey was happy with Alex. Grace didn't care for him. In fact, she wanted him dead. She wanted him out of the picture. She loved Kacey and had loved her for many years. I love you. I know you feel it too. She often thought to herself. Grace stood out on the terrace of the apartment and lit a cigarette. She blew large puffs of smoke into the air with such frustration. Kacey came out and placed herself on a patio chair and casually sipped on her wine glass. "Smoking is a nasty habit, Grace." She tried to scold her, but Grace just shrugged, "Sometimes you just need a cigarette break to clear your mind." Kacey nodded and stared at the full moon way off into the distance.

As the days progressed Kacey began to feel safe again. One day she returned home from work and saw a professional cleaner vacuuming the carpet in the lounge area of her apartment complex. He was a rather large and tall individual, but she didn't feel afraid of him. His character was approachable, and he appeared friendly. She studied his name tag as she walked in holding an ice-cold latte. "Anthony". They shared a glance across the room, and they exchanged in short conversation. He admired her elegant diamond necklace that flowed down her neck and ended at her breasts, she touched the bottom of her necklace. "Thank you, my loving husband gave it to me." Anthony gave her a smile "It's very beautiful, he must make a lot of money." She nodded "Yes but money isn't everything." He informed her the maintenance crew was switching the locks as it appeared some residents were having trouble entering their suites. He reassured her he would stop by later that night and get her to enter her passcode and secure a new lock in its place with better protection. She loved that idea and gave him a wave goodbye before walking towards the elevator and pressed on the button to go up. She turned back at him, and he pulled out a cigarette pack from his sweater pocket, he reached for the front doors of the building "I'm going out for my smoke break, have a good day." The elevator door swung open, and she stepped inside. She pressed on floor two and rode the elevator to her floor. The doors opened again, and she walked out and walked down the hallway until she found her room number. She closed her front door behind her. The bells jingled as she walked in and closed the door shut. She made her way to the kitchen and threw her coffee in the garbage. She had finished it but still she felt thirsty. Her throat felt dry, perhaps a sudden cold was approaching. She thought. Kacey began to prepare herself a hot urban tea. She stood by the tea kennel waiting for it to boil. When the kennel had reached the maximum temperature, she poured her tea into a mug and placed herself on her living room sofa. She slowly sipped on her hot tea and glared outside of her living room window, watching the sun's natural light gleam against the glass. She felt safe, calm and relaxed. She took a deep breath and reached for the remote-control inches away from her and turned on her wall mounted flat screen TV. She turned on the cooking channel and she felt her mouth become watery as she saw images of divine food present themselves before her. She heard some bells move and she jumped instantly, bringing her attention towards the interrupted sound that caught her off guard but to her surprise it was only Lucy who only viewed the bells as something exciting. Lucy would jump on her back legs filled with excitement and allow her wet nose to touch the tip of the bells, her tail would wag back and forth as she thought it was playful and mistook it as a game. She was only a dog after all, she didn't truly understand the symbolic meaning behind the bells. She never viewed it as a way to feel safe, but rather just a tiny bell that would make a chime and echo if you were to touch it. Kacey brought her attention back to the television and continued watching the food network.

November 17th, The Day Alex returns home.

Kacey was always interested in cooking, she loved showing off new recipes to her friends and family, preferably online she found it would pass the time as she anxiously waited for Alex's arrival. She knew it would only be a couple hours until she saw his face and she wanted to surprise him with a brand-new recipe for him to try. She had fun with her creativity and love for food. She would explain how her taste buds felt after she tasted each dish she made. She would sprinkle natural herbs and spices and explain step by step making it simplified for her viewers to follow along with. She would receive comments from others encouraging her to push herself further and even switching careers to practice culinary arts instead of law, but she always shook her head no and insisted she didn't want to turn her loving hobby into a nine to five job with high demands from a head chef and a small kitchen with sweaty cooks surrounding her. She loved working for herself, she felt in control, and it helped keep her busy, entertained and her hands were always busy. Rubbing dough to make a perfect warm crusted vegetarian pizza or chopping fresh vegetables picked from the greenhouse where she planted seeds regularly. The whole building shared it, it was a huge building covered in glass windows. She found inspiration from there often as she walked past each pot and found daisies, rose pedals and orchids. The colors and creams inspired her to make rich creamy moist desserts such as fresh Crème Brûlée with fresh berries to compliment the extraordinary dish. She pointed her laptop webcam directly at her plates and asked her viewers what they thought of her dish and recommendations of what she should create next. She did this often but that day was like no other. She had her cellphone laying on her kitchen counter as she washed her hands with warm soapy water and rolled her sleeves up preparing herself for her next dish, then she turned her kitchen stove on but then she heard a text notification go off a short distance away. Filled with curiosity she found a rather unusual text. "Let's Play A Game!" She froze as the text seemed intimidating and threatening but she couldn't predict if it was a random prank or something more serious. She chose to ignore it and returned to her viewers. Then another loud ding from her phone, another text notification went off "Read This Out Loud, I will be watching!" Kacey froze anxiously waiting for another response from this unknown stranger. "Strip for 30 Seconds or be killed Live on Webcam, Read to your viewers out loud and then make a choice!" She laughed as she reassured herself it had to be a prank from one of her viewers who only wanted to see her bare skin for his own personal pleasure and sexual arousal. She laughed at her camera and spoke about the text to her viewers. "Very Funny guys! But this is only a cooking channel, let's keep this appropriate." She continued cooking but as much as she tried to ignore her cellphone the ongoing notifications kept annoying her. "WRONG ANSWER, YOU DIDN'T DECIDE. THE CHOICE IS NOW MINE. IF YOU CALL THE POLICE, YOU WILL DIE, IF YOU LEAVE YOUR APARTMENT, I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN, IF YOU STRUGGLE IT WILL ONLY BE MORE PAINFUL AND DIFFICULT FOR YOURSELF. I SUGGEST YOU SUBMIT AND EXPECT NOTHING BUT DEATH FOR YOURSELF. YOU WILL BE KILLED ANYTIME TODAY. SEE YOU SOON." She ignored it and kept cooking, but her demeanor suddenly changed, and she seemed more anxious than her usual self. The anonymous texter responded with her exact address and room number. She reached for her phone and tried to call Alex, she even texted Alex explaining the whole situation but as she checked her phone moments later her text still said "delivered" but not opened. She hesitated about what to do. Should I call the police? She thought to herself it seemed like the most reasonable thing to do at the time. She asked her viewers moments later, but she froze as another text revealed itself to her "Call the police and you will be killed faster! I'll do it quick you won't feel a thing I should have killed you when I broke in but lucky for you, I changed my mind that night. I won't this time, I know for certain." She screamed as she studied the words, she read off the small cellphone screen "My attacker! He's back!" She took a step back, her phone kept going off with new texts, new notifications even comments from her Facebook Live stream "Kacey, are you okay?" "What's happening?" She felt speechless as her anxiety resurfaced and she became desperate for answers and ways to protect herself. She walked over to the front door and windows and locked it shut. But then she remembered her attacker knew her passcode. She tied the bells tighter to the doorknobs and placed a large steak knife beside herself out of the camera's view and placed a dish towel on top of it hoping her attacker wouldn't see it. She remembered his body, it felt much larger than hers, she knew if she stabbed him just right, he'd be bleeding out for hours before his final breath. It wasn't just about survival at this point but gaining control. Gaining control over him, the situation and her own rapid inner voice screaming inside her head. She was terrified of what was about to come. She took a deep breath as she saw another text message notification light up her phone. She prepared herself mentally to what she was about to read but surprisingly it was Grace's number instead. "I saw your live video! I'm coming over! Where's Alex? Isn't he supposed to be home by now?" Kacey felt relieved to know that Grace would be coming to her aid. Her attacker would be outnumbered. Another surprise that would catch him off guard. She quickly answered Grace "I'll Buzz you in once you're here. Come Quick!" Kacey's phone became silent, no new notifications no new comments on her live video. It seemed suspicious and she became tense. It felt as though she was a main character in a horror film and at any moment, she would experience a sudden jump scare. Her heart was pounding, her hands became sweaty. Adrenaline pumped through her body. The unpredictability made her vulnerable. Then she heard a buzz. She knew instantly it was Grace. She buzzed her in. Within minutes Grace walked into her apartment. Kacey Screamed! Grace reassured her "I'm sorry it's just me. Are you okay?" Kacey began crying "No I'm not okay! I don't know what to do!" Grace Hugged her "It's okay let's talk this over." Kacey began pacing the floor, completely oblivious that she was still on live camera. Grace paused for a moment "Your stove! it's been on this whole time!" Kacey began sobbing "I'm such a mess! What's wrong with me? Here I'll go turn it off!" Grace grabbed her hand. "Don't! Trust me." Suddenly they heard Lucy anxiously barking, the girls saw the bells on the front door begin to move. Kacey stood there frozen, unable to move. Anxious to know who was behind the door. Grace grabbed a pan and held it tight in her hand ready to swing for a possible intruder. The intruder opened the door wide, and he was dressed in all black and a ski mask. He was wearing black gloves with a hammer grasp tightly in his hand. Kacey looked at Grace "I can't breathe." Grace reassured her "Yes you can!" The intruder walked towards them "I came here to kill one of you, but I guess lucky me it's a two for one deal. It's such a shame because I always liked you, Grace." The girls realized he was using a microphone and voice enhancer to keep his voice a mystery. There must be a small mic hidden within his ski mask the girls thought to themselves. Grace paused. "You know my name too?" He walked closer to her "Yes Grace, I know just about everything about you." Grace screamed and flung the pan at him, but he dodged it and threw the hammer at her. She ducked as well and the hammer flew across the room and punctured the wall, creating a hole in the wall. Lucy barked and whimpered. The intruder grabbed Grace by the neck and slammed her against the fridge and began choking her. Kacey saw a glass vase and struck it on his head. He let go of Grace and fell as a response. He used the counter to pull himself back up, he placed his right hand on the stove to keep his balance, but he screamed in agony from the heat of the hot surface. It was burning off the fabric of his glove and eating the flesh of his skin. He pulled away from the hot surface and examined his hand. His hand was bleeding, he became enraged from seeing his own blood. He screamed and grabbed Kacey by her hair and yanked it as hard as he could, he slammed her on the counter. Kacey reached for the cloth with the steak knife hidden underneath it, but her fingertips could barely touch it. She stretched for it, reaching her fingers out wide. He threatened in her ear "You made me bleed! Now I'm going to make you Bleed!" Suddenly the smoke alarm was set off. Kacey smelt smoke and she knew immediately a fire had started on the stove behind her. Grace looked confused, she tried to see what Kacey was desperately reaching for. A cloth? Mid fight? This doesn't make sense. Grace thought. She lifted the cloth and saw the steak knife. "Help me" Kacey whispered. Her nose was bleeding from being slammed on such a hard countertop surface. Grace grabbed the knife and stabbed the intruder in the hip. He let go of Kacey and took a step back. He placed his hand on his new wound. Kacey was hyperventilating as her intruder grew angrier and charged at Kacey to finish his job, but Grace stabbed him once more in the shoulder. He desperately tried to stop the bleeding from his knife wounds. He backed into the stove and slid down to the floor, bleeding out from his hip and now his shoulder blade. Kacey slowly approached him and removed his mask. "Alex?!" She was confused and demanded answers. Alex cleared his throat "I'm sorry baby." Grace stood above him. "No this doesn't make sense! Explain!" Alex spoke slowly as he was losing his breath. "I was never in Paris. I was here the whole time. I've been cheating on you. I want a divorce! But that will eat most of my money away and I'll be middle class or even worse. Poor! I'll be Poor! I like money, women and traveling, if I divorced you, I knew you'd find a loophole to keep all your money you are a lawyer after all. The only solution was to file for life insurance and kill you and claim it all. Also, you wanted a baby. A picture perfect traditional family that would probably spoil their kids rotten. I never wanted kids. I hate kids! I didn't mind fucking you though. I got a vasectomy to make sure the possibility of having kids would NEVER HAPPEN! I want money Kacey and to fuck as many girls as possible. They want me, Kacey! But I don't need to listen to their stupid problems!" Grace got sick of him speaking and she punched him in the face. Kacey screamed at him "I trusted you! I loved you!" He laughed. Grace grabbed the steak knife and held it to his throat "We should have filed for life insurance on your ass!" She slid the knife against his neck, and he bled out. Becoming lifeless. He lost his balance and fell lopsided, a pack of cigarettes fell from the pocket of his black hoodie along with a new cellphone Kacey didn't recognize. Grace mumbled under her breath "You thought you knew just about everything about me. But you didn't know how much I loved your wife! I always knew I was a better choice for her then you." His body caught on fire from the flames coming from the stove. Grace grabbed Kacey's hand "Come on! Let's go!" Lucy barked and followed them out the door. They called the police on their cellphones as they ran down a flight of stairs to the main lobby. Kacey saw Anthony polishing tables with wipes. She approached him. "Remember that necklace you loved earlier?" She pulled it off her neck and she handed it to him, "You can have it. It's worth a fortune. You can sell it. My ex-husband gave it to me, it's meaningless to me now." Anthony smiled. She linked arms with Grace "Come on let's get out of here." They both sat on the sidewalk and waited for the police to arrive. Blue and red flashing lights lit up their street. It made Kacey's blue eyes shine in the night light. Grace pulled a single strand of her blonde hair and placed it behind her ear, she decided that this would be the perfect moment to kiss Kacey. At first Kacey pulled away. "I didn't know you felt that way." Grace smiled "I have for a long time." Kacey grabbed her and kissed her again. "It's always a dream to marry your best friend but I guess I got it wrong the first time. I should have married you not him." Grace rested her head on Kacey's shoulders. Police cars lined up against the sidewalk and approached them. An enormous red firetruck took up a huge portion of the parking lot, four firefighters rushed into the building. But one of them stopped and noticed the two girls. He offered them an emergency blanket and the girls cuddled. 

 Months Later

Grace covered Kacey's eyes with her hands. "Okay just a little closer." Kacey giggled "What is the surprise! Tell me!" Grace gave a flirtatious laugh "You will see soon!" She walked Kacey inside a building. Kacey heard some bells chime from above her. The Bells! She instantly remembered how safe she felt with bells surrounding her. Grace removed her hands "Okay Kacey you can open your eyes." Kacey gave a deep breath and opened her eyes wide. Standing before her stood a small restaurant seated for a small crowd and a small bar close to the cash register to sit and sip on some coffee.  There were hues of blues on the wall, amazing beautiful food artwork on display above skinny round black modern tables. A huge chalkboard above the cash register showing off the menu and types of drinks customers  could order. There was a large glass display of delicious desserts. Warm fresh cinnamon apple pie, freshly made croissants and decorative cupcakes with yellow and blue frosted swirls dashed with rainbow sprinkles. The place looked divine and classy with a touch of innocence.  "Oh my gosh! I love this, this is so adorable! Is this where you want to go for a date?" Grace laughed and handed her a set of keys "No silly it's yours! You love Food it's your passion and you always said you wanted to be your own boss! Quit your job at the law office, you find it stressful anyways and I can help you. I still love design but right now I'm working at terrible clothing stores in the mall that I hate! Why not design food? I can help you!" Kacey was shocked "Wow! You shouldn't have!" Grace handed her an apron. Kacey held onto it and squeezed it with such delight. She was in love with this moment but more importantly in love with Grace. "But wait, what is the name of this place?" Grace handed her a small flyer that showcased a brand new opening of a restaurant, Kacey studied the name "Oh my gosh that's perfect! I love it! You thought of everything." Grace gave her a tight hug "By the way do you still speak to Anthony?" Kacey tied the apron around her waist "Yes, he sold a very expensive necklace and he quit his job, and he lives in a boathouse now." "Wow, good for him." Grace smiled at Kacey. Just then the girls heard a sudden bell chime. They looked up and froze. "Alex?" Kacey immediately assumed but to her surprise it was their first customer. She smiled. "Hello welcome to K&G, how may I help you?" The male customer dressed in a green university hoodie and faded jeans spoke up "Yes, Can I have a-" 

The End.