I closed the front door with a sigh of relief. My whole body slid down the door on to the patterned carpet. Who could it have been and why? I was so sure I was being followed but couldn’t work out why anyone would want to follow me home. It was a mystery and it wasn’t the first time either. It was only celebrities that had stalkers not an ordinary average person like me.
I phoned the police but as expected they weren’t interested because no one had made an attempt to harm me in anyway. I should let them know if any action was taken against me by the alleged stalker. They didn’t even believe someone was following me, they thought it was a coincidence and someone else was walking the same route.
I shut the curtains not feeling at all safe. I didn’t want anyone to look in through the window and see me. I shivered. I made myself a hot drink with plenty of sugar. I remembered reading somewhere that it was good for shock. I didn’t feel like eating.
I had disturbed night in which I had one nightmare after another about people coming after me. I terrified myself after one such dream by sitting bolt upright with a scream. It really looked as if there was someone in my room. I put the light on but saw no one. I listened hard trying to detect if there was someone in the flat, I couldn’t hear even the tiniest creak. Getting out of bed I went to investigate. There was no one in the flat. I even looked behind the sofa to check for intruders that may be hiding.
I went to work as usual, wanting to keep things normal. Besides I would not achieve anything by staying at home. Everyone commented on how washed out I was and suggested I go home but I insisted on seeing the day through. I was probably safer at work than at home. Here, I was surrounded by people.
I was dreading the walk home that evening. All to soon the day ended and I began the journey home. I kept sneaking glances behind me, trying to work out if anyone was there. I gasped as I noticed a shadow duck quickly into an alleyway when I turned my head to look behind me.
I retraced my steps determined to confront my follower. I was surprised to find myself coming face to face with a young woman.
“What do you want? You’ve been following me.” I asked bluntly, not in the mood to be polite.
“I – I think you may be my mother.”
There was silence between us, needless to say I was stunned. This was the last thing I was expecting.
“Are you ok?” Asked the young woman.
The colour had drained out of my face and everything had started going black. She grabbed my arm and lowered me to the ground quickly. She took hold of my wrist as if to feel for my pulse.
“It’s ok,” she said reassuringly. “I’m a medical student.”
“What makes you think I might be your mother?”
“I was given my adoption papers by my parents. They gave your name as Amelia Long. That is your name isn’t it?” She asked with a sudden note of caution in her voice.
I nodded unable to speak. Tears pricked my eyes and slid unchecked down my cheeks. It had all been so long ago now, but I remembered it as if it was yesterday. The baby had been taken away straight after the birth. I was too tired to argue with my mother who was absolutely convinced I could not keep her. I could see the disappointment in her eyes when she realised I was pregnant at such a young age. She should have protected me from the monster who had got me pregnant. She blamed me of course, refusing to believe her husband could do such a thing to his own daughter.
A day hadn’t gone by when I wondered what had become of my little girl and now I knew, she was standing before me.
Copyright 2016 by Cheryl Russell. All rights belong to the author and material may not be copied without the author’s express permission.
Well written Cheryl Russell. This now makes me want to find out more about then both – is there going to be a follow up – yes please.
This is such a shock. I wasn’t expecting it. Terrible to think this happens. A well written story leaving the reader wondering about the feelings of the people concerned.
Wow!! I was gripped from the start but what a twist. Please say there’s going to be more of this??
Nicely built up to a satisfying twist.