First Kill

Felicity POV

The cat moved, clearly frightened by something. Its little, black ears twitched at the sound of twigs snapping. I was crouched across the way, aiming my camera, mentally begging the cat to stay still.

It would be a good shot. The cat was black and the sun glinted through the trees, casting golden flecks across the cat’s coat. I shifted on the balls of my feet and waited with nervous anticipation. The cat turned its sleek body away from the sound.

I grinned and waited till it was facing me in the just the right way. Perfect, I pressed the button down and got the photo. I heard a twig snap and the cat was gone, rushing through the trees and out of sight.

My eyes darted around and I stood, carefully, trying not to drop my camera. I pressed the tiny triangle button and admired my shot. What a cute cat. Another twig snapped and my head shot up. I turned and started walking.

I had always assumed the small pocket of woods by the college was safe, but as I walked back to the main gate I felt nervous. I glanced over my shoulder, but no one was around. It had felt like I was being watched. My skin prickled, but I carried on regardless.

Surprisingly, it was still lunchtime when I slipped through the main gate, nodding at one of the girls in my class, Jemma, I think her name was. I didn’t really talk a lot in class. I used to be a social butterfly, but now I was quiet and guarded.

I pulled open the main door and strolled down the hallway. I still had time before lunch ended to get a muffin from the café. I just hoped the canteen wasn’t busy. I paused at the door and stood on my tip-toes to peek through the round, glass window.

So far, so good. I lowered myself to normal height and wet my dry lips. This was so stupid. I never used to be like this. I used to be popular. I used to have a best friend and a great boyfriend and now I was this shy girl.

I pushed the door and slipped into the canteen. It was a large, circular room. Across the way, tables were situated next to a wall of glass, like some kind of trendy conservatory. Various groups of teens were sitting at the tables.

They were all chatting amongst themselves, some were being quiet, whilst others made as much noise as possible. Across the way was another seating area. My eyes trailed over and my breathing hitched.

My group of friends were sitting there and Sasha had seen me. A knot formed in my throat and nerves welled up inside me, forcing me to grab whatever food was in front of me, which turned out to be a banana muffin. I didn’t really like banana, but I knew I had to get out of there.

“Flick?” Sasha’s soft voice made me wince.

I paid for the muffin and turned to face her, but didn’t lift my face. How could I? Not after everything that had happened.

“Flick, please talk to me.” She was pleading so I lifted my gaze.

Sure enough, Sasha was in front of me. She was roughly my height. We were the smallest in our group of friends. She had long, blonde hair and round, brown eyes. She too, wore glasses. Some people said we were like twins except my hair was light brown and my eyes were blue.

“Sasha, hi.” I managed a feeble wave.

“Flick, please come and sit with us. I miss you.” In truth it did sound like she missed me. I missed her, but it was too soon and the pain still hadn’t faded.

“I can’t and I’m sure Lorna doesn’t miss me.” I grumbled, sourly.

My eyes trailed past Sasha to the table where our friends were seated. Lorna was blonde too, but often died her hair black. She was sat with Brett. Their hands were intertwined and they were laughing together.

I heard Sasha speak and I turned my attention back to her. It would be rude to ignore her as she hadn’t done anything wrong. I realised she had asked me a question, but I hadn’t heard her. She seemed to sense that and smiled sadly.

“I asked if you were all right.” She reiterated.

“Yeah, I’m doing Ok.” In truth I was lonely, but I didn’t want to go over there.

“I could sit with you sometime, maybe.” Sasha phrased it as a question and I didn’t have the heart to turn her down.

I nodded, feebly. I didn’t want them to exclude her too. I sighed and started to back away. She must have sensed that I was looking for an escape route. She leaned in, pulling me into a hug and for a moment I embraced her.

I wanted to cry, but didn’t want to seem pathetic so I pulled back, offering a tight smile. I turned and made my way up the stairs. I peeked over the railing and saw Sasha walking back to the table. I saw Lorna say something to her and Sasha looked annoyed.

I shrugged, like it would make a difference. I carried on up the stairs and down the hallways. It wasn’t a long walk to the art rooms. I was the first one to get there. I laid my camera on the desk and walked towards the windows.

The view from the second floor showed the main gate and across the road was a park. There were no more students outside now. Something, or rather, someone caught my eye though.

Standing by the gate was a guy. From this distance I could just about make out what he was wearing. His jeans were black and I squinted to see him from this distance. His jacket looked like one of those leather jackets that the alternative kids wear. It was vaguely similar to something one the guys in class would wear, I think his name was Ricky.

I focused my attention back on the guy. Without warning his head shot up, as though sensing my presence. His gaze locked with mine and I stumbled back, nearly knocking over a chair in my mini-freak out session.

The door opened and Imogen and Ricky strolled in. They looked surprised by my antics. Ricky managed to hide his laughter behind his hand. Imogen smiled and strolled over.

“You all right, Flick. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” She chuckled, throwing her beat up Ramones bag into an empty chair.

“Yeah, it’s just there was this guy outside and, well, I’ll show you.” I pointed out the window.
Imogen stepped round the chair and looked out the window. Her eyebrows knitted together and she glanced back at me.

“Where is he? Was he cute?” She asked, sounding puzzled.

I gasped and stood next to her. Sure enough, mystery guy had vanished into nothingness. It was like he had been a figment of my imagination. Ricky stood, making his way over and staring out too.

“You girls and your imaginary guys.” He grinned.

Imogen glowered at him, grabbing her bag and whacking him on the arm with it. He yelped and reeled back, pouting at her. When she glared at him, he grumbled and sat back down. She turned to me and smiled. Imogen had always been kind.

“So, how are you feeling?” She sat on the desk.

“Good, I’m really good.” I wanted to sound convincing, but it hurt a lot.

“You can be honest, ya know,” Imogen smiled, touching her hand to mine. “I’d be pissed as hell if my friend and boyfriend did that to me.”

“I was annoyed, but at least I found out sooner rather than later.” I sighed.

“He was a douche anyway.” Ricky spoke up, grinning.

It was no secret that he and Brett didn’t like each other. Imogen frowned at him. I think she knew I still wasn’t over the whole situation. I mean, it wasn’t every day that your boyfriend of seven months cheats on you with your best friend.

“Hey, it’s your birthday next week, right?” Imogen smiled, hopefully. I nodded. “Well it’s mine two days after yours. So, why don’t we celebrate turning nineteen together?”

I nodded, smiling a little. I didn’t really go out drinking. In fact, I’d only been out once for my eighteenth and again for Lorna’s eighteenth. I wasn’t much of a partier, but I really wanted to make new friends.

“I’ll text you the details. It’ll be so much fun.” Imogen grinned.

“Can I come too?” Ricky appeared next to her.

“Let’s see, how about no.” She smirked.

The door opened and our teacher, Mr Price walked in. He was a middle aged man with a mop of dark hair and a slight beard.

“Wow, you three are certainly eager to get started today. I usually have to remind you to be on time, Imogen.” He chuckled. Ricky laughed too and was promptly elbowed by Imogen.

I sat in my seat and gradually the rest of the class filed in, taking their seats. Mr Price started talking about our latest piece of coursework. This was the part of the course I was most excited about.

“You all did extremely well in last terms assessment,” Mr Price grinned. “This term we will begin the second unit, looking at animals. Before lunch time I asked you to take a photo of an animal, so who managed to get a photo.”

Some of the class had found insects and there was on particularly gross spider in amongst the images. I felt extremely proud when my camera was plugged in. The girls in the class seemed to like the picture.

“I love how the cat’s black fur stands out against the soft colours of the woods. Nice job, Flick.” Mr Price unplugged the camera, handing it back to me.

“She even managed to get a picture of a guy too.” Jemma nodded, approvingly.

My eyes widened and I turned on the camera, opening the slideshows and staring at the picture again. Sure enough, there was a shadow in the background near the furthest tree. The trees masked the person from view. My heart beat madly.

“Don’t worry, Flick. You were in a public place and the shadow of the person creates a bit of mystery, wouldn’t you agree?” Mr Price had leaned in and was analysing the photo.

He seemed to be misunderstanding my worry. I had a feeling that shadow was the guy I saw earlier and my heart rate picked up when I recalled the way he had stared up at the window.

The class continued as normal and when it got to three thirty I was, more than a little,reluctant to leave the safety of the college. My house was only down the road and round the corner, but I still felt a little nervous.

I was hoping someone would be walking the same way as me, but no such luck. Mr Price saw me loitering and mistook my blatant fear for something else.

“Flick, is everything all right?” He stopped next to me.

“Yeah, everything’s cool.” I murmured.

“Flick, I know you had some difficulty last term and I want you to know I’m here if you need to talk.” He smiled kindly.

“I wouldn’t want to trouble you.” I waved my hand, dismissively.

“It would be no trouble at all.” He reassured me, but I still refused to speak. “Well, perhaps some other time, maybe.”

I nodded and left the room. There were still students hanging around chatting, but I shuffled by, heading towards the double doors.

I slipped out, glancing back just in time to see Lorna and Brett meet at the bottom of the stairs. They hugged and kissed. My stomach twisted and I left, walking quickly down the corridor.

Once I was outside I made sure to look in all directions. There were a few students hanging around, waiting for their parents to pick them up, but there was no guy in a leather jacket. My fear was somewhat abated at this point so I walked home.

The walk home was uneventful, but before letting myself in my house I had a quick look behind me. Nope, the streets were empty. I unlocked the door and let myself in. Mum and Dad were still at work so I bolted the door.

There were a pile of letters on the doormat and I reached down, scooping them up. As I walked down the hallway towards the kitchen I flicked through the letters.

Two of them were bills and were addressed to my parents. Another was address to the occupier, which meant it was probably junk. Another envelope was underneath that and the writing on the paper looked handwritten, as well as very scruffy. It was addressed to me though.

I laid the rest of the post on the dining table and gripped my letter, turning it over and analysing it with bemusement. Was it an early birthday card? Must have been. I didn’t recognise the person’s handwriting though.

I tore open the envelope and inside was a piece of paper, folded in half. I open it and the same messy handwriting adorns the rest of the paper. I stare at the text in silent horror. It read like song lyrics, in fast I think it is song lyrics:

Every step we take that's synchronized.
Every broken bone.
Reminds me of the second time
That I followed you home

I suddenly feel sick. I turn the letter over, expecting to see more writing, but there is nothing else. I turn it back over, staring at the scrawled writing. There is no name, no other hint on the piece of paper.

I should phone the police, but what do I tell them? Help me, someone sent me this weird letter. It sounds stupid in my head. The lyrics make it clear that someone is following me. Was it that weird guy from earlier? And if so, how long has he been following me?

He must know where I live if he delivered this here and the lyrics imply that he’s followed me home on more than one occasion. I suddenly feel so vulnerable. I double check the windows and doors, making certain they are locked.

When my parents arrive home I’m still a nervous wreck. I stay in kitchen whilst Mum cooks dinner. I don’t want to leave her side. At dinner I’m jumpy, but try and behave normally. I ignore my parent’s worried looks.

After dinner I go to my room and stare out the window. The sun is beginning to dip and the streets are quiet. No one is hanging around. I feel a small amount of relief and decide to start on my homework now. Perhaps the letter was a one off or a stupid joke.

After staying up and finishing my homework I take one final look out the window. No one is out there. I draw the curtains and go to sleep.

Notes