Torn

I

Warning: This chapter contains themes of violence and death that may not be suitable for some readers.

Chapter Song: What Ever Happened? - The Strokes

Nina

Life is funny sometimes, especially when it puts the right person in front of you at the worst of times.

...

Bright lights, loud music, and camera flashes. All eyes fixed on me, accompanied by audible gasps as I walked down the runway, closing the last show of the season. Wearing a bridal gown with a head-to-toe veil embroidered with sequins and glass beads, simulating a starry night, the train alone stretched 3 meters behind me.

Truly a heavenly design.

...

"Don't you feel on top of the world?" The designer asked me on the way out.

I smiled awkwardly. "I feel like I'm in heaven."

They looked happy. "Seeing you today was like seeing an angel. Good job, Nina. I can't wait for you to try on my first bridal collection. After all, you were the muse."

"Thanks, Rowan." If only you knew.

I got in the car and shut the door, blocking all the noise from outside. I blankly stared through the window hoping to get to my apartment quickly, I was exhausted. Fashion month was my busiest time of the year, traveling and running from show to show every day. It was the most demanding yet rewarding part of the job.

I went straight to the shower when I arrived, nothing better than a hot bath to drown your thoughts in.

Be grateful, I'd say over and over again with my head submerged underwater and eyes tightly shut. It didn't take long before an implosion in my heart manifested into a full out scream.

If I was at the very top, how come I couldn't stop crying and screaming every time I found myself alone?

I was at the peak of my career; I had the success I had always wished for, this was the time I would reminisce about for the rest of my life, my golden years, when I was on top of the world. If that's what people keep saying to me it has to be true, right? Or at least that's what I would repeat like a mantra to feel better through all my sleepless nights.

Unfortunately, this was one of those. Tired from rolling in bed trying to fall asleep, I went downstairs for a glass of water. The cold kitchen tiles on my bare feet sent a shiver down my spine. In the quiet of the night one could hear every step, breath and heartbeat, a hyper awareness that only feeds the mind's paranoia. I looked around nervously, knowing I was alone but feeling someone's eyes on me. I quickly drank the glass, impatiently shaking my leg and tapping down my foot, wanting to hide back in bed.

I let out a long breath after finishing up, when a loud noise broke the silence. Startled, I dropped the glass on the floor breaking it into pieces. I clicked my tongue, but at least I didn't cut my feet. While picking up the mess, I heard another loud crash. I looked up like a meercat trying to find where it was coming from, when the third crash echoed in my ears, making me jump, cutting my finger as a result. I wasn't particularly superstitious but none of this felt like a good omen.

Curiosity almost dug my grave as I approached the door, leaving a trail of blood behind. With my trembling hand inches away from the handle, it started shaking violently. Someone was tampering with the it.