In Plain Sight

Routine Interupted

Ellianas POV

I awake to the sound of 'By the seaside', I groan, slapping the off button. As much I hate that ringtone, it's oddly comforting. Another most likely dull day. I pull myself out of bed, and trudge over to the bathroom. I splash cold water on my face, to wake myself up. This has been my cycle for almost two years now. Get up, wash face, shower, get dressed, get coffee, go to my shift. It's not the most exciting, but it's stable, and for me that's good enough. I twist the knob for the shower, and water starts to flow through. While I wait for it to slightly warm, I undress from my pyjamas, and detangle my tangled hair. Soon enough I see steam rising from the shower. I step in, and the hot water spills on my skin. Creating a good burning sensation. The smell of raspberry and coconut shampoo, fills the bathroom. My phone rings but I don't hear it over the rushing water. Half an hour later I'm standing in my bedroom a towel loosely wrapped around my body and another towel holding up my hair. I'm scrolling through my phone when it rings. An unknown number. Not this shit again. I answer annoyed. "Whoever this is fuck off and get a life." I hiss down the line. Static. Then laughter. I frown, holding the phone away from my ear like it might bite me. "Oh wow." The voice simply says, the laughter subceeding. "That's not nice Elliana." He emphasises my name like it's something luxurious. I hang up, throwing my phone on my bed and groaning. This unknown number shit is pissing me off extremely. I grab my work uniform and put in on my body harshly. It's not a bad uniform, I convince myself, as I tie my hair up. I shove my phone in my pocket, and shove my feet into a pair of boots. I jump down the stairs, grabbing my wool jacket and exiting my house quickly. I start my walk to work, the snow crunching under my feet. I breathe in the crisp,cold air. It comforts my lungs. I swing open the door of Palm Platters. I'm the first one here.
**Time Skip to end of shift**
I thank my co-worker before leaving. I turn my phone on, illuminating my face in the dark street. 3 missed calls and 2 new messages. All of them the unkown number. This is getting out of hand..
I don't bother reading them and just delete everything. I sigh and my house comes into sight. I'm enveloped in warmth, as I enter my house. I just want to sleep, I'm exhausted. I trudge up the stairs, my legs heavy. I collapse onto my bed, inhaling the smell of my bed sheets. They smell of fresh cotton and lilies. Wait a minute. I stand up and glance at my bed. My bedsheets were blue this morning, now they are pink. I gasp as I glance around my room. My lamp is knocked over, my desk is tidy and all the cups are gone from my bedside table. Someone was in my house...
My phone rings making me jump. I try to calm my pounding heart as I don't spare a  glance at the caller id and answer. "Hello please make it quick I'm busy." I blurt out. Static. Then a deep voice speaks through the line. "Do you like your room Elliana? I done a spot of tidying." My grip on my phone tightens my knuckles turning white. "Who are you, and why were you inside my house?!" I demand down the line. They chuckle, the sound rich but sickening. "I'm your new favourite person Elliana." They respond. "Bye bye Elianna." They say once more before hanging up. My hands shake as I put my phone down. I feel so vulnerable in this moment. I sit down on my bed, my uniform clinging to my skin. Am I being stalked? The question lingers in my head as I sit there aimlessly. I feel my eyes slowly closing, so I give in laying down fully, allowing my eyes to softly close.