Followed - First Book in the 'Missing' Trilogy

1.

(5 years later)

Savannah's P.O.V.

As I neared my boyfriends house (where he lives with his band) I got the sudden feeling that someone was watching me. I glanced around at my surroundings but I couldn't see anyone. I shivered, forcing the old memories that were threatening to resurface, back down. I took out the key Riker had given me a year ago on our two year anniversary and went inside. "Hello?!" I called "anyone home?" I walked into the kitchen and suddenly someone wrapped their arms around my waist and spun me around. "Riker!" I laughed knowing my goofy boyfriend. He put me down gently and gave me a quick peck on the lips. "Hello beautiful! what might you be doing here this fine morning?" he said "can't a girl see her boyfriend?" "only whenever she wants!". I smiled and went over to the sink to pour myself a glass of water. As I did, I looked out the window and there, hiding in a bush in the garden, was the man from my nightmares, the man from 5 years ago. Without realising it, I dropped my glass, letting it smash on the floor. "Vanni? you o.k.?" Riker asked sounding worried. I looked at him and nodded. I turned around and looked out the window again but the man was gone. I blinked a couple of times and tried to push the image out of my mind. He can't be there, it's not possible. I looked at Riker again and smiled "I'm fine! I promise!" I reassured him. He wrapped me in a hug, clearly not convinced.

I spent the rest of the day watching band rehearsals and having fun.

That evening we decided to have a movie night. Rydel and I got some snacks while the boys picked the movie. Half way through the second movie I began to fall asleep, only waking up when I fell off the couch. "Ok!" I said as everyone laughed at me "I think it's time for me to go home," Riker helped me up and we walked to the hall where I grabbed my coat. "Are you sure you don't want to stay the night?" He asked "I'm sure! I have to be up early for work tomorrow remember?" "Fine! At least let me walk you home." "Riker! I'll be fine! Besides you can barely stand you're so tired! Just go to bed!" He sighed in frustration and reluctantly let me go with a kiss as I opened the door and stepped outside. 
As I walked home, the sky darkened and the streetlights switched on. I walked down the empty streets, lost in my own world, thinking about my next art project. Suddenly I heard a rustle in the bushes behind me. I spun around. "H-hello? Is anybody there?" No answer. I continued to walk but at a quicker pace. The rustling started up again but this time it was louder and followed by footsteps right behind me. I spun around again only to have my throat clasped tightly by a strange dark figure.I tried to scream but he clenched my throat even tighter, restricting the flow of oxygen. Suddenly he threw me to the ground, my head banging off the ground, and forcefully put his foot on my torso. "Remember me sweetheart?" He asked in a menacing time. I nodded, too afraid to speak. "Have you told anyone about our little secret?" "N-no!" I stammered, finally finding my voice. "Good! Nobody needs to know." Suddenly he bent down so that his face was inches away from mine, his sour breath clouding the air around us, "if you tell a single soul about what i did or am about to do, I will kill you and whoever you tell. Is that clear?" I nodded vigorously, my heart racing, my mind begging for this to be over. Suddenly he was gone and i was left alone, on the ground, in the middle of the street. I ran the rest of the way home and went to bed. My night was full of nightmares.