Out of my League (COMPLETED)

Chapter 14 : I'd say Yes

When she got inside her room, Maris' scream was caught in her throat. Her bedroom window was wide open. 😨

Cold air made her shiver. Or was it because of fright?

Then, a hand grabbed her shoulder. She let out her long-held scream. 😱

"Whoa! What's up with you, Stitch?!" Daniel said above Maris' screams. His hand still on her shoulder.

When she heard Daniel's voice, it was like she found refuge. She turned around and hugged him so tight.

Daniel hugged her back. She felt so small and fragile in his arms. He could feel her fear. The feeling of wanting to protect and keep her safe overwhelmed him.

"Hush now, my Little Stitch" Daniel said in a soothing voice to a frightened Maris. "I'm here. I am here to protect you always."

When he felt Maris relax, he led her to sit on the bed. Kneeling down in front of her, he cupped her small face in his hands. With his thumbs, he caressed her smooth cheeks.

"Tell me, what happened?" Daniel asked her.

"Nothing, it-" Maris said in a small voice.

"It did not look like it was nothing. You were screaming like a banshee." He joked a little to ease her fright.

"No, really, it was nothing. I just thought I saw someone by the open window. Hahaha." She laughed nervously. "Silly me. It was just a shadow cast by the tree trunk outside my window. But I am fine now."

Daniel nodded but did not look like he was assured with her words.

"Okay. If you say so." Daniel stood up. "You better get back to sleep then."

Maris nodded. "Thanks Daniel."

Daniel patted the top of her head and got out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Maris then stood up to close the window, this time she tied a string on the lock to make sure it won't be opened again. Her hands were still trembling but she resolved to be brave. She must not let a little thing like this frighten her.

As she was about to head back to her bed, something on her closet mirror caught her eye.

She covered her mouth to stifle the sound of her small scream. Staring back at her was a white paper taped to the mirror with words written in red paint made to look like fresh blood.

"I'm With You" Those were the words.

She felt like her knees were about to give way.

She was right, someone has been inside her room. It gave her chills knowing that someone trespassed her property. It gave shivers down her spine knowing that someone was here, looking at her sleeping.

Now that she thought about it, she must have woken up when someone was staring at her while she was asleep. 'That person must have hid somewhere when I locked the window the first time.'

'When I went to the kitchen to eat, the person could have done what he wanted to do and hurriedly got out when a loud bang sounded.'

Maris wants to cry. She wants to run to Daniel's arms and have that feeling of security again.

But she can't. She is all grown up now. She should not depend on anyone.

This time, she knows she must not let this incident pass. She thought before that these bloody looking notes were just a silly joke.

But now, she's no longer laughing. She is positive that the one doing all these things has a sick mind. And whoever this someone is, has got to be stopped.

Carefully, making sure she is only touching on one edge of the paper, she placed it inside a clear plastic ziplock bag.

She will take this to the police tomorrow and have things investigated as well. But she will have to do it quietly. Good thing she has a friend in the police department. She will have to ask help from that friend.

She doesn't want anyone else to know. Most especially, she doesn't want the true suspect to know that she is getting suspicious. She must act like nothing unusual happened.

Maris laid back down on her bed but she didn't sleep a wink. She can't help but feel paranoid that someone would get inside her room again. She kept tossing and turning till the first ray of morning light seeped through her windows.

~~~~~~~

She immediately changed into running clothes and got out of the room. Daniel was at the kitchen and when he heard her, he called out, "Stitch!"

Maris who was about to put on her running shoes stopped to look at him.

"I already told the kids you won't be jogging with them today." Daniel said. "You just got well. I don't want you to exert yourself."

Maris can't help but agree with him. Besides, she is getting too jumpy. What if the sick jerk giving her those bloody-looking notes would be there? She must be careful.

"Okay. Thanks Daniel." Maris smiled up at him.

"Also, Madame Gellah called, she commands you to take a two-week leave and insists that it is your privilege. You've been an exemplary employee but she doesn't want you to stress yourself. She thinks you may have been over fatigued. I heard from her that in your entire employment at the Diner, you have never gone on any leave." Daniel told a surprised Maris.

"I can't be without work for that long. Classes are about to start, and I've got bills and -" Maris started.

"She said it would still be with pay. Besides, I already paid the rent for this month. Its the least that I can do for allowing me to stay in your apartment."

"You didn't have to Daniel but thanks altogether." Maris said and Daniel smiled back at her.

"So! Can you come with me then?" Daniel excitedly asked.

"Where?"

"Say Yes first." Daniel urged.

Maris eyed him suspiciously but her curiosity got the best of her.

So Maris smiled up at him and said "Yes, to whatever or wherever that is."

Daniel grinned excitedly.