Hello

I had thought last nights lightning storm was wild. It was as if there was a group of paparazzi in the clouds going crazy on a heavenly red carpet. The continues flashes caused my eyes to hurt. I'd had to hang a thick blanket over my window in order to spare myself the pain. How was I to know that it was just the opening act for how strange my life was about to become?

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"This is sudden." My mother said as I carried in an arm full of boxes.

"Sudden? You know I've been looking to move out since I moved back in." I replied as I caught my breath.

"We're not that bad to live with are we?" my Father asked from behind me as he carried in the last couple of boxes.

"No. You guys have been great and I really do appreciate you letting me stay while I got back on my feet but I can't pass this opportunity up."

A bad break up plus a sudden lost job in the middle of a pandemic had left me homeless. I could have stayed with my ex but that was a fight I did not want to have. When I had told Mom she didn't hesitate in offering me my childhood room for as long as I needed. Luckily my field is always hiring and I was employed less than a week after moving in.

As much as I truly love my parents; I still couldn't wait to get back out on my own. Having tasted the freedom of independence, I was suffocating in their house. When I came across an older little house nestled on the side of a hill I couldn't pass it up. The price had been lower than market value which had made my parents weary.

"Mom, I've been here six months already. The house was thoroughly inspected and it's good. How could I pass up such a steal? I need to get back out on my own."

Dad closed the door behind before briskly walking down the hall toward my room. It was clear he was ready for their nest to be empty again. Concern still showed on Moms face. I put down my boxes and sat next to her on the couch.

"Don't worry. It's a good area and closer to my job."

"That's not it. I just have a feeling about the house," she said as she took my hand.

"So do I. A good feeling."

Her frown depend. I gave her a quick hug before standing up and picking the boxes back up. The sound of the gun tape running along cardboard greeted me as I made my way down the hall causing me to smile.

"I'll be out of here in a week Dad. No need to rush. After all, the majority of my things are in storage."

He shrugged a shoulder, not even looking up at me, as he set up another box. Oh yeah, he was ready for me to get out of here. Unfortunately there was only so much space in my small bedroom. I just sighed and started packing a few odds and ends.

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Because of Dads enthusiasm I was packed by the time I went to work on Monday. Not many people believe me when I tell them that I drive a semi for a living. They see a young woman they think is in her twenties and can't wrap their heads around the fact that I'm able to do a job that's traditionally male dominated. However being thirty one with family in this field led me to break the mold and join them.

I grabbed my folder for the day's runs with a smile. While my route did change daily, the locations didn't. I often ran one of the longest that the company had and was able to make it back before my legal hours ran out. That was something that most other drivers couldn't say.

They swore I was doing something illegal. To prove that I wasn't a manager had joined me for the day and saw everything. When we got back he told them I was legal and he wasn't letting me go no matter what they said. They were all salty pricks who didn't understand what it was about me.

If they asked I would happily tell them. I was all about finding alternate routes, planning ahead, and actually treating the customers like people. I found out early on that if you worked with them and were able to make them laugh, they'd go out of their way to try and help you. It made life so much easier to have them as your allies.

"Hey Laura, come in here a minute," my dispatcher, John, called.

"What's up John?" I asked as I walked in.

"Hey. I know your run is really tight today but I have a huge favor to ask."

I internally groaned. When ever he said that it usually meant I'd be in a hotel room for the night.

"Nick missed his last stop yesterday and since you pass it on your way up,..."

This time I groaned out load. I already knew which location he was asking me to go to. The owner of that particular location was a complete ass and while I was cordial, I couldn't be nice to him.

"I know but his wife went into labor. If anyone else was able to go I'd send them but every other driver has been banned from the location."

"Because the ass wipe of an owner pushed everyone so far over the edge they snapped and then he punished them for it. I swear he's the reason for the turn over rate there. It's no wonder he owns the company. No one in their right mind would hire him."

"Still," John said calmly, "he is a customer and we need to honor our contract."

"Make it my first stop so that I can spend the rest of the day getting him out of my system."

"Open your folder,"

I did and heaved a heavy sigh. "You and Nick both owe me."

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I plopped down on my new coach in my living room. This last week had been one of the longest I'd experienced in a while. Now that it was over, all I had left was to unpack. Seeing as it was Saturday and I didn't have to return to work until Tuesday I had time.

Nick's wife had experienced complications during labor putting both her and the baby in intensive care. That meant I had to see the ass again on Wednesday and yesterday morning. At least it was a holiday weekend. That was a comfort seeing as every time I moved my muscles ached. The throbbing headache didn't help. Unfortunately I didn't have anything to take for it.

I was extremely grateful that my Dad had put my bed together for me and my Mom had made sure that I had clean sheets and pillows packed in a bag that she'd placed in my car so I didn't have to hunt for them. I forced myself up and dragged said bag to my new bedroom. Once I made my bed, I fell face first into the pillow.

I was both cursing and thanking my Dad for his insistence that the movers show up at the crack of dawn to get me moved in before lunch. He hadn't factored in the fact that I didn't make it back until well after dark last night and was functioning on very little sleep.

A strange rhythmic knocking sounded woke me from my much needed nap. The clock read one o'clock in the afternoon. My stomach growled reminding me that food was a thing that was very much necessary. I got up and went to the kitchen, wiping the sleep from my eyes as a I yawned widely.

The knock came again and I froze. My head snapped toward the door as I waited for it to come again. It did but from behind me. A cold shiver ran up my spine as I heard the distinct sound of knuckles making contact with wood. But that was impossible. The only thing behind me was the door to the basement.

With my heart racing in my throat, I pressed my hand against the cool surface of the door. It vibrated under my trembling fingers as the knocks came again. I jumped back with a sharp cry of surprise. A soft laugh sounded from behind the door.

"Hello. I can't wait to meet you," the voice said.

My stomach dropped and all thought of food left my mind. In my fear I couldn't tell if it was male or female. All I could do was stare in horror. The voice laughed again and then there was silence. Minutes passed before I found the courage to move. I looked through the kitchen boxes quickly and finally located my butchers knife.

With my heart racing, I crept to the door and opened it. No one was on the other side. I turned on the light but the stairs were devoid of any other person. I slowly walked down them. I was hyper aware of every sound, including the audible creaking of the steps, as my heart pounded harshly against my rib cage.

When I reached the floor I looked around. There was no one here. I was alone. Yet somehow I knew I wasn't. I clutched the handle of the knife as I turned in circles, checking every visible inch of the small room. Nothing.

Still unsure I went back up to the kitchen. I placed the knife on the counter and decided I needed to get out for a little bit, if only for a food run. When I came back a calla lily was laying next to the knife.