RE:-collection

Before I had the chance to agree to Alice's request a subtle voice, but a whisper carried on the wind yielded my name. "Eric." Even though it was barely audible I realized where it had come from.

That woman in the distance, staring intently, her clothes tattered and worn her auburn colored hair unnaturally long and casting about in the wind.

How did she know my name?

Why was her voice so familiar?

Soon i came back to the realization that Alice no longer wished to be here and as much as questions difficult to answer clawed at me, I gave in to her request.

WE left and SHE did not follow. Simply gazed at us, seemingly bearing no ill will. Yet from her gaze we only felt malice and a dark jealousy.

8:34 pm

We had gotten back earlier, taken a shower together and prepared dinner and now we sat by candlelight dining like we usually did, except this time she wasn't smiling. Finally she spoke. "That lady earlier.." she started after downing her glass of wine then holding the empty glass with both hands and smiling faintly "it was almost as if I had forgotten how to breathe, i know it sounds ridiculous-". "-It doesn't" i cut in before reaching up, gently stroking her cheek.

"Don't worry so much, you know I'll protect you." I replied with a coy smile.

"I'm being serious you know." she muttered before giving in and smiling.

"Stalker or not , as long as I'm here she definitely won't be bothering you anymore." I stated with a bold and confident smile. It was baseless conjecture, I knew it and she probably did too. But it helped in calming her after-all, she relaxed even though only a little.

Defending her, that I could do, but could I always be there to protect her? That would prove difficult. I hoped that woman wouldn't bother us anymore and just like that I tried my hardest to put the thought from my mind.

******

The evening light shone brilliantly and Alice smiled as I helped her up. She laughed and I was once again overcome by her beauty. She then wrapped her arms around me laughing while we spun together around under that old oak tree. It was a happiness I hoped would last for ever with every last fiber of my being.

Startled I lounged, almost jumping from the bed in a terror that drenched me in cold-sweat. The day was still young 2:43 and although it was still dark out I knew something was wrong, that same feeling you get after witnessing a gruesome accident plagued me to the point where simply ignoring the ominous feeling was impossible.

Slowly I realized that the Alice's subtle and curved silioute which I had gotten so accustomed to sleeping beside was no longer there.

Quickly I jumped from the bed tossing aside the covers.

Frantically I looked around the room, where's Alice? The thought that she had gone for water crossed my mind but soon vanished. The dark room reminded me of the one fact that could not be disputed.

She hated the dark and probably wouldn't venture to walk about in it.

Fresh beads of sweat rolled down my arms.

"Hmm? What are you doing?" Alice? Her voice came from behind me and as I returned my gaze to the bed, there she was in all her glory.

Even in the dark I could make out the

puzzled expression she wore.

She too must have realized my expression because "what's wrong?" She asked. Before I knew it my arms were around her. I embraced her and held her as if I never wanted to let go again.

"What's wrong ? You're scaring me," she stated near silently. Soon she placed her arms around me.

"Don't worry I'm not going anywhere." She sang "I'm not going anywhere."

A few seconds passes and I loosened my hold, immediately she took my hands in hers and kissed my fore-head.

"Come-on get back in bed with me," she urged and I did.

We faced each other our fingers touching, no words being exchanged but our feelings portrayed perfectly.

She smiled, a smile so beautiful that words simply couldn't do it justice.

"I love you." She said finally before poking me hard. It was a joke, one I had all but forgotten. The words I had said to her before she turned me down the first time.

No more words were exchanged and

her beautiful face, lovely eyes and charming smile was all I saw before drifting off, our fingers interlaced and a kiss on my fore-head.

***

I woke, 7:52.

"Alice?" She had gotten up earlier than I had expected. The sound of cascading water, traveled from the bathroom.

I had no expectations of what was to happen.

I dared not even think about the fact that this dark reality could ensnare someone like me. The realization would permanently and fully, permeate sinking to my very core resurfacing with but a single name 'Elise'.

Slowly I got out of bed and made my way through the door and started making my way downstairs. The carpeted stairs protested softly beneath my shifting weight. This was a routine I could and usually did with my eyes closed, well not literally but though groggy and being half asleep I could tell where each step was without paying much attention to the details and since I live alone for the most part, I don't need to be cautious of anything laying on the stairs except this time the fact that I'd stepped on something which surrendered a crisp snap called to my attention but .

Ignoring it i continued down the stairs and into the kitchen. I was greeted by an icy wind and immediately I noticed why.

"What... the... hell?" Escaped my mouth in a whisper as i tried to wrap my head around what I was seeing.

The door leading from the kitchen into the back had been torn clean from its hinges.

This both surprised and puzzled me to no end, the steel plated door lay a few feet from its frame. The cast iron design completely twisted and balled exposing the glass which had shattered inside.

Slowly I realized the footprints black, had someone walked through black paint barefooted coming into the house? The footprints went past me and up the stairs.

I followed.

The footprints lead directly up the stairs and into my room.

No detours, almost as if who ever had done this knew the layout of the house.

It was then I felt the terror from the night before return in full.

I could feel my heart racing.

"Alice?" I called, there wasn't a response. Maybe she couldn't hear me over the sound of the water.

"Alice?" I tried once again.

Still no reply, I quickened my pace and hurriedly made my way through the bedroom and a sharp left towards the bathroom.

I hesitated at the door, what did I expect to see? I wanted her to be ok. I wanted this to be an overdone prank but no matter what ray of hope shined

through, it was always obscured by a counter thought. Slowly I stepped onto the threshold.

The warm air passes over my skin, the sound of water greets me and soon I realize, "Alice!" The same woman from before stood beside Alice who sat in the shower unconscious her clothes soaking wet, propped up against the far wall, the acrylic sliding panel broken and water dousing her.

"You!" I started "what did you do?" I took a step forward but halted halfway.

"Stay... right where you are." She stated brandishing a large knife and a sick smile.

I could feel the rage boiling up "what did you do to her?"

She let her hands fall at her side "so boring and wrong question to boot."

Her chirpy attitude brought chills to my spine.

"She's ok, just unconscious." Pausing she gazes at me with questioning eyes, and then "well I'm sure you have other questions, go on, I don't bite."

My heart races and an irrational fear started to give root, why does it feel like the more I speak to her the more exhausted I feel? Like my life is being drained from me.

"You should ask while you still can." She stated with a seemingly genuine sincerity.

Her eyes drifted to Alice, "well," she sighed "if you're worried that I had stabbed her then you shouldn't be. " she gestured to the unconscious Alice. "As you can see, no blood."

"Then why isn't she waking up?" I asked my rage still not declining in the least. "And who are you?"

"An interesting question finally, but you already know the answer to that."

This woman seemed to think I knew her, but I didn't. I couldn't even fathom what she was thinking, my first thought was that she might be insane.

I mean come-on what type of person does this?

"What do you want?" I asked.

A question to which she smiled before shaking her head.

"Well frankly, it's not what I want but what you want," she took a deep breath before continuing. "You see I own you, more than you're probably willing to accept but since you don't remember it'll me giving you a choice being my eternal slave and all."

Looking directly at me she continued, "Either she dies or one hundred other people die, " she giggled "Simple enough right?

Oh and try not to delay, I also

get irritable when I'm lied to."