Quiet

4 Pages 1077 Words

Quiet

My hand shook violently as I fumbled with my keys. I tried to quiet the jingling, tried to unlock the door quickly without making much noise, tried to get inside before he caught up with me. I turned the knob and rushed through the door, locking it with a click behind me. My heart pounded in my ears as I shoved my back against the closed wooden door and shut my eyes. I held my breath as the footsteps echoed down the hallway. I prayed silently as they drew nearer, hoping they would walk past the door and keep going. I heard the sound of another set of shoes, and then the flick of a switchblade being released. I waited for the sound of tearing flesh but none came. Instead, the second pair of feet walked off in the other direction, the person seemingly unharmed.
My fingers tightened around the straps I'd been gripping as I waited for the sound of the blade being sheathed once more. The footsteps again began to move closer to the door, slowing down steadily. I nearly gave myself away when I felt something press against my lower leg, but I stifled the scream just before it left my lips. I slowly reached down and gently stroked the soft fur with shaking hands, afraid it might betray me with an attention wanting meow. My lungs felt like fire when I finally opened my mouth and breathed in the clean fresh air of my apartment. It was still a while longer before the pounding in my ears quieted and I forced myself to move. I slowly walked away from the door, sliding my hand along the wall to find the light switch. I flicked light onto the surroundings and waited for my eyes to adjust, then slowly headed towards the couch. I plopped down onto the closest bumblebee colored cushion and closed my eyes.
I reached my arm out, trying to hit the snooze, for just a few more minutes I wanted to sleep. Suddenly, shook myself into full wakefulness rapidly remembering where I was. I leaned across the couch and picked up the phone at the other end...