Chapter 26

I slowly turned around to find myself face to face with Rick.

"Miss me?"

I took a slow step back, but he mirrored my every move. "Did you do that to my mother?" I asked in a shaky voice.

All he did was smile at me. "You know you're a beautiful girl right?"

"Did you do that to my mother?!" I shrieked.

"Cece,Cece, there is no need to raise your voice."

"Stop avoiding my question."

"Well...to answer your question what else would I do to this?" He held up a bloody knife.

I couldn't think of anything else to say but, "Why?"

"Because she was being useless. I cam home and she told me to get out of her house...and it's not hr house now is it? I'ts my house. I told her that and she replied with how she wants her daughter to grow up in a safe environment. Meaning nowhere near me. Can you imagine that?The woman I love so dearly doesn't want me around anymore because of you. So you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to get my revenge. Now your mother is out of the picture I can finish my job and kill you...But first we will have a little fun."

"What do you mean by fun?"

"Oh...I think you can figure it out." He let out an evil laugh.

I took a few more steps back and he followed me into the room. When he was far enough away from the door I made a run for it, running down the stairs, out the door and onto the road. I could hear him screaming my name behind me.

I banged on the door rapidly hoping that someone would answer.

A light switched on and Oliver stood by the door with his pj's on. "What's wrong Cecelia?" He muffled a yawn.

"Let me in! Pleas." I begged.

He held the door open for me, his eyes full of confusion.

I bolted in and told him to lock the door. He did so and followed me into the living room. "What's wrong?"

Oliver's grandparents came down in their robes tired and grumpy.

"Cecelia, it's late." Oliver's grandmother said, but once she saw the look on my face so was concerned.

"What's wrong Cecelia?" Oliver's grandfather asked in a worried tone.

And so I told them what had happened when I got home.

Oliver's grandmother raised her hand to her mouth in shock. "Oh my...oh my."

Oliver held me tight in his arms as I sobbed.

"Mary, I'm going to head to the police. You keep Oliver and Cecelia safe." Oliver's grandfather said.

 "Of course and you must also be safe Joseph."

"Do you want to sleep in the spare room dear, or would you prefer to sleep in Oliver's room with him?"

I glanced at Oliver. "Would it be alright if I slept in Oliver's room?"

"Of course it's fine dear. I will get you a mattress and some sheets."

Oliver showed me to the bathroom, where I had a shower and got into some of Mary's old clothes.

I walked into Oliver's room and sat on the mattress that was on the floor.

"Try and get some sleep Cece, everything will be okay." Oliver said as he turned off the light.

I nodded even though he couldn't see me. "Where am I going to go?" I whispered.

"Hmm?"

"My mum is dead...I don't have any other relatives. Where am I going to go?"

"I'm sure my grandparents would allow you to stay here. I don't think you can stay with Eve as she has so many siblings and we do have a spare room."

"Jordan wouldn't like that..."

"Jordan will live. Our parents wouldn't allow you to stay there anyway."

"I don't want to be a burden though..."

"You're not a burden. We will be keeping you safe from him. No one should be going through this trauma. We will not be sending you off somewhere so that you can fend for yourself Cece."

I sighed. "I don't know."

His bed sheets ruffled and before I knew it there was a weight next to me and arms wrapped around me. "It will be okay Cece, now try and get some sleep." 

"Mum" I'm home I called out.

But there was no reply.

"Mum" I called out again

She still didn't reply, so I started to get worried.

Taking deep breaths I quickly went through the house until I got to her bedroom.

"Mum" I whispered and opened the door.

I shot back quickly as I saw her body on the floor covered in blood.

"Oh no...mum." I shrieked.

"Hello Cecelia." Came a voice from behind me.

"Rick" I whispered.

"Come closer Cece."

"What? No!"

I turned around to look at my mum and there sat Rick next to her body, licking her blood off the knife. "Come join her Cece. You could be with her. Just lay down and be a good girl, I promise I will kill you quickly."

I shook my head. "No,No!"

"Join her."

"No!"

"JOIN HER!"

"NO!" 

I sat up screaming.

"Cece!" Oliver exclaimed, wrapping his arms around me. "Hey, hey, calm down."

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "No..Rick...my mum...dead...no...he's...going to...kill me."

"Cece, it's okay it was just a dream."

"No...he..."

"Cecelia."

I turned to look at him gasping rapidly.

"Shh..it's okay."

I shook my head and buried my head in his chest, letting the tears roll down my face.

"....we bow our head and pray for this lost life, rest in peace Sally Bloom. You will be forever in our hearts," said the preacher.

A tear roll down my cheek and I put my sunglasses back on to hide my eyes.

Jordan wrapped his arms around me. "I's going to be okay...she's not totally gone as she will always be in your mind and in your heart."

I gave a small nod.

"I'm here for you." Jordan whispered.

I leaned my head on his chest, not crying anymore as all my tears have dried up on my face. He held me in his arms and this was the first time I had felt safe in a while.