***

  The final bell rang. I grab my bag and made my way to the parking lot. There, waiting for me, was a very eager Vicky in her red convertible mustang. She pulls up and smiles at me.

  "Get in loser we're going home," she says.

  We drive to my house and talk a bit about the party. She agrees to lend me one of her dresses because my wardrobe is too "decent" for what this party has in store. We pull up beside my dads beige Porsche. I open the door to leave, but she stops me before I can get out.

  "Have fun tonight. Celebrate extra hard for me," she smiles and winks. I smile back and nod before closing the door. She puts the car in reverse and I wave slightly before making my way inside. I open the door using the spare key I have under the mat. I let my bag slide down my arm and land on the floor. I run giddily into my dad's home office.

  I wait at the doorway and watch as he sits hunched over his desk working on some files. I cough to alert him of my presence. He looks up immediately and smiles brightly. Whatever he's working on becomes forgotten and he rushes over to greet me.

  His tall 6 foot frame hovers over my petite one. His brown hair was messy and stray strands were sticking up in random places. His sapphire blue eyes sparkled when he looked at me. He put an arm on the small of my back and lead me to the front door in a hurry.

  "I've had the day off to ensure if be here before you. I let Lacy out earlier so she should be fine while we're out I dinner. Tonight it's all about spending time with my little girl," he says excitedly.

  "Woah dad what's the rush?" I ask.

  "Nothing. I just want to go and spend time with you. The office has been really busy lately and now I finally have some time for you."

  My dad is a doctor. One of the few in town. He's usually busy with appointments, but I'm glad to hear that he took some extra time off. I usually worry that he would over work himself and the stress would give him a heart attack.

  "Where do you want to go?"

  "Angel's Family restaurant. It's tradition," he replied as we get into the Porsche. I fidget with my seatbelt for a minute before replying.

  "Alright let's go," I say enthusiastically. He gives me a warm smile and pulls out of the driveway.

***

  "Oh God," I moan. This is amazing. I shove another forkful in my mouth and savour the taste. I freaking love cheesecake. My dad looked up at me with a smirk.

  "Someone loves their dessert."

  I don't reply but nod enthusiastically. I'm not using my mouth for anything other than eating the cake. I also don't want to waste time talking that could be used to eat more. He puts his fork down having finished his chocolate cake. He leans back in his seat. I swallow my last forkful and push the plate away from me. I take look into my dad's eyes and he gives me a sad smile.

  "I wish your mother was here to see what an amazing young woman you've grown to be," he whispers. The aura of happiness that surrounded us is soon replaced by one of sadness.

  I offer him a sad smile and take his hand into mine, rubbing my thumb over his knuckles. "I know. I miss her too. She was an amazing mom and better than my birth mom from what I'm told about her." He opens his mouth like he's about to say something but doesn't.

  "How was work?" I ask casually trying to change the subject to something less depressing.

  "Long," he sighs. "I conducted the autopsy for the missing couple early this morning. The skull were fractured which indicated that they were bashed in. I'm sure you heard about it on the news. I can't say much more about it. Other than its being claimed as a murder. Their kid is still missing. I pity the child. I didn't know them, but then again no one really did. The family kept to themselves mostly and the kid was homeschooled. I pray the child is okay."

  "I do too. It must be terrifying," is all I say.

  "How was your day? Anything exciting happen?"

  I pause before answering. I'd been avoiding the thought of the note all day, but that simple question managed to bring it back to mind. I shake my head not wanting to tell him about it. The last thing I need is him making a big deal about it. "Not really. The usual boring stuff. No homework so that's a good thing. I'm going to a party this Friday with Jace and Vicky and some of my other friends."

  He raises his eyebrows. "Oh really? Well I hope you have fun. Want to head home?"

  "Yes," I murmur. I grab my purse and slide out of the booth. We quickly stop at the front of the restaurant to pay. My body may be there but my mind is somewhere else.

  I begin to question my decision to go to the party. I had been so focussed on distracting myself I didn't really think through the party. This party in particular was annual and known to get out of control. Vicky had told me last year  that someone had crashed into a neighbour's house. It's to late, I thought I've already agreed to go. Besides I might actually have fun.

  I was so distracted by my own world I barely realize I'm already seated in my dads Porsche. I buckle my seatbelt and my dad speeds off down the road. I watch as the urban environment disappears and is soon replaced by forest.

  The tall coniferous trees leaves are various shades of red, orange, and yellow. The leaves fall gracefully from their branches onto the ground creating a colorful blanket. The sun begins to set on the horizon. We're halfway home and I feel my eyelids become heavy with sleep. I take a peek at my phone. The bright light burns my eyes, but I see it's already 9:03pm.

  My dad reaches forward and turns the knob on the dashboard tuning the radio. The local station from earlier blares through the car.

  "And now a song request. If I die young by the band perry. Dedicated to Marley Harris. Have a good one Marley and enjoy," the announcer chirps. I feel the fatigue I felt before vanish. My heart pounds against my rib cage. The song fills my ears no matter how hard I try to tune it out.

  "If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in a river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
  Uh oh uh oh"

  My dad turns his head to face me. He raises one of his eyebrows. "I didn't know you liked this song? Do you have a secret admirer," he wiggles his eyebrows jokingly.

  "More like the opposite," I murmur to myself in an almost inaudible volume so he can't hear. I turn my gaze back to the window and tune everything out. The note before wasn't an accident. It was very much intended for me. But why? This person, whoever it is, was starting to get under my skin. That's exactly what they're trying to do says a little voice in my mind.

  I won't let them. I put on a brave face and mentally tell myself that I won't let them get to me. They can't have that satisfaction. It doesn't last long and I can feel my brace facade crack and I become scared.

  My dad pulls into the driveway after what feels like an eternity. I couldn't stand to be in the car any longer. I feel claustrophobic in the small space as if the walls are closing in around me. My breathing becomes ragged and makes it hard for me to breathe.

   I push open the car door with all my strength and slam it shut behind me. I run with my purse in hand to the door. I fumble with the spare key trying to open it. Once I hear the lock click I rush inside and go straight to my room. I take the steps two at a time and nearly trip on the last one.

  I reach the sanctuary that was once my room. I open the door to find my room to not be the same as when I left it this morning. Nervously I close it behind me. My window is wide open and the pink curtains blow in the breeze. The bottoms are slightly torn with stray pieces being blown in every direction. My bed that was left unmade from my tardiness this morning was now made pristinely. My pillows were arranged neatly and on top was a folded note similar to the one this from morning.

  My eyes widen in fear and I can feel the sting of tears in my eyes. Whoever this is has been in my room. I hesitantly inch my way to my bed. My hand reaches out and snaps up the letter. I slowly unfold the paper.

  You ignored me. I wonder how much it will take for you to realize how serious I am. Did you like my song?

  The tears that were at the corner of my eyes fall down my cheeks. I throw the note down and run my hand through my hair out of habit. I stalk my way to my window. I forcefully shut it and lock it. There is a large tree that has branches that are near my window. That explains how they got up here which doesn't bring me any comfort knowing they can get into my room again.

  A frustrated cry escapes my mouth. I flop backwards onto my bed and bury myself under the comforter. I cry and allow the tears to run freely. My body seems to take control and rock back in forth in a constant pattern. I stay like this for a couple hours before I calm down enough and sleep finally graces me with its presence.

***