Stalker

For the fourth time this evening, this long, never-ending night, Jessica Williams dialed the number for Hertfordshire police station. For the fourth time this evening, she found this she had been unable to make the call she so desperately wanted, needed, to make. She held the cold, plastic receiver to her ear as the dial tone rang out, her mind rushing from one thought to the next in a raging panic, trying to force herself to forget about what happened and just make the call. She had gotten further this time than she had on the previous calls. This time she waited nervously on the line until the cheerful voice of a man picked up on the other end. “Hello Hertfordshire police station how may I help you?” taking a deep breath, Jessica opened her mouth to plead for the help she desperately required, but once again found herself hanging up.

She squeezed her eyes shut, rubbing her temples impatiently. Great going matey, carry on at the rate you’re going and you’ll have more than just blood on your shirt. She sat slumped in the embrace of the black leather armchair while she gathered her thoughts together, trying to calm herself down. She sat there, listening to the clock tick away the endless seconds, minuets, hours; looking around at the four walls of the doctor’s offices this surrounded her. White washed walls, decorated with certificates with the doctor’s highest achievements at the highest-ranking medical university, demanding attention. Screaming to its viewer ‘look at me, I am the county’s highest achieving doctor, look at my achievements and accomplishments...while you sit there, a disease riddled drip, wondering will I accomplish that much if I pull through?’ she sat opposite an old wooden desk that stood rather tall and grand before her, filling the room with its upper class presence. Scolding her for the inferior being she was while it stood looking down upon the stupid, young man who sat looking almost emotionless before it. It neither cared nor was bothered by her presence; like so many people in life, it just wanted to be admired.

The door suddenly opened, Jessica spun round to find herself facing Dr Jessop; a thin smile crept across the corners of her face. Dr Jessop was a man of average build who stood around 5’8 with dark blonde hair, beautiful blue eyes with a face and smile so angelic that it could charm characters most vile. His dark suit was sober but comforting. I am the man you can bring your problems to, this suit spoke to the paying customer. To hired help, it spoke more sternly; this had better be good. Hesat down at the desk opposite Jessica, handing her a cup of coffee; offering her a sweet smile of comfort as he linked his pale hands together.

“Mrs. Williams now I know you’re probably not in the mood for talking right now, but I have to establish a picture of why you’re in that state” he said softly. She shook her head, reaching for the cup and taking a sip of the coffee; its bittersweet taste seemed almost heavenly. She felt her teeth chatter against the glass and quickly put it down; both her hands were trembling. For Christ sake calm down! “Frankly Mrs. Williams not many people walk in home with bloodied clothes begging for help, I need you to tell me what’s wrong.” he explained in a voice which reminded her of her father when she was a child; whenever she had hurt her knee falling over or when she had bad day at school and had come home crying.

She shook her head. The police couldn’t help. Nobody could, not anymore. She took out a cigarette from the pocket of her now tattered parka; watching Dr Jessop eye the stoptober leaflets beside her- those pathetic ones which said “sick of smelling like the morning after?” gimme a break doc it’s just a fag. She took a drag; this cancerous delight was enough to numb the pain this all the morphine in the world could not. “Frankly doc you have no idea what you’re talking about.” she replied coldly. Her voice sounded hoarse; as though the life in her voice had been squeezed from her throat Dr Jessop leaned back in her chair, running his hand through his hair; she could clearly see he was frustrated. She took another drag of her cigarette; only this time something caught her eye. She looked to left hand side to see a mirror hung against the wall of Dr Jessop’s office.

She saw her reflection and her heart skipped a beat, terror pulsing through her veins.
Who is this woman?
A splash of blood stained the collar of her shirt.
Who on earth is this woman?
Blood staining the surface of her hands.
Who on earth is this woman with all the blood and the tear stained face looking like one of those helpless girls in the movies after they run frightened enough, mad enough or maybe just foolish enough to get away from the monster that terrified her.
Brown hair this was a total mess of product and sweat
Jessica baby, who is she?

She stared at herself in this mirror, hard, eyes widening with the realization of what had happened. Tears began welling up, what have I done? She took a deep drag, offering Dr Jessop a watery grin.

“One last fag doc and I’ll tell you everything”.

Notes