Page 59 of Journey to Love

"What are you doing this weekend?" Jacob asks, his voice filled with anticipation.

I pause for a moment, considering my response. "Ummm... I'm actually off this weekend for once. Why? You wanna come down here and hang?" I suggest, the idea of having him around offering a sense of comfort amidst the unease.

"Actually... I was thinking, what if you came out here for the weekend?" he proposes hopefully.

Before I can reply, a sudden knock at the door shatters the moment. Fear and anxiety grip me once more, freezing me in place. My feet seem glued to the floor, and all I can think about is finding a place to hide. The knock repeats, louder this time, sending a shiver down my spine. My breaths come out heavy as I shut my eyes tightly, my mind racing with apprehension. Then, amidst the chaos, a muffled voice calls out my name, causing my eyes to snap open in realization that Jacob is still on the phone.

"Anya, you still there?" Jacob's voice crackles through the phone. I bring it back to my ear and whisper, "Yeah."

"Why are you whispering?" he asks, his voice lowered to a whisper as well.

"There's a knock at my door, and I'm home alone," I confess quietly.

"Have you tried looking out the window to see who it is?" Jacob suggests.

"I'm too scared to," I admit, fear creeping into my voice.

Suddenly, another knock echoes through the house, louder this time. It's so forceful that even Jacob hears it through the phone. "ANYA, OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!" a muffled voice demands from behind the door.

"I'm gonna try to look through the window," I say shakily. "Don't hang up!"

"I won't," Jacob assures me.

With trembling hands, I slowly approach the corner window that overlooks the front porch. Cautiously, I kneel down and crawl to avoid casting a shadow that could be seen from outside. My breathing is slow and heavy as I lift the curtain aside, attempting to peek outside. With every effort, I try to steady my breathing even more, preparing myself for whatever I might see as I turn to look…

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jacob

I sit on the edge of my seat, the tension palpable as I listen intently to the sounds coming through the phone. Anya's rapid breathing sends a shiver down my spine, and I can't shake the feeling of dread that grips me like a vice.

My mind races with worry, thoughts swirling as I try to piece together what could be happening on the other end of the line. Is Anya in danger? Who could be knocking at her door with such urgency? The possibilities send a chill down my spine.

Could it be Marcus, the guy who set her into a full panic attack not long ago? Or worse, could it be Paul, the man she's mentioned before, the one who's caused her so much pain in the past? The mere thought of either of them near her fills me with a sense of unease.

As I strain to hear any indication of what's happening, a sense of helplessness washes over me. All I can do is stay on the line, offering whatever support I can from miles away. I wish I could be there with her, to offer some sense of comfort and protection.

But for now, all I can do is listen, my heart pounding in my chest as I wait anxiously for Anya to come back on the line and tell me she's okay.

The minutes feel like hours as I continue to hold the phone to my ear, every second ticking by agonizingly slow. I can't help but imagine the worst-case scenarios playing out on the other end of the line, each one more terrifying than the last.

Anya's breathing remains rapid, punctuated by the occasional sound of movement or muffled voices in the background. My heart clenches with every noise, my mind conjuring up vivid images of danger lurking just beyond her front door.

I fight the urge to interrupt, to demand answers and reassurance from Anya. But I know she needs me to stay calm, to be a steady presence in the midst of her fear and uncertainty.

With every passing moment, my worry grows, a knot of tension coiling tighter and tighter in the pit of my stomach. I silently pray for Anya's safety, willing her to find the courage to face whatever awaits her on the other side of that door.

And as I wait, my grip on the phone tightens, my own breaths coming in shallow gasps as I cling to the hope that Anya will soon return to the line, her voice a beacon of reassurance in the darkness.

A deafening scream pierces through the phone, followed by the unmistakable sound of crashing and shattering glass. My heart lurches in my chest, a surge of panic coursing through me. "Anya! Are you okay?" I blurt out, my voice frantic with worry. But there's no response, only eerie silence on the other end of the line.

"Anya! Answer me! What's going on?!" I shout desperately into the phone, my mind racing with fear and uncertainty. Still, there's no reply, only the deafening silence that hangs heavy in the air.

With trembling hands, I pull the phone away from my ear to glance at the screen, my heart sinking as I see that the call has abruptly ended. Panic grips me as I frantically try to call her back, each ring met with agonizing silence on the other end. My stomach churns with dread as I realize that Anya isn't answering, and I'm left with a gnawing sense of helplessness, fearing the worst.

My mom enters the room, her eyes wide with concern. "Jacob! Why are you shouting so late at night?" she asks, her voice filled with alarm.

"It's Anya," I reply, my voice trembling with fear. "I was on the phone with her, and she heard a knock at the door. She sounded so scared! Then I heard a scream, and the line went dead!" I stand up and pace around the room, the anxiety tightening its grip around my chest. "She has an abusive ex! What if he found her? What if she's hurt?"

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