Page 69 of Finding Jacob
“Who’s there?” I shouted stupidly. I could have kicked myself, wondering why I’d announced my presence. “The police are on their way,” I lied running back to the bedroom.
“Shit,” I heard. It was a woman’s voice and the crash that followed suggested a chair had fallen over.
I immediately called Nathan because he was closest.
“Hey, what’s up?” he said, in a sleepy voice.
“Someone is in my house. I’m going to call the police.” I moved back into the bedroom and locked the door.
“What?” he asked, more alert.
“Someone is in my house, or they were. In the kitchen, I think. I’ve locked myself in the bedroom.”
“Fuck, I’m on my way,” he said and disconnected the call.
I tried Jacob and found his phone engaged. Assuming Nathan was calling him, I moved from the bedroom to the bathroom. The window overlooked the rear courtyard, which was accessed from the kitchen. The security light was on, which suggested whoever had been in my house must have already left. It only stayed lit for a short period of time, so wasn’t still illuminated from when they entered, I didn’t believe.
I dialled 999 and explained that someone was in my house. I was assured the police would be sent immediately.
While I waited with a racing heart, I heard a noise on the stairs. One or two of them creaked and I’d always joked they would be my alarm. I ran back to the bedroom, the only room with a lockable door.
I didn’t believe it to be Nathan, he could have called out, as would the police. I switched my phone to silent and held it in my hand, my finger hovering over the call button.
“Please hurry,” I whispered, looking at the screen and wondering if I should call the police again.
My phone lit up with an unknown number. I never usually answered those, assuming them to be spam calls but that time I did.
“Anna, it’s PC Andrews. I’m inside your house. There doesn’t appear to be anyone here now, but the back door was open.”
“Oh, thank God, I think they were coming upstairs. I’ve locked myself in the bedroom now. I heard the stairs squeaking,” I rambled as I placed an ear to the door.
“That’s good. Stay where you are. I’ll come and get you when I’m sure it’s all clear, okay?”
I nodded as if he could see me. He sounded ever so young. “Be careful,” I said.
“Stay on the line, Anna,” he added.
I could hear him breathing as if he was moving around.
“Shit,” I heard whispered.
“I heard it again, they’re outside my bedroom!”
Fear ran through me, and I caught the scream before I let it out. My hands shook and tears sprang to my eyes. I held my breath; I could hear my heart beating in my ears. While holding on the line, a message flashed up that Nathan was calling. I put the policeman on hold and took the call.
“Nathan, they’re in the house,” I said, not worrying about whispering that time.
“Stay where you are. Do not, Anna, leave that room no matter who tells you to, do you hear me?”
I nodded and before I could answer he disconnected the call. I hadn’t the chance to tell him that there was a policeman. I went back to him.
“My friend is on the way,” I said. I got no response. “Hello?” Again, no response, other than for the click to signal the call had been disconnected.
The door splintered as it was kicked in, I screamed and stumbled backwards. Someone wearing all black lurched towards me. All I could see through a slit in a mask were two brown eyes. He reached out to grab me, although I assumed it to be a he, and I darted backwards. I didn’t want to get stuck one side of the bed, but he was blocking my way to the door. I ran to the dressing table and picked up as many items as I could. I threw everything I could lay my hands on at him, and then grasped a can of hairspray. I ran towards him spraying him in the face, hoping to get his eyes. At the same time, I could hear sirens. He spluttered and tried to cover his eyes, swinging one arm at the same time. He caught the side of my head and I stumbled to the side. I saw stars and for a moment was disorientated. I fought, kicked, and punched, swung my arms, and screamed. And then he ran. Just as the police were kicking down the front door, he ran out the back.
I crumbled to the floor.
“Anna!” I heard. Nathan’s voice rose from the front door. I could also hear him arguing with the police.
