Familiar Face

Jess laid in bed staring at the shadows on the ceiling.

“It’s freezing in here” sighed Jess as she pulled the bedsheets over her face.

“Oh, stop being a drama queen!” laughed Katie “you were half dressed last night, you’ve probably caught a chill” Jess turned to Katie with mock shock.

“How dare you!” she exclaimed “my friend thought I looked lovely”

Katie walked to the bathroom, rolling her eyes.

“Do we know this one’s name?” asked Katie “or not, as usual?” Jess appeared at the door. Eyebrows raised.

“Rob, actually!” she sneered, sticking out her tongue “he wanted to come back here, no thanks”

“Jesus Jess, you’re cold” joked Katie

“What?” laughed Jess “I didn’t want to take him back to mine and I certainly wasn’t going to bring him back here”

“Damn right you weren’t bringing him here” scoffed Katie “my little bed isn’t big enough for three” Jess threw her head back in laughter, flopping back on the bed.

“Thanks for letting me stay last night” said Jess “I hate going back there on my own, especially in winter - there’s no one to put the heating on” Katie laughed and threw her arms around Jess, squeezing tight.

“Anything for you bestie”.

Katie checked the time and began to get dressed “come on, we have to get to work!”

Jess huffed grabbing her clothes. Searching for her mobile phone in the creases of the bedsheets but couldn’t find it, until it began ringing

Jess followed the noise reaching under the bedside table and retrieving her phone – unknown number.

“Hello?” said Jess, bemused

“Hello” the voice gruff “Miss Perkins?”

“Speaking?” replied Jess

The man on the end of the phone cleared his throat.

“I’m PC James Meredith from West Yorkshire Police; your neighbour gave me your number”

Jess started to feel anxious and began waving her arms wildly at Katie mouthing “the police!” Katie’s eyes widened. The police office continued.

“I’m afraid there’s been a break in at your apartment, we’ve had a quick look around and the intruder is long gone – are you able to meet us here”

Jess seemed flustered.

“Erm, yes – on my way”

Shoving on the nearest clothes, they rushed to Jess’s apartment.

The apartment was ransacked, Jess’s possessions thrown everywhere. PC Meredith began explaining neighbours had noticed the door ajar and called the police. Jess’s eyes darted around, looking for discrepancies.

“Nothing’s missing” said Jess worried and confused. Katie squeezed her tight.

“So strange” said Katie, also confused.

Jess slumped down on the nearest chair looking over in the direction of the airing cupboard, noticing a small puddle of blood had pooled up underneath the door. Jess opened the cupboard and let out a blood curdling scream. There in front of Jess was the body of a man, his throat cut, and he was stuffed underneath the boiler. On hearing Jess’s scream, Katies rushed over and looked in total horror.

“It’s him!” screamed Katie “Rob! The guy from last night!”