C14 Chapter 14

As Jules waited for the police to arrive, she felt like the whole world was holding its breath, the silence was suffocating, and it made her skin crawl. She couldn't help but let her imagination run wild, conjuring up worst-case scenarios – what if the attacker came back? What if they were watching her right now, hiding in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike? The imaginary creaks of the office made her jump, and she found herself checking her phone for what felt like the hundredth time, willing the police to hurry up.

She thought about Drake, about how they'd laughed together just a few days ago, and how now... now everything was different. The memories swirled with fear and anxiety, making her stomach twist into knots. Jules wrapped her arms around herself, trying to find some comfort, but it was like trying to hold water in her hands – it slipped right through. She paced around the room, her eyes scanning every corner, every nook, every possible hiding spot. The shadows seemed to move, and she knew it was just her mind playing tricks on her, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched.

The sound of sirens in the distance made her heart skip a beat. Finally. The police were here. Jules took a deep breath, trying to compose herself, but her hands were still shaking as she opened the door to let them in. She felt a mix of relief and anxiety as she saw the officers stepping out of their car, their faces serious and concerned.

As they approached her, Jules couldn't help but wonder if they'd found anything, if they knew who did this. The questions swirled in her head like a tornado, making it hard to think straight. She opened her mouth to speak, but her voice got stuck in her throat. The officer, a middle-aged woman with a kind face, smiled softly and asked if she was okay. Jules nodded, trying to find her voice, but the words just wouldn't come out.

The officer stepped inside, followed by her partner, and Jules felt like she was watching herself from outside, like she was floating above the scene, watching it unfold. They asked her questions – what happened, when did it happen, did she see anything – but Jules's mind was a mess. She tried to focus, to remember every detail, but it was like trying to grasp a handful of sand – it kept slipping away.

The officers exchanged a look, and Jules knew they weren't getting much from her. They asked if they could look around, and Jules nodded numbly. As they began to search the place, Jules felt like she was losing control, like everything was spinning out of her grasp. She sat down on the couch, trying to ground herself, but her mind was racing.

What if they didn't catch the person who did this? What if they came back for her? What if... what if... what if...

The questions swirled, making her head spin, and Jules felt like she was drowning in her own fears. She needed something, anything, to calm her down, to make sense of this chaos. She spotted her phone on the coffee table and grabbed it, dialing Emily's number. Emily would know what to do. Emily would make this okay.

As the phone rang, Jules felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, everything would be alright.