I awoke, instantly seized by panic at the sound of my apartment door opening. Trying not to move I opened my eyes slightly. The eerie light from a powerful flashlight filled my living room and kitchen. I closed my eyes tightly again, hoping the intruder would think I was sleeping and not harm me. My heart thundered in my chest, making it difficult to hear.
The light entered my bedroom and swept over my body. I fought the instinct to move. Suddenly the light was gone, the room plunged into darkness again. Thinking the intruder had left I opened my eyes just barely enough to see. In front of my bed was a pair of legs, mans legs. I clamped my eyes shut again, gripped with terror. Who was he? Why was he here?
My mattress gave slightly under his weight as he sat down beside me. “Miss?” The gentle voice seemed wrong for someone breaking into my apartment in the middle of the night. “Miss,” the voice repeated, this time followed by a soft laugh. “You aren’t asleep, you might as well stop pretending.” His hand touched my shoulder lightly and I jumped as I opened my eyes.
I sat up, clutching my blanket to my chest and reaching for the telephone on the nightstand. “Leave now,” I ordered bravely. “I’m calling 911.” Again the soft laugh.
“Yes, good idea. They’ll send me right over to make sure you’re ok.” He took the phone from my hands and returned it to the nightstand. My eyes adjusted to the darkness now and I could see the glint of metal on his chest, his badge.
“Why are you here?” I asked, trying to calm my nerves.
“I live downstairs, unit 8,” He explained. “I was just getting back from a call and I thought I saw a shadow moving up here. Figured I’d better check on you.” He paused for a moment, I could see now some of his facial features. Not too bad looking for a knight-in-shining-armor. “Good thing I did too,” He continued. “You left your key in the lock.”
Even in the dark I’m sure he could see my cheeks instantly flush a deep crimson. He held his hand out, my key lying in his palm. I laughed a nervous laugh and shook my head, “Not again.” Looking at him, I admitted this wasn’t the first time. Taking the key from him I thanked him and placed it on my nightstand.
He waited until I turned to face him again, then gently touched the small chain on my neck. “What will your Master say when you tell him?”