Eavesdropping

“SShhhh!”, she said,”..we don’t want him to hear us.”

What seemed like ten minutes passed before I could make out anything else. I was about to give up and go back to my writing when slow heavy footsteps started moving below and another voice. Someone was mocking, ” We don’t want him to hear us indeed!”
The hairs on my neck rose! My body shuddered and shrugged off the evil tickle that was traveling up my back.

There was more shuffling about and what seemed like muffled screams! Though I was afraid, my curiosity was in full bloom. I got down and pressed one ear to the cold wooden floor and waited.
Iv heard fights going on down there before but I sensed this time It was different.
I tried to ignore the bad feeling rising from deep in my stomach.
It’s just my imagination. There’s nothing going on..just another silly fight …maybe.?
There I stayed, barely breathing–frozen to the spot–listening.

Is that.? Yes,.. it’s the bath water! Her bathroom is right below me! Someone is running the water–but why?!

My mind whirled with the possibilities. Before I could turn them into a full thought there was a huge thud! I stopped breathing and layed there motionless, afraid to make a noise, for what seemed to be a very long time.  I didnt want to hear anymore and wished everything back to normal.
Get up! Brush yourself off,  turn on the kettle and make a nice hot tea…
–more sounds–
Was it scraping ? NO! more like a swishing sound…like something, or someone being dragged!
My heart was pounding so loud it’s all I could hear. Fear and panic started raging in my head.
What should I do? Where can I hide? What if he comes here next!? Should I call the police?… That poor lady, maybe she is still alive! I have to call the police-wait -I will need proof…I need to see what is going on downstairs–to be sure. Maybe I can help her escape! I’ll need a phone and a weapon… 

I began to devise a plan. Having a mission, my body responded to the commands that my mind gave out. Get-up–Find a weapon–Look for the phone…
Slowly and quietly I pulled myself up by the desk corner being careful not to touch the squeaky office chair. It was dark now and I wondered how long I had been on the floor. My eyes scanned the cluttered loft for any kind of weapon and I spotted the phone. There isn’t much room in an Attic to hide, I mused.

I heard footsteps. One, Two…coming up the stairway. I remembered there are thirteen steps to each landing. Quickly I shifted into the kitchen area and opened the window above the sink with my right hand while grabbing up the cell in my left. I hoisted myself up with my knee onto the edge of the sink and slithered up and out the window onto the ancient fire escape. The wind whipped the hair into my face wildly. I could hardly keep my balance on the tiny metal platform and I couldn’t see to find my bat! …wasting time! -I had to go–He was coming!

I shoved my phone into the side pocket of my cargo’s and started my decent. With each step down I thought of a monster coming another step closer. At step six I wondered, Did he brake down my door? I didn’t hear a crash…or bangning.  I didnt want to look down and I certainly did not want to be looking up when his face would appear sticking out the tiny Attic window above! I stared straight ahead and moved even faster down the winding planks.

Within seconds I was at the kitchen window of the apartment below. This window had double panes and it slid open with ease. Feet first, I lowered myself inside and with shaky hands, locked the window.