Someone Is Inside

You’re home alone tonight. At least, you’re supposed to be.

11:47 PM. A floorboard creaks upstairs.

Your phone buzzes.

hey wierdo, I am outside.

looks like you have left your lights on

wait what?

I didn’t turn it on.

russ. that's not funny. your bedroom light is ON

i can literally see it from the street

Above you, the floorboard creaks again. Slower this time. Like weight settling.

are your parents home??

I’m home alone the lights should be off

russ that's not funny.

ok wait. stop. listen.

is anyone else supposed to be in the house?? rn tell me

The kitchen tap is dripping. You never left it dripping.

Upstairs, something drags. Soft. Like a chair being moved.

i swear i just heard something through your window. what was that

no one is supposed to be in the house

russ i need you to hear me

someone just walked past your bedroom window

inside. INSIDE the house. i saw them russ

The dripping stops. The whole house holds its breath.

don't be a hero ok. you need to get out

you're still downstairs right?? please tell me you're downstairs

russ. answer me. please.

The dark at the top of the stairs feels like it's listening too.

then don’t go upstairs.

For a second, the whole house is silent.

The bedroom light switches off.

For a moment, nothing happens.

Then you hear it.

Creak.

One step.

Another.

The footsteps stop at the middle of the staircase. The house waits.

russ i'm begging you. back door. NOW.

i'm already running across the yard don't stay there

Your phone screen is the only light in the room. It feels very loud.

can you make the back door from where you are??

run to the back door which is unlocked

You bolt through the dark kitchen, lungs tight, hand slapping the counter for the door.

The back door swings open — and the cold hits you, and the yard, and Dion's voice somewhere beyond the fence.

RUS I SEE YOU. keep going keep going keep—

Behind you, the footsteps on the stairs stop. Completely.

...wait. why did he stop

russ why did he stop moving

The house behind you is silent now. Not one sound. That's worse.

Then your phone buzzes. Not Dion. A number you don't know.

The message says: "don't turn around."

russ?? your light just came back on

russ your light. i'm telling you it's back ON

Cold grass under your feet. Dion's shape at the fence, waving you on.

The unknown number is typing again.

He’s coming downstairs.

and here we're

To be continued...