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.

stefan im serious. your bedroom light is on

i can see it from the street. second window.

Above you, the floorboard creaks again. Slower this time. Like a foot testing its weight.

are your parents home?? please tell me theyre home

wait

WAIT

someone just moved past your window

stefan thats inside your room. thats INSIDE

The floorboards above you go quiet. Everything goes quiet.

listen to me. don't move. and whatever you do

Your phone is the only light in the room. Dion's bubble still hangs unfinished.

stefan answer me

whatever you do

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 steps stop at the top of the stairs. Then they start coming down. Slow. Deliberate. Not hiding anymore.

stefan???

the lights just went out and i can see the front door from here

whatever youre doing DO IT QUIETLY

The staircase is behind you. The front door is across the living room, past the couch. Your keys hang by it.

Halfway down, the footsteps stop. The whole house holds its breath.

You can't hear him breathing. You can't hear anything. He's just... standing there in the dark.

stefan im calling the police ok. stay where you are

dont make a sound

Then your phone buzzes. Not Dion. An unknown number.

don't turn around.

Your thumb hovers over the screen. The stair behind you creaks — one step. Then another.

stefan?? whats happening, talk to me

The footsteps start again. Faster now. Coming down toward you.

He’s coming downstairs.

and here we're

To be continued...