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.

um. that's ur bedroom light jesse

the one facing the street. it's on rn

Above you, the floorboard creaks again. Slower this time. Closer to the top of the stairs.

wait. r u actually home?

You tell Dion you're home. Your thumb hovers over the keyboard.

ok good. then listen to me

something just moved past your window

a person, jesse. inside. i just watched them cross your room

get out. now. don't be quiet about it, just GO

Upstairs, the footsteps stop. Right above your head.

whatever you're about to do —

The screen glows in your hand. Dion's typing bubble appears. Stops. Appears again.

jesse i can still see the light. it's on. i'm watching it

promise me you'll listen before you move

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 reach the landing. They stop there, above the stairs.

Your phone screen glows against your palm. 11:49 PM.

jesse are you seeing this

the light in ur room just went off. i saw the shadow do it

whoever that is, is now coming DOWN

back door. kitchen. GO. i'm running around the block rn

Somewhere upstairs, a door opens. Slow. Unhurried.

Jesse run the block in

You hit the front door and run. Bare feet on cold grass, then pavement.

Behind you, the house goes silent. The footsteps stop.

JESSE?? i see someone running on ur street

is that you?? wave at me

The block is quiet. No footsteps behind you. Nothing at all.

Too quiet. The kind of quiet that feels like being watched.

Your phone buzzes. Not Dion. An unknown number.

don't turn around.

The streetlight hums above you. Your breath fogs in the cold.

jesse i'm almost to your corner. stay where i can see you

Behind you, faint but unmistakable — your front door creaks open.

He’s coming downstairs.

and here we're

To be continued...