I turn around, nervous he found another way inside my home. Or that he’s already in the house with me and has been the entire time. ME: Why are you doing this? His text doesn’t come through right away. I wait with bated breath, and when I realize I’m glaring at my phone, I nearly throw it across the room. He’s probably making me wait on purpose. Finally, my phone buzzes. I force myself to wait a minute before opening it, just to spite him. UNKNOWN: You haunt me. It’s only fair I return the sentiment. I swallow, nervous energy coursing through me as I decide how to respond. UNKNOWN: You’re so beautiful when you’re scared. I drop the phone. Embarrassed and praying he didn’t see my blunder, I look out the window again. Still not there. Where the fuck is he? As if reading my thoughts, another text comes in. UNKNOWN: I’m so close, I can smell you. My hands tremble as I read his text over and over again. The words begin to blur as panic sets in. He’s here in my house somewhere. I run over to the kitchen, grab my handy dandy knife and storm back into the living room. He hasn’t come out yet, but I imagine he will. Heart racing and hands shaking, I perch myself on the edge of the rocking chair, sealing my fate. ME: Quit being a pussy and come out then. The second the message shoots off, I regret it. I want to snatch it back. Footsteps sound from above me. I swallow and look up as if Ill be able to see through the ceiling and spot him. The footsteps travel further away from me, towards my room. My phone buzzes. UNKNOWN: Come find me. At this exact moment, I’m questioning my sanity. Without thought, my ass lifts off the seat and I take a single step towards the staircase. My instincts are to run towards the danger, not away. God? Me again. We really need to talk about your life decisions when you made me. I’m not even sure I believe in Her, but if She is real, then someone needs to smack Her hand for making me the way that I am. Thankfully, common sense kicks in, and I stop myself from going up and finding a crazed man in my house. The smart thing would be to call the police. There’s no way he’d be able to get out without being seen. The only way out of this house is down the steps. He can’t hide forever. At this point, I don’t even care