In the dead of night, I heard something.
Click.
Click.
My body stiffened. My sweat turned cold. The slow feeling of dread spread throughout my veins.
Although I didn't want to, I sat myself up in bed. And I set my gaze towards my bedroom door.
I would give anything to see my cute little sister creep through, asking to sleep with me with a frightened look on her face. But currently, she should be sleeping over at a friend's house.
Tonight, I was alone.
…
Now, don't get me wrong. I wasn't afraid of being alone or anything like that. In fact, I was comfortable with isolation. However, the thought of not actually being alone was… unsettling.
…
As my eyes adjusted to the darkness…
I had to wonder…
Was my door always open?
I couldn't see beyond a certain point, for a black mass enveloped the space past the entrance. I desperately wanted to know what was on the other side. But an irrational fear held me in place. The fear of the unknown.
I helplessly stared into the abyss extracting what I could.
And a familiar feeling set in.
"…hhh-"
It was very possible I was imagining it.
I'd be better off thinking that.
But I was sure.
Something was staring back.
I could feel it.
Just like yesterday.
And the day before.
I was told that I was being paranoid.
That my lifestyle was affecting my ability to reason.
But that was wrong.
I was being watched.
From the darkest corners, right out of my field of view.
Something was staring.
"…kkk-"
Always watchful, always lurking…
Even as I did my best to not stand out.
Pressure.
A dead stare.
Keeping me ill-at-ease.
That's right… that's right…
That's when it all started…
On my first day at school before the entrance ceremony, I witnessed an accident. A dog jumped in front of a car. It swerved and hit a nearby girl.
What happened that day was not my fault.
But…
Those glassy eyes never left me alone.
Leave me alone.
Leave.
Please leave.
From behind, I felt her arms drape over my shoulders. She leaned in and whispered in my ear.
"My hikki…"