That was how my day began. As you might already know, I'm Christy James. I attend Rushmore High as a sophomore. My cousin Todd is a senior, and my younger cousin Amy is still in middle school as an 8th Grader.

Anyway, during breakfast that morning Todd mentioned that I had woken up earlier and he found me frightened. My aunt was about to freak.

"You're ok, aren't you? No cuts, wounds-" She was so worried her curly, bright red hair was sticking out on end, her light blue eyes glancing carefully over me. The short lady at 5 ft. 3" jumped out of her seat. "I'm going to cancel my meeting and call the po-"

"Aunt Gena," I said soothingly, though my voice was a bit tight whether I liked it or not. "Relax. He wasn't actually there. I was probably just imaging it."

"Don't worry Mom, you go to your meeting tonight and don't call Dad because you're all worried," added Todd, looking her in the eyes. His brown eyes were shining and his tawny hair still ungroomed. "He has enough work to worry about the way it is."

Once again I felt bad. I didn't want to ruin others lives, especially loved ones, with my problems. Even if that problem was a psycho Great Uncle on my father's side wanting to kill me.

"So Amy," I said, trying to change the subject. "Are you going trick-or-treating with Emma's family tonight?"

"Yeah, you wanna come?" she asked after finishing her French toast.

"Nah," I said, finishing up my toast and gulping down my milk. Then I got up, thanked Aunt Gena for her delicious breakfast, and headed upstairs to my room that was once a guest room.

After tidying up my bed, I went over to my desk and started packing my books back into my bag. I'd been up late finishing my homework and studying about my uncle. Just then, I remembered my presentation notes still needed to be printed out.

"Crap," I said, opening the file on the computer and hitting the print option.

Looking up from my computer and out the window next to it, I gasped. This time, I saw him out in the yard partially behind a tree. Yet after blinking, he was gone again. Aunt Gena was already gone and she was dropping Amy off. So quickly I jammed my notes into my bag and grabbed my binder before dashing down the stairs and out the door.

"Todd, we need to go now!" I yelled at him as he tossed his bag in the back seat. I threw mine behind me as I sat down.

"Ok, ok," he said, gunning out of the driveway and onto the road. Once well on our way, he asked, "Would you like to tell me what that was about?"

"Just keep driving," I said not taking my eyes off the rearview mirror. Even if he followed us, he'd probably wait till after school to attack.

At school, I hopped out and sprinted for the entrance not wanting to hang around outside. Inside Libby and Mischa greeted me. Libby was with me last year when I had my first taste of Uncle Michael. Her parents had offered to let me live with them, but I didn't want to impose on non-relatives. Especially after the night my close family perished before my eyes.

Libby had auburn red hair just past her shoulders and honey brown eyes. Mischa, on the other hand, had light blonde hair right at her shoulders and navy blue eyes. Both were about the same height, shorter than me.

"Hey Christy, how are you?" asked Libby, trying to sound perky though I could hint her concerned tone. "Doing alright this morning?"

"Yeah, yeah," I said, making sure not to look her in the eyes. She must have noticed because as soon as everyone left for homeroom she pulled me aside. "Are you sure?"

She forced me to stare into her eyes. I almost broke down and told her I'd seen him already this morning, but I ended up faking a smile and muttering, "I'm fine."

Libby smiled back. I guess she believed me. "Ok, I'll see you later then." And with that she took off.

Trying to relax, I walked slowly to my locker before heading to homeroom.