DAUGHTER of NYX

"Waking up in the morning is really hard. I've been late to school three times this week. I'm surprised my mom didn't come get me. I also need to check out the job Ellie got for me after school. I'm feeling really stressed out and tired. I know my mom is trying her best, but it's been tough for her since my dad hasn't been around much. The bills are becoming a lot to deal with and I really need to get this job. "I can't help but feel nervous about the job at the restaurant. I'm really clumsy and I'm worried I'll do something to mess it up. I just have to get through my classes first. School has been so boring and everyone there seems so fake. I can't wait to graduate and get out of there. I hear my mom calling my name. I finally get out of bed and hurry to get ready for school. "Ellie was already outside waiting for me. When you don't have a car, you definitely need someone to give you a ride to school. School went by quickly and now I'm at the restaurant. It looks like a really nice place, so I'm a bit nervous. What if I mess up or they don't hire high schoolers? I guess I'll never know unless I try. I got the job! It turns out they're really understaffed and need help immediately. The manager seems nice, so this might not be a bad place to work. "It's already around 6 in the evening and I have to get home. My mom won't be home, but I don't like being out late. It feels like I'm being followed sometimes. I've told my mom, but she says I'm just imagining things. I know it's not my imagination though. Sometimes I can feel someone watching me, but when I turn around, there's nobody there. It's really creepy and I just want to get home as fast as possible. "I got home safe and sound. It wasn't as creepy today as it has been on other days, but I still made sure to lock everything as I came in. This house is old and big, and it's been in the family for generations. Sometimes it feels like there's a lot of history in these walls, and being alone can be a little creepy. There are a lot of strange noises. I think we need to go through the house and make a list of things to sell, but I'm too tired to start on that tonight. I'll just heat up some spaghetti. "After my meal, I take a nice, hot shower. I feel less tired and still have some time before my mom gets home from her afternoon shift. I clean up the kitchen and then settle down to watch an episode of Grimm. I love this show, but most people don't seem to know about it. It's such a unique show, with a combination of drama and humor. As I'm watching, I hear strange noises, but I can't tell if they're coming from the television or somewhere else in the house. I wonder if I should get up to investigate. "The noises are getting louder and louder, and I'm getting seriously spooked. I pick up my phone to call my mom, but she doesn't answer. She must be busy or on her way home. I know I should be brave and investigate, but all the strange things that have been happening lately make me nervous. What if there's someone or something in the house? I'm starting to feel like I'm in a horror movie. Maybe I should just hide under my covers until my mom gets home. "I slowly make my way to the source of the sound, and just as I get close, it abruptly stops. I'm about to turn around when a bat flies out from nowhere. I scream and run back to my room, locking the door behind me. How did a bat even get into the house? And why am I feeling so creeped out? First the strange feeling of being followed, then the bat - what's going to happen next? I'm starting to feel like I'm losing my mind.