Behind The Curtain

CHAPTER 4

Eyes. Pitch black, pure evil eyes were watching me, stalking me like a lion does its prey. I was standing in my living room, looking back at those insidious eyes, my pulse deafening in my ears. Closer. They were coming closer, a hand suddenly shoots out the shadows reaching towards me. I scream, my lungs burning as I run in the opposite direction. I run into my bedroom, trying to shut the door behind me, but I was too late. Two hands grabbed the door, forcing it back open with so much power, I nearly fell on the floor. I pushed against the door with all my might, trying to keep it closed, but it was no use. The hand slid through the gap in the door, reaching out and grabbing me by the shoulder. “Come on, sweetheart. Let me in!” The voice that spoke was rough and deep, a sinister lull to it. I screamed again when the door burst open, and the hands now became two arms attached to a shadowy figure. The shadow crept closer, closer, until it hovered right above me. For a moment nothing happened, and I thought I was safe, but as sudden as a lightning bolt, the hands flew to my throat, and squeezed. My eyes were dripping with tears, my lungs burning, screaming for air. I am going to die. I clawed and scraped, kicked and grabbed at the shadowy figure but he wouldn’t let go. I am going to die. With all my strength, and the last little bit of air in my lungs, I yelled.

“HELP!”

“HEEEEELP!”

I gasp for air as I shoot upright in my bed, my brow covered in little beads of sweat, my stomach churning, tears streaming down the sides of my face like Niagara Falls. I looked around the room, scanning for any sign of danger and realize that the sun not even risen yet. Lilli, still sound asleep next to me, didn’t seem to be bothered by my thrashing as she continues to snore softly. I drop my head into my shaking hands, and try to calm myself. Having a nightmare after watching a thriller is so lame. I was seriously losing it. It took a while for me to stop the trembling and the tears, and when it finally ceased, I got up from the bed. Needing fresh air and a way to clear my head, I decided to go for a run. I got changed, leaving a note on the nightstand next to Lilli, telling her I wouldn’t be back for a few hours, and took off running as fast as I could. It was still a bit dark out; this part of town was still dead quiet this early. I focused on my breathing, focused on my feet hitting the ground. This was usually the part of my exercise regime that I hated most, but days like this were the only way I could enjoy a run. Whenever my head felt too crowded, or too heavy and loaded, I would run for as long and as fast as I could. It's always a great way to focus, think and sort out whatever is bothering you. I had run a half mile already when I stopped for a while, trying to catch my breath. The sun was now just barely peeking over the horizon, its glow stretching over the darkness. A chill crawled over my skin, my flesh erupting in goosebumps. Eyes. Eyes staring right at me. I could feel those eyes from my nightmare staring at me. I spun frantically, looking around to find the source, when I saw someone at the end of the street behind me in a black hoodie, their face covered. The shadowy figure and I both just stood in the street, neither I not him moving. I felt glued to the floor, my brain telling me to run, to get the hell away from this hooded stranger that was causing my body to scream in fear. Perhaps gut feelings are a blessing, because just as I started to jog up the street again to get away from this person, they started to follow me. I pick up my pace, wanting to put as much distance between me and the person who was now running behind me, when I heard their footsteps coming faster. They’re picking up pace too. I peered over my shoulder, seeing the dark figure trying to catch up with me, their shadow creeping up on me. My heart rate spikes, my breathing becoming shallow. This was not good. Who the hell is following me?! I looked back once more, my scream catching in my throat when I see the figure now sprinting full force towards me. I snap my head to face forward, pushing my legs to run as fast as they would take me, arms pumping relentlessly next to my body, trying to propel me forward. I fought the tears in my eyes as I heard their footsteps still following me. Who was this? And why are they chasing me? I didn’t dare to look back again, running with all my might, pushing myself to go faster, further, trying to get away from the stranger. Don’t look back. Don’t look back. I quickly turned down a different street, daring to glance behind me, my heart slightly stuttering as I see no one behind me. Just as I started to slow down, thinking the person was gone, they rounded the corner, still running full speed. My eyes go wide, my entire body icing over with fear. What the hell does this person want?! I run further, turning into another street, left, right, and left again. I was running toward the park, wanting to get to a more crowded place for safety and nearly topple over another lady.

“Sorry!” I yelled, still running until I was in the middle of a sea of people. I finally stopped, and looked behind me, trying to spy the stranger that was chasing me so fervently. Nothing. Gone, just like a disappearing magic trick, the stranger had poofed away into a cloud of smoke. I groan loudly as I drop my hands on my knees, my body folding in half, as I gasp for air to fill my desperate lungs. So many thoughts, all tumbling around like laundry in a washing machine, were causing my fear to form a knot in my stomach. What would have happened if the person actually caught me? What did they want from me? Was this the same person who sent the photo and the message? Nevertheless, I unfortunately couldn’t deny the sore fact that I needed help with this situation. I swallowed the lump in my throat , rubbing my hands over my face to force the tears back into my eyes, and took of running to the one person I know can help me.