Chapter 3
1393 Words
Chapter 3: Shadows in the Snow
Erica’s POV
I barely sleep. Every creak of the house, every groan of the old pipes, makes me jolt awake, eyes darting to the window. My mind keeps replaying those glowing eyes staring back at me from the woods. Maybe it was just an animal, I tell myself. Maybe a fox or a stray dog.
But wolves don’t have eyes that glow like that.
I lie there for hours, one arm draped protectively over Lily as she sleeps soundly beside me. Her soft breaths are the only thing grounding me. I try to tell myself I’m being paranoid, that the stress of moving back home and Lucas showing up uninvited is messing with my head. But when the sky finally starts to lighten to gray, I know the truth.
Something is out there. And it’s not just a wolf.
"Mom?" Lily’s sleepy voice pulls me from my thoughts. She rubs her eyes, her curls sticking up in every direction. "Are we making pancakes with Grandma today?"
I force a smile. "Of course, baby. Go brush your teeth, and I’ll meet you downstairs."
She hops out of bed, her little feet pattering across the floor. The moment she’s gone, my eyes snap back to the window. The snow is fresh and clean now, no tracks, no eyes. It’s like nothing ever happened. But I know better.
By the time I make it downstairs, the house smells like coffee and bacon. Jake is at the table shoveling food onto his plate like he hasn’t eaten in weeks. Mom is flipping pancakes at the stove, her favorite Christmas apron tied around her waist.
“Morning, sleepyhead,” Mom says, glancing over her shoulder. “Rough night?”
I grab a mug from the cabinet and pour myself coffee. “You could say that.”
Jake snorts around a mouthful of bacon. “Bet you’re still sore from hauling all those boxes. City life made you soft, sis.”
“Don’t start with me, Jake,” I warn, shooting him a look.
He grins wider. “Touchy, touchy. You should stretch more.”
“I should stretch my patience with you,” I mutter, taking a sip of coffee. The warmth spreads through my chest, but it does nothing to ease the tension knotted in my stomach.
Mom flips a pancake and turns to face me. “I saw Lucas heading toward the woods this morning. Looked like he was in a hurry.”
I freeze, my mug halfway to my lips. “The woods?”
Mom nods, frowning a little. “Yeah, didn’t even say goodbye. Just took off like something was calling him.”
I glance out the kitchen window. The woods loom at the edge of our property, tall pines heavy with snow, branches swaying lightly in the cold breeze. My heart beats faster.
“Probably just going for a walk,” Jake says with a shrug, stuffing another pancake in his mouth. “Guy’s always been weird like that.”
But I’m not so sure. People don’t just “go for a walk” in the woods at dawn—not unless they’re looking for something. Or running from something.
“Mom, can I go play outside after breakfast?” Lily asks, climbing onto the chair next to Jake. She’s already reaching for the syrup.
“Not today,” I say quickly, maybe too quickly. Everyone turns to look at me. I force a smile. “It’s too cold. We’ll do something inside.”
Lily pouts. “But I wanna play in the snow.”
“I said no, Lily,” I snap, sharper than I meant to. Her eyes go wide, her bottom lip trembling.
Mom raises a brow at me, and Jake whistles low. “Jeez, Erica. She’s just a kid.”
Guilt hits me hard and fast. I kneel in front of Lily, brushing a curl away from her face. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to yell. We’ll play later, okay? Just… stay inside for now.”
She nods slowly, still looking at me like I’ve grown two heads. I hug her tight, trying to convince myself that everything’s fine. But deep down, I know it’s not.
---
Later that day, I’m folding laundry in the living room while Lily watches cartoons. The sun is brighter now, shining through the big front window. The warmth makes me feel a little safer, but I keep glancing at the woods. The tracks are gone, but I can’t shake the feeling that something is still there.
Jake walks in, tossing his jacket on the couch. “Heading into town. You want anything?”
“No, I’m good,” I say, folding one of Lily’s sweaters. “Be careful.”
He snorts. “Careful? It’s Silver Hollow, not a war zone.”
He grabs his keys and heads for the door. As soon as it closes behind him, I feel it—the shift. The silence grows thicker. Lily doesn’t seem to notice, too busy laughing at her cartoon. But I notice.
There’s a knock at the back door.
My heart jumps to my throat.
“Mom, someone’s knocking!” Lily says, twisting in her seat.
“Stay here,” I say quickly, wiping my hands on my jeans. I walk slowly toward the back door, each step heavier than the last. My fingers twitch at my sides. I peek through the small window, but no one’s there. Just snow-covered steps and the woods beyond.
I open the door a c***k, squinting out. The cold air rushes in, sharp and biting. My breath fogs in front of me.
Nothing.
No footsteps. No tracks.
But I swear I heard knocking.
“Mom?” Lily calls from the living room. “Is it Uncle Jake?”
“No, baby,” I call back, closing the door and locking it. “No one’s there.”
I step away from the door, heart thudding painfully in my chest. I grab my phone from the counter and scroll to Jake’s name.
Me: You still in town?
It takes a minute, but he replies.
Jake: Just got here. Why?
I stare at the message, a chill crawling up my spine. My eyes dart back to the back door.
Me: Thought I heard knocking. Must’ve been the wind.
Jake: Wind doesn’t knock, E.
I swallow hard, fingers gripping the phone tighter. No, it doesn’t.
---
That night, I lie in bed with Lily curled up next to me, her soft breaths steady and warm. But I’m not sleeping. I’m listening.
Every creak of the house, every groan of the wind, makes my heart race. I stare at the window, watching the darkness outside. No eyes tonight. No tracks.
But the feeling is still there.
Like something’s watching.
I glance at the door, half-expecting another knock. But it doesn’t come. Minutes pass. Hours, maybe. My eyes feel heavy, but I fight it. I stay awake, waiting, listening.
A noise drifts in. Not from the door. From outside.
Crunch. Crunch.
Footsteps. Slow, steady footsteps in the snow. My breath catches in my throat. They stop right below the window. My heart is pounding so loud I’m sure they can hear it.
I grab my phone, thumb hovering over Jake’s name.
Then I hear it.
A low, guttural growl.
Not a dog. Not a wolf. Something bigger.
I sit up, eyes locked on the window. I see nothing. Just the snow, the trees, the faint glow of the porch light. But I know it’s there.
I know it’s watching.
The growl comes again, deeper this time, closer.
I move slowly, inching toward Lily. My hands shake as I pull her closer, pressing her against my chest. Her soft breath is warm on my neck, and I pray she doesn’t wake up.
The footsteps move again, slow, deliberate. They stop right at the window.
I don’t breathe. I don’t blink.
Then, a single tap on the glass.
Tap.
I bite down on my lip, too scared to scream.
Tap.
Louder this time.
My phone buzzes in my hand. A text from Jake.
Jake: On my way back. Everything good?
No. Nothing is good. Nothing is fine.
I stare at the window, too afraid to move.
Because I know if I do, I’ll see it.
Whatever it is.
- Writer
