Chapter 18

I’ve woken up at 3:00am every day since the beginning of the school year, or since my mom died to be exact. Even though there has been so much to happen to me the last couple months, I’ve still pulled through. With cheer and lacrosse, keeping my dad sane, and keeping my two younger brothers under my wing. It’s been crazy but definitely not impossible. This morning was different though. It was more...creepy. I hesitated to say that for a reason. You see, everyday since my mom passed I have felt like someone’s been watching me. Following me. Staring my every move. At first I felt like maybe it’s my mom. Like her angel. Until I actually started seeing someone too. And it wasn’t her. I woke up at exactly 3:02am this morning. As soon as my eyes opened I saw my alarm clock. The bright, green letters reflecting off of my old, glossy wooden night stand. I laid there for a second, regretting turning the AC on last night. But then I realized that I wasn’t just cold. I had sweats on and big, thick blankets. There’s no way I was that cold. That’s when I realized. I could feel someone’s eyes laying upon me. I could feel someone’s gaze thickening. Like they really were paying attention to my every move. At first I didn’t know what to do. I’ve seen someone following me for months. Watching me walk to my car in a parking lot. Sitting across the room from me at my favorite coffee shop. Even following me on my nightly runs. But never have I ever felt this gaze inside of my own home. Or so strongly. And then, I fell back to sleep.