Visions

Night Two

"Are you sure you don't need anything else?" Ashley asked as she opened up the door to the spare bedroom.
"This is more than comfortable. Thank you for letting me stay here. I've just been having a hard time with the move. I can't believe I'm finally leaving that place." I returned
"Yea it's going to be quite the change up. Hey did you ever bother to ask what was across the street? When you first showed me the ad it had mentioned something about the 'decrepit campus' being quite the eyesore."
"No, I never did figure it out. That town is too small to have a university. I's sure I will find out tomorrow. I don't even know if I'm making the right decision here. I mean, I must be an idiot for moving into some place without even seeing it first. And it's almost 50 miles away from you guys." I stated
Hearing the worry in my voice she responded, "Yea, but you're pretty handy with the tools and if you really need something we can always come to you."
"Yea, I suppose you're right." I stated back
"Well, if you need anything don't hesitate to ask, I'm going to go to bed. The window AC works if you get too hot. Even with central air, it can get pretty hot up here. I locked all the doors up tight so you can sleep well and relax. After everything you told me tonight, I think you deserve it. Goodnight, Val."
"Night."
I awoke to the room being ice cold. I cranked up the window AC right before I went to sleep. I pull the thin covers Ashley gave to me up around my face. A little time seems to drift by. I am nervous about the move. All of my stuff is already packed into the moving truck. All I need to do is drive there in the morning. I am starting to get comfortable and warm when a thought crosses my mind. I open my eyes slowly and let as much light I can enter them. I hold my breath for a moment listening carefully. It's the middle of the summer and should be hot as hell in this room. I pause my breathing again to confirm my suspicions. There is a faint flicker of light onto the wall opposite of the window. I am facing it in bed. I cannot hear the AC running.
I slowly turn and face the window. I squint to see that the AC's nobs are still in position for it to run. I look to the small dresser at my left. The alarm clock is off. I tell myself that with the thunderstorm rolling in there is not much to worry about. I'm sure that the power went out just as I woke.
Lightning flashes and cracks in the sky. For a moment I can see my breath as I exhale. Carefully not to make any noise, I slip out of bed and open the door. I am thinking to let some warm air in. To my surprise when I crack the door I feel a much colder gust of air enter in. As I recoil with a shiver I hear rain. It is loud as if coming from inside.
I slowly travel down the hallway past Ashley's room, careful not to make any noise. I make my way to the kitchen as I follow the sound of the rain. I walk into to see the back door wide open. The storm outside is raging and the rain falls heavy and loud. The droplets shimmer as they fall in the crackling light.
"Ashley?" I whisper as I walk to the door. The gusts of wind are cold like ice. I am startled by the cold when I step into the puddle accumulating on the floor.
I peer my head out and hear a loud crash come from the living room. I jump and quickly close the door. I walk into the next room. The front door lies wide open. Hastily I close the door and relock it tight. There is a shiver running down my spine. Suddenly, I feel eyes about me. I am losing my cool and decide to make my way back to the bedroom.
The walk back is slower. I try to listen to every creek and noise coming through the sounds of heavy rainfall outside. I reach the door of my room and start to pick up my pace. Feeling the anxiety of something behind me I rush to the bed. I crawl in shivering as I pull the blankets up over my head.
I take a deep breath and try to settle my nerves.
Next I hear something making my stomach drop. Floor boards start to creak down the hallway. First real faint but increasingly louder and louder, eventually adding the soft clack of what seems to be a boot. I hold my breath once again listening. The steps are becoming louder and louder. Now they are in the room. I can feel my heartbeat increasing. The adrenaline is pumping through my entire body. The steps stop at the foot of my bed. I can hear deep, labored breathing. I am getting ready to pull my blankets down. I need to see. I need to know what is in the room with me.
I count off to myself.
One...
Two....
Three....
I pull the blankets down and peer down to my feet. There is no one there.
"Hey are you alright?"
I jump up in my bed when I hear the voice.
"Holy fuck!" I let fly.
"What, what's wrong?" Ashley asked. It was her standing in the hallway. "I heard some noises coming from the living room and wanted to make sure that you were ok."
"Yea, I must be a little shaky after yesterday. Sorry, you scared me. I went to close the backdoor in the kitchen and then the front opened too. Scared the shit out of me. Must have blown open in the storm."
"But, Val, I've been awake for the past half hour. There's not a cloud in the sky... You need some rest hun. And you know you can turn on the AC, its blistering in here, like I said it would get."
I just solemnly nod and look out the window in disbelief. She is right not a cloud in the sky... I will sleep in the heat. I am still chilled to my core. I look at the clock it reads 3:47 AM. I drift back into sleep.