Whispers of The Unseen

False Sense of Calm

A week had passed since that night, and while the power had come back on and the town was no longer shrouded in complete darkness, the tension lingered. Ridgewood was still under lockdown. No one could come in, no one could leave. It felt like we were trapped in a bubble, the air heavy with something unsaid-something dangerous. The cops had finally given the all-clear for people to go about their lives, but we all knew it wasn't over. Not really.

I sat at the kitchen table, absentmindedly stirring a mug of coffee that had long since gone cold. Theo was sprawled out on the couch, flipping through channels on the TV. Max had gone out again, doing a grocery run-he seemed to need the distraction. The fear from that night had settled into a dull thrum in my chest, but it was always there, just beneath the surface.

My phone buzzed on the table, and I glanced down to see my mom's name pop up on the screen. I hesitated for a moment before picking it up, taking a deep breath.

"Hey, Mom."

"Aria! Sweetheart, how are you? Is everything okay?" Her voice was tight with worry, even though she tried to sound upbeat.

"We're fine," I said, forcing a smile as if she could see it through the phone. "Things are... better. The power's back, and the cops say it's safe now, but the lockdown's still in place."

"I'm sorry we're not there," she said, her voice cracking a little. "Your dad and I have been trying to get back, but with the lockdown, they're not letting anyone in or out. We're stuck at a hotel in the next town over."

I sighed, nodding even though she couldn't see me. "I know. It's okay, Mom. Really. Theo, Max, and I are managing."

"Just... promise me you'll be careful, okay? Stay indoors as much as possible. I don't trust this so-called 'all-clear' the cops are giving. That maniac is still out there."

My stomach tightened at her words. She was right. The fear hadn't gone away, not completely. There had been no more reports of Ghostface since that night, but the silence was unsettling. It felt like the calm before a storm, the kind of stillness that made you question whether you were safe at all.

"I promise," I said softly. "We're being careful."

"I'm just glad you're okay." Her voice softened, a hint of relief breaking through. "I'll call you again tomorrow, okay? Just stay safe, sweetheart. I love you."

"I love you too, Mom."

I hung up and set the phone back on the table, staring at the darkened screen. The normalcy of a conversation with my mom felt out of place in the world we were living in now. Everything seemed normal, but I knew better.

I pushed my chair back and stood, glancing over at Theo, who had fallen asleep on the couch, the remote still clutched in his hand. I smiled softly, knowing he needed the rest. We hadn't slept well since the lockdown started, all of us on edge, waiting for something to happen.

I wandered to the window, the soft afternoon light streaming through the glass. Outside, people were starting to go about their daily routines again, cautiously emerging from their homes, though there was an undeniable air of paranoia hanging over the town. The streets were quieter than they should've been, fewer cars passing by, fewer people walking around.

I stared out at the street, my eyes drifting over the houses across from us, the neat little yards and parked cars. For a moment, I let myself relax. Maybe my mom was right. Maybe it really was safe again. Ghostface had disappeared, the attacks had stopped, and the police were watching every corner of town. Things would get better. They had to.

But just as that thought passed through my mind, something flickered in my peripheral vision.

I froze.

My eyes darted to the side, toward the edge of the yard, just beyond the fence. There, standing half-hidden by the shadow of a tree, was a figure.

I blinked, my breath catching in my throat.

Ghostface.

He stood perfectly still, just like that night a week ago, the pale white of his mask catching the light as he stared directly at me. That same eerie stillness, like he had all the time in the world to watch me, to wait. My heart hammered in my chest, my body freezing up with fear and something else-a twisted sense of adrenaline, like before. My hands were shaking, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from him.

I blinked again.

And he was gone.

I gasped, stepping back from the window, my heart racing. I whipped my head around, searching for him, but there was nothing. The street was empty. The yard was still. There wasn't even a shadow where he'd been standing. It was like he'd vanished into thin air.

I stumbled back, my pulse roaring in my ears. Was it real? Or was my mind playing tricks on me, conjuring up the worst because I couldn't shake the fear? I didn't know anymore.

Theo stirred on the couch, mumbling something in his sleep. I glanced at him, then back out the window.

The yard was empty. But I couldn't shake the feeling that Ghostface had been there-watching me.