I could feel the tension in the diner, a thick silence enveloping the space as I scanned the room again. The customers were watching me, their eyes wide with concern, but none of them seemed to comprehend the urgency of my fear. I forced myself to look away from the door and face the waitress again.
"Please," I said, my voice breaking. "There's something in my car. I think it's—"
A sudden chill swept through the diner. I turned back toward the door just in time to see a figure emerge from the shadows at the edge of the parking lot. My breath caught in my throat. It was the same indistinct shape from the photo, but now it was moving.
"Call someone! Call the police!" I shouted, my heart racing as I stumbled backward, knocking into a chair. The customers looked at each other, confusion replacing the initial concern. The waitress stepped back, her expression shifting from worry to fear.
"Ma'am, please—"
But I didn't wait to hear more. I bolted out of the diner, sprinting toward my car. As I reached it, I glanced back, the figure was closer now, its form becoming more defined with each step. My hands fumbled as I grabbed my keys, the metal cold against my palm.
I flung open the door and dove into the driver's seat, heart pounding. I locked the doors, my eyes darting between the rearview mirror and the shadows gathering outside. The figure was standing just a few feet away now, its features still obscured, but I could feel its presence like a weight pressing down on me.
With trembling fingers, I started the engine. The roar of the car's engine filled my ears, drowning out everything else. I put the car into reverse, but just as I was about to peel out of the parking lot, a sharp knock echoed against the window.
I screamed, turning my head in horror. There it was, right next to my car, its face now partially illuminated by the morning light. It had a human shape, but its skin was pale and stretched tight over its features, eyes sunken and dark, a twisted imitation of what a person should look like.
I hit the gas, feeling the tires screech as I shot forward out of the parking lot, the figure vanishing from view. I didn't look back. I just drove, faster and faster, the city blurring past me in a haze.
I turned onto a winding road that led toward the outskirts, desperate to put distance between myself and whatever that thing was. My heart raced, pumping adrenaline through my veins as I fought against the urge to panic. I needed to think. I needed to come up with a plan.
Finally, I pulled over to the side of the road, panting as I gripped the steering wheel tightly. I took a moment to collect myself, breathing deeply. My phone buzzed in the passenger seat, jolting me back to reality. I picked it up, heart leaping as I saw a new message notification. It was from my friend Emily, who had been trying to reach me all morning.
"Hey, are you okay? I just heard something weird happened in your neighborhood. Call me."
I hesitated, but then quickly dialed her number, my heart still racing.
"Emily," I gasped when she picked up. "You won't believe what's happening. I think I'm being followed—"
"Wait, what?" she interrupted. "What do you mean? Are you safe?"
"I don't know! There's this thing—"
But before I could explain, the phone cut out, the call disconnecting. I looked at my phone in disbelief, then noticed something chilling: the battery was at 5%.
I glanced up, and my blood ran cold. The figure stood at the edge of the road, just outside my window. It was now even closer, the sun catching a glimpse of its elongated fingers pressed against the glass, mouth opening in a silent scream.
I hit the gas again, speeding away as terror washed over me. I didn't stop until I reached a nearby park, my heart still racing, desperate to put some space between myself and that thing.
I pulled into the lot and took a few deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. I had to figure out what to do next.
As I stepped out of the car, I heard a rustling in the bushes nearby. I turned, ready to flee, but then froze as a familiar figure stepped into the light. It was Emily, her face filled with concern.
"Thank God I found you! I saw the photo you posted online!" she exclaimed. "I came as soon as I could. We need to get you out of here!"
I looked past her, half-expecting the creature to appear, but it was gone. Just the rustling leaves remained.
"Did you see it?" I asked, my voice shaking. "The thing that's been following me?"
Emily shook her head. "No, but we need to talk. I've been doing some research."
I stepped toward her, my heart still pounding but filled with a flicker of hope. Maybe together, we could uncover the truth behind this nightmare. But before I could voice my thoughts, the air grew heavy, and the shadows deepened around us.
We weren't alone.
With a glance at Emily, I saw the realization in her eyes just as the figure emerged from the shadows, closing in once again. It wasn't just watching anymore—it was coming for us.
