Hunter Prey

ten

Inherently, I don't make a reaction.

It's a silent staring contest that I know I'll undoubtedly lose.

But..I don't? I think.

The eyes disappear.

I almost relax.

Almost. Until I see a claws leisurely peek from the darkness of the outside world, onto the window.

I gulp. Oh boy.

Very, very slowly, dark antlers, an abnormally large size, poke in. I slowly back up against the counter. Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot.

The eyes. It's eyes.

I'm paralyzed by pure shock. This cannot be real.

The film on the tv just so happens to continue playing at the very moment. I nearly groan. Seriously?

The shadow stops moving. Thank God. It just..stares.

Screams echo from the tv, whilst I'm locked into an eerie staring contest.

Again.

A huff. Emitting a thick smoke, covering the floors, comes from the shadow. I swallow thickly. What the heck is it? Some type of deer, dragon hybrid?!

My eyes dart around, for something, anything, but alas, nothing.

I let out a frustrated huff, on the verge of just throwing kitchenware at the..thing.

Speaking of the thing, it disappeared. Again. Okay, don't panic, don't panic.

Something warm hits my neck.

Okay, PANIC!

I squeal, jumping back, twirling on my heel. I make a run for it, to where? The freaking basement. Smart thinking, idiot. Did I mention the fact that there's a latch in the basement? No?

I swallow thickly, stuffing my body in the nook under the stairs, behind all the boxes, dressers and whatnot.

Cece! Oh boy.

I left her up there. Alone.

With that thing.

Definitely not winning the sister of the year award. I have to think quickly, very quickly. My eyes flit around, landing on an electric guitar. I exhale softly. This is going to have to work.

My lissome fingers gently latch into the instrument, and I very sneakily amble up the stairs. I wait for a moment to listen for anything.

A creak.

From behind me.

Nope, not today!

I scurry up the rest of the flight, slamming the door behind me, no doubt waking Cece. I run towards her room, locking the door behind me, like that'd stop it.

Cece, as I thought, wakes with a startled gasp. Her wide eyes meet mine, a mixture of confusion, anxiety, and sleepiness in her green irises. Her lips part, before pursing, her brows furrowed, her expression a fat question mark.

I gaze at her hopelessly, and my stance and expression, and perhaps even the guitar held awkwardly in my hands gave everything away, eliciting a soft noise from her throat.

I feel a subtle breeze and all hairs on my body raise, my heart thumping in my ears and the rush of blood making me dizzy.

I glance at the window, and well, maybe I shouldn't have, because it's slightly ajar.

And eyes are peeking inside.

"Oh sweet mother of-" I'm interrupted by Cece's screech, making me flinch, dropping the guitar and lifting my palms flat against my ears, cowering.

"Cece, stop-" I don't get to let out my panicked weep, because soon she's scrambling to the door, sobbing as she yanks at the knob, unlocking the door, and rubbing towards the living room. Bad idea.

I gasp softly, and before going after her, I pick up the hefty guitar, scrambling after her.

"Cece!" I squeak, watching as she hurriedly dials numbers into her phone. She lets out spews of curses and wails in frustration when her cell doesn't work, hitting it repeatedly.

"Come on, come on!" She whimpers, before huffing, tossing her phone on the floor. "What is that thing?!" She shrieks, and if we weren't in the situation we were in, i would've facepalmed.

"i don't know, but it does not appear friendly-" i pause, thinking back for a moment. i pale slightly, Cece catching the adjustment to my appearance.

"What is it? Orla? please, tell me? do you know something?" she whisper yells. i swallow thickly. "I've..i've seen it before. in the forest. when we split to find sticks? i thought i was seeing things, but-" Cece grasps me by the shoulders, her nails digging into the fabric of my top, into my flesh.

"You seen it?"