The Beast of Fox Hill

Four

After seeing the man staring at me from my yard, I went through the house and locked all the windows and closed all the blinds. I didn't want to take the chance that he was not just a hunter and instead some sort of stalker or worse.

Once everything was closed, the house was darker than usual. I always kept the windows wide open to allow the cool air to come through the house as well as the sunlight which brightened the entire house.

I was not a paranoid person at all, but with everything happening at once I was not going to chance anything. 

I sighed when I turned back and looked at the door after securing the windows. I would have to drive out of the town to get a new door, and also find someone who could install it for me. I wasn't sure who would be capable of doing the work, as I really kept to myself and with the exception of Mr. and Mrs. Penny, I didn't know anyone.

I went back to my bedroom, feeling the floor creak once I was beyond the door frame. I always said that I would get it fixed, but now I think it was a good warning system.

Remembering last nights events sent shivers up my entire body. Something just didn't seem right with the entire situation, but I wasn't going to go poking my nose around to find out who was at my house. I was a keep to myself kind of woman, and I did not need to stir the town's pot over something as silly as a break in.

My thoughts suddenly changed to another peculiar fact I hadn't thought about before; nothing was stolen or broken.  It seemed as though they were only looking for one thing; me. Why were they looking for me? I hoped it was no malicious reason, and they were simply there to help. Somehow, I was still uncomfortable with everything and nothing sat right with me.

I gathered my clothes for the day, knowing I would have to leave sooner rather than later to buy a new door. I figured I would ask Mrs. and Mr. Penny if they knew anyone who could put a door in.

I made my way to my small bathroom and I closed the door behind me, locking it as well. Normally I would leave the door unlocked being the only person who lives here, but since the series of strange events has begun, I lock it every time.

I stripped my pajamas away, leaving my skin bare to the cold air. Goosebumps arose on my entire body, causing me to shiver lightly. I reached behind the shower curtain and turned the hot water on.

Thankfully it did not take long to warm up, which also caused the bathroom air to warm as well. As my chills faded, I opened the curtain and stepped into the shower bathtub combo, the cascading water droplets easing my tension and warming my cool skin.

I wet my hair before stepping out of the water to massage shampoo into my below shoulder blade length dark brown hair. Once I deep my shampoo lathered enough, I reenter the water and wash the soap away, careful not to allow any to seep beyond my eye lids.

I repeat this process with my conditioner as well. With the conditioner, I am careful not to leave the creamy substance on my head for too long as I have naturally oily hair. When it too is completely washed away, I move onto my body.

Upon finishing my body wash, I rinse my entire body, hair included, before turning the water off. I always hated turning the water off as the cold air instantly reappears and causes more chills.

I wrap my hair in a towel and then I dry my body, starting with my head and ending at my feet. Once I am dry, I keep my towel wrapped around me as I dry my hair, brushing it as I go.

I always repeat my routines. From my shower to even preparing a meal, everything is regimented and done the same way. Perhaps this is why the events of yesterday left me so shaken, as they were out of my normal routine life.