Ante Meridiem: Chase After Nightfall

SUNRISE

00:00

I lit the candle that stood bravely in the dark, warming me amidst the cold breeze, cold feelings, and cold night.

"Happy birthday", I whispered in a voice as silent as the evening, careful not to wake the sleeping moon beside the stars, afraid to ruin their peaceful slumber.

I counted 3, with eyes closed i blew the candle, somehow wishing the same wish I got for a couple of mournful years, for a light to sneak into this room, to at least keep me company.

I kept my eyes shut for the rest of the seconds, thinking maybe i opened it so sudden in my past birthdays reason why my wishes were never granted.

And seconds before I pull my eyelids open,

"Happy birthday."

A voice, unknown of its source strummed before my ears.

It wasn't me.

I was so startled that I immediately stood up and screamed the hell out of my lungs,

"Who are you?"

I searched for the match i used to lit the candle so i could see who it was, I just realized how poor my life is that I can't even pay bills and light my house.

"Tell me, who are you?"

No answer.

I was shaking, i can't even put myself together to reach for anything.
I can't remember inviting anyone to celebrate with me, nor expecting anyone to prank me like this.

"Why do you seem scared? I thought you wanted company."

The voice once again grumbled leaving traces of sarcasm on his last statement.

I found myself speechless for a moment. He was right, but how did he know that?

Fear enveloped me as cold hands embraced my wrist pulling me harshly, reason for me to stumble into something, probably the chair i was sitting on "peacefully" just a breathe ago.

"I am here, for you. To finally take you."

Thunders grumbled, lightning roared
and as if time was perfectly calculated, defying the speed of light,
I sunk into deep unknown.

I was suffocating, like drowning in a waterless ocean. If it is even possible, the pitch black room came darker.

As if waking up from a deep nightmare I opened my eyes, and realized this is miles away from a dream, I could tell from the pair of deep bloody eyes that glowers before mine.

I was breathing heavily,
"Who are you? No, what are you?"
I asked in confusion.

My voice crumbles beneath me as fear continues to eat all the courage I have built my whole life.

The dark hooded eyes which shade shifted from different hues of red blinked lazily, uninterested of my agony.

"Finally, the chase has begun."