The Stranger

2. Peering Eyes

Amelia was suddenly awoken by a noise. It sounded like it had come from the room at the end of the hallway. Everyone else was still asleep. Amelia very quietly got up and started walking down the hall. Her heart beat was picking up a little as she moved closer to the door. Amelia slowly turned the door knob to open the old squeaky door.

Once she pushed the door open it was nothing but darkness. She inched closer to the doorway and looked around. There was nothing though. Confused, she walked deeper into the room to find nothing out of place.

Suddenly, there's a light knocking sound on the wall. Her eyes dart in the direction of the sound. It came from outside. Amelia felt her heart sink and was frozen in place. In the window is a pair of eyes glaring at her. They stare at each other for a moment and she can feel the hate and evil radiating from the person.

The anxiety and fear rushes through her like a terrible wave. She's never seen such intense malice from someone before, and she could only see his eyes. It looked like a man's silhouette. The figure starts slowly lifting their arm up to their face. He puts one finger to his lips as if to shush her. He quickly puts his palm against the glass.

It's like he was looking straight through her. The figure slowly begins to back away into the darkness, never once taking his eyes off of Amelia. When he's completely disappeared Amelia lets out a breath.

Amelia quietly rushes back to the living room, glancing out each window on the way. She closes the drapes that hang on the living room window before laying back down.

She can't go back to sleep after that. Every little sound makes her jump as she relives what just happened in her head like a movie. Before she knows it, the sun starts to light up the house. She thinks to herself, "Should I tell someone? I mean...with everything that just happened with Hailie.. I don't want to scare them. I need to tell Adam though..." Her thoughts are interrupted by her stomach growling.

She hears a familiar voice speak up from the other side of the living room. "I woke up just in time, sounds like someone is hungry." It was the gentle sound of her mother. She smiles and glances over to her, "Yeah, I guess so. I'll help you with breakfast if you'd like."

Her mother motions for her to follow as she heads to the kitchen. "Thank you sweetheart, you have been so brave." Amelia nods, getting some ingredients out. "I'm trying to be... I know Hailie is pretty shaken up.. I'm glad Doctor Trevor was able to help and give her medicine."

Her mom glances back at Trevor, who is still asleep. "Yeah, he's a pretty special person. We grew up together." Amelia smiles at her, "I see the way you look at him you know.., it's ok if you do. I wouldn't be mad. I loved dad, but I don't remember him very well."

Irene playfully nudges Amelia with her shoulder. "Thank you Amelia." Once breakfast is ready and they set the table for three they hear Hailie. "Mom? Amelia?" Their mother takes her a plate and a drink so she don't have to get up. Trevor wakes up just a couple of minuets later.

He gets Hailie some more medicine before anything else. Trevor and Irene both come sit at the table with Amelia after Hailie is set up. Trevor glances at the plate in front of him. "Wow, this looks amazing. Thank you Irene." Their mother smiles at him and chimes in, "Amelia helped me make it today. Please enjoy."

He thanks Amelia for the food as well as they all start eating. Amelia tunes out their conversations, thinking about last night. Before she knew it everyone was finished. There's a knock at the door when Irene and Amelia are cleaning up.

Amelia goes to answer it and freezes up half way there. Trevor walks over to her, "It's ok Amelia. Let me get it ok?" She nods and backs up. When Trevor opens the door it's just Adam. "Hey, Adam you look rough. Long night?"