Just a thought in Time: contest book

Horror Prompt: Lock on the Floor

There was a knock on the door; I shoved my cat off my lap and grabbed the bucket of candy, and opened the door expecting to see little faces all painted. But that was not the case; a lock of hair laid neatly on the porch as if placed with great care.

My ears were pounding with the blood rushing through my body. I picked it up and held it into the porch light; the lavender hair was soft as if it were cared for greatly and kept together with a black ribbon. I wanted to run; I knew whose hair it was. Mine. I had purple hair when my home was broken into just a year before, and my hair was chopped off. This was not just something that would have been dropped off for no reason. I darted back inside and locked the door, shut off the porch light, and ran upstairs, throwing my duffle bag on the bed and hastily threw my belongings in it.

The police said it was nothing, just that some sicko came in and drugged me so that they could have my hair. Nothing came from the investigation, but I just knew that something was wrong with it all. I knew I should have left. Everything around my home had been moved; I could not look at my kitchen floor without feeling as if there was something wrong about it. I even threw away the cup I had drank from.

This harrowing feeling came over me as if I were being watched. The hairs on the back of my neck raised, and I was rooted to the spot. Quickly I looked around my room without turning my head; I did not see anything reflecting off the window or my tv screen. I took in a shaky breath and zipped my bag closed before throwing it over my shoulder. I had to get Snowflake before I could leave. His crate was by the door, always ready in case of emergency.

I stepped into the hallway, facing the front door...it was wide open, and Snowflake was chilling on the steps. I felt as if all the blood was drained out of me; my limbs felt heavy. I did not remember if I left the door open or not...but he would never go outside without treats first. I turned around to the kitchen and quickly grabbed Snowflake's food dish before turning around.
He was gone. Panic began to set in, I did not want to be without him, but I just had to get out.

I clutched the bowl to my chest and walked towards the front door. I heard Snowflake meow in the room beside me; I turned to look at him as the door slowly closed. I could see something behind it that should not have been there; a figure in a ski mask licked its lips as it twisted another lock of lavender-colored hair between its fingers.