You only left the door unlocked for a minute.
Just enough time to lug that overfilled trash bag to the dumpster. There and back in sixty seconds. Less, probably.
Just enough time for me to slip inside.
You didn't notice anything amiss when you came back in. Even now, everything seems normal. The TV is on, a rerun of The Office. The episode with the fake bedbugs. You laugh as Jim does his smug bedbug impression. You have a nice laugh.
You haven't noticed me yet.
The pasta you make for dinner smells good. Lots of garlic and onion. You sit on the couch to eat, fast forwarding through the commercials of a reality dating show. Your phone rings and you answer - a concerned neighbor, perhaps? Wondering about something suspicious they saw earlier?
No. It's your mother. She misses you and wants to see you. You promise you'll visit this weekend.
You don't know this yet, but you won't be able to make it.
There's a moment, as you're coming out of the bathroom, washed up and in the oversized T-shirt you wear to bed, when I think you see me. You pause in front of the floor length mirror and look right at my hiding spot. You squint, peering closer.
But then you shake your head and look away.
You climb into bed and pull up the covers, adjusting the blanket so your feet don't stick out. You read for a bit. Play on your phone. And finally, turn out the light.
Soon you will be sleeping. Lost to your dreams. And that is when I will step out of the shadows and make myself known.
I look forward to meeting you.
YOU ARE READING
LOST AND FOUND and Other Stories (A Collection of Creepy Tales)
TerrorLOST AND FOUND is a collection of short, creepy stories to get you in the mood for Halloween! More stories may be added in the future. Enjoy and please let me know what you think!! 👻 = slightly spooky 👻👻 = ok that's unsettling 👻👻👻 = sleep wit...
