The unease lingered in Jack's chest as the group tried to shift the mood back to lighthearted banter. Sarah's warning about the escaped convict hadn't gone unnoticed, but most of his friends seemed eager to laugh it off.
"All right, who's up for some backyard games?" Mike said, clapping his hands together. "Let's prove that we're braver than any 'armed and dangerous' convict."
Lisa rolled her eyes. "Brave or stupid, Mike?"
"Call it what you want," Mike replied with a grin. "I just know I'm not spending the night cowering inside because of some vague warning."
The others murmured in agreement, though Jack noticed Sarah's hesitation. She leaned closer to Jack and whispered, "I don't know… something about this feels off. Don't you think?"
Jack nodded subtly, his eyes scanning the backyard. The string lights bathed the area in a warm glow, but beyond their reach, the yard was swallowed by darkness. A tall wooden fence bordered the property, and the bushes along its base rustled slightly in the breeze—or at least, Jack hoped it was just the breeze.
"Let's keep an eye out," he said quietly, offering Sarah a reassuring smile. She nodded, but her worry didn't fade.
"Alright!" Mike called out, grabbing a flashlight. "We're playing flashlight tag. No arguments."
"Seriously?" Lisa groaned, folding her arms. "What are we, twelve?"
Mike ignored her, waving the flashlight dramatically. "Rules are simple: the person with the flashlight is 'it.' Everyone else hides in the yard. If I catch you in the beam, you're out. The last person standing wins."
Despite the tension in the air, the group reluctantly agreed. Jack figured a game might be a good distraction, though he couldn't shake the nagging sensation that something wasn't right.
The first round started with Mike as "it." Jack crouched behind a stack of wooden crates near the back fence, keeping his breathing quiet. He could hear Sarah giggling from somewhere near the shed and the crunch of footsteps as Mike stalked his prey.
"Gotcha!" Mike's voice rang out, followed by Lisa's groan of frustration. "Out already, Lisa? Not very sneaky, are you?"
Lisa muttered something under her breath as she returned to the porch. Jack adjusted his position, trying to stay hidden. The flashlight beam swept dangerously close, illuminating the grass just inches from his foot.
Suddenly, there was a loud snap behind him, like a twig breaking. Jack froze, his heart pounding. He turned his head slowly, expecting to see Mike—or worse. But there was nothing there. Just the bushes swaying slightly in the dark.
"Relax," he whispered, though his pulse didn't slow.
The game continued, with Mike picking off the others one by one. Eventually, Jack made a break for it, darting behind the tool shed. He crouched low, pressing his back against the wooden structure.
"Still hiding, huh?" Mike's voice called out teasingly. The beam of light swept past the shed, and Jack held his breath.
Then he saw it.
Across the yard, near the fence, something moved. It wasn't one of his friends—that much was clear. The figure was taller, broader, and stood unnaturally still, as though observing the scene. Jack's mouth went dry.
"Mike…" he called out in a low voice, his throat tight. "Stop messing around."
But Mike's voice came from the other side of the yard. "What are you talking about? You scared?"
Jack's skin prickled. The figure at the fence shifted slightly, stepping into a patch of moonlight. A man stood there, dressed in dark clothing, his face obscured. For a moment, Jack thought he was imagining it. Then the man turned his head—directly toward him.
"Guys," Jack whispered urgently, louder this time. "There's someone out here."
The flashlight beam swung wildly as Mike ran toward Jack's voice, followed by Sarah and Lisa. "What are you talking about?" Mike said, panting slightly.
Jack pointed toward the fence. "There—right there."
But the figure was gone. Only the bushes swayed gently in the wind.
"You're seeing things," Mike said, chuckling nervously. "Probably just your imagination."
Jack wasn't convinced. "I know what I saw."
Sarah's face had gone pale again. "Maybe we should go back inside."
Mike groaned. "Come on, don't tell me you're scared. It's probably some neighbour who got curious. Let's not ruin the night over nothing."
Reluctantly, the group returned to the porch, but Jack's mind raced. He knew he hadn't imagined it. Someone had been watching them. And whoever it was… they were still out there.
As they stepped inside, Sarah locked the door behind them. The sound of the bolt sliding into place echoed in the quiet house. But even then, Jack couldn't shake the feeling that a pair of eyes was still watching them, waiting for the right moment to strike.