The clatter of keys echoed in the humid night of fresh spring. My hand turned the handle; the door opened. My nimble feet kicked the door shut as the sound rung throughout my quaint house. I searched through my unopened mail: unpaid bills, coupons and more bills. My head throbbed with doubt as I wondered when, even if, I would ever get my next pay check. I drifted through my house as I headed towards the shower as a ritual to end the day. I flicked the light on.

My once darkened bathroom that drowned in black ink was now alit with dull light as I turned the light on. Almost as if I were possessed, I turned the shower on as it cascaded water through the many holes in the head. My obsidian-coloured bathroom seemed to be my only sanctuary as I stood under the molten water and washed the doubt, worry, and anxiety away. My hands scrubbed at anything they could find; I almost clawed off my skin in the process. No matter what, I always felt as if I was never left alone with my thoughts. The edges of my vision always sank into darkness that lingered much longer than it should have. My shoulder tensed as my palms glistened with the now crystal-clear water that was a contrast from the plethora of my muddle thoughts. Slowly... my vision consumed the water, turning it black.

Knock. Knock.

The hollow sound of muted knocks could be heard even from the thunder of the water that dropped from the shower head. I closed my eyes for a second before stepping out of the still inky water that flowed from the man-made cloud. I slowly stepped towards my door, gingerly as I glanced at the clock. The short and long hand like an eclipse that cast a shadow at Twelve O'clock. Fear enveloped my heart. The loneliest hour had begun so why was there another presence still lingering in this hollow time. The gargantuan hallway seemed as if it were extended ten-fold. My eyes glistened with unshed tears as I tugged forward. I peeked through the peephole, with my vision blurry, as I tried to adjust to the wearily lit hallway, I saw...

Nothing.

Sudden flares of anger filled my very core at the mere thought of being toyed with for the entertainment of the youth. I swatted the annoyed thoughts that continued to resurface after every team that slid down my cheeks. The feeling was just paranoia. The neighbour's son must have played another prank and what better one than to knock on a door at midnight. Foolish. In a fit of anger, I had slammed opened the door; an auditory thud could be heard in the still and isolated night. I stepped outside my door, I held my abhorrence back as a I noticed a crimson envelop was laid like an unopened gift, teasing and tantalising. 

I reluctantly grabbed the letter as I listened for any muffled giggles, not excited to play along with this drawn-out joke. I slid my hands over the matt finish of the paper. He had certainly put his time and effort into this, so I had to humour this for far longer than I had liked to. The letter opened to reveal in blood-like ink the words: BEHIND YOU!

I turned around as fast as I could, eyes were wide as a deer in headlights, only the serene sight of my living room graced me. I let out a breath I had let kept inside for too long. I giggled and turned around, what an eventful night...

I felt a pinch in my stomach, too big to really ignore. It had passed through my body. Right near my stomach. A trail of blood dripped down ever so slowly from the knifes edge. Knife?

In a chilled and cold voice, I hear the words almost like a whisper as the knife was tugged out of my body.

Behind you.

<3