Do you see him, I do..

He will always be here "The stalker" will always be a part of me.

"I was around six when I heard of him, I was at a sleepover. She had told me what he does, who he is, what he wants. We were in the forest at the back of my friend's house when she started the story of him. "The Stalker" was his name. He was a tall, dark man with a face that opens from all corners. His teeth are sharp dripping blood leaving tracks across the floor of where he walks. You will know when he's near, you will hear groaning, heavy footsteps, and the stench of blood and raw fish will get stronger. But when he's right behind you, you feel the cold breath he has as it makes its way down your spine leaving chills and fear. Then you feel sick you'll feel hopeless and like there's something holding you down. You are paralyzed and then you'll go deaf your ears ringing as you pray that you can get out of the situation, but you can't. It's too late." I pause taking a breath.

"Then Mara had finished the story by handing me a figure made of old fabric and sticks. It had teeth made of sharp sticks, and it had a stench the exact stench she said... "It" had. I didn't want the doll but she insisted I'd take it home and nothing could happen. The next day I was scared of the figure. She told me to name it something else but I didn't want to name it I wanted to break it. But I didn't want her to be mad until.... he... he showed up. Then I-" I get cut off as the counselor looks at me worried but confused.

"One moment miss, Wilson. Before you go on may you explain "He showed up" I need more understanding.

"um well... I...."

"Remember this is a safe space"

"I got home and put the doll on my dresser as I took a bath trying to forget the story. I didn't want to tell my mom because I didn't want her to tell me I couldn't go to Mara's house anymore. But as I got out of the bath my mom dressed me. I went back to my room dancing around because my favorite song had been on. I danced into my room to see the figure not there. I froze I just stood there. water dripping from my hair. I thought my mom had probably thrown it away because it looked like trash. So as I was looking everywhere trying to find it I felt worried. Then- " I pause again this time tears running down my face breath shaky. I didn't want to finish the story but Miss, Harvey was waiting.

"Then?" Miss Harvey looked at me.

"Then suddenly I heard my mom scream in terror, you could feel the horror and agony in her scream. you could feel the pain She was going through. I ran to see my mom on the floor face ripped apart the air around her cold and stench filled with dead fish." I finished the story with the memory of that day flashing in my mind. The counselor looked at me weirdly. She gave me the look my teachers gave me when I gave a dumb answer.

"Miss, Wilson. I understand we are talking about a serious event a tragic one but please don't lie."

"I'm not lying, listen to me

After that event, after that story, after everything I have been scared, I have been anxious. I will go to sleep and wake up in a cold sweat looking to my right thinking there's someone there. I feel him, I see him in my dreams. I know he's there. He's a part of me, and I want it to go away." I felt almost surprised and angry that she would say that but I wanted her to understand at the same time.

"Get out miss, Wilson we don't accept this kind of behavior. You either tell the truth or you can leave."

I start to raise my voice a bit.

"But... I... I... He's real I'm not delusional I'm not faking this. You just need to listen you need to help me." I think she was scared and that's why she wanted me gone. she didn't want me to do something to her.

"I don't know what kind of drugs you are on miss but get out or security will be called."

I don't say anything. I sit there staring at my hands as I play with the rings on my fingers. legs shaking as I look up and feel him. I feel his presence.

"What do you not understand miss, Wilson. Get out."

another minute goes by

"Fine I will call security or else-

"I think someone is watching us, We need to leave p..please, or else he'll... He'll get us" my breath trembling as it gets quieter.

She looks at me face as if she has seen a ghost as if she's frozen.

"Miss, Harvey. Are you okay?"

She didn't answer, and that is when I realized

It's too late, he's already here. he's gotten her.

I slowly stand up as I carefully make my way to the door I open it and quickly walk out closing the door. Then I hear it. I hear "The stalker's" groans as he opens his mouth his teeth slicing her skin. Suffocating her as he doesn't let go until all of her is gone, her soul, her breath, her face.

I fall to the floor realizing what I have done. I realize I'm the stalker I'm the reason they all die. I tell the story I show them the doll then..... they're gone.

I walked away from the door while people ran towards me. I tried not to turn back. I didn't want to look at the image. I felt like nobody saw me. Nobody was stopping me asking if I was okay. until someone had noticed that I was the last person with her. They stopped me. and looked at me with terror.

"what the hell did you do? Who are you?"

They looked at me with fear in their eye. They were a good 2 feet away from me until all I felt was the stalker. It felt like he was whispering in my ear asking for permission to get him.... to kill him. It was weird I didn't like it. It's never happened before but I felt my whole body say yes. I felt my arms, and my hands, and my mind say yes. I stood there and watched the man die the same way everyone dies from the stalker. when they die you don't see the monster all you see is the blood and tears that come from the person.

He is always with me he always will be. The stalker is my life my thoughts my behavior. I want it to stop.