The Shadows from my eye

According to my doctor, the shadowy figures I glimpse from the corner of my eye are just stress induced.

But they’re the reason I’m stressed.

Every night when my shift ends, I close up the store. Leaving I see them from the corner of my eye. They drift through the streets or stand motionless in front of houses. The lights flickering when they're nearby. In this town full of disappearances, they’re always close by. I know they see me. Sometimes I feel them walking behind me. But when I turn to look, they are gone. Like weeping angels, they vanish into the scenery.

I often wonder: if I stood still, if I didn’t move so quickly… would they catch me?

Even my coworkers notice strange things, they speak of dread and fear of being out at night. It's probably why it's so quiet and lonely as I walk home. I catch myself praying for any person to be out, or even a car to drive by. so, I may take solace that there are eyes other than those things watching over.

When I get home, I lock every door and window. I Close the curtains, and I turn on all the lights and search every corner and crevice. Peeking into every closet and cabinet.

Do they wait inside?

Do they slip in while we sleep?

From what I can tell they are adult sized, but can they change it?

After switching off the lights and heading to my bedroom, I peer out at the street. I can’t see them, but I feel their presence wafting through the air. I can sense them being at the other houses but never in front of mine.

What if their victims never see them either?

they may hide away to avoid detection, or suspicion.

To calm my nerves, I take a warm bath. I tell myself my neighbors surely lock their doors, they aren't out at night so surely, they are afraid of what's out there too. maybe I shouldn't be so silent about what I see, perhaps I'm not the only one.

but how do people go missing?

What if those things can go through walls?

or what if they are being caught outside, do they get dragged away?

or do they disappear into a void?

I grab my phone and play some ambient music. I sink myself further into the water. Its warmth embracing my body. I finally begin to relax, allowing the music to drown out my thoughts.

Then I hear the front door open and close.

But… how do I hear the door from so far away?

Is it my imagination?

Maybe it was the music?

I pause the track. I listen. I slow my breathing.

No sound.

Just the clock ticking in the bedroom and the water settling in the tub.

Tuk tuk tuk.

I don’t recognize the sound. It’s faint, maybe coming from the bottom floor.

I’m in the bathroom. Would they even come in here?

I step out of the tub quietly, leaving the water behind. The draining the water might attract attention. I dry off, noticing strands of my black hair clinging to the towel.

It’s just stress. But this is why.

If I were attacked, I wouldn’t want to be in the tub.

Would they even come after me if I were naked?

I don’t want to disappear without clothes.

Maybe they’re prudish shadows.

I shake my head. Ridiculous.

Instead of pajamas, I put on my work clothes. If I have to fight, this might be more protective.

Tuk tuk tuk.

Again. This time from a different part of the house. Still quiet. Still unrecognizable.

Are they looking for me?

At least I know it wasn’t the music. I cross that off the list.

So, it’s either a sound I can’t identify, an intruder or those shadowy things.

I move slowly, quietly. I check under the sink. Razor blades would be useless in combat. But the old shower head with the pipe still attached could work as a blunt weapon.

My phone has plenty of battery and It’s midnight. I could hold out here until daybreak. Maybe the intruder will leave. Maybe the shadows vanish with the sun.

I check the mirror, I look fine, eyelids slightly droopy, but I am tired. I just got off work. I should rest.

I lay towels on the floor and sit down. Might as well get comfortable. I don’t work until evening so I can sleep when dawn arrives.

Duk duk duk.

Deeper this time. From the stairs, I think.

Footsteps?

I’m so dumb. Caught up in my fears, I didn’t think to call the police.

I grab my phone and dial 911. I tell the operator I’m in my bathroom and believe someone’s in my house. They’ll send someone right away.

Now I don’t have to wait for daybreak. Just until the police arrive.

“I was taking a bath and heard my door open. Then noises from downstairs,” I mutter, rehearsing.

“I should record,” I think.

If something happens before they arrive, I might have evidence. I prop my phone on the toilet, point the front facing camera at the door, and scoot next to it. I hit record and wait.

The doorbell rings. Relief floods through me. My heart no longer heavy.

That has to be officers but... they got here fast.

“Hello, this is the police. Are you there?”

The voice is deep. I pause. I swipe down on my phone it’s only been eight minutes.

Would they get here so quickly?

“If you can hear me, please respond.”

I hear the light switches flick on downstairs.

Maybe I’m just overreacting.

I stand up. I’ll open the door quickly and call out to them.

I turn the knob. The door swings open—

Thunk.

Cold, hard impact on my head. A blinding light floods my vision.

The last sound I hear is my thud of me hitting the floor. I can feel my soul peel away from my body, as it lifts away.

According to my doctor, the shadowy figures I glimpse from the corner of my eye are just stress induced.

But they’re the reason I’m stressed.

And I often wonder:

If I stood still,

If I didn’t move so quickly…

Would they catch me?