The Figure

My body shuddered as I looked out my window into the dark abyss of night. My eyes struggled in vain, scouring the street, searching, hoping. Praying the words sent to me weren't true.

I see you...

Do you see me?

I held my phone up to my face again, trying to steady my already shaking hands. Maybe it was a prank, or maybe the person who sent it had the wrong number. At least, that's what I told myself. At least, that's what I so desperately wanted to believe.

Ever since I moved into this house strange events have happened to me. At first it was random items going missing or being misplaced. Soon after, my devices were hacked into; first my phone, then my computer, and last my cameras. The police said there was nothing they could do.

  A few months later, I noticed a figure following me. I was able to convince myself it was just a coincidence, that the human-shaped figure was just simply a normal, everyday person who just happened to be going to the same places I was, at the same time, every day.

But now I wasn't so sure.

A quick vibration brought me out of my thoughts. I stood there in the darkness, blankly staring out my window, gathering the strength to bring my limp arm back up and read the text.

After what felt like hours, I finally mustered up the strength. I glanced at the electronic device in my hand, squinting a little against the blinding light. My eyes quickly looked over the letters of the text, processing the information the message held.

I see you...

Do you see me?

The same message as before. Now, somehow even more terrifying. It made the thing I was afraid of true. I couldn't help the audible gasp that echoed from the back of my throat. My entire body shook from pure fear, and I could feel the perspiration starting to manifest on my skin. My mind, frozen in time by those 7 simple words.

I see you...

Do you see me?

That's when I saw it. The same human-shaped figure, standing beside a lonely lamppost. 

Right in front of my house.

My instincts told me to move. They told me to get out of this house as fast as I could, to run until I couldn't run anymore. But my feet remained where they were, hoping the protection from shadows in my room would save me. My mind and body were paralyzed by the increasing horrors.

My eyes focused back on the ominous figure outside my home. The  dim light only illuminated the figure’s body from behind. 

Did it seem closer than it was before?

I fearfully urged my body to do something. Anything. But nothing happened.

My eyes zeroed in on the figure yet again. It was definitely getting closer. Then I saw a reflection of light coming from the figure. Something long and shiny was in the figure's hand. With closer inspection, I realized...

It was a knife. The human-shaped figure had a knife.

My entire body started to go numb. 

I remembered the phone in my hand. But what good would it do if I was too afraid to move? Too afraid to make even a slight movement with my fingers. Too afraid to reach out for help.

My phone buzzed again, alerting me of a new message.

My lungs started to ache. My heart was slamming against my ribcage impossibly fast. Is it possible to die from fear? 

Again I stood there, in agonizing silence, gathering the strength to read the message sent to my phone.

Do you see me?

I looked back out the window. My eyes searching. 

Then my stomach dropped, and fear entered my bloodstream.

The figure was no longer there.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Something was pounding on my front door.

BANG! BANGE! BANG!

Am I going to die?

Another message was sent to my phone.

Let me in.

It will be fun...

It's going to kill me. I am going to die.

This was the moment my body should move. This was the moment I should run for my safety. This was the moment I should fight for my life.

But my body wouldn't budge. I remained petrified in place. The sweat dripped down my face as I wondered what my death would be.

Bam!

There was another loud bang, then came the sound of wood splintering. The hair on the back of my neck stood up on its own, and I could feel the effects of adrenaline starting to kick in, coursing through my veins. 

Another buzz came from my phone.

Don't try to hide.

I'll find you.

Those words on the screen finally snapped me into action. As silently as I could, I sprinted to my closet. I shoved myself in and closed the door, praying to God it wouldn't make a noise.

Then I heard footsteps. Thunderous footsteps that were coming up the stairs. Heavy, thumping footsteps that sounded closer with every passing second. Footsteps that were coming closer to me.

My lungs started to ache, pleading for air. I tried to slow my heartbeat, afraid the monstrous figure would be able to hear it. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping this was just a nightmare. Hoping I would wake up soon, and this would just be a distant memory.

A buzz from my phone brought me back to reality.

Come on and let me see you already.

I'm tired of only watching you through a camera and while you sleep.

It's been here before. It knows where I am.

The heavy footsteps were getting closer to my room. I could hear the faint sound of jagged breathing alongside them. The horrifying sound of something sharp being dragged across something hard made my skin crawl.

I opened my eyes and peered through the slits of my closet doors. I could see the horrifying human-shaped figure, and the cold, sharp knife in its hand, leaving its mark deep in the flesh of my walls. A gruesome preview of what was going to happen to me.

The jagged breathing became louder, heavier with every step. It almost sounded excited.

My lungs felt like they were on fire now, begging for anything that could even slightly resemble a breath of air.

My phone vibrated one last time.

Found you...