I shouldered my bag and squinted ahead to see my surroundings. The late night fog had rolled in and the whispering wind only added to my discomfort. Oh man, my parents are gonna kill me for being this late again, I thought. I checked my phone right before it blacked out and died. Great. I can’t see a thing and now my phone’s dead. At least I know that what time it is. 3:33. The creepy hour encouraged me to walk faster. But even as I suspiciously glanced side to side, I was too preoccupied about my well-being that I didn’t notice a figure looming vaguely to my right.

Then I did see it. Craning my neck and squinting my eyes, I could only make out a male figure. “Hello?” I asked, hesitantly. “Can I borrow your phone?” But the mysterious man did not answer. When I briefly checked my surroundings, I looked back at him. Only to find no one there. Uh oh. No witnesses to hear my screams. I started jogging toward where my house should be. My house loomed into view. But the figure was at my door. How does he know where I live? In full panic mode, I sprinted toward my back door. I frantically pounded until my brother, Jeremy, opened it. “Why are you coming in from the back? It’s super late and Mom and Dad are gonna kill you.” Unless the stalker killed me first. Jeremy closed the door and looked at me, oblivious to my fear. I didn’t answer and hurriedly brushed past him and into my room.

Relieved, I sank against my door. It was raining now. Thundering. I hadn’t realized until now. The lightning flashed and I saw the man standing outside my window, looking in. I released a startled scream. When the lightning’s flash of light illuminated his face again, I saw a creepy smile stretch across his face. “Go away!” I shouted, sobbing and frantically searching for my old baseball bat from softball. Although I didn’t dare turn my back on him, I looked around the room for escape. When I looked back where he’d been, all I was lightning. But when I turned around again, there he was, reaching for me.