Two

Amber

I woke up in a cold sweat, panting and confused. That little boy died. He never matured. He couldn't have. I saw him get hit by a car with my own eyes. The paramedics said it he was dead. So why was he a man chasing me in my dreams? How did he know I was here?

I got up of the bed and went to the attached bathroom to cool myself down by splashing cold water on me. I checked up on Haley who was fast asleep. I guess I didn't wake her up when I jumped out of bed.

I started to walk down the stairs to get to the kitchen and realized I'd slept with the ring and necklace on. I wonder who the stranger is that left me these beautiful pieces of jewelry. I wish they left a card or something so I could thank them.

I felt a cold wind run its hand down my spine and it made me stop dead where I was standing. My eyes were on my feet due to the darkness in the room I had just walked into but I could feel the fear creeping into me giving me goosebumps all over my body.

Slowly I started to look around the kitchen and all I saw were things that belong in one. I didn't find anything out of place other than a window that was open. I felt the night breeze on my skin which felt nice. I haven't felt the cold night air in a while.

No one leaves the windows open here, we even make sure they're closed before we go to bed out of habit. Haley used to be scared of leaving the windows or doors open because she thought all the monsters could come through them. I turned my head toward the kitchen window and let out a gasp.

A tall dark figure was standing just outside of it, looking at me. The same red eyes from my dream. When he saw me looking at him he lowered his gaze to my feet slowly climbing up. It felt like ice wherever he looked, and he made sure his gaze was slowly creeping up my body, it made me shiver. Like a predator stalking it’s prey.

His eyes showed a hint of surprise when he saw what I was wearing- a white tank top that was practically see through with my sweat and panties that barely covered my body- when did I take off my clothes? When we locked eyes I thought they looked familiar, but the way they were looking right now made my body heat up for the first time after seeing him. Embarrassed at the state I was in I rushed to close it and close the blinds.

Panick spread through me when I realized his hands were on the windowsill but he never moved. I could see the grip he had on it though, it looked like he was about to snap it off. Just then he walked away and down the street like he had a purpose.

How could I leave the window open like that? Who was that person with those piercing red eyes? Why was he looking through my open window? Why was he watching me so intently? Taking a deep breath I walked over and closed it making sure it was locked. And went back to the sink and got a glass of water. I finally calmed down and went back to my room with the questions still jumbling in my head.

I went to my room door and opened it.

The room light was on and Haley was sitting on the bed. She was looking at me with tears in her eyes, she looked like she hadn't slept at all, her eyes were puffy and swollen and she had bags under her eyes.

"What's wrong Haley? Why are you in my room in the middle of the night? Did something happen?" I asked her but she seemed to be ignoring my questions. She looked lost in thought her clothes were in disarray and she didn't even change out of the dress she was wearing all day.

"You shouldn't have come back Amber, you could have had a good life, one you wanted, you could have stayed in Huntsville, I could have visited you. We would have made plans, come on trips. You could have stayed alive", My best friend was looking at me like I was gonna die on the spot making me feel unsettled and worried.

She got up off the bed and walked towards me with open arms, she went to hug me and I hugged her back clearly confused.

Haley stepped away from me to grab something out of her pocket. She was shaking but determined to do what she needed to do. She tackled me to the floor making me lay flat on my belly. She yanked my hair and forced the rag to cover my mouth and nose with it so I could only breath in the chemicals that were on it.

I tried not to inhale it kicking and thrashing but somehow she kept me pinned and I had no choice but to stay there. She was stronger than I thought to keep me down and pinned. I had no choice but to breathe and when I did it made me dizzy and sleepy. "I wish you hadn't come back Amber. You've been my best friend for so long I couldn't imagine my life without you" She sobbed into my ear. Suddenly the world went black and I couldn't remember what exactly was happening.