Page 10 of Date Night

I step back from the window, my pulse thrumming in my ears. I can’t let them see me afraid. I can’t give them the satisfaction. I take a deep breath, scanning the darkened room for something—anything—that might help me feel safer. My phone lies on the bedside table, but I hesitate to reach for it. What would I even say?

The tapping resumes, more urgent now, and I feel a surge of adrenaline. I’m not their target, I remind myself. I’m here to document the truth, to shed light on the darkness. But the fear gnaws at me, relentless and suffocating.

I tiptoe back to the window, peeking through the curtain once more, the shadows still cloaking everything outside. I squint into the darkness, searching for any sign of movement, but all I find is the quiet menace of the night.

Then, just like that, the laughter stops. There’s a silence so profound that it sends chills down my spine. My breath catches in my throat as I realize that whatever was out there is now gone.

But the feeling of dread lingers, clinging to me like a second skin. I know I should try to sleep, but the darkness has become a living entity, and I can’t shake the sensation that I am not alone. I crawl back into bed, pulling the covers up to my chin, willing myself to believe that this is just a trick of the mind.

I don't hear them laughing outside anymore but that doesn't mean my brain has shut off. Now I can't stop thinking about the case. Flashes of crime scene photos and my own creative reanacctments play in my mind.

The police never found out who was behind the killings. It would make sense for it to be someone in town. That means it could be one of those men outside. It could be the brother.

Thinking back on that specific case I remember there being some rumors floating around that he was the one behind the murders but after an investigation nothing came of it and thebrother was cleared. But what if the police were wrong. What if he truly was the one behind all this?

From what I know about him, the brother has a notorious anger problem. He's definetely not someone I want to be on the wrong side of.

The tapping continues and I do the only thing I can do. I pull the cover up over my head and hide.

Logiacally I know it'll do nothing to save me if someone decides they want to break in but just being swathed in the quilt is enough to calm me even just a bit.

I need to think. Need to keep my wits.

I could call for the police but doing that means they would blame me digging into the towns sordid past. The last thing I want to do right now is jeprodize the documentary in anyway. No calling the cops isn't an option.

Finally, the tapping stops and instead of me going to investigate again I let my mind convince me that it was all in my head. After all what would anyone get from killing me. I'm a nobody. I don't have anything of value. Sure killing me might stop the documentary but then people are going to want to know more about what I was doing that would cause someone to kill me. That would just bring more publicity to a town that clearly doesn't want any.

I'll be fine.

I'm sure of it.

Suddenly the laughter starts up again but this time it sounds like they are closer. Just as soon as I was starting to calm down my panic rises again.

I've never been the type of person to lose my cool but right now I can't process what's going on. I don't feel safe. That much is clear.

In a ditch effort to make myself feel better I yank the covers from over my head and dash in the direction of the kitchen.Thankfully the house is mostly clear of any clutter because I'm suer I'd have tripped over something I'm moving so fast.

Flipping on the light in the kitchen I look around for anything I can use as a weapon and my eyes settle on the lonely steak knife I have in the dish drying rack. I'm not sure how good it'll do me but just grabbing it in my hand is enough to make me feel even a little bit empowered.

If anyone tries to get in here tonight I'll have something to protect myself with.

Slowly, still clutching the knife in my hand, I go back to the bedroom and lay down. I tuck the knife under my pillow but keep my hand on the hilt.

Talk about a security device.

With the weapon in my hand and my mother's quilt wrapped around me I finally start to calm down.

The exhaustion of the day settling over me like a thick net. My eyes slowly drift shut and sleep takes me.

Chapter 6

???

It's amazing how easy it is to go unnoticed.

When I was younger it used to bother me. The fact that I could stand in a crowded room and unless I made an absolute fool of myself no one would know I was there.

Now I see it for what it really is. My super power.

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