stuttering my key into the lock
and I could feel that presence,
a stiff, steaming stench
breathing at my back.
I turned on every light,
reflexes at the ready,
and I inspected the room
(there are only so many places
a psychopath can hide in a studio
apartment).
I snuck up
on the shower curtain,
and whipping it
to one side,
I found nothing
and then proceeded
to give myself a one-handed scrub,
with my kitchen knife
poised in the other.
Finally,
I lay myself down
in the darkness,
safe in the knowledge
of the gun in the drawer,
the knife under my pillow
and the door
chained and tripled-locked,
and I drifted
into slow, deep-breathed
slumber.
The last thing I remember
before feeling
the piercing of my chest
was the stench,
laughing and derisive:
“I knew you’d
eventually
fall asleep.”
[Written for Fireblossom Friday at http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/2014/10/fireblossom-friday.html - write something scary...boo!]
Oy. Freaky. I will be afraid to shut my eyes later!
ReplyDeleteThe "stench" really makes it yucky! When I was a grad student and came home at night to an empty house, I walked around w/a knife at the ready! G-d forbid if I ever had had to use it!
ReplyDeleteGoodness, a nightmare's brew in this one. Hopefully the "stench" won't make a visit here. Great write!
ReplyDeleteoh wow, this is totally creepy. remind me not to fall asleep! :)
ReplyDeleteeeek! i love this actually. who hasn't felt like this at one time or another? hopefully with not the same ending. :)
ReplyDeleteYIKES! No place to run to, baybyyyyyyy. I had to laugh at the not many places to hide in a studio apt!
ReplyDeletewhen you finally let your guard down....
ReplyDeleteit gets you....
creepy ~
ReplyDeleteBoo. Yes, in horror movies - never go off alone or go down into the basement and NEVER fall asleep.
ReplyDelete