last night. i was there. and here i was again.

should i get out of the car, should i get out of the car, should i get out of the car. all that went through my head. i try to collect a few inhales and exhales from the slender oxygen and work up the courage to leave the steering wheel. i put the car in park. gripping on tightly to the door handle, i take it all in then step out of the vehicle.

i walk over to the old home and gaze. gaze at the windows, flooring, the wood, the chipping paint. i step closer. the front porch light was not on. no one was home except me. i remember it all. all of it. all. i step closer and closer and finally reach the front step leading up to the porch. tyler, look in your pocket, i thought to myself. i grabbed a flashlight out of the pocket of my coat and turned it on. i could see everything around me. i lift my foot slowly and place it gently on the first stair. it didn't stop it from creaking so loudly. although the house was empty, you could still feel a presence. it was here. it was on the porch. it was here. it was waiting. for what? didn't it already collect what it wanted? i mentally sigh as i try not to make any noise. i look back to my grand marquis to see it consumed by fog. it was far out of sight.

i go to the door. the screen door was busted. the window cracked all over and the screen ripped. it swings open as i release the door and the wind takes a hold of it, making it swiftly crash into the side of the house. i move on to the front door. i go to turn the knob. left and right. locked. the decorative looking window of the front door was also damaged. in one fluid motion, i punch the glass. shatter. i reach inside and unlock. i open as drops of red drip drip drip down my knuckles.

i entered. i look left. living room. i look right. dining room. i look ahead. stairs. i head up them. without realization, i made it. into their room. everything was familiar. the sights, the sounds, the smells. but now it was empty, every room. vacant. tired. the house and i both. i sat down on the cold, wooden floor. i look up. i began to get chills. i was not alone. he was here. he was holding the light. he was the light. i knew what he wanted. please, i whisper. i'll take the grave. i was not made to play this game.