I hid in the darkness, hoping they couldn't see me. Hoping they couldn't hear me. They lurked, just outside my hiding spot. I could hear them. They were searching for me. They called my name in their raspy, dead voices. I tried not to listen.
How did I get here, I silently asked myself. I had been walking to my hotel. I didn't heed my friends warning.
Visiting my friend had seemed like a good idea. I'd stay at a hotel; go to a party with her on the second night of my visit. She told me, "I'll give you a ride. You can't be walking in the open at night. This town is dangerous at night."
This town is dangerous at night. I thought she'd been talking about gangs or something. I was wrong. She'd been talking about them.
I don't know exactly what they are. I didn't get a good look at them. I could feel their presence. As soon as the sun went down, I knew they were there.
Their gaze burned into the back of my neck. Their footsteps were echoes of mine. I felt them breathing. They were inches from my back.
I ran.
I ran and found my hiding place, now they search. They seek me out like a snake, stalking a mouse before it lunges.
They know where I am. I know it. They're toying with me. Making me think I'm safe, that I may get away. They play their game like a parent plays with their toddler. Hide and seek. That is their game. I hide, they seek me out. They play their game and I am merely a pawn. Someone to have fun with before the break of dawn. Before the sun rises, they will find me. I didn't want to know what happens when they did.
They would finish their game and find me. I was sure I was doomed. Never to make it out alive. Never to be heard from again.
"Hide and seek. Hide and seek." they called out like children. They called my name again. Their voices rang in my head. I wanted nothing more than to come out from my spot of cover.
How dare they taunt me with the idea of freedom.
They called my name.
I wanted to scream.
I wanted them to find me already.
I wanted to go home.
They laughed at me.
They called me.
I quietly cried.
Hiding away.
I knew I was going to die that day.
Or was I.
I got up from my hiding place and bolted. I ran all the way to my hotel. They were behind me the whole time, but I made it back to my hotel. I locked the door and ran to check the window. Locked. I was safe.
Until I saw the note on the TV that said, "You can't lock us out. We were already here."