Alone in her living room, the events of the evening replayed in the girl's mind. The chase through the dark and eerie forest had left her shaken and scared. Her heart was still pounding, and she felt as though someone was watching her every move.

Just as she was starting to calm down, the phone rang, causing her to jump in fright. Her hand trembled as she picked up the receiver, but it was only her mother calling to say she would be home late. Again. Mom had been calling with news of a latenight return eer since she began her shift at the hospital. Dad was probably three-drinks in at a bar somewhere.  She tried to act casual, not wanting to worry her already overprotective mother.

As soon as she hung up the phone, the fear returned. She knew she was alone in the house, and the thought made her uneasy. She tried to distract herself by turning on the radio. REM was singing about Shiny Happy People, a perfect distraction from her worries. The music helped a little, but she still couldn't shake the feeling that someone or something was watching her.

Knock knock knock. 

The sound at the door startled he already fragile calm, but ther was something odd about the knock, as though  it came in an echoed stereo- one from the front fo the house and one from the back door leading into the woods. Her heart racing, she slowly made her way towards the front door. She hesitated for a moment before opening it, but to her relief, it was only the old lady next door, Mrs. Jenkins.

"Hello, Kylie. I just wanted to check on you. Are you alright, dear?" Mrs. Jenkins asked, looking at the girl with concern.

The girl nodded, trying to hide her still-sweaty brow. "I'm fine, just a little spooked."

"You kids and your scary movies. This is what happens when you watch that nonsense." 

Mrs. Jenkins smiled kindly. "Well, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I'm just next door."

The girl thanked her neighbor before closing the door and leaning back against it, her heart still racing. She opened her eyes. They landed down the hallway at the back door.  Had she been heaering things, or were there tandem knnocks? AFer all, the sound hadn't been in sync. She couldn't help but wonder if Mrs. Jenkins was the only one knocking at her door. What if the person who had chased her in the forest had seen her enter the little house at the edge of the forest?  

Kylie knew she had to keep her wits about her, but as the night wore on and the house grew darker, her fear only intensified. She couldn't wait for her mother to come home and make everything feel safe again.