I’m thrown back into a dark closet.Pitch black with nothing but my own tears to keep me company while I waited for the inevitable fist.
“Oh man.Hang on.”Someone shifts on the couch, and a light illuminates the room seconds later.“Katelyn?”
But my gaze is on the balcony—and the dark shadow standing just outside the closed patio doors.
I scramble to my feet, grabbing Thomas and pulling him up with me.I shove him behind me and back as far away as I can, the scream dying in my throat.No.He can’t have him.
“Mom, what’s going on?”Thomas’ tone is terrified, but I’m locked on the shadow.
“Katelyn, what is it?”Garrison is right there in front of me, concern etched on his handsome face.
But with the next flash of lightning…the figure is gone.
“I—sorry, I was just caught off guard.”But my voice is barely above a whisper, a tormented lie that seeps into my chest and remains there, a weight I can’t shake off.“Thomas, can you grab the candles from your room?”
“Sure thing, Mom.”Even he seems nervous as he pulls out his own phone and uses the flashlight to guide himself down the hall.
“What is it, Katelyn?”Garrison asks, keeping his tone low.“Something is wrong.Talk to me.”
He doesn’t touch me, and for that, I’m grateful.Because if he did, he’d be able to feel just how badly I’m shaking.Isawsomething…didn’t I?Was it just a trick of my mind, or was someone really out there?
Has our time run out?
“Nothing.I just—it scared me, is all.”
“Tell—”
“Got the candles!”Thomas announces as he strolls back into the living room.He sets them down, so I busy myself grabbing the lighter from on top of my TV stand, then light both candles.
Flickering flames dance off the walls of the living room.
Outside, the storm picks up as rain begins to fall in heavy sheets, battering the windows as wind sends it flying into the side of the building.
With the light, I can breathe a little easier, but that’s only if I force my attention away from the man watching my every move.He sees too much.
Way too much.What was I thinking, letting him in?
“Whoa.Crazy storm,” Thomas says as he crosses over toward the patio doors.
“No!Get back!”I start toward him before I realize that my reaction wasnotnormal, and both Thomas and Garrison know it.They turn to me.
“You okay, Mom?It’s just a storm.”Thomas questions.
Fake it ’til you make it.Deep breaths, Katelyn.“I know, honey.The wind is just strong.You should stay inside.”I force a smile.“Besides, you should be getting ready for bed.Storm or not, you need sleep so you can get up and get ready for school.One week left until camp.”
He rolls his eyes.“Ugh, fine.Thanks for coming and hanging with us, Mr.Holt.”
“You’re welcome.”Garrison offers my son his hand to shake, then retrieves his bowl and carries it into the kitchen while I watch Thomas walk down toward the bedroom.There’s no access to it—unless someone wants to climb the side of the building.Otherwise, I honestly don’t think I would have let him leave my sight.Truthfully, it’s safer in there than it is in here.
If someone was out there, they’d have to go through me first.
Breathe, Katelyn.You are safe.It was just a trick of your mind.There’s no way someone is out there.Not in this weather.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”Garrison asks.“I can stick around, sleep on the couch.”
No, you can’t, because that’s where I sleep.“I’m okay.Thanks for the offer, though.”To demonstrate justhow“okay” I am with him leaving, I cross over and pull open the door.The hallway is pitch black aside from the faint glow of the EXIT sign over the stairwell.
Garrison pulls out his phone before stepping out and turning back to face me.The desperation on his face is clear as a sunny afternoon, even in the darkness of our current situation.“I’m here if you need me, Katelyn.”
As he says it, the electricity flashes back on, fully illuminating the worry on his face.
“I know, thanks.See you later.”With a smile, I gently close and lock the door, then lean back against it as I stare out at the patio.
Another flash of lightning illuminates it, reinforcing the idea that I imagined the shadowy figure I saw out there.Still, there’s a gnawing in my gut that it wasn’t my imagination and that this is just the beginning of what will inevitably be another relocation for Thomas and me, despite my earlier resolve to remain firmly planted right here.