I Love You

It’s coming up the stairs.

Slowly, with each step it’s growing closer.

I can hear its laboured breathing, accented by the creaking the stairs make with each heavy step.

Soon it will be at the top of the stairs and right outside my door.

There is nowhere to run.

I’m lying in bed bathed in a cold sweat attempting to stifle my breath, hoping that it won’t hear me through the crack in my open door.

I can see the lights in the hallway flicker as it passes by the standing lamp.

It’s reached the top.

I’m frantically looking around my bed side table for something to defend myself but there is nothing; the book I was reading and my water glass are all that’s there.

It’s at my door now.

Slowly my door is beginning to open and the light from the hallway bathes my room in light, save the darkest corner of my room behind the door which stays hidden.

I’ve covered my head with my blanket.

I can’t see this coming.

I can feel the tears running down my face.

I can feel my breath and my heart pounding faster than ever before.

I can hear the steps towards my bed.

Oh god…oh god no please. I’ll do anything.

I’ll do anything.

Please please please I don’t want to die…

…

It is sitting on my bed.

It’s placed a hand on my side.

“Are you asleep?” it asked me.

I held my breathe.

I swallowed hard.

I don’t want to die……I don’t want to die….

“Your dad and I talked…and I think we’re going to hold off on Military School for a little while. He’s come around to seeing my side for the time being.”

I didn’t dare turn to face it.

After a long minute it stood up and walked to the door, turning back to me.

“I love you kiddo, I’m your Mom and I’m always going to fight for you…don’t worry.”

It shut the door and slowly walked away.

I can hear it opening the door down the hall.

Its shut the door.

In an instant I sat straight up and wiped the tears from my face.

I got out of bed walked to the door shut it softly and locked it.

I turned to the darkest spot of the room.

“What now?” I asked my real mother who was still crouched in the darkest part of the room hiding.

"We run." She said with tears in her eyes