Stalker

It was only yesterday since I saw him . . . Well, it’s more like IT. What I saw was no man. It had no face. No feet. No hands. Just a ripped suit with its long arms and legs, which have an unnaturally long claw. I saw him, staring at me, deep into my soul. And through the window. I told my brother about it . . . He says it’s because of my all-nighters, and horror movies I watch, that I’m seeing things. I believe him. I think.

Last night I couldn’t sleep so I went to get some water then . . . I saw it. She was staring at me, from outside the kitchen window. It felt like there was nothing around us, but darkness.

I wake up the next day to the brutal ringing of my alarm clock. I groan as I move to stop it. I’m half asleep. The loud obnoxious ringing stopped, but I didn’t touch it . . . Lifting my head so very slowly, I try to scream, but my mouth just falls open, with no sound coming out. It’s the man I saw last night. I stare at his arm, which leads to my chest. His arm is going right through me.

I sat up fast. Gasping for air as if it’s trying to run far, far away from me.

“It was a dream..” I mumble to myself. My chest. Oh, my chest. It’s sore . . . Suddenly, there’s a knock at my door. “Harlow,” he opens the door. “You’re gonna be late for morning classes! Hurry up.” I rub my eyes and nod. He stares at me, and I stare back. “You okay?” He asks. “Yes, why are you asking?” He’s staring at me like I’m crazy, now. “You screamed earlier,” he says, now examining the room.

“What do you mean?” My heart is pounding a little too quickly.

“Yeah, um..- I’ll just tell them you’re sick.”

“No, no, I’m coming. Just let me get dressed.” I stumble to my feet. He gives me a quick nod, before leaving my room. I inhale sharply, then I go to get ready.

“Malcolm?” I call out his name while heading downstairs. “You finally ready?” He tilts his head at me. I roll my eyes and fight the urge to laugh but smile instead. “Let’s go, big brother of mine.” We make our way to his car and in the passenger seat window, I see the thing in the reflection behind me. This time I scream, and turn around brutally, only to see nothing there.

“Um..” I turn back around to see Malcolm staring at me weirdly. “Sorry.” I choke out. He laughs calmly, then we both get in the car. Malcolm is always working, even though we both have school. He’s always trying to get as much money as he can for both of us. Mother and father never really liked us that much. They kicked us out of their house 2 years ago.

They still visit occasionally, for money, mostly to laugh in our faces and tell us how much they regret having us. Malcolm’s always defending me, no matter the situation. I’m glad I have him, to be entirely honest. Maybe- “We’re here.” The sound of his voice kicks me out of my thoughts. “What? Already?”

He looks at me with a mocking smile. I sigh, but I don’t know if it’s a sigh of relief or something else. “Of course, you took the shortcut.” His smile grows wider, as he says “Maybe.”

I get out of the car and grab my bag. Malcolm does the same.

“What class do you have this morning?”

“I’m pretty sure it’s English. We’re starting Myths and Legends today.”

“They’re not myths or legends,” he says, making weird movements with his hands. “They’re real. Monsters who creep up on you at night, and stare at you.” I instantly think about that thing I saw, last night and this morning.

A shiver shoots up my spine. “Y’know what? Let’s not… talk about that.” I say, walking toward the entrance. There are about 4 minutes left until class but there are certain students outside. So I’m a bit relieved. “Aw, are you scared?” He grins at me and I have to fight the urge to smile.

“Uh-huh. I’m heading to class, bye!” I wave goodbye and leave for Myths and Legends class. I’ve been trying not to think about my sore chest, the arm it had in my body. My silent scream. The feeling of agony for those ten seconds felt like an eternity. I shiver just thinking about it.

I get to my classroom and everyone’s already in their seat. And all their eyes turn to face me. I can feel my face flushing with embarrassment. I rush to my seat and- “Harlow! Very nice of you to join us, six minutes into the lesson.” I freeze in place as I hear the harsh and unfriendly voice of my professor. Now, I’m certain I’m blushing. “I, uh-” I try to say something. Anything. But I’m too embarrassed to form words right now.

He waves a hand at me, “Just get to your seat so I can continue, please.” I give him a quick nod and rush to my seat. I hear a few giggles, and whispers in the room, and I sink into my seat, trying to ignore them.

Professor Adler continues the lesson. Y’know, Professor Adler is kind of intimidating, but he’s nice. I mean, he gets annoyed when you’re late, Which is my bad. He’s calm with us and understanding. I sometimes ask myself why my parents aren’t like that . . .

I wonder if I should tell him about that man I saw. Would he believe me? Probably not, however, he might let me talk to him about it.

“Harlow?” I startle at the sound of his voice. “Y-Yes?” I look up at him. He’s standing, not even ten feet away from me, and he frowns. “I need you to pay attention, alright,” his voice is soft. I nod once, twice. Adler turns away again and he’s saying something about vampires. Goodness, I’m so tired, I keep on zoning out. But I’ll make it through the lesson.

“Miss Sullivan.” As everyone is leaving, I stop right in front of the door and turn around slowly. “Yes?” He looks at me, studies my face even. “Come sit,” he says, pointing at a seat in front of him. “There’s something on your mind, so tell me about it.” I’m stunned.

“How did you?-”

“It’s written all over your face.” He grins.

“Okay.. Well,” I sit in the chair. “Last night, I saw this… thing. I mean, a man, but it wasn’t really a man. Like, he was a greyish tan colour. He didn’t have a face.. Or hands, or feet… But a ripped thin black suit, with arms and legs that end… In sort of- like spikes.” I make gestures with my hands as if they mean something, and I look up at Professor Adler who isn’t smiling anymore, his eyes widened, slightly flashing with worry. “Continue…” He says slowly. “I was getting a cup of water last night, and that’s when I first saw him, or it. And this morning…” I look to the floor now, unintentionally putting a hand on my chest. “Its arm.. Was right through me. Here.” I point a finger at my chest now, tapping it. “And I woke up again, sore in that spot.” I look back up and see the horror in his eyes, and it quickly disappears.

Adler clears his throat. “Right, yes,” he gets up from his desk. “I… will see you tomorrow, Harlow.” He attempts a smile, which comes out all wrong. It’s not reassuring. He walks me to the door, slightly pushing my back. “But-” I try to say something but he just pats my shoulder and closes the door. Well, that was nice. Definitely not the reaction I was expecting from him. Maybe I creeped him out a little? But he’s a Myths and Legends teacher. Okay, there’s probably something wrong then… I have to find Malcolm before my next class.

I start searching the halls. I check outside, and he’s not there. Shoot. Maybe the bathroom? I head there, speed walking like I’m in a supermarket. I open the door slowly. I can’t go inside, since it’s the boys’ bathroom.

“Malcolm-” A sudden thud and grunt cause my eyes to widen.

“You Sullivans are such freaks.” Someone says, chuckling after. I feel my body tense up, and I clench my fist, unintentionally. “Please, just leave me be.” I hear my brother say. I have to do something, but my feet are stuck in place for some reason. I can’t move.