“What the?”

Something strange happened while April slept. The half jug of milk she just purchased sat half empty on her table. The drawers in her bedroom were partially opened, some of her more delicate items laying disheveled. At first, a shot of panic jolted her as she immediately checked all the doors and windows. They were all still locked. Her investigation of the house revealed nothing as well. She sighed, feeling a bit silly that she had carried a knife through her home, ready to take down a non-existent foe.

Maybe I had more wine than I thought.

April decided she would go to work the next day, which she had been actively avoiding. As an editor of a local publishing company, she didn't have to go into the office to work. But she felt she was getting too comfortable working from home after she discovered herself wearing her old yoga pants riddled with holes and a faded shirt that was covered in paint from several years ago while opening her second bottle of wine since arriving the day prior. She started unpacking boxes, letting the radio carry her into an active rhythm, soothing away the thoughts the negative thoughts that crept into her mind about the past couple of months. 

Even when she found a box of pictures, she smiled. Ian had always been an adventurer, eager to go and see something new and he made sure to capture every trip they took. She placed the photos throughout the house, emotions stirring with each one. Tears caught in her throat but with a shake of her head, it was gone. She was going to happy looking at these memories, that's what her husband would have wanted.

By the end of the day, she almost unpacked everything. She ignored the call of her wine rack and opted for a bottle of water and a bowl of her mother's homemade peach ice cream. The bright screen of her laptop greeted her as she snuggled herself under the covers of her bed. Crickets chirped outside of the window, accompanied by the soft song the wind chimes on the front porch. Her email box kept growing as she took slow bites of her creamy peachy treat. She clicked through them absentmindedly, not finding any importance in most of them.

 In the midst of her mild work, footsteps boom outside of her room. She nearly dropped her spoon from the sound. The door was cracked open, but there was no movement. Now she wished she had her knife with her. Gathering her courage, she slid from her bed, keeping an eye of the door. Her heart pounded as she grabbed the doorknob, if there was something on the other side, it was waiting for her to come to it.

The dark hallway gave her no surprises, but the light switch was a few feet away. She stared across the hall at the closed door to the other bedroom, stomach twisting at the thought that someone could easily grab her. Not wanting to chance someone getting the jump on her, she sidestepped down the hall, until her fingers brushed the plastic switch. The light briefly blinded her but looking from side to side; there was nothing. The spare bedroom door didn't fly open; no one came charging down the hallway. 

April breathed a light sigh of relief just as more footsteps screamed in the silence. She plastered herself against the wall; she heard another set of feet that time. Now there were at least two other people in the house, and she had no defense. Her phone. Where was her phone? She silently swore, it was sitting on the kitchen table. Peering down into the slightly illuminated living room, no threats had emerged, but the prospect of walking towards another dark room didn't seem like a sound plan for survival.

That cell phone is the fastest line of communication you have, get to the kitchen.

With a deep breath, she started down the hall, determined not to let her intruders take her by surprise. She quickly looked around as she went past the sofas, no one. Her confidence grew, and she dashed to the light in the kitchen and picked the knife she regrettably abandoned. Still nothing. No one. Not even the sound of footsteps again. The confusion started to slow the pounding in her ears. She couldn't blame the misleading pleasure of the wine this time. She sighed and rubbed her eyes, justifying that the exhaustion of recent events must be catching up to her. Suddenly she felt a rush of wind blow past her, the chairs at the table flew back and fell to the floor.

LEAVE NOW!

The voice rang so clearly, it sent chills down her spine. She gasped, covering her mouth to prevent a scream from escaping. April shook as she looked around the room, shaking her head in disbelief. She grabbed a bottle of wine, her phone, and hurried back to her bedroom. Whispering to herself that none of it was real, she was safe.