I stayed shut in my bedroom for the whole afternoon, my work and my beloved books all forgotten. Nothing seemed to matter anymore.

I awaited the incoming of the night with dread in my stomach as tears slowly rolled down my cheeks.

And for the first time in my life, I didn’t want to be alone. But nobody was there to cheer me up and tell me everything is going to be fine. And I knew better.

My friends were busy and my family was thousands of miles away.

And when the day melted into a darkness, with the last sun rays slowly dying I still sat there unmoving.

My hand absentmindedly taped to reach for my phone which rang tirelessly, buried somewhere under the tousled bed covers.

“Yes?” I said cautiously almost as if I was expecting someone to announce the impending doom that loomed over my head.

“Faina!” Alasie’s soft voice was filled with concern “Finally! Where were you?”

“Just …here.” I murmured, lifting my head which seemed heavy under the crippling terror I felt.

“I am done with work, so you can come and spend the night at my house. I’m not leaving you all by yourself. Listen, Josh wanted to pick you up, but something came up. Can you walk and I’ll meet you half-way?”

I felt like the whole rock lifted off my chest as I hummed in relief “Thank you. I am so scared.”

For a moment there was only silence heard on the other side of the line “I know.” She whispered sadly “But we’ll stop him. I promise.”

Even though her reassurance felt like a soothing medicine to my soul, I knew my friends couldn’t really help me. Because how do you fight against something so illusive and invented?

“I’m on my way,” I said hurriedly, already tossing the clothes and other necessities in my backpack, suddenly in a hurry to leave my house. But was I selfish? Didn’t that mean I will endanger the lives of others? But then again, they couldn’t see him. Only I could.

I locked the doors behind me, walking with my head bent low. I was petrified to look around, only to see the town slowly sinking into the darkness. It was already late.

I heard sled dogs’ wild barks somewhere in the distance and I couldn’t help but wonder what was it they smelled.

My heart thundered in my chest as I made my way towards the cafe. I well-intended to stay hidden in the safe embrace of the town, illuminated with street lights. At least someone will come running if they heard my screams.

I pushed down the frightening thoughts of my racing mind walking forward with determination I didn’t know I still had left in me.

The sharp frost was already creeping up my neck, numbing my cheeks and nose. It was impossibly cold tonight, it had to be at least 10℉.

I pushed forward, the frozen surface crunching beneath my boots.

I sighed in relief as I saw somebody standing underneath the lamp post about thirty feet away from me.

“Alasie!” I called out, waving my hands to get her attention.

But something felt off. The cold and dread rattled my bones as I released my breath, the thick cloud of steam gently fanning against my icy cheeks. Slowly I leaned forward, straining my eyes to see better through the falling snowflakes.

All of a sudden, I became conscious of the town’s stillness. It was unusually empty and quiet. There were no people on the streets, rushing from work to get to the warm havens of their homes. There was nobody there.

“Alasie?” I tried once again, but this time my voice sounded more like a quiet whimper.

The silhouette covered in dark slowly turned, revealing its true height. It wasn’t a woman’s figure.

He was here.

I staggered backward, feeling drops of sweat trickling down my spine.

“Please … no.” I begged even though I was aware he didn’t come here to hear my pleas.

I know what Tapeesa said; not to run or make a sound. But my senses were overcome with sheer terror and the only thing that was on my mind was to run for my dear life.

With the first step he took towards me, I found myself running as fast as my body allowed.

Pumping my legs, I sprinted by Josh’s house, not minding how my boots were slipping on the icy surface or how my body plunged to the ground every few feet.

I ran past all the houses with illuminated windows, families gathering to a nice peaceful evening meal not having the slightest idea their neighbor was being chased by a murderous monster.

And I ran until I reached the deep woods.

It was already dark when I entered the forest border and I realized I was walking blindly. I hoped the thick trunks will offer me shelter from the lurking creature but I was as blind as him.

I tripped and stumbled through the broken branches as I urged my screaming muscles to move faster. But the racket I was making made me realize I’ve made a horrible mistake coming here.

This was his territory.

My stomach clenched as I felt bile rising in my throat. I wept silently, praying to God to save me.

But God was nowhere in sight when I heard movement on my right.

I dropped to the ground when I saw an elk walking by my hiding place, carefully sniffing the air.

Rising moon reflected on the surface of the water which made me realize I had to be near the two smaller lakes on the east side of my house.

Have I run that far?

Judging by my exhaustion which was completely overridden by adrenaline and my burning muscles, I had. My sweatpants were completely drenched, my body shivering in the cold night air.

The presence of an animal did only little to calm my panicked nerves, but it was enough for me to carefully assess the surroundings. It meant there was no danger nearby.

But the feeling of false peace didn’t last long as I saw animal’s body strain with alarm. Its ears flickered left and right carefully listening to noises I couldn’t catch.

Suddenly an eerie shriek filled the woods and elk jumped at the grotesque call of the predator hoping away as fast as it could. But it didn’t come far as I watched its torso being pierced with the hunting arrow, nesting itself right into the animal’s chest.

An agonizing cry tore out of animal’s throat when its body plummeted to the ground, thick red liquid spilling on the white, snowy blanket.

I stuffed my gloves into my mouth to prevent myself from screaming out loud. The hunter who killed the elk stepped forward, loudly sniffing the air. The man from the shadows cocked his head as if he was listening carefully, and I knew who the monster was searching for. Me.