Danny went straight to the shower when he got home. While gathering his stuff, he decided to visit the neighbors after his shower so he would have plenty of time to catch up with Darren for the movie. Danny stepped into the bathroom and turned on the hot water. As the steam started to fill the room, he began to take off his clothes. Just after he stepped into the water, there was a knock at the door. Danny quickly threw a towel around his waist and briskly walked to the door.

Danny opened the door cautiously, just a little curious about who might be coming to his place; it wasn’t often he got visitors. To his astonishment, his neighbor James was standing right in front of him, ogling over his arms, his toned stomach, and his luscious wet hair. Danny in return was looking down to see James’ milk chocolate colored eyes and short chestnut hair.

“Hey, um… well, this is awkward. Do you think this can wait a minute? I was just in the shower and… well, I’ll be right out.”

“Sure,” James replied in a calm, cool manner.

“So, you can go ahead and get comfy, raid the fridge, make yourself at home, whatever,” Danny said as he walked back toward the bathroom. When he reached his destination, he realized that James was still standing outside.

“You can come in you know! I promise I don’t bite,” Danny shouted through the half closed bathroom door. Yes, I’m sure you don’t, but I just might. James thought as he stepped inside, shut the door, and locked it. Danny took the towel off and stepped into his shower. He stood there for a moment and let the hot water run over his body; it nipped at his skin and it stung slightly but he enjoyed the feeling of the almost too hot water.

The soap slipped out of Danny’s grasp when he reached for it. He bent over to pick up the soap when he noticed the door was open and there was a shadow on the wall that wasn’t his own. Danny wiped away the steam on the shower door to see out. He didn’t see anything and the door wasn’t open. Danny closed his eyes. Figures, the water must be playing tricks on me, making my eyes hurt, or something like that. I feel like a dumb little kid now. Thinking there was someone in the bathroom. But it didn’t feel like someone, more like a something, Danny thought. Danny jumped and his eyes opened as he felt someone’s warm breath on the nape of his neck.

Okay; now I really am insane and I’m freaked out beyond all reason! Danny turned around to see James standing right behind him.

“Hello, my love,” James whispered into Danny’s ear.

† † †

Danny awoke to his phone alarm at 6:00 pm. He was lying face down on his bed with nothing but a towel around his waist. What the fuck? Shit! I better hurry; Darren will kill me if I’m late! What the hell happened though? I must have dozed after the shower. Oh crap! James! He thought. Danny ran into the living room. There wasn’t a soul in the house other than his, nor was there a sign one had ever been. I wonder if it was all a dream, he thought, scrambling around the house.

Danny ran back to his room and quickly put on a black short sleeve shirt over a white long sleeve and a pair of black jeans. Danny looked at himself in the mirror for a moment. Okay, hair looks good, clothes look good, and there are two red marks on my neck. What the hell are those marks from? Damn humidity and the bug population it draws in… Danny’s thoughts trailed there as he fell to the floor and started trembling. His eyes turned black and he lost consciousness.

† † †

“What are you doing here? I thought you were sitting down in my living room.” Danny said to the assailant in his shower.

“You said I could come in.” James calmly said.

“I invited you into my house, not my shower!” Danny yelled, now in a state of panic. Danny looked into James’ eyes and Danny’s whole body went limp. What’s happening? Why can’t I move? Danny thought as he scanned James with his terror stricken eyes.

† † †