I listen and hear a door creak, my dog whining, a shadow in the corner of my eye, and movement that shouldn’t be there. I feel watched, like someone is right behind me, and is content to simply stand and stare until I look. I already made sure the doors were locked, and that the windows were latched, but it’s not enough. I hear the house settling, the wind blowing, but they sound different when I’m alone. The wind whispers to me how vulnerable I am all alone. The house moans about the bad people that could come and **** me without blinking an eye. My heart thumps hard, I can only hear the noises that keep me up, and the blood pounding in my ears. I feel a hand grab my shoulder, but nothing’s there. I hear a whispering voice, but it doesn’t like to be heard. I hear a gun being loaded, or a knife being taken out, but no one's with me. I lay in bed wondering what could be about to attack or hurt me. I think whether the doors were actually locked or not. When I hear a door creaking again, and icy grasp holds my heart. I start crying until I have no tears left to cry. The fear is real no matter what. I lay like this until I slip away into a haunted sleep.