the hallway hums
with nothing there,
but something cold
just kissed the air.

my blanket's tight,
I dare not breathe—
the dark has teeth
and hides beneath.

the mirror twists
behind my head,
my face still smiles
when I’ve fled.

there’s scratching sounds
inside the walls,
a lullaby
for late-night calls.

and when I blink,
it steps in slow—
the thing I pray
will never show.