I stare out of the bedroom window, my gaze obstructed by the pitch-bck night. Raindrops patter harshly on the window. I'm almost afraid it might break. Afraid it might let something else in when it does. Afraid the thing that's been watching me can find its way inside. How could I begin to expin this awful feeling? I feel as though something deep within me is cwing my throat, trying its best to get out. It wants to be free. It wants to be away from the fear. I want to be away from the fear.

  What does this person want from me? Do they know I'm scared? I bet they do. I bet they like that feeling. Having power over another person. I suppose that's why they do this.

  I call them "my follower". That's what they do. I feel a sort of menacing threat emanating from all around me. Every creak sends shivers up my spine. Every breeze chills the bone. Every person seems to be staring deep into my soul. I don't even know if I'm just dreaming it all. But I can't shake the feeling of eyes on me. Eyes everywhere on me.

  I tear my own away from the window, trying to tell myself that it was all in my imagination. My parents tell me so. They don't believe that there could be anyone watching me. I forced myself to agree. But the little voice in my head is screaming at me, telling me that I'm not imagining it.

  I hesitantly turn and walk away.

  Take a deep breath.

  I close my eyes and breathe in deeply. This calms my nerves for the moment. I force myself into my nightly routine. Tomorrow, my mom will assign me chores that require me to go to the town's marketpce. So, I y out an old brown dress that I usually wear on chore day.

  With that done, I crawl onto my bed, trying to ignore that burning sensation gnawing at me.

  The eyes. They're watching me. Only me. Always.