Home Alone
“I’ll be home by eleven. If there is any problems, don’t hesitate to call.” I gave Mom a fake smile. “Yeah, okay. Have fun! But not too much fun!” I pushed her out the door and slammed it. I plopped down on the couch and watched her car pull out of the driveway. I sighed and closed my eyes. Relaxation at last.

I went into the kitchen and made myself a warm cup of hot chocolate. It tastes the best in the winter. I walked back into the living room and sat down. I flipped through the channels on TV. There was nothing good on. I turned off the TV and listened to the silence. I sipped my hot chocolate, wincing as I burned my tongue. I set it down.

CRASH! I whipped my head towards the stairs. Who was upstairs? I didn’t see anyone. I was the only one in the house. I slowly got up and grabbed the remote. I eased up the stairs, carefully trying not to make any sound. As I neared the top, I prepared myself. I peered around the corner into the hallway. Nothing. BANG! Someone was in my room!

I slowly walked towards my bedroom door, unprepared for what I was about to see. I gripped the doorknob firmly, sweat coming off my hands. I counted. One, two…. The door flew open, but not from me. There, in my bedroom, was nothing. Absolutely nothing. Fear and panic washed over me like a wave. What was that noise? And if it’s not here anymore, where is it?

I stumbled down the stairs, dumbfounded. This just didn’t make any sense. I resumed my spot on the couch and took a drink. The hot chocolate tasted funny. I spit it out, all over the carpet. I brought it into the kitchen and dumped it down the sink. Someone knocked on the front door. It startled me so much I dropped my mug on the floor and it shattered. Great.

“Who’s there?” I slowly approached the front door and peered through the eye hole. There was a man standing there, with a black hoodie. I couldn’t see his face. I started to shiver uncontrollably. I don’t know why. I glanced at the phone. I had to do something. I rushed over to it and picked it up. I started to dial Mom’s number. I held the phone to my ear. I felt a tear running down my face as I listened to silence. Someone cut the phone line. I slowly set the phone down. Another knock at the door. I ran to the door and peeked through the eye hole. The man was gone.

“Knock knock!” Someone yelled from upstairs. It sounded like a man. “W-who’s there?” I managed in a shaky voice. No reply. Then a footstep. It was loud, likes someone was wearing boots. Heavy footsteps came down the stairs. I ran to the emergency cupboard, that led to the basement. I sat, shivering, in the darkness. Footsteps approached the cupboard. “Come out, come out, wherever you are.” His tone was mocking. I held my breath. This was not happening.

The cupboard creaked open. I squeaked in panic. I ran to the far side of the basement, by the window. I pushed and pushed and the window didn’t budge. “Where are you trying to go?” He asked. He stood about five feet in front of me. He held a crowbar. “I don’t know what you want.” I tried to sound brave. “But you better leave. Now.” He didn’t move. Instead, he lowered his head and muttered, “I’ll give you a five second head start.” Thats when I ran. I ran past him and up the ladder, back through the cupboard. “One.” His voice was like thunder. I ran to the closet. I grabbed my brother’s baseball bat. “Two.” His voice rang in my ears. I rushed over to the front door and tried to open it. Jammed. “Three.” I could hear him coming now. Frantic, I kicked the door. “Four.” The cupboard started to creak open. I used the bat and bashed the door. It was starting to break through. “Five.” He started towards me. I jumped through the hole in the door and yelped as I cut my leg on the wood. Limping, with the bat in my hands, I took off down the street. It was dark outside, about nine oclock. I slipped and fell on the ice. I dropped the bat and it landed a few feet away. A dark shadow emerged over me. It was too late. “Looks like I win.” He pulled back his hood and revealed his face. Ugly. Scars covered his face, like trees in a forest. He slowly raised the crowbar above his head. He smiled. “Goodnight Cammie.”

“CAMMIE! WAKE UP!” My mother shook me awake. I lifted my head groggily and glanced at her. “What time is it.” I mumbled. “Eleven. I just got home. Why don’t you go up to your room now?” “Alright.” I slowly got up and stumbled to the stairs. When I got to the top, I stopped. There were muddy bootprints all over the carpet. Coming from my room.