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by Sarahi Lopez

I can feel it staring at me. It’s standing by the far corner of the bed, hunched over. 

Hungry. Silent. Waiting. 

I’m frozen on the bed. The sheets are a tangled mess and any movement could uncover a limb—

Inviting it.

I focus on my breathing. 

In and out. 

In and out.

My chest barely brushes the sheets as it rises with shallow breaths. Good. My ears strain, trying to catch any rustling sounds. There is  nothing but the rhythmic drop of melting snow from the roof outside. Pressure builds in my head. 

It moves. 

The shadow-hidden claws are mere inches from the soles of my feet. I swear I feel it graze me.

Still, I don’t move. I can’t. It will come for me. And I—

I’ll—

Tears pool. An unfortunate sound comes out of my nose. A whimper follows.

I—

I—

Blood pumps through me. The bed vibrates with me. I think I hear a light groan. 

It’s hovering above me.

I can feel it breathing.

Another whimper escapes me. My face contorts in panic, anticipating what’s to come.

It’s reaching towards me—

And I—

I’m—

A heavy limb falls on me. I jolt, and melt in seconds as I’m pulled into a breathing furnace.

I open my eyes. A serene scene greets me. The glow of the stove’s clock. Two bags of popcorn on the counter. Clothes left haphazardly on the carpet around the bed. And the soft outline of his arm radiating heat, strewn across my middle.

I burrow in as my eyes droop, and a long soft sigh leaves me. 

I cannot forget my sleeping mask next time.