u/DeadPixelX

There was someone out there. I could just make out their silhouette on the other end of the cul-de-sac, standing just outside the reach of the streetlights.

I stretched out on my couch with my laptop on my chest and the window in view. I didn’t mind the figure at first, but the later it got with no movement the more mental space it occupied until I couldn’t write anymore.

I closed my laptop and skulked to the window. The shape was looming, completely shrouded in darkness. I cupped my eyes against the glass but no more details emerged. The hairs on my arms stood on end. I pulled the blinds down, determined to go to bed and forget it.

I woke to my phone vibrating under my back. I rolled over and nearly blinded myself with my phone screen. Twenty four notifications from my security app. Motion detected. I rubbed my eyes and propped myself up, squinting to see the short recordings my camera made every time motion was detected.

The first few captured nothing but the trees in the front yard shifting in the wind. The angle of the camera didn’t capture the space where the figure was standing. How did I let myself sleep? The seventh video was shot in the camera's night vision. The moving trees triggered this video but there was something at the end that sent my ears ringing. At the edge of the frame a dark figure briefly stepped into and then out of frame. Too close to my house. 

I crouched at the front window looking out across the cul-de-sac and the figure was still there. Unmoved. The baseball bat in my hand felt ridiculous. The rest of the videos were useless.

Fuck it. I went to the front door and threw it open. “Hello? Can I help you?” My words echoed across the neighborhood. The thing stood still.

”Can you hear me? Buddy?” I shouted. The baseball bat was still in my hand. The street light flickered; the figure remained. I was a few yards away when something inside me altered. It took a moment for my sleepy mind to register what was wrong. I still couldn’t make out any features of the silhouette despite the surroundings being clear. I stopped. 

The figure stepped forward. Again. The light finally touched the shape. Too much flesh and not enough skin. It was not human, something churned under its skin.

I didn't feel human. 

I ran. Wet slapping footsteps followed me. They were so fast. My hand gripped the handrail to my house. Something gripped my other arm. It was wet and rough like blood soaked sandpaper. I spun, trying to free my arm so I could use the bat but I failed. Eyes. Face to face with the thing. The eyes retracted inward then reached out inches from my own. Something about the eyes felt right, comforting. I dropped the bat. 

There was someone out there, and I am going with them.  

There was someone out there. I could just make out their silhouette on the other end of the cul-de-sac, standing just outside the reach of the streetlights. They had been there for a few minutes, or at least I noticed them a few minutes ago and they hadn't moved.

I stretched out on my couch with my laptop on my chest and the window in view. The lights were off inside, late night writing, so I didn’t think anyone could see in so I didn’t mind the figure at first, but the later it got with no movement the more mental space the figure occupied until I couldn’t write anymore.

I closed my laptop and skulked to the window. The person was looming, completely shrouded in darkness. I cupped my eyes against the glass but no more details emerged. The hairs on my arms stood on end. I pulled the blinds down, determined to go to bed and forget the figure.

I woke to my phone vibrating under my back. I rolled over and nearly blinded myself with my phone screen. Twenty four notifications from my home security app. Motion detected. I rubbed my eyes; sticky sleep clung to my hands. I propped myself up and squinted going through the short recordings my camera made every time motion was detected.

The first few captured nothing but the trees in the front yard shifting in the wind. The angle of the camera unfortunately didn’t capture the space where the figure was standing. My stomach flipped at the thought. How did I let myself sleep? The seventh video was shot in the camera's black and white night vision. The moving trees probably triggered this video but there was something at the end that sent my ears ringing. At the edge of the frame a dark figure briefly stepped into and then out of frame. Too close to my house. 

Are you kidding me? I crouched at the front window looking out across the cul-de-sac and the figure was still there. Unmoved. The baseball bat in my hand felt ridiculous, like I was going to tee-ball practice. The rest of the videos were useless. My heart throbbed. Fuck it. I went to the front door. I took a quick look out of the peephole. Still there. I threw the door open. “Hello? Can I help you?” My words echoed across the neighborhood. The thing stood still.

”Can you hear me? Buddy?” I shouted. The baseball bat was still in my hand. “Are you dense?” The words surprised me. I didn't normally talk like that. The street light flickered and the figure remained. I was a few yards away when something inside me altered. It took a moment for my sleepy mind to register what was wrong. I still couldn’t make out any features of the silhouette despite the surroundings being clear. I stopped. 

I opened my mouth to call out again but I didn’t. Adrenaline flooded my nervous system, like my body knew what was coming. The figure stepped forward. Again. The light finally touched the shape. Too much flesh and not enough skin. It was not human, something churned under its skin.

I didn't feel human. 

I ran. Wet slapping footsteps followed me. They were so fast. My hands gripped the handrail of my entrance. Something gripped my other arm behind me. It was wet and rough like blood soaked sandpaper. I spun, trying to free my arm so I could use the bat but I failed. Eyes. Face to face with the thing. The eyes retracted inward then reached out inches from my own. Something about the eyes felt right, almost comforting. I dropped the bat. 

There was someone out there, and I am going with them.  

There was someone out there. I could just make out their silhouette on the other end of the cul-de-sac, standing just outside the reach of the streetlights. They had been there for a few minutes, or at least I noticed them a few minutes ago and they hadn't moved.

I stretched out on my couch with my laptop on my chest and the window in view. The lights were off inside, late night writing, so I didn’t think anyone could see in so I didn’t mind the figure at first, but the later it got with no movement the more mental space the figure occupied until I couldn’t write anymore.

I closed my laptop and skulked to the window. The person was looming, completely shrouded in darkness. I cupped my eyes against the glass but no more details emerged. The hairs on my arms stood on end. I pulled the blinds down, determined to go to bed and forget the figure.

I woke to my phone vibrating under my back. I rolled over and nearly blinded myself with my phone screen. Twenty four notifications from my home security app. Motion detected. I rubbed my eyes; sticky sleep clung to my hands. I propped myself up and squinted going through the short recordings my camera made every time motion was detected.

The first few captured nothing but the trees in the front yard shifting in the wind. The angle of the camera unfortunately didn’t capture the space where the figure was standing. My stomach flipped at the thought. How did I let myself sleep? The seventh video was shot in the camera's black and white night vision. The moving trees probably triggered this video but there was something at the end that sent my ears ringing. At the edge of the frame a dark figure briefly stepped into and then out of frame. Too close to my house. 

Are you kidding me? I crouched at the front window looking out across the cul-de-sac and the figure was still there. Unmoved. The baseball bat in my hand felt ridiculous, like I was going to tee-ball practice. The rest of the videos were useless. My heart throbbed. Fuck it. I went to the front door. I took a quick look out of the peephole. Still there. I threw the door open. “Hello? Can I help you?” My words echoed across the neighborhood. The thing stood still.

”Can you hear me? Buddy?” I shouted. The baseball bat was still in my hand. “Are you dense?” The words surprised me. I didn't normally talk like that. The street light flickered and the figure remained. I was a few yards away when something inside me altered. It took a moment for my sleepy mind to register what was wrong. I still couldn’t make out any features of the silhouette despite the surroundings being clear. I stopped. 

I opened my mouth to call out again but I didn’t. Adrenaline flooded my nervous system, like my body knew what was coming. The figure stepped forward. Again. The light finally touched the shape. Too much flesh and not enough skin. It was not human, something churned under its skin.

I didn't feel human. 

I ran. Wet slapping footsteps followed me. They were so fast. My hands gripped the handrail of my entrance. Something gripped my other arm behind me. It was wet and rough like blood soaked sandpaper. I spun, trying to free my arm so I could use the bat but I failed. Eyes. Face to face with the thing. The eyes retracted inward then reached out inches from my own. Something about the eyes felt right, almost comforting. I dropped the bat. 

There was someone out there, and I am going with them.  

There was someone out there. I could just make out their silhouette on the other end of the cul-de-sac, standing just outside the reach of the streetlights. They had been there for a few minutes, or at least I noticed them a few minutes ago and they hadn't moved.

I stretched out on my couch with my laptop on my chest and the window in view. The lights were off inside, late night writing, so I didn’t think anyone could see in so I didn’t mind the figure at first, but the later it got with no movement the more mental space the figure occupied until I couldn’t write anymore.

I closed my laptop and skulked to the window. The person was looming, completely shrouded in darkness. I cupped my eyes against the glass but no more details emerged. The hairs on my arms stood on end. I pulled the blinds down, determined to go to bed and forget the figure.

I woke to my phone vibrating under my back. I rolled over and nearly blinded myself with my phone screen. Twenty four notifications from my home security app. Motion detected. I rubbed my eyes; sticky sleep clung to my hands. I propped myself up and squinted going through the short recordings my camera made every time motion was detected.

The first few captured nothing but the trees in the front yard shifting in the wind. The angle of the camera unfortunately didn’t capture the space where the figure was standing. My stomach flipped at the thought. How did I let myself sleep? The seventh video was shot in the camera's black and white night vision. The moving trees probably triggered this video but there was something at the end that sent my ears ringing. At the edge of the frame a dark figure briefly stepped into and then out of frame. Too close to my house. 

Are you kidding me? I crouched at the front window looking out across the cul-de-sac and the figure was still there. Unmoved. The baseball bat in my hand felt ridiculous, like I was going to tee-ball practice. The rest of the videos were useless. My heart throbbed. Fuck it. I went to the front door. I took a quick look out of the peephole. Still there. I threw the door open. “Hello? Can I help you?” My words echoed across the neighborhood. The thing stood still.

”Can you hear me? Buddy?” I shouted. The baseball bat was still in my hand. “Are you dense?” The words surprised me. I didn't normally talk like that. The street light flickered and the figure remained. I was a few yards away when something inside me altered. It took a moment for my sleepy mind to register what was wrong. I still couldn’t make out any features of the silhouette despite the surroundings being clear. I stopped. 

I opened my mouth to call out again but I didn’t. Adrenaline flooded my nervous system, like my body knew what was coming. The figure stepped forward. Again. The light finally touched the shape. Too much flesh and not enough skin. It was not human, something churned under its skin.

I didn't feel human. 

I ran. Wet slapping footsteps followed me. They were so fast. My hands gripped the handrail of my entrance. Something gripped my other arm behind me. It was wet and rough like blood soaked sandpaper. I spun, trying to free my arm so I could use the bat but I failed. Eyes. Face to face with the thing. The eyes retracted inward then reached out inches from my own. Something about the eyes felt right, almost comforting. I dropped the bat. 

There was someone out there, and I am going with them.  

There was someone out there. I could just make out their silhouette on the other end of the cul-de-sac, standing just outside the reach of the streetlights. They had been there for a few minutes, or at least I noticed them a few minutes ago and they hadn't moved.

I stretched out on my couch with my laptop on my chest and the window in view. The lights were off inside, late night writing, so I didn’t think anyone could see in so I didn’t mind the figure at first, but the later it got with no movement the more mental space the figure occupied until I couldn’t write anymore.

I closed my laptop and skulked to the window. The person was looming, completely shrouded in darkness. I cupped my eyes against the glass but no more details emerged. The hairs on my arms stood on end. I pulled the blinds down, determined to go to bed and forget the figure.

I woke to my phone vibrating under my back. I rolled over and nearly blinded myself with my phone screen. Twenty four notifications from my home security app. Motion detected. I rubbed my eyes; sticky sleep clung to my hands. I propped myself up and squinted going through the short recordings my camera made every time motion was detected.

The first few captured nothing but the trees in the front yard shifting in the wind. The angle of the camera unfortunately didn’t capture the space where the figure was standing. My stomach flipped at the thought. How did I let myself sleep? The seventh video was shot in the camera's black and white night vision. The moving trees probably triggered this video but there was something at the end that sent my ears ringing. At the edge of the frame a dark figure briefly stepped into and then out of frame. Too close to my house. 

Are you kidding me? I crouched at the front window looking out across the cul-de-sac and the figure was still there. Unmoved. The baseball bat in my hand felt ridiculous, like I was going to tee-ball practice. The rest of the videos were useless. My heart throbbed. Fuck it. I went to the front door. I took a quick look out of the peephole. Still there. I threw the door open. “Hello? Can I help you?” My words echoed across the neighborhood. The thing stood still.

”Can you hear me? Buddy?” I shouted. The baseball bat was still in my hand. “Are you dense?” The words surprised me. I didn't normally talk like that. The street light flickered and the figure remained. I was a few yards away when something inside me altered. It took a moment for my sleepy mind to register what was wrong. I still couldn’t make out any features of the silhouette despite the surroundings being clear. I stopped. 

I opened my mouth to call out again but I didn’t. Adrenaline flooded my nervous system, like my body knew what was coming. The figure stepped forward. Again. The light finally touched the shape. Too much flesh and not enough skin. It was not human, something churned under its skin.

I didn't feel human. 

I ran. Wet slapping footsteps followed me. They were so fast. My hands gripped the handrail of my entrance. Something gripped my other arm behind me. It was wet and rough like blood soaked sandpaper. I spun, trying to free my arm so I could use the bat but I failed. Eyes. Face to face with the thing. The eyes retracted inward then reached out inches from my own. Something about the eyes felt right, almost comforting. I dropped the bat. 

There was someone out there, and I am going with them.  

Humid sweat and stale rubber permeated the single room gym clinging to its scattered equipment and mirrored walls. Rhythmic plodding steps echoed as the sole patron trudged along the worn treadmill; his gray shirt darkened between his shoulders, light hair curled and dripping. Henry kept his gaze on his tennis shoes, the small hole on the end of the right one flashed his white sock with each step. He told himself he would buy new shoes last week and the week before that. After glancing at his watch he took a deep breath, set the treadmill to full speed and gripped the handles.

Outside, the parking lot was dark with only a poorly maintained streetlight casting its feeble light just far enough to illuminate a single beat red Jeep with its doors removed, a pair of black fuzzy dice dangling from the rear view mirror. Tiny black paws gripped the tread of the tire pulling a bloated rat from the asphalt. It writhed its way up the front right tire, in through the doorway and burrowed under a pile of old clothes on the floorboard. 

Steam fogged the mirrors in the claustrophobic locker room while Henry ran his hands through his hair. The hot water flushed his skin, too much hair stuck to his fingers. The faucet squealed, the water sputtered and then stopped; it was quiet. Dripping. Breathing. It took until he had dried his hair and wrapped himself in the coarse white towel to hear the other breath. 
“Hello?” His voice was harsh, deeper than he intended. He scanned the room waiting for a response. There was none. 

Dripping showers and ringing silence crowded his hearing. Did he really hear someone else breathing? Surely not. Only he had access to the gym this late and why would someone skulk around an old gym at night. He stuffed his mind with explanations until he calmed down again.

After waiting for too long for some sudden intrusion he continued to dry off and get dressed. He pulled a tight white tee on, grabbed his bag and pushed the locker doors open. The gym was still. He flipped the crusty switch cutting the lights for the entire facility. Orange light spilled in from the parking lot.

The equipment, silhouetted by the glow, cast sharp and irregular shadows that bounced and bent on the walls. He heard the breathing again, this time there was no mistaking the rasping breath with anything else. 

Henry waited, listening as closely as he could with his heartbeat marching in his head. The breathing came from somewhere between him and the exit, then behind him, then in the ceiling, but all he could see was shadows and well-worn equipment.
“Gym’s closed buddy, you gotta leave.” He felt small as the words landed flatly. 

Thud. Thud. Wet and heavy pounding filled the gym. Henry fumbled for the light switch. Again. The lights did not turn on. Thud. Thud. He waited motionless, back against the locker room door. Click. Squeak. Rasping filled the space. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. From the darkness behind him something tickled the back of his arm. He let out a scream and sprinted towards the exit. 

He kicked a bench in the darkness, white hot pain erupted in his shin. But he kept running, through the pain he finally reached the exit doors. A blast of cold night air whooshed in as he made his way out, scrambling in his bag for the keys. He slid it in the lock and turned. It was dark inside, darker than he thought possible. He saw only shadows and mirrors.

Steadying his breath, he scanned the space. Over the weights and ellipticals, there was nothing, until he focused his eyes against the dark towards the door to the locker room. Two glistening eyes caught the sodium glow of the streetlights. They were there for just a moment then they were gone. 
He backed up slowly toward his jeep, not daring to take his eyes off the gym as if it would swallow him whole if he turned his back to it. Slid his keys in the ignition and was going 60 before he caught his breath. 

Who was that? The eyes lingered in his mind. The road was empty and dark with his headlights cutting into the night. 
He pulled his phone and dialed 9 and then 1 and paused when he heard skittering from the floor. He glanced at the road, then his phone, then to the sound. Hollow rat eyes almost glowing were staring up at him. They moved towards him, fast.

He let go of the wheel for a second to stop the rat, but it was enough for the Jeep to start wobbling. He slammed on the breaks. The Jeep skidded, with burning rubber fumes replacing the night air. The front tire blew, sending the vehicle head over end, throwing everything and everyone from the cabin. 
Burning rubber and raspy breathing. Darkness. 

Humid sweat and stale rubber permeated the single room gym clinging to its scattered equipment and mirrored walls. Rhythmic plodding steps echoed as the sole patron trudged along the worn treadmill; his gray shirt darkened between his shoulders, light hair curled and dripping. Henry kept his gaze on his tennis shoes, the small hole on the end of the right one flashed his white sock with each step. He told himself he would buy new shoes last week and the week before that. After glancing at his watch he took a deep breath, set the treadmill to full speed and gripped the handles.

Outside, the parking lot was dark with only a poorly maintained streetlight casting its feeble light just far enough to illuminate a single beat red Jeep with its doors removed, a pair of black fuzzy dice dangling from the rear view mirror. Tiny black paws gripped the tread of the tire pulling a bloated rat from the asphalt. It writhed its way up the front right tire, in through the doorway and burrowed under a pile of old clothes on the floorboard. 

Steam fogged the mirrors in the claustrophobic locker room while Henry ran his hands through his hair. The hot water flushed his skin, too much hair stuck to his fingers. The faucet squealed, the water sputtered and then stopped; it was quiet. Dripping. Breathing. It took until he had dried his hair and wrapped himself in the coarse white towel to hear the other breath. 
“Hello?” His voice was harsh, deeper than he intended. He scanned the room waiting for a response. There was none. 

Dripping showers and ringing silence crowded his hearing. Did he really hear someone else breathing? Surely not. Only he had access to the gym this late and why would someone skulk around an old gym at night. He stuffed his mind with explanations until he calmed down again.

After waiting for too long for some sudden intrusion he continued to dry off and get dressed. He pulled a tight white tee on, grabbed his bag and pushed the locker doors open. The gym was still. He flipped the crusty switch cutting the lights for the entire facility. Orange light spilled in from the parking lot.

The equipment, silhouetted by the glow, cast sharp and irregular shadows that bounced and bent on the walls. He heard the breathing again, this time there was no mistaking the rasping breath with anything else. 

Henry waited, listening as closely as he could with his heartbeat marching in his head. The breathing came from somewhere between him and the exit, then behind him, then in the ceiling, but all he could see was shadows and well-worn equipment.
“Gym’s closed buddy, you gotta leave.” He felt small as the words landed flatly. 

Thud. Thud. Wet and heavy pounding filled the gym. Henry fumbled for the light switch. Again. The lights did not turn on. Thud. Thud. He waited motionless, back against the locker room door. Click. Squeak. Rasping filled the space. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. From the darkness behind him something tickled the back of his arm. He let out a scream and sprinted towards the exit. 

He kicked a bench in the darkness, white hot pain erupted in his shin. But he kept running, through the pain he finally reached the exit doors. A blast of cold night air whooshed in as he made his way out, scrambling in his bag for the keys. He slid it in the lock and turned. It was dark inside, darker than he thought possible. He saw only shadows and mirrors.

Steadying his breath, he scanned the space. Over the weights and ellipticals, there was nothing, until he focused his eyes against the dark towards the door to the locker room. Two glistening eyes caught the sodium glow of the streetlights. They were there for just a moment then they were gone. 
He backed up slowly toward his jeep, not daring to take his eyes off the gym as if it would swallow him whole if he turned his back to it. Slid his keys in the ignition and was going 60 before he caught his breath. 

Who was that? The eyes lingered in his mind. The road was empty and dark with his headlights cutting into the night. 
He pulled his phone and dialed 9 and then 1 and paused when he heard skittering from the floor. He glanced at the road, then his phone, then to the sound. Hollow rat eyes almost glowing were staring up at him. They moved towards him, fast.

He let go of the wheel for a second to stop the rat, but it was enough for the Jeep to start wobbling. He slammed on the breaks. The Jeep skidded, with burning rubber fumes replacing the night air. The front tire blew, sending the vehicle head over end, throwing everything and everyone from the cabin. 
Burning rubber and raspy breathing. Darkness.