The Hollow Stalker

You are alone. A scared, fearful little creature in this dank and dark forest.

I can smell you. I can feel your heart beating, every single one of them. I just love to dance to the rhythm as it quickens when you hear a sound.
What as that? A squirrel? A fox? Perhaps it was. Or perhaps it was me.

I have watched you for a long time you know, I was there when you were in the playground of your first day at school. I was there when you left it. I was there when you had your first kiss. All these happy memories, and yet you never gave me any in return.

That really hurt me.

I’m getting closer.

I can hear your breath now. I can smell the sweat and the tears running down your face as you run.

You know I’m there, but you don’t know how.

You stop. You turn and watch the area as you slowly gain your breath back.

It’s so cute when you are running, especially when you don’t know what you are running from. You are looking right at me, can’t you see me?

I always wanted you to see me. I hope tonight you finally can.

You begin running again, trying to find your way out of the trees, back towards the people, and the noise, and all the things I hate. I prefer the silence.

Why don’t you?

To get away from it all, to cancel it all out. There is not a better feeling in the world.

That’s what I’m coming to give you. The chance for you to know how peaceful it truly is.

I’m right behind you now.

You catch your foot on something, but as you fall you cannot see it. Was it a root? A fallen branch? Or was it me again? A million possibilities fly through your brain as you fall to the leaves below.

You lie there, not moving. Your eyes are closed, trying to get rid of it all, to wake up from the nightmare that you are in. Why don’t you open them? I’m right here. I want you to see me.

I reach out and touch you. I’ve never been able to touch you before. Your skin is so smooth, so soft. So flawless. I run my hand down your face, can you feel me? I can feel you. Every flake of skin, every hair, every cell. I can feel your tears.

Why do you cry? Do you not like me? Do you not want to see me?

You used to tell me to go away when you were younger. The “boogeyman” you used to call me.

I was always upset when you told me to go. But I did. I wanted you to be happy, but now it is my turn.

Open your eyes.

Go on. That’s it. Open them up.

Can you see me?

I know you can, you’re not breathing anymore. You hope I go away. Well that’s not happening anymore.

I lean in to your face, you can see my eyes, white, and lifeless. Hidden away beneath the curtain of blackness that is my hair. I’m smiling at you, do you like my teeth? They are yours. All the teeth you lost when you were younger. I sharpened them for you. Do you like them now?

I move to your ear and whisper what I always wanted to say.

“You’re not alone anymore.”

You close your eyes, and never open them again. They find your body hung up in the tree three days later, your eyes nothing but lifeless pools of white matter. Your teeth are gone, I took them. I wanted to complete the set. A small river of bloody tears has run from your eyes, and even though you were frightened, you have a smile.

You are smiling because of me.

Thank you.

You gave me the happiness I wanted.

I’m sorry I had to take it from you.