Page 136 of Trick or Stalk

My heart slams against my ribs.

A masked, pale face stares at me through the glass.

I scream.

Penny's barking erupts behind me.

I spin around.

She comes flying down the stairs, ears flapping as she runs.

“Penny!”

She races toward me.

I scoop her up and turn back toward the window.

Nothing.

The porch is empty.

Beyond it, darkness stretches across the yard.

My eyes dart around, searching for the masked man.

My pulse pounds in my ears.

There was someone there. I know there was.

I saw a mask.

I step closer to the window. Penny squirms in my arms.

“Stop.”

I don't know whether I'm talking to her or myself.

I look through the glass, staring into the darkness.

Nothing moves.

The porch light illuminates the steps and part of the yard. Beyond that, trees blur together in the darkness.

But I don’t see anyone.

I release a shaky breath. “Someone was there, Penny. I’m not crazy.”

Penny whines.

“I know.”

I press my cheek against the top of her head.

“Or maybe I’m losing my mind.”

This is just like the footsteps and fallen book in the bookstore. Just my imagination.

I’m still freaked out from being stuck in the storage room.