Page 138 of Trick or Stalk

“Because that's what stupid people do.”

I climb beneath the covers, then reach for the lamp.

But I stop.

The window is right there.

I should close the curtains and go to sleep.

Except if I walk over there and look outside and see someone⁠—

Don't.

I stare at the window.

My heart begins beating faster. “This is ridiculous.”

I throw the covers back.

Penny watches me climb from the bed.

“I'm just closing the curtains.”

Her head lowers again.

I take one step toward the window, then another. My bare feet make almost no sound against the floor.

The closer I get, the more I want to turn around.

I don't.

I reach the window. My fingers grip the curtain.

Don't look.

But I don’t listen.

My breath stutters in my lungs when I lay eyes on him.

A man stands at the edge of the porch light near the tree.

He's tall and broad. A black hoodie covers his head. He’s dressed entirely in black.

I can’t move.

Can't breathe.

Can't scream.

My gaze trails over him, as though convincing myself he’s real.

He’s wearing black boots.

His hands hang loosely at his sides, with no sign of a weapon.

Not that he’d need one. His sheer size alone is enough to easily overpower me.

My mouth goes dry as my gaze moves to the mask covering his face.