Page 141 of Trick or Stalk

He's gone.

I stop breathing.

“Where did he go?”

I move closer to the window, one cautious step at a time. As if he might suddenly pop up in front of the second-floor window.

My phone is clutched in my hand.

Nothing.

The property is empty.

I scan the trees.

Nothing.

I finally exhale.

“Is he... on the porch? By the front door?”

I look around my room for a weapon. I don’t have anything except for an old tennis racket in the corner of the room.

I grab it, then face the door.

Penny stands beside me, growling.

“We have to do this.”

I glance down at Penny. She stares up at me.

“On three.”

The first step into the hallway is the worst. My knees shake, as though he’s waiting right there.

I flip the light switch on.

Nothing.

I keep going, the racket raised over my shoulder. My sweaty hand clutches my phone. I move down the steps and through the foyer to the front door, my eyes darting around.

Nothing.

I peer through the window where I first saw him.

No mask.

No black-clothed man.

Relief fills me as I release a shaky breath.

I move around the first floor, turning all the lights on, looking out every window.

My last stop is the back door.

I check the door first. It’s locked.

“Okay, Penny. On the count of three.”