Man in the Attic

By Avery Shubert

I'm scared.
It's probably senseless
But I still can't shake the feeling.

It's an unspoken fear
If I speak it will discredit it
Or make it all too real 
So it will sit in my head
Heavy and tight
More like a shadow than a dark night
But there nonetheless.  

I'll breath harder
My heart will beat faster 
But I won't say a word
Or move a muscle. 

Many things
But one more pressing than the rest 
There’s a man in my attic
Creeping around the house at night
Head peeking out of the hatch
Waiting for an opportunity. 

And a woman under the counter.
Lying flat and still
Her inky hair stringy from weeks without washing
She watches my feet as I pass
Bloodshot eyes wide and filled with glee. 

A serial killer in his home
Blaring music to mask the screams
Of his new victim 
Who the outside world won’t hear
I white knuckle the steering wheel on his street
I should do something

But I begin to hyperventilate
My thoughts race to be heard
And I drive past.
It’s probably senseless
But I can’t shake the feeling.

Every time I go on a walk
I glance behind my shoulder
Once 
Twice
No one is there
Of course not

I walk in wide circles around the cars
But when I look in side
No one is in the driver seat
Waiting to take me away
Of course not

And no one is ever behind the doors
And no one ever pulls up to me real slow
And no one ever lurks around my yard
Of course not

So why am I so scared?

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