Thy Neighbor... revisited...

Prologue- 15 years ago

The heat of breath fell thickly on my neck, and the smell of death surrounded me. I knew it was I who was about to die. The darkness was absolute. THERE … no … THERE!

“Are you going to cry?”

            My breathing stopped. The voice I’d heard so many times before spoke to me agian, this time menacing and loathsome.

“Answer me, Julia!”

I couldn’t. My mouth opened, but the words were too terrified to escape. All at once, my mind rushed to my daughter. Oh my God, Sidney, where are you?

“Are… you… going… to cry?”

I shuddered and forced out one solemn sound, “No.”

“You should!”

            There was movement: threatening, deliberate, terrifying. I no longer felt my own body, but I knew I was running. My breathing was sporadic and rushed, but the sound was muffled as if coming from another room. The beating of my heart, however, was deafening, loud and painful, but it was proof that I was still alive.

“Why are you running? You won’t survive!”

            I moved faster through the rooms of my house, but I couldn’t see. I couldn't find Sidney. I had to get to her. The darkness was blinding. Still alive … I was still alive. Then, the sound of my scream, wretched and piercing, echoed through the air, as a gash, burning and severe, emerged on my right arm. So much blood! DON’T SLOW DOWN.  Where is my Sidney? I see it… a small speck of light… I’ve got to get there. If I make it to the light, I live. Run… RUN!

“I’m tired of chasing you… it’s time.”

            I moved to the left, suddenly and purposefully. Thrashing pain! Light. I must focus on the light. Rabid pants exited my lips. My lungs felt crushed, and there was nothing but pain.

“ENOUGH!!”

This was my last chance. I had to reach the light. Cold steel pierced my neck. I couldn’t breathe. This was it… Fire… scorching fire! Stay hidden my baby girl, stay hidden. I continued to lurch forward, knowing the light was my salvation… the light quickly fading to black. I felt the flames of agony and torment, as the proof of my existence fell silent with my final whisper of… Sidney.