There’s Something That Haunts My Hometown, And I’m Terrified What Will Happen If They Ever Find Me

Like that. It was dark. I didn’t see anything under the door. But it felt like they were there for hours, scratching away at the wood. In the morning, my throat hurt from trying to smother my sobs for so long. I couldn’t sleep anymore, even though we were supposedly safe the other nights of the month. I begged my parents to move away. I think at one point I literally got down on my knees and implored them to leave. They told me to be quiet. It was only one night, nothing had happened, They didn’t really get in. We must have gotten too scared and started hearing things, they said.

So before the end of the month, I ran away. I was 15. I’ve never looked back. Sometimes I regret having been so rash. I miss my family, but I’m afraid of calling them or even sending them a letter. As far as I know, They only haunt that town. I’m afraid that maybe my family didn’t move because we’re not allowed to leave. I don’t know, but I’m too afraid to risk doing anything that could make Them find me and spread beyond that town. I still lock every door and window; every night now, just in case. I have a girlfriend now. She believes I have OCD and tolerates this behavior, and she’s helping me get over my fear of going outside past sundown. I’m afraid she’s not having much success. I know she’ll probably get tired of trying to fix me and leave.

I wonder sometimes, if a life like this was worth the escape.