Spiders, creepers, skeletons... these things don't bother me anymore, not in the sense of real fear. They were just creatures that lived here, like any other animal I'd find in the wilds. More aggressive, maybe, but easily dealt with or avoided. So when I started regularly feeling unexpected chills running up my spine, I was certain it wasn't any of those.

It kept happening. One moment I'd be digging up coal or hunting, and I'd just sense it. Hairs prickling on the back of my neck. This overwhelming feeling of paralysis, like moving would be the last mistake I ever made. I'd wait, and nothing would happen. Eventually I'd force myself to move, and everything was fine. Nothing pounced, nothing seemed to be lying in wait to snare me. It was all fine. I told myself it was all my imagination and moved on.

It wasn't.

It started with a knock at my door one night. The residents of the nearby village usually left me alone, so it was surprising that anyone would be all the way out there after dark. But then I opened my door, and nothing was there. No sign of anyone or anything that would've knocked. That really made my skin prickle, but again, nothing came of it. So I set it aside, chalking it up to weariness and an overactive imagination.

That was until I came in from gardening one day and found my door wide open. Sword in hand, I searched my home, coming up empty once again. Someone had to be messing with me, but I didn't know who or why. It was possible that some kids did it just to cause some mischief, though I hadn't known many to come this far outside the village just for a prank. Honestly, it was hard to picture anyone just walking into my home in broad daylight.

That night, I double checked my lock before going to bed. Everything was as it should be, but I left my lantern lit. I told myself there was nothing to worry about, but if there was, I'd much rather be able to see. Once I had e erything in order, I settled into bed as I always did, and quickly fell asleep.

*Knock. Knock. Knock.*

My eyes flicked open, greeted only by pitch black. Had I run out of lamp oil? I rolled over to reach for the igniter to check when the sound came again, only heavier. More insistent.

*Knock.*

*Knock.*

*Knock.*

A cold, weighty feeling seized my body, and I couldn't move. As I watched, frozen, my door swung open so hard i could hear the metal knob slam into the adjoining wall. There, outlined only by the moonlight above, was a figure dressed all in black, with a deathly pale face. I couldn't make out the eyes in the sunken sockets, but some black fluid seemed to leak from them like tears of pitch. A black-lipped mouth curved into a sinister smile.

*Sleep now.* a low, rasping voice whispered.

I felt my body trembling, a cold sweat coating my skin as the figure *glided* toward me soundlessly. It raised an arm, and I realized it was holding a hatchet. Moonlight glinted of the metal head, and I had no time to scream before the blunt back end was cracked against my skull.

*Sleeeeeeeeep.*

~☆~

The next morning, I woke up with a splitting headache. Surprisingly, though, i felt no blood or tenderness when I reached up to my temple. The lamp on my bedside table was still lit, and when I got up to check my door, it was still latched.

"Nighmare..." I murmured. I was in severe need of some coffee after a dream like that. It was so surreal.

I got up and got dressed, then cooked myself breakfast and watched the sun rise outside my window. The forest was cast in shades of emerald and gold, sparkling light glinting off the nearby river. All told, it was a beautiful morning. Still, the nightmare clung to my mind like cobwebs. It had felt so real, so painful. My hand instinctively reached up to my temple again, but there was nothing. Not so much as a bruise. Still, my head throbbed. The memory of the paralyzing fear that had gripped me when that figure appeared made me nauseous. I hadn't even gotten a chance to defend myself-

No, I needed to stop. It wasn't real, and I had chores to do. My animals needed tending, and I needed to see about installing another lock, just in case someone really had been messing with me. It was possible some wanderer had tried to get in to steal some of my stuff, but I didn't really gave much of value to take.

Better to be safe than sorry, though. I decided should probably shore up the pens as well, to protect my livestock. I'd been putting *that* particular chore off for too long.

I finished my coffee and stood up, abandoning my breakfast dishes to be tended to later. It was time to get to work.

~☆~

It was warm outside, with the late-spring sun beating down on my little homestead. My garden was likely absolutely loving it. My cows? Not so much.

"Abigail, come on." I groaned, pushing against the side of one of my milk cows, who had decided to stubbornly plant herself in a puddle when I summoned the rest to the barn for milking.

She lowed indignantly, letting out a huff and rolling onto her other side, splashing water into my boots.

"Ugh! Fine. Stubborn heifer."

I gave up for now, slumping against the shade of a nearby apple tree. My boots squelched wetly as I tugged them off, followed by my soaked socks. I lay them out just outside the shade so they would dry, leaning back against the trunk. It was past noon now, and honestly, I was getting tired. This patch of shade and the slight breeze were a balm, though.

Nearby, bees hummed lazily, drinking in the nectar of wildflowers.

"Perhaps I'll build an apiary..." I mused aloud, letting my eyelids drift closed. Access to fresh honey could be nice. I could make cakes with it, surely. The villagers would probably appreciate those. This, of course was another on a long list of projects that were much more pleasant to fantasize about than actually work on, like building a bigger bed and adding that sunroom to my house. Sooo many projects. The apiary would have to wait.

My pondering slowly quieted as I rested, beginning to doze right there in the shade.

*I see you*

The side of my head exploded in pain once more. I jumped up, eyes frantically scanning the tree line.

"I know you're there!" My voice squeaked out, my legs already locking up on me. I swallowed hard, my throat closing up like i was going to cry.

There was nothing. No movement, no sound. Even the buzz of the bees had gone quiet. When I turned my head, Abigail was nowhere to be seen, the puddle still rippling from her swift exit.

I waited and waited, but nothing happened. No figure appeared. I wasn't attacked. Nothing. The pain in my head began to ebb once more until it was barely noticeable.

"What's happening to me? I'm losing my mind..."

I was still panting, hands clammy as I gathered my boots and marched back into my house, bolting the door behind me. Even then, my heart was racing. I moved to my sink to drink some water, reaching for my cup from the table-

My breakfast dishes weren't there. My brow furrowed, immediately retracing my steps. Had I spaced out and cleaned them up and just forgotten? I turned to my cupboard and opened it, revealing... no change. The cup and plate I'd used werent in there.

"The hell...?"

I ended up practically turning my home inside out for the next hour. I counted and recounted my dishware several times, and my missing items stayed missing. I knew they didn't just get up and wander off, but I wasn't sure how I could've misplaced something like that so completely. They were just... gone.

~☆~

The next day, I went into the village to trade. I brought crops that were harder to grow within the village, and hoped to get a smith to see about my lock situation. I had another goal as well, though.

I needed a healer.

The fact was, I didn't know what was happening to me. The headaches, the nightmares, the paranoia... I hadn't slept properly in at least a week. Would they be able to help me? I had no clue. But I had to hope that someone could.

The first half of the day went easily enough. I made a bit of money off my vegetables, which immediately went into a lock at the blacksmith's. Easy come, easy go. At least having that installed would make me feel ever so slightly better.

*knock knock knock*

I let out a shriek, panic overwhelming my senses as I slammed my back against the nearest wall.

"Uhhh... you okay?"

I blinked, my eyes turning to see a pair of villagers standing on the stoop of a nearby home, one with his hand still raised from knocking on the door.

Heat washed over me. I felt so ridiculous in that moment. I was in town. Of course I would hear knocking and all sorts of noises.

"Sorry. Excuse me." I slid past the two, continuing down the street toward the local healer.

~☆~

"Have you gained any weight?"

"No?"

"Any unusul cravings?"

"Also no."

"Vomiting?"

"Nope."

"When was your last-"

"Dear god. No! It *definitely* isn't that!" I groaned. This was going nowhere. "It's just what I told you. Nighmares, paranoia, cold sweats. Now I think I'm hearing things, maybe. I can't sleep, I can't find some of my stuff that I *know* I put in specific places. There is something going on and I need help."

The healer eyed me skeptically, letting out a little "hmmmf" to himself.

"Best I can do is give you something for sleep. You definitely need to be getting plenty of rest and water. It's possible you're dehydrated. But nightmares aren't really something I can fix medicinally."

I scrubbed a hand over my face. "... Fine. I guess that will have to do."

The healer nodded and torned to the cabinet behind him. After a few moments of clinking bottles around and muttering to himself, he produced a glass vial of some dark purple fluid and passed it to me.

"Be careful. Only take about a mouthful before you go to sleep, and you should have your rest schedule sorted by the time you finish the bottle. And since you're having nightmares, try going to bed early, before sundown. The remaining light might ease your fears a bit."

I tucked the medicine into by bag and thanked the healer, then headed back to my farm.

The road from the village was quiet, and I usually enjoyed the walk. Now, though, I almost wished I had someone with me. Maybe I should get a dog-

*No.*

I raised a brow, baffled as the thought surfaced unbidden. I liked dogs. It would definitely be helpful and would make me feel a little safer. My head shook, seemingly in argument with myself. There was nothing I could do about it at the moment anyway. I'd gave to settle for being alone.

*You are not alone.*

I whipped around, searching the surrounding woodland. "Hello?"

Silence. Utter silence.

"Is anyone there?" I called out, ears straining to hear something. Anything. It was like the entire world was holding it's breath.

Somewhere in the woods, a twig *snapped*. I bolted.

My bag smacked repeatedly into my side as I barreled down the path toward my home. My lungs burned, tearing air into them as fast as I could. I could *swear* I heard an extra set of footsteps giving chase.

"No no no no no..."

I whimpered, my heart pounding. Then, my farm was in sight. Just a little further-

My foot caught on a tree branch that had fallen into the path, sending me tumbling into the dirt. My full body tensed, bracing for an attack.

It never came.

I opened my eyes, panting heavily, to see absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. The path. My farm. My cows grazing peacefully. The surrounding trees that I knew oh so well. Even birds could be heard chirping in their boughs.

"What the fuck is happening to me?" I sniffed, wiping away a tear that had slid down my cheek.

I shakily pulled myself to my feet and dusted off before heading inside. I was going to install that new lock right now.

Opening the little flap, I found the inside of my bag soaked and stained purple. The medicine must have shattered when I fell.

"Damn it! FUCK!" I slammed my door shut and locked it, letting out a scream of frustration. What the hell was I going to do now?

I grabbed some tools from the chest near my bed and set about installing the lock. It was easy enough, aside from the shaking of my hands. However, I aimed poorly when hammering in the final nail and absolutely slammed the metal into my own knuckles.

The string of profanity tha flew oh-so-fluently from my lips in that moment would've earned me a stern look from the village priest, but I didn't care. I clutched the wounded hand to my chest as if the pressure would somehow fix it. When I finally built up the courage to investigate the damage, i was thankful to realize that I hadn't shattered any of mu frustratingly fragile little hand bones. The impact *had* broken the skin on two of my knuckles though, which were bleeding quite a lot for some reason.

"Gotta be fuckin' cursed, or something." I muttered, grabbing some scrap cloth from the chest to wrap my bloodied hand in. I winced as I tightened the fabric. Already, I could tell it was going to be swollen. I may not even be able to bend my fingers come morning. I'd have to skip gardening.

I climbed into bed with a groan. I was exhausted, in pain, and that damn headache was starting to come back. Like it was just waiting, prodding low in my skull until it could smash into my temple again.

That nightmare... the memory of how it felt to be cracked upside the head with the heavy back of that hatchet in the figure's hands. How the hell was I supposed to sleep? The medicine was wasted, and it was already staring to get dark outside.

The light slowly dripped down my walls as the sun began to set, every inch of deepening shadow adding weight to my body, like I was slowly being stoned. Death by a thousand pebbles.

Okay, maybe that was slightly dramatic. But the darker it got, the more I began to worry. With how wound up I was, it seemed likely that sleep would be hard to come by. If I did fall asleep though? Well, then I might have that nightmare again, and I really didn't want that.

I drew the blankets up over my head. It would've been smart to light my furnace before getting into bed. It was fucking freezing. Being late spring, I would think it would stay warmer overnight.

As a last-ditch effort, I reached over to my bedside lamp and flicked the igniter, and a small, warm little flame sputtered to life.

Huh. It wasn't out of oil after all.

From the little gap I made in my blanket, I just watched that little flame, focusing in on it. I stared and stared and stared, watching the little golden light flicker until my eyes started to burn. When I finally blinked, I realized just how heavy my eyelids were. My body was sore and cold, my busted knuckles throbbed, and that ache in my skull was annoyingly persistent. Still, that weight seemed to be pulling me into my matress. I didn't dare move, or even breathe too loudly, even as my lashes obsured my view of the lamp flame more and more...

~☆~

Time seemed to blur in my mind, stretching into nothingness with no meaning until I finally dared to glance up. There was light coming in my windows. Morning light. As my senses slowly came back online, I noticed the sounds of birds, my chickens clucking in the yard, my cows mooing. I blinked and sat up, stretching my arms up high with a yawn. To my surprise, there was no lingering soreness, or even weariness.

I felt good.

A slow smile spread across my face. I took in a deep breath, letting the air fill my lungs before slowly releasing it, my muscles relaxing with it. My eyes drifted closed as I repeated the breath, letting the sounds of the world awakening fill my ears. I could feel the warmth of the sunlight caressing my skin where it filtered through my widow.

This was the best I had felt in a long time. I could hardly wait to get outside and work in my garden, and tend to my animals. I might even bake a pie. I just wanted to feel normal.

My hand reached out, flicking off the lamp so I could start my day.

I was engulfed in darkness, the blanket wrapped tightly around my body doing little to stave off the chill in my bedroom. Shivers wracked my aching body, my teeth chattering.

Outside the window, the stars were still out. Otherwise, it was pitch black.

"What the fuck-"

*Knock.*

My eyes widened, frantically scanning the dark. No, no, no...

*Knock*.

I bolted upright, folding myself into the corner with my blanket wrapped around me. My heart pounded so hard it was painful. I felt wetness run down the back of my hand, my grip on the blanket so tight that my knuckles were splitting back open. I couldn't move.

*Knock.*

I didn't breathe. My eyes were locked on the darkness where I knew my door was, a very soft rattling noise reaching my ears. Then a soft series of clicks. Slowly, the door opened, the hinges groaning in protest.

His figure filled the door frame, a silhouette half blending into the darkness beyond. All black except for that ghostly white face, the very one that had been burned into my mind since I had that first nightmare.

"No... please, just go away." My voice was barely audible over the blood rushing in my ears.

If he heard me, he gave no indication. Just stood there, that grin fixed on his face, framed by black lips. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the metallic glint of the hatchet loosely dangling in his grip, as if he was just carrying it out of habit. He wasn't attacking.

"Why do you keep coming here? What do you want from me?" I squeaked, feeling like a mose cornered by a barn cat.

*I want you.*

His mouth never moved, but I heard the response clearly as if he said it aloud. Before I could blink, I felt the cold leather of his glove around my throat. He pressed me against the wall, tilting my face up to his.

*I cannot look away from you.*

His words growled through my mind, invasive and claiming. In that moment, I felt myself give up. This was it, I had lost. I was about to die. This man, this thing, had been tormenting me for days. Had disrupted my life, disturbed my sleep, taken my things, and now he was touching me, palm pressed against my throat in a way that made my vision shimmer.

I'd had enough.

The resignation turned to rage, burning it's way up through my veins and into my hands, my split and swelling knuckles slamming hard into a surprisingly solid chest. Real. Physical.

He stumbled back, his dark eyes widening momentarily in what looked like surprise.

*That... actually hurt.* his voice rumbled in my mind, that crooked grin twisting seemlessly into a snarl that made my blood run cold.

"Get out of my house." I demanded wih a steel I wasn't sure I actually posessed.

*You... want me to leave?* The man straightened himself, dark eyes flicking over me. *... Fine.*