Page 13 of Trick or Stalk

Nothing.

I shift my gaze toward the woods.

Something moves.

I jerk backward. My heart slams against my ribs. “What the hell?”

Penny barks.

“Shh.”

Because obviously if there's a murderer outside, I don't want him knowing we're home. Even though every light in the house is on.

Brilliant, Presley.

I force myself to look again.

Nothing moves.

The trees stand dark and silent beyond the edge of the yard.

I stare for several seconds.

A branch sways.

Then another.

We're surrounded by woods. There are deer everywhere. Raccoons. Squirrels. Probably bears, although I prefer not to think about that particular possibility while standing beside a giant window.

I glance at the television.

The masked killer is frozen mid-stride behind his next victim.

Right. Mystery solved.

I point at him. “This is your fault.”

Penny looks from the television to me.

“I watched a woman get chased through a house by a psychopath, and now I'm seeing murderers in Grandma's flower beds.”

Penny lets out a tiny bark.

“Exactly.”

I unmute the television and return to the couch.

But I don't sit down.

Something still doesn't feel right.

I look toward the window again.

Nothing.

“Dammit. I’m acting crazy.”

I walk to the front door and check that it’s locked.