The Unrelenting

Something caught her eye, and she turned to see the silhouette of a man standing at the corner of the house, observing her. The man was tall, with broad shoulders, dressed in a dark coat that concealed most of his features. Emily froze, her heart hammering in her chest. The man neither spoke nor moved. He just watched her with cold, unfeeling eyes. She cried, "Please stay away from me!" She knocked on the door again, shouting for her family, but there was still no response. "Please, somebody help me!" she screamed, her voice desperate. "I'm right here! Please, I'm right here!" The man at the corner of the house continued to watch her, his eyes tracking her every movement. Drenched, Emily curled up into a ball on the porch. Thunder and lightning shook her body. She squeezed her eyes shut, pressing her thumb and forefinger together, trying desperately to disappear.