Haven from the Storm Teaser #2

Here it is teaser #2. As always this is totally unedited and subject to change as I see fit.    Enjoy…and please let me know your thoughts.

I started to panic and could feel my stomach heave. The cold air pricked at my warm skin as the alarm in my head continued to sound.  I was tempted to run back to the safety of my room but the panic wouldn’t allow me to move.  Fortunately, I didn’t hear a single sound coming from the house.

I pulled a small flashlight from the bag I carried.  I placed my hand over the end to partially cover the beam of light so it only illuminated a small path.  Silently I crept down the hall and through the kitchen where I could see the bathroom door.  Just when I thought I would make it I heard someone breathing.  I frantically pushed the end of the flashlight against my black sweatshirt to block out the brightness.  Where was he?  I searched for him while trying not to make a sound.  My ears were filled with the hum of blood rushing through my veins.  I allowed the air to fill my lungs deeply as I tried to calm myself.  Breathing in the coldness helped replace my fear with strength I wasn’t sure would help me.

I could hear calm, slow breathing but I couldn’t see anyone in the small sliver of light coming from the kitchen window.  If he was close enough for me to hear him breathing I didn’t have time to escape.  I waited but nothing happened.  He didn’t speak or approach me.  I slowly moved the flashlight away from my stomach, shining it around the room at knee level.  If he was standing next to me I didn’t want to see his face.  I didn’t want his face to haunt my dreams again.

My vision was clouded by my own breath mixing with the frigid temperatures in this part of the house.  I walked slowly toward the bathroom.  I knew if I could get there and lock the door I could wait him out. My eyes were trained on the bathroom door eager to reach the safety it offered me when I kicked something in the floor below me.  I had to cover my mouth to smoother the scream that broke loose.  I backed away while shining the flashlight where I’d been standing.  I saw him lying in the floor.  I covered the light again as I stumbled further away.  I listened for sounds of him racing toward me.  I could already feel the impact of his weight pounding me against the wall.  But nothing came.  I closed my eyes and tried to focus on the sounds around me.  I jumped as I felt something crawl across my bare foot.  But nothing else came.