The Creeper

by A.M. Shine

‘Emergency services. What is your location and the service you need?’ ‘There’s something outside,’ came the reply – whispered, terrified. ‘Miss, please try to stay calm and tell me your location.’ ‘It’s at the window. It’s smiling at me.’

‘Three times you see him,’ she said. ‘The first night he’s far, far away. And then the next night he’s closer. So close that you can see him, and he can see you. And then, on the third night his big ugly face is at your window. The fourth night is your last one, because then uh-oh.’

Ben’s parents had been right. He had no reason to fear myths and monsters. It was the people. It had always been the people.