She couldn’t rid herself of that strangling feeling, that searing sensation and the pounding of her head that sent waves of pain throughout her.  It was as if Red’s voice was several miles away like the faint noises in her nightmare.  Everything felt foreign, as if she shouldn’t be in this world and everything around her was unrecognizable.  Josephine felt alone and like she was on the verge of death.

“Maybe we should leave,” Red didn’t want things to get worse and he felt staying there was only going to aggravate whatever Josephine was feeling. 

He wasn’t sure what was happening, but Josephine was unwell.  He felt the urge to just bolt out of there but he didn’t want to leave her.  Red couldn’t just leave her to that spirit…if that truly was what was tormenting her.  The male had begun to feel an overwhelming sense of guilt for what had transpired.  He never wanted any of this to happen.

“My god…” Josephine was transfixed on what seemed like nothing once more and stared dead-eyed in front of her.

“What? Are you okay? What’s going on?” Red just wanted an answer.  He wanted to know that she wasn’t possessed or that any harm was coming to her. He felt helpless as he watched his friend struggle with her sanity and health before him.

Josephine’s pupils shrank with fear as her eyes darted around quickly. Her head turned frantically, bangs hitting her as her movements became frantic and she continued to pull at her clothes as she spun around.

“It’s happening.”

“What is?” The fear mounted in Red and the instinct to run felt overwhelming.

“I can’t. It’s so hot. Nothing is going on but I can’t help but to feel like I’m being watched. No way! I don’t understand!” If not for her pain, she would have felt as if she wanted to cry.  Panic engulfed her and she continued to jerk her head around.  The sounds of nature were blurred in her senses and everything held that surreal sensation.

“What’s happening? Tell me!” Red was sick of not getting a straight answer.  He wanted to know what was going on. He demanded to know what was affecting Josephine like this.

Suddenly, in the whirlwind of her dismay, Josephine heard a male voice speaking to her clearly, despite even Red’s voice being muffled.  It was as if the two of them were in the same plane.  She could not see him; only heard his piercing words that offered no comfort.

Do you ever feel like someone’s watching you? Of course you do. We all do. There is, all of the time. Sometimes you write it off as your imagination. Sometimes, you try to rid your mind of it. The truth is someone always sees you, no matter what and most of the time it’s a common, normal person. Someone watches you sleep. It’s not a murderer…is it? That’s what you tell yourself when you want comfort.

The truth is it’s not a person at all. Perhaps it’s the darkness. Maybe it wants to become your friend.

Know that you are always being watched and you have been. Maybe your shadow is the one watching you. Even if it was, would that make you feel better?

I met the one who was watching me and you’re about to meet the one who’s watching you.

Just look behind you.

Josephine screamed in anguish and terror. It was so loud that it echoed through the skies and expelled all of the energy that she had.  Her body came crashing to the cold grass below as her eyesight gave out and she succumbed to darkness.

As she faded from reality, all that could be heard were the footsteps of Red nearing her and calling out her name in desperation and horror.

Everything faded into the abyss of nothing.