Turn Around

Chapter five:

[00:26] You:

No. I’m not turning around.

[00:26] Maya:

DON’T. Just keep running. If you turn you’ll freeze.

[00:27] Unknown Number:

Oh, but freezing is delicious. That moment when prey realizes it’s too late.

When the air sticks in their lungs.

When they know.

[00:27] You:

Why are you doing this to me?!

[00:27] Unknown Number:

Because I like the sound of your fear.

Because your fear tastes sweeter than anything else.

[00:28] You:

You’re a monster.

[00:28] Unknown Number:

I’m your monster.

And monsters always come when called.

**[00:28] [Notification: 1 New Audio Message]

[00:29] You:

No… I’m not listening to that.

[00:29] Maya:

DON’T play it!

[00:29] Unknown Number:

Play it. Or I’ll whisper it into your ear instead.

[00:30] You:

…fine. [Audio plays. Heavy breathing. Then—soft whisper: “Run faster, little mouse.”]

[00:30] You:

They’re right behind me—

[00:30] Maya:

WHERE are you now??

[00:31] You:

Near the old bookstore. But it’s closed. Everything’s locked.

[00:31] Unknown Number:

Locked doors don’t matter.

Not when I already have the key.

[00:31] You:

WHAT KEY??

[00:32] Unknown Number:

The one to your story. The one to you.

Don’t you get it? I’ve been inside longer than tonight.

[00:32] Maya:

What does that mean??

[00:32] Unknown Number:

Check your window, little mouse.

Not the one in front of you. The one at home.

[00:33] You:

…What?

[00:33] Unknown Number:

I was there. Before you left.

Your curtains don’t hide much.

[00:34] You:

NO. YOU’RE LYING.

[00:34] Unknown Number:

You left your sketchbook open. The one with the half-finished drawing.

Shall I describe it?

[00:34] You:

…don’t.

[00:35] Unknown Number:

A girl. Sitting by a lake.

Her hands folded in her lap.

Her eyes hollow. Empty.

Waiting.

[00:35] You:

STOP IT!!!

[00:35] Maya:

Oh my god… they were inside your house.

[00:36] Unknown Number:

Not were. Am.

[00:36] You:

…what?

[00:36] Unknown Number:

Do you think you ran far tonight, little mouse?

You’ve only been circling.

Running in loops.

[00:37] You:

No… no, that’s not possible.

[00:37] Unknown Number:

Look around. Tell me what you see.

[00:37] You:

…The church again. I—I was just here—

[00:38] Maya:

They’re making you double back. It’s like they’re herding you.

[00:38] Unknown Number:

Exactly.

Cats herd mice into corners.

[00:38] You:

What do you want from me??

[00:39] Unknown Number:

Everything.

Your voice. Your fear. Your silence.

Your surrender.

[00:39] You:

NEVER.

[00:39] Unknown Number:

We’ll see.

**[00:40] [Notification: 1 New Video Received]

[00:40] You:

…I don’t want to open it.

[00:40] Maya:

Don’t!!

[00:40] Unknown Number:

Open it, or I’ll send it to someone else instead. Your neighbor. Your boss. Your family.

[00:41] You:

…Opening.

**[00:41] [Video: Shaky footage. The camera is inside YOUR apartment. Bedroom light off. Closet door slightly ajar. Heavy breathing behind the phone. A voice whispers: “Home is where the mouse belongs.”]

[00:42] You:

No… that can’t be…

[00:42] Maya:

THEY’RE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE!!

[00:42] Unknown Number:

Told you, little mouse. You never really left.

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