“You hide! I’ll seek!”

“Don’t move no matter what.. Promise me!”

That’s what she said.

I must be good at this game.

I don’t know how long it’s been.

My back aches, but I don’t dare move a muscle.

I want to win.

I have to.

Otherwise it’s all for nothing, and I can’t have that.

I hear heavy thudding footsteps,

I don’t allow myself a breath.

I clasp clammy hands over my mouth, holding back a giggle.

I peek through the small gap in the closet, past dusty coats and old moth eaten sweaters.

My heart falls through the floor.

It’s not her.

It’s not her.

It’s not her.

It’s not her.

It’s a man.

A man with greasy stringy hair,

Oversized black boots,

And thin angry lips.

He slinks around the room, a hungry glint in his eye.

I’m frozen.

I couldn’t move even if I wanted to.

What happened to her,

What did he do to her?

He continues his slow saunter around the room.

He’s looking for something.

“Come out..”

His voice shards of ice in my lungs.

Choking me.

“Come out come out wherever you are.”

I’m a coward,

I stay in my hiding place.