The sound of my front door swinging open is what wakes me. I sit up in bed, chest heaving as I look towards my closed bedroom door in fear. Someone was in the house.

I slowly get out of bed and grab the hunting knife from my bedside table, unsheathing it. I press my body up to the wall and slowly open the door, making sure to stay in the shadows. I can hear the intruder walking around, bumping into things.

They come down the hall and pause, turning their back to the doorway. I creep out from the shadows and strike, plunging the knife into their throat and kill them instantly. I bend down to grab my knife and that’s when I see their face.

I forgot my mother was visiting.