If You Invite Them In

Can't Stay Away Forever

Run. Just get away. Go home and stay. Keep away from him. You were stupid to leave to begin with. Now he knows you're still alive. Better make peace before he comes to finish you off.

I can see my house in the distance, the light next to the door a beacon of safety.

At this point I've already been gasping for air so I start to run. What could it hurt?

It seems like hours before my foot painfully hits the bottom step to my porch.

I lean on the railing panting, my entire body shaking from the exertion.

Just get inside..you're almost there...

I force myself up the stairs one by one, leaning heavily on the railing for support.

I stumble to the door, falling against it heavily with a soft "oof."

"..........__________.."

I turn quickly at the sound of his voice.

He's barely visible under the dim streetlight.

The sickly yellow light reflects off of his jacket and messy quiff.

I hold out a hand, "Stay away from me! Don't touch me!"

He takes a small step forward, enough to let me see his face. His eyes have dark shadows beneath them. His cheekbones seemingly sharper than normal. He just seems....sinister.

I frantically dig through my pockets for the house keys. Thanking the stars when my fingers grip the warm metal.

My hand is shaking so badly I can't get the key in the lock.

I yelp when his hand engulfs mine. His slightly wavering grip enough to help me push the key into the lock.

My eyes are locked on his hand. The entirety of his knuckles are bruised and sliced deeply. Poorly healing scabs and dried blood cover the swollen joints. Bits of broken glass sticking out of the more tender spots between the knuckles.

"I'm not going to hurt you, love. Not again..." He mumbles as he pushes the door open for me.

I run into the house and wait for him to come after me.

After several seconds I turn to see him standing at the threshold. Just as he did when I first brought him back here not too long ago.

"Come to finish the job then?" I spit, leaning against the back of the sofa to support my badly shaking legs.

He looks up at me, his eyes shining from the light in the house.

..Are those...tears?

I see a dark streak of red fall from the corner of his eye.

Definitely tears....but why..?

"No, love. I couldn't hurt you again..."

His voice is hoarse, words shaky. He looks down at his feet. After a brief moment he turns his back to me and slowly starts to walk away.