Chapter Twenty-One: I am Watching You:

Ann awoke in her bedroom again. She glanced around, not trusting her surroundings. Am I really back home now? Her phone suddenly rang on the nightstand. Ann hesitated to grab it first, but then she snatched it up with one swoop.

“Hello?” she asked in a whisper.

“Mom?” a teenage boy’s voice asked on the other line. Ann darted upwards in her bed.

“Stanly?” she asked.

“Yes,” he replied. “Is something wrong?” His mother quickly shook her head.

“Ah, no, no,” she lied. “I’m fine. Is there anything you need?”

“Not really,” Stanly answered. “Just wanted to call and check on you.” Ann felt herself smiling at his words.

“Aw, you’re such a sweet boy,” she said.

“Listen,” he said. “Dad and I are going to stay here for a couple more days for the ice fishing competition.”

“You’re ice fishing?” Ann asked. Stanley chuckled over the phone.

“Yeah,” he said. “Grandpa kind of dared me to enter.”

“How?” his mother asked with a puzzled look on her face.

“Long story,” Stanley brushed off. “Anyway, we’ll be gone for a couple more days.”

“Will you be back in time for Christmas?” his mom asked.

“Of course,” he said. “In fact, dad already got your present while we were down here.” Ann leaned forward intently.

“What did he get me?” she whispered. Her son laughed over the phone again.

“Sorry,” he said. “I’m not allowed to tell you that.” Ann pouted and sighed.

“Figures,” she muttered. “Thought I would try.” She bit her lower lip as she looked over at her nightstand clock. “Anything else?” Ann asked.

“Nope,” Stanly answered. “That’s all I wanted to say.”

“Alright,” Ann replied.

“Love you, mom,” her son said. The Goth woman gave the phone a little smile.

“I love you too, Stanley,” she said.

“Bye,” he said.

“Bye,” Ann replied before she hung up. She let the phone rest on her lap. It felt nice to have some relief for a change in this roller coaster from hell for a change. Suddenly, her phone rang again.

“Hello?” Ann asked after she put it to her ear.

“Whoops, sorry,” Stanley said. “I was trying lock up my keypad and accidentally redialed your number.” Ann chuckled to herself.

“I understand,” she said.

“Good night,” her son told her. “Well, it’s night here at least.”

“I get what you’re saying,” Ann answered. “Sleep well.”

“I love you, mom,” the boy said over the phone.

“Love you, goodbye,” Ann said.

“Bye,” Stanley replied before they hung up. The Goth woman smiled and shook her head. Silly, silly boy, she thought. Her phone rang a third time on her lap. Ann picked it up and answered.

“Yes, Stanley?” she asked.

“Sleep well?” a deeper voice hissed on the other line. Ann froze as her eyes widened.

“Who is this?” she asked.

“You have my box,” the voice hissed at her.

“Huh?” the woman asked. It was then she felt that dark vibe she felt in the church earlier on. Against her better judgment, Ann turned to her left and saw the black box sitting on her nightstand. The black wood seemed to be laughing at her. Ann’s eyes darted back to her phone.

“What do you want?” she asked.

“Give me the box!” the voice barked loud enough to make Ann hold the phone away from her ear.

“I can’t do that,” she said. “My friend is waiting for it.”

“Then I will be watching you,” the voice hissed with a tone as cold as ice. “Everywhere you go, I’ll be there! Everywhere you turn, I’ll be there! I could even be behind you right now!” Ann looked round in desperation. The voice laughed on the other line.

“I am watching you!” they loudly declared. Ann lowered the phone as the voice broke into more laughter. No…