Are You Awake?

Every night at 2:11 a.m., my phone lights up with a message from an unknown

number. Are you awake? I blocked it. It came back from a different number.

I changed phones. It followed. Last night, I replied. Who is this?

The dots appeared instantly. You. Before I could type again,

my screen filled with photos I didn’t take: my bedroom, my hallway, my face—sleeping.

My door creaked open. I stayed perfectly still, pretending to sleep.

Footsteps crossed the room. Cold breath brushed my ear. My phone vibrated.

Turn around. I didn’t. Another message. You won’t remember this part.