"Whispers from Under the Bed"

Last night, I woke up because something was whispering my name. At first,

I thought it was a dream… until I heard it again. “…hey… I’m still here…”

I froze. The voice was coming from under my bed. I didn’t move. I didn’t breathe.

Then I heard nails—actual nails—scratching the floorboards. Slowly. Like whatever was

down there was crawling… closer. I grabbed my phone and turned on the flashlight.

I lowered my head over the edge of the bed, even though every part of me was screaming

don’t look. And then I saw it. Not a monster. Not a stranger. It was me.

My own face, staring back at me from the darkness. Smiling. It whispered,