***
The day after, I felt as if I was living in a blurred world. I felt detached from my surroundings and the distractions I usually craved. The evening seemed to arrive without warning and the night crept in like a prowler searching for an unlocked door. Even though I was exhausted I still found myself delaying the inevitable journey to bed. I sat alone in my living room flicking through the channels on my television but I couldn't find anything to engage my tired mind.
The television switched off and the room fell dark. I assumed that I had accidentally pressed the remote control in my weary condition. Then I felt the weight of another person join me on my sofa. The nearest light was in the hallway and it barely penetrated beyond the living room door. Even as I strained my eyes to peer through the darkness I could see nothing beyond the end of my nose. I could feel the weight shifting and I could hear the sound of shallow breaths. I found that I couldn't move at first through fear or lack of strength. I sat blindly waiting for the cold touch of whatever it was that had sat beside me. My strength suddenly returned and I jumped to my feet, only to watch the door swing shut as I stepped towards it. The room was now pitch black and the only comfort I could find was in the solidness of the wall as I pressed my back against it. The floorboards creaked as if supporting heavy footsteps and the gentle flow of cold air brushed against my skin. I felt goose bumps begin to form and the hairs of my arms rose to attention. The shallow breathing became a low growl like someone was breathing through clenched teeth. I could feel the presence close by but I was too scared to reach out and confirm my fears. Hot breath stroked my ear and I could feel the air as it was disturbed by movement around me. It was so close now that I braced myself for the feel of its touch. The television switched back on and flooded the room with multicolored light and I could see that I was alone. The rest of the night passed under the shadow of apprehension but the presence didn't return before the morning arrived.