When the glass is empty, I set it on the counter and exit the kitchen.
From the corner of my eye, something moves in the living room.
My head snaps in that direction.
I still, my eyes peering into the darkness.
Nothing.
I move closer, my skin prickling. I’m like one of those dumbasses in a slasher film. An idiot without a weapon. Just the type of curiosity that gets them killed.
No one’s there.
A nervous laugh escapes me, my taut muscles relaxing… until I see movement by the patio.
Like a moron, I creep closer. My pulse spikes as I stop in front of the glass, waiting…
What am I waiting for?
A masked killer to burst through the glass?
There’s no one there.
Only darkness.
I huff out a quiet breath, dragging a hand through my hair. “You’re losing it,” I mutter. “You’re just being paranoid.”
I take a step back and?—
“MEOW.”
I jump, realizing I stepped on Mr. Pickles’ tail.
“Goddamn it.” My chest heaves as I stare at his eyes, which glow even more in the dark. “You scared the hell out of me.”
He glares at me, his tail flicking as if he’s seconds away from attacking.
“Sorry.”
He glares at me.
“It was an accident.”
He looks at me like he doesn’t believe me.
“Damn it, it was.”
His tail flicks again, an angry thump against the wooden floor.
“Stop judging me. I didn’t know you were there.”
His hair is still standing up.
“What?” I ask, crossing my arms. “You gonna attack me again?”
He stares at me for a moment before his head turns to the patio door.
Every muscle in my body tenses.
