silly me

i hear the metallic garage door scratch open through my noise canceling headphones from the second floor in the room farthest from the driveway.

but ive practiced. thump

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recite the list: thump

-        get socks on —they will muffle footsteps, thump

-        slightly open the door —it will make him think i have nothing to hide, thump

-        turn off the lights —contrary to popular belief monsters are attracted to lights. thump

socks, door, lights, i repeat to myself- but he’s faster today. thump

i hear the 7th out of 22 steps creak once i put my headphones away.

but it’s fine, i’ve practiced.

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i skip the socks as i ease open the door. bare feet give me more control anyway. by the time the lights are out and im in bed, he’s not even on the 19th step. i fluff up the blanket with a light kick of my legs and turn on my side. sound asleep by the time he reaches the twentieth step. thump

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silly me.

i know he always gets me.

because personifying my thoughts always ends up with me at the bottom of the stairs