Bailey huffed as she tossed her bag to the floor. The day had been rough and all she wanted was a glass of cool, crisp wine and a cheesy romance movie.

She made her way to the kitchen and poured a large glass of her desired beverage. Before heading to the living room, she cherished a long sip.

"Mm." The liquid tingled the back of her throat.

The chiming of Bailey's phone pulled an annoyed groan from her. She had left it by the door, with her bag and she wasn't in the mood to chat or text.

Bailey set down her glass on the scarred oak coffee table. The phone chimed again just as she grabbed it from where it rested.

In a flash, the irritation was replaced with dread.

Samuel. Her boyfriend.

She should have been happy to hear from him. He used to be the one to turn a sour day around, used to make her look forward to almost anything.

But things had changed. And Bailey couldn't explain it.

He was loving, caring, smart, and so damn sexy. He'd never done anything to make her question his actions.

Hello, love. Wanted to see how your day went.
Xoxo

His second message was only a heart eyed emoji.

Bailey let out a shaky breath and typed a nonchalant ok before leaving the phone on the bag and going to her wine. She found a movie and settled down.

She didn't know when she had fallen asleep, but she knew someone had awoken her. Her body tensed, her breath caught in her throat. The hairs on her neck raised.

For a brief moment, Bailey considered calling out to the intruder. Instead, she moved with caution. Her eyes were wide in terror as she struggled to see anyone in the darkness. She found herself wishing she'd switched off the energy saver mode setting on her television.

There was a movement near the hallway leading to her bedroom. She whipped her head around, but didn't see anything. Creeping toward the hallway she focused her eyes there.

A foreboding feeling washed over her as she got to the spot; there was a door that opened to a small coat closet. She reached out a shaky hand to the hideous brass doorknob. Her vacuum and overstuffed coat were the only occupants.

Bailey closed the door, resting her forehead against it, her hands clenched by her sides.

"Too much wine." She forced herself to relax, flexing her fingers a few times to get her blood flowing. When she turned around, Samuel stood there, a knife in his hand and a crazy glint in his eyes.

Bailey's eyes snapped open to a blinding bright room, her breathing quick. She pushed herself to sit up as she realized she'd fallen asleep on her couch. Her wine glass was sitting where she'd left it. As she realized it had all been a dream, that foreboding feeling washed over her again.

"Hello, love."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Word count: 496

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. This was a short story written for the Dream Me to Sleep contest by PaceYurself Here's the link for you: https://my.w.tt/BcSk9UxuO5