It's been a week living with Matthew and lets just say dude is sending major creeper vibes. He sleeps all day and stays up all night. I guess the only good thing about him being here is that I haven't had any more of those real life night terrors. He still rubs me the wrong way but mom insists on me being nice to him and getting to know the creeper. 

She's so adamant about me being courteous to him that she has me cooking dinner for him and eating with him, while she's off doing God knows what. He hasn't tried to make a pass a me, but given his past behavior I'm sure it's coming. 

The feeling of unease that I get when he's near is enough to drive a person mad. My ears and neck instantly raise in temperature when he is close and my stomach turns into a fit of knots. Needless to say dinners have been difficult. Tonight is no exception. 

"Shanie, I want to thank you for taking the time to warm up to me." He said with a slither in his throat. "I know it must be awkward, having another man in the house who isn't your father."

What is he getting at? I thought. "Um yeah sure no problem. Any friend of mom's is who I have to put up with right?" I said with a sly smile.

He chuckled, and it sent pins and needles down my spine an brought vomit to the back of my mouth. "That's what I love about you Shanie! That wit, it's perfect for me."

"Excuse me?" I asked picking up my glass of water to take a sip.

"I'm sorry, my dear." He said coyly, "I meant, if I were ten years younger, you would be exactly what I would be looking for in a spouse."

I gagged again. 

"Cat got your tongue Shanie." He winked. 

"No, just you're being really inappropriate with a teenage girl right now." I rebutted.

"Is that so?" he asked. 

"Yes it is." I said back.

"I happen to know you are a grown woman now Shanie," he retorted, "Eight-teen years of  womanhood standing right before me. A beautiful sight." He said, lighting a cigar.

"You can't smoke that in here."  I said, rolling my eyes, trying to get my assertiveness back. When he was around I felt less and less confident in my ability to fight him, verbally or physically.

"My apologies love. I'll take this outside and I'll be back to help with the dishes." he said, kindly this time. As if he really wanted to help me out.

I smiled as he left out the door. I scrambled around the table and grabbed the dirty dishes. Rinsing them quickly and tossing them into the dishwasher. I was surprised I didn't break anything. I didn't want him any where near me so I rushed to do the dishes. Knowing if they weren't clean when mom got home I'd have to deal with an even more terrifying person. 

I finished up just as he came back through the door. "Hey, won't be needing your help. Dishes are finito." I cracked a mischievous grin.

"Well, I'll just have to cut my smoke break short next time, regina meis." He said, smiling and walked off to his room. 

Regina meis.  What does that mean?  Did he forget my name and call me Regina. I rolled my eyes and made my way to my room. 

Google translate it is. I typed in Regina Meis and a result came back in English -- My Queen.

"Google Translate must be broken. No way that nut called me his Queen." I said to myself. "Man I'm beat." I changed into my pajama shorts and tank top and got in the bed. I fell asleep in a matter of seconds. 

Panting. I was running and panting. I didn't know where I was going but I just knew I had to run. My legs knew to run and never stop. Not until I was safe. Not until I was away from him. 

"Shaniieeeee!!" A voice called out in the dark of the trees. A forest, I think. But how did I get here. I heard the eerie voice shrieking for me and tried to up my pace. Jumping over logs with the crunching sound of leaves under my feet. 

My feet! I had no shoes on. I looked down and saw my top was dark. "What is happening?"

I couldn't hear the voice anymore. It wasn't behind me. I knew I shouldn't stop running so I didn't. I kept going until I couldn't go anymore. 

Edge of the forest? Where am I? 

I came to the edge and couldn't go any further. I ran along side of the forest, trying my hardest to see a safe way down. But there was no safe way down. I paused to catch my breath and in an instant as if it were right on my heels the entire time time. I heard it. 

"Shaniieee..." it whispered. 

I tried with all my might to will my eyes to see in the darkness of the forest and just as I did....

THUD!

Something grabbed my ankle and was pulling me down the edge of the forest.  

"No!!" I screamed and dug my nails into the dirt. 

"It's just a dream!" I screamed. "Wake up Shanie!"

"Yes Shanie wake up! Wake up Shanie Wake Up!" The thing that was pulling me down began taunting me. I turned to kick it and that's when I was able to see it clearly. The moon came out from the clouds and shined a light on this twisted figure. It's face falling off it's bones and canine teeth grinning from ear to ear at me. 

"IT'S JUST A DREAM!" I shouted and mustered all my energy to kick the monster that held me. It's grip was strong and it pulled me down into the emptiness of the pit with it. 

I woke up in a cold sweat, terrified. I looked down at tender from where the figure dragged me. 

"What is happening?" I started to cry. I got up and changed my clothes. I went to open my bedroom door to go to the bathroom. As I grabbed the knob, my heart sank, I opened the door to find him standing there.