Fear.

It's something that all of us have in common. It's deadly, it numbs, it startles. But no words can explain how I am feeling right now. I tried pinching myself once or twice. No, this is real. Very real.  I try to stiffen my hold on the phone with my trembling hands.

Anonymous: THREE DOWN. TWO MORE.

Three down.

The scenes that traumatized me permanently flash in my head. I can see it all over again. It was the perfect birthday party. Lorraine had her best dress on, with a huge knife on her one hand and the other waving  stylishly at the camera. She had plastered on her best smile, revealing her pearly set of teeth.  Who knew what could've gone wrong?

But then that happened.

The lights immediately turned off. We still cheered, thinking that it is all part of her birthday bash. Lorraine didn't seem to mind too. The faint light emitting off the birthday candles slightly gave a trace of her still persistent smile. She slowly drew her hand closer to the cake, waiting for the perfect moment to slice it. We immediately started to countdown.

5!

4!

3!

2!....

1!

And Lorraine had blown the candles.The hall was filled with thunderous applause and hoots. But before anyone could realize it, a sharp scream pierced the air. The chatter was immediately replaced by shrieks and without realizing, we started running around wildly. But it was of no use.Nothing could be seen. Just when I thought we were doomed, the lights went on.

And on the floor was the still body of Lorraine. Her brown hair mopped the floor and her beautiful ever pleasant face was smeared with the birthday cake. Just before I could overlook the details, I caught hold of the deadly I message left on the marble floor.

  ONE DOWN. FOUR LEFT.

I felt myself screaming at that time. It was not just me. But I was the most traumatized.  It was my sister after all.

And looking at the message he/she sent again, I realize that they just killed two more people. After what happened that day, I lost control of what I was doing. I felt the killer's presence everywhere. Wherever I sat, whenever I walked, I just felt them nearer and nearer. And the mere thought killed me deep inside.

We changed our house, even left the town. But I refused to move out of my new house. I was scared. I am scared. I can't walk freely without turning around every second. Without the fear of being watched. Even though it's been a year, I can't help it. My friends and family decided that I was hallucinating. They told that I was traumatized by Lorraine's death. It was just half the truth.

I was traumatized but I am not hallucinating.

And seeing this message has just managed in making my skin crawl. The sun has just set in and has cast it's light on my bedroom floor. As I stare out at it, I make a small figure moving.

Be calm.Be calm. I chant to myself. It's not helping. My parents rush to my room, shaking me violently. I don't meet them in the eye. Instead, I stare only at the figure which seemed to have disappeared.

"Don't worry, dear. It's just your imagination. " I cringe at their attempts to calm me.

"We are as worried as you are. But it's time to for your daily checkups to the psychiatrist. Please hun. Hurry up." My mother kisses me on my forehead before making sure I am calmed down. I still shiver as I hear the door lock. But I know that these visits could possibly do me some good. Hence I dress myself up.

*

"How are you feeling?" Silva asks me. I nod my head.

"I am fine."

"Alright. You received this text today morning at exactly 5:00 am, right?"

I bite my lip.

"Right."

"Have you spoken to the authorities?"

"I have. Security is tighten at our house." I say, a small sense of calmness arousing me. A faint trace of smile falls on her face.  The room turns tense immediately. I smile back, hoping it would calm the situation.

In return, she smiles back. But instead of her usual warm smile, a more lunatic one appears on her face.

"Silva?" I whisper, the fears creeping back to me. I push my chair back a bit, but it doesn't move. I slowly look down to see that her leg has firmly grasped it.

"Please.." I say, noticing the sudden thirst in her eyes.  She slowly stand up, still not leaving her grip on my chair. I pathetically look out the cubicle, hoping if I could see my parents. They are nowhere near.

The world turns dizzy around me. I blink rapidly, trying to concentrate.

"Did the security forget about this hospital?" The sly grin widens, showing her oddly sharp teeth.

"Oh my God." I gasp, panting hard for air. I feel choked.

"Where were they when I lost my daughter?" She grips firmly on my shoulders.

" Where were they when your parents ran over my baby girl? "  She starts shaking me.

A scream escapes my lips. "Leave me! I don't know anything! Please, leave me alone!" I beg her, treats uncontrollably rolling down my cheek. My bottom lip quivers. My eyes pull themselves shut but I resist it.

" Scream all you want, but the walls are sound proof and so are my ears at this eyes instant." She humorlessly chuckles.

"I am sorry... So sorry! " I scream between my tears. She laughs further, fuelling my anger and fear.

"FOUR DOWN. ONE LEFT. "

And with a clap of her hands, the lights go off, the last minute before I am free off all my fears and worries.