His lips moved as if speaking something, but I couldn't tell what he was saying. I sprinted to the kitchen and grabbed a large knife, the blade of which glimmered in the light. Thinking quickly, I also snatched my cellphone and rushed back to the window, not wanting to divert my attention from the mysterious man lurking outside for too long. Each breath felt heavier with every inhale. Beads of sweat steadily trickled down my forehead and onto the back of my neck.

The man moved from his sitting position. He uncurled his legs and pressed his fingertips on the ground, pushing himself up. He stood straight, facing towards the house, his eyes fixated on mine. Around that time was when my head began to feel light. My surroundings dissolved before me and my eyes focused on the man outside. The sound of rain and wind was tuned out of my mind. I felt a pull. It was a strange feeling, one that could almost be described as a magnet attracting me, convincing me to trust him.

The only thing I paid any attention to then was myself, the stranger, and the thin sheet of glass serving as a viewpoint and barrier between us. And then there was silence and stillness. The man remained unmoving, as did I. Then the man outside took a step toward the house. And then another.

My eyes widened as I witnessed the man creeping closer towards the house. The man stopped suddenly and shifted his body toward the moon, staring at it seemingly in awe. I watched as the stranger licked his lips in hunger towards the moon and opened his mouth. It was then that he howled. This sudden noise startled me out of his daze. I felt a hammering sensation pounding inside my head, causing me to collapse to the floor with a thud. Winded, I rubbed my head and knelt, coughing and wheezing. The warm house felt cold as my palms met the mahogany floor.

I grasped the windowsill and hoisted myself up, stumbling a bit from the unexplained hangover. I regained my composure and glanced at the window. There stood the man, face pressed against the window, inches away from my face. I could see the man in full detail. He was an older man with grey hair covered in filth. His eyes shone a bright silver, and he sported a curvaceous smile. His skin was wrinkly and leathery in texture. His lips pressed against the slick glass, still following my gaze. Once more, my body began to shudder fiercely. Keeping my attention on the man, I slipped my hand into my pockets and pulled out my cellphone.

The light that emitted from the phone's screen provided a strange feeling of comfort, if only momentarily. I clicked the phone icon and dialed. I placed the phone to my ear, relieved that I would soon be safe at last. That's when...the man smirked. Like an igniting flame, his silver eyes looked right into mine. I could have sworn the man's eyes flickered like a candle, the wick desperately clinging to what few embers remained. A strange feeling of unease and acceptance mixed to form the feeling I remembered. The feeling he had experienced earlier. Did I feel plagued by... comfort?

"911, what's your emergency?"

I heard the female operator speaking to me, but it seemed to be in the back of my mind. I was far more focused on what was before me.

"Hello, are you there? Are you ok, how may we assist you?"

I tried to respond to her. I wanted to tell her what was going on. I needed help. Yet the words I spoke contradicted my needs.

"Uh, yeah... I just, uh."

My voice trailed off. I couldn't explain what was wrong. The man's eyes held me captive, like a prisoner. Was I in control, or was it the ominous man that controlled me? I moved away from the window and shuffled towards the door in a zombielike motion. I reached for the lock. The man nodded at me, and I nodded back to the man. The stranger, who to me felt more like a long-lost friend, walked to the door. It was in the house.