The Visitor

                                                                        Chapter One/Possible Prologue

I lay face down in bed, eyes shut tight against my pillow.
Frantically, I prayed the Our Father.
I prayed, I wished, I hoped that he wouldn't visit me tonight. But all hope vanished when I heard the familiar, rhythmic tapping on my window.

Tap-tap-tap-tap

Our father, Who art in heaven
hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come-

Tap-tap

Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
as we we forgive those who trespass against us;
Lead us not into tempatation-

Tap-tap-tap

Deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Tap-tap-tap-tap

My heart stopped. Please, go away. Please.
"Emily. Come to the window." I shook my head in silent retaliation. "Please."
I pulled the comforter over my head, and hugged the pillow to my chest. I knew though, that doing so would be useless.
The branches of the oak tree scratched against the window, making the blood freeze in my veins. Breathe, I told myself. Just breathe.
"Emily, please." His voice was pleading, sorrowful even.
I pushed the comforter off of me and sat up in bed. I blinked several times, adjusting my eyes to the moonlight filtering in through the curtains.
I did what I told myself I wouldn't do. I walked to the window.
I looked to the ground. There he was, leaning against the tree, looking up expectantly. When he saw me, he smiled.
What am I doing? I should go back to bed. Leave him there, like I have been doing for the past month. Just walk away from the window, Emily.
Against all logic, I did what I had been dying to do every night he came: I opened the window