Part Three
Hamilton jerked awake with a start.
His heart was racing, but he had no idea why. The dream he had been having ran
away as soon as he tried to remember it. There was a vague memory of something
frightening. He reached out with his mind, but as soon as he brushed the
surface, the dream was gone. He sat up, turned off the television, and checked
his watch. It was three sixteen in the morning.
The adrenaline began to fade and Hamilton
began to become drowsy once more. His neck ached from the odd angle he had
slept in. He took a warm shower to clear away the day’s dirt, slipped on his
pajamas, and fell into bed. The curtains in the bedroom were open, and he could
see the apartment across the way. A light was on in the center-right window. Hamilton
sat upright and peered at the lit window. It was opened about twelve
inches. A figure approached the window,
wearing a baseball hat. The figure moved to close the window, then paused. Even
with the light, it was impossible for Hamilton to see a face. He had the
distinct feeling that the figure was staring at him. He turned out his own
light. The figure closed the window, but remained looking in Hamilton’s
direction. After ten or fifteen seconds, the figure walked away. The light
disappeared from the window.
It’s
just a new neighbor. A new neighbor with a strange light who is awake at three
in the morning? I guess I’m awake too
though.
Hamilton
got out of bed and made sure the apartment door was locked. He flipped the lock
open, opened the door, closed it, and re-locked it. This strange compulsive
ritual comforted him. He closed the bedroom door, flicked off the light, and
got back into bed. After one last glance at the apartment across the way, he
drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
Part Four to come tomorrow.
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