Kiss of Death 3/12/2017

My eyes opened, pushing past the barriers of sleep. Glassy eyed, I lay awake; eyes focusing on the darkness which consumed my room.

​A pinnacle of light seeped in through an arch in the curtains, creating a shard-like silhouette on my carpet. I began to move, trying to shake off my tired state.
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Today was my anniversary, but I was alone. Instead of celebrating a romantic day, I was left to commemorate my loved one, who had passed away three years ago.

I had been a widow for years, remaining faithful to my loved lost one. My beautiful Anette, taking through unforeseen circumstances. She had a brain tumour, unbeknownst to me and her. After months of battling her illness, she passed away, leaving nothing but good memories for me to remember her by. I had considered keeping her necklace, but she died wearing it, so I left it on her.

My feet hit the ground as I got out of bed. This sent a shockwave up my legs and up my spine. I had mild pins and needles and a dry throat; which is expected in this weather. I live in Britain, but sometimes, despite the cold, I overheat. I should really invest in a fan.

I had left a glass of orange juice on my nightstand, I picked it up to have a drink but the glass was still cold, meaning I had not been asleep long. I checked the time on my phone; 02:12.

“Fuck”

I had only been asleep for three hours but I did not feel tired. I am a heavy sleeper naturally so waking up early in the morning is considered strange for me. I checked my phone again, adamant I had received a message. I had, but it was from a number unknown to me.

It read:
“I can see you, holding your glass of orange juice and reading this text.”

My first instinct was to look out of my window, but something made me read further on:

“Do not even look at me. If you do so, I will take you. I need you to open the window with your eyes closed and stand in the middle of the room, facing away from the window.”

I thought about calling the Police, but something possessed me to follow the texts orders. I did what was asked of me and awaited in the middle of my room. Within seconds I could hear something come through the window and footsteps getting closer to me.

Hot breath attacked the back of my neck. It continued for a what felt like an hour until eventually I could feel the same breath creating a trail around my neck. Was this thing circling me? Its breathing was clustered, it sounded inhuman.

I could feel it approach me closer from the front. I kept my eyes closed, fearful of whatever was around me. I felt cold skin touch mine, wrapping its hands around my mouth. It smelt like rotting flesh. It ran its fingers up my spine and kissed me; the taste of iron and earthy mud left a bittersweet taste on my lips.

After this, the breathing stopped following the footsteps which suggested it left. My phone buzzed, I had received another text. I opened my eyes, the room was normal and my phone was still on the desk where I had placed it. Its screen illuminating the dimly lit room. The text was from the unknown number, it read:
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“Look towards the window”

My whole body froze with terror, my mouth dried once more. I slowly turned my head towards the window. I could not believe my eyes. Draped on the window handle, swaying in the wind; was my wife’s necklace.