Chapter II

“You came back” Annie whispered excitedly.  “Now, Annie” a male voice slithered through the darkness. “Have I ever not come back?” “That’s true” she admitted. “I wish I could see you better” she said.  “Well lets just see what we can do about that,” The seemingly disembodied voice replied. A dark shadow flickered in the corner by the nightlight that was meant to keep the monsters and night terrors away while she slept. The figure was tall and masculine but had no discernable features.  In fact the figure almost seemed to blink in and out of existence, as if the man was not flesh and bone but smoke and a trick of the light.  Annie was puzzled. “Where’s your face?” she asked. The room was silent for a moment.  “I had one once child” the voice answered. “A long time ago.” Annie still didn’t understand. “Where did it go?”  “Are you sure you want to know the answer to that?” the voice sounded dark and foreboding. Annie wasn’t sure but her curiosity welled up inside of her. Hesitantly, she nodded.

 

Annie’s head snapped to her doorframe. There her mother stood looking cross. “Why are you still awake at this time of night and who on earth are you talking to?” She demanded. Annie looked back to where the man had stood and there was no one to be found. “But…” Annie stammered and looked from her mother to the corner. “The man momma. He was here,” She pleaded. Her mother exhaled “Annie it is bed time your friend can come and play with you tomorrow.”  “But momma,” she pleaded. “No buts Annie,” her mother ordered, “Now go to sleep.” Annie submitted to her mother’s wishes and sunk into the pillow frowning. “Good night” her mother added and walked back out into the hallway.  Annie huffed.  “Why won’t she listen to me?” she thought as she drifted off to sleep.