I spotted the man out of the corner of my eye. He was leaning against the side of the tree, watching me as I was watching him. Slowly, he silently backed away into the shadows of the night.
   The next morning, I strolled along the grubby streets of the city and recognized a familar face in the crowd. There in front of me was the same man I met the night before. He was staring at me as I was staring at him. And right before my eyes, he disappeared within the crowds, gone out of my sight.
   The next day, I decided to water the garden that surrounded my house. As I was about to go back in the house, there behnd hte gate was the man I saw the day before. He silently examined the yard before vanishing out of sight. Horrified, I hurried into the house and called the police. As I described the man, a black crow flew by the window. Shuddering a bit, I crawled into my bed and pulled up the covers. Hidden beneath the pillow was a pistol my father had given me.
   "Just in case", I told myself.
   For the days that followed, I trapped myself within the confines of my home. It was the place I felt the safest yet as I tired to pass time, I felt a growing fear inside me. Clutching the closest object near me, I prayed that my life could be spared from this occuring nightmare an that my mind was only playing games.
   The man didn't show up during any of the days so I decided to go out and live my life as any normal person would have.
   Once I rounded a corner, there I saw the person I most feared of. He was dressed in all black. Instatnly, I pulled out the pistol from beneath hte layers of my coat and fired. There he was, lying on the ground. I had instinctively killed a man before ever giving him a chance.
   Suddenly, I spied a piece of paper clutching in his hand. Drawing it out slowly as if he was to become alive again, I carefully read the words printed on it.
   In front of my very own eyes, the letter read:
  
   Dear Amelia,
   I have come to protect you from the evil lurking closely by. Be careful for I can not always be at all places. Do not let anybody in your house and keep all doors locked.
                                                      Yours Truly,
                                                      Guardian

   My jaw dropped as I could not believe that the man I had just killed was actually my protector and faithful guardian. Tears rose and I wept over his dead body. A shadow appeared next to me and I looked up. Looking down was the most friendly and worried pair of eyes staring at my tear-stained face.
   "Madam, is there a problem?"
   The young man's voice was like rich silk and his kind demeanor only made me guiltier of the crime I did. He didn't seem to notice the dead body next to me. I felt a wave of relief wash over my soul.
   "I kiilled this man by accident", I confessed.
   He examined the guardian for a while, then looked back up at me.
   "I see. But there is no need to cry over. Clearly, this man was trying to harm you. It's a good thing you killed him before he harmed you." He gently took the letter I held in my hand and scanned it.
   "Tsk, tsk. What a bad man. Don't you see that he is clearly trying to get you to soften so he can attack you? Come along now. We need to contact the police at once. I will not tell you of your involvement. There's no need for that."
   The young man led me to the police where they handled the situation as if we were mere innocent witnesses. He then consoled my emotions and I felt much better with him along. It  made me feel safe, a little too safe.
   When we arrived in front of the steps leading to my house, I immidiately invited him in but he declined. As I entered and locked the door, the pleausre overcame my guiltiness and made me feel giddy. Giggling delightly, I visioned the young man's blue eyes. A smile spread over me.
   That night, I slid beneath the covers and slept. Suddenly, a loud crash sounded int he kitchen. Cautiously, I slipped out and tip-toed towards the kitchen. As I peeked in, there to my surpise was nothing eerie in the room. The windows were shut tight and the door was locked multiple of times. No trace of damage or presence. Shrugging, I went back to bed.
   A few hours later, I was awakened by yet another crash. Just the same, nothing could be found to explain the commotion. I was about to return to my bedroom when a shadow appeared. Staring at the floor, my heart raced while my thoughts whirled around me. Darkness filled the entire room. I felt as if a thousand hands were wretching my body from my soul.
   The pain grew and grew. Grasping my chest, my knees wobbled and gave way. Darkness binded me until I finally went down with the evil that pulled me with it.