Lay

She lay down on her bed for what was to be a quick little nap.  After getting up too early that morning, and having one two many cups of coffee that were now upsetting her stomach, she was looking forward to the break.  She had showered, redressed, but left her hair damp and messy as the pull of her pillow was just too much to withstand any longer.  Curling up under her beloved blue and yellow bedspread, she rested her head on the maroon colored pillowcase, reminding herself again that she must buy matching sheets.  Within seconds she seemed to happily drift off.
She felt a thump on her bed, and it didn't startle her at first as often her oversized Bulmastiff dog liked to jump in bed and nap with her.  Keeping her eyes closed, she moved a little closer to the edge of the bed to make room, and felt the animal spin three times before it laid down.  She reached back to pet the short haired dog, and stopped short when she felt fur.  Fur like a cat, not fur like a Bulmastiff.  She cautiously removed her hand and could feel her body quiver as she knew what was really behind her on the bed.  A low level laugh could be heard, and she squeezed her eyes closed even tighter.

"It's been a long time," he scoffed.  "Did you really think that you were going to get rid of me?"

She didn't know how to respond.  She thought maybe if she ignored him, maybe if she didn't give into any of his games, that he would grow bored and just go away.

"You can choose not to answer me, but I will always be here," he added, as if he could read her thoughts.  She could feel him shake in laughter as the bed quivered under her.

"Don't look.  Don't react.  Don't talk.  And for God's sake, don't cry," she told herself.

"I'm very comfortable here today, so you can go about what you are doing, but know that I am watching, that I am waiting for you."  It made her sick to her stomach to hear him say those words.  "And here, I found this.  I thought you might need it, you know, as a sort of comfort."

He flicked something over the bed at her and it landed right on her pillow.  She opened her eyes only enough to see what the item was, then grabbed it and clutched it close to her chest.  He had tossed her an exacto knife, just like the one she used when she cut.  She didn't know if she should keep it or throw it, so she just laid there with it.  The coldness of the metal handle was a familiar feeling, the ribbed pattern running up and down the length of the knife.  The blade was exposed, it was tempting, it was a tease.

"Thought you might like that," the lion laughed.  He settled himself further into the bedsheets, making it obvious that he was not moving.

She closed her eyes again, feeling him drain all her energy and willpower.  She didn't want to go here again, was hoping not to go here, and yet here she was.  It always comes back to this, she thought, and it always will until he wins.  Until she is dead, he will always, always be here.