I tried to answer, but I wanted to scream or turn my head. I wanted to open my eyes completely just to make sure. But something else, something deep inside of me, kept me still. Because now, I knew that I had seen it already. And I felt like I was being tested. I was still facing the back of the couch for seconds that felt like hours before I heard it again. and it was closer. Mom, why aren't you answering me? The voice cracked a little bit, like a recording, a perfect replica of a voice I was familiar with. My hand twitched just a little and then the footsteps continued. One step, then another. Slow, careful, closing the distance between the back of my head and it. That's when I smelled that same air, rot, was right behind me. It was leaning closer. The air was moving near my ear. I could feel it. And then it whispered, quietly, almost curiously. Mom, why won't you look at me? I froze. Even though I had wanted to move, I couldn't. I don't know for how long I was there on that couch, but the sun had long been set. And that's when I left. I didn't pack anything. Instead, I borrowed a charger once I got to my friend's house. I also stayed in a motel and in my car for one of those nights. The ones when I was sure I was ready to go back to my house, but wasn't. And just last night, I got a call from my son. I hadn't mentioned any of this to him, and it had been two days since we had last spoken. He had gotten a project across the state and would visit two times a month. I answered right away. Mom? It was him. It had to be. The voice had the same tone, but still, I couldn't be sure. It felt delayed. I don't know. Yeah, it's me, I said. Are you okay? There was a silence on the other line. And then, I'm home, the voice said. I felt another cold chill take over my body. What do you mean? I asked. I got here earlier, he said. You weren't here. More silence. I waited, he said. Sweat was starting to form on my phone case and on the screen. Where are you right now? I asked. There was silence again, as if it was thinking of what to say. I'm still here, the voice said.