Chapter 5: The Eyes in the Dark

Andrew tried to shake off the feeling of unease that lingered long after Judd had disappeared from view. He had been trying to avoid him for weeks, but Judd always seemed to find him. The stalking had become a constant presence in his life, making him feel like he was living in a state of siege. As the days turned into weeks, Andrew's parents started to notice the change in him. He was distant, preoccupied, and increasingly paranoid. They asked him if everything was okay, but he just shook his head and told them he was fine. But everything was not fine. One evening, Andrew's parents sat him down to discuss their upcoming trip out of town. His father's boss was requiring his presence at an important meeting, and his mother would be accompanying him. They would be leaving early the next morning and wouldn't be back until late that night. Andrew tried to focus on the conversation, but his mind kept drifting back to Judd. He was worried about being left alone, vulnerable to Judd's sinister intentions. "I'll be fine, guys," he said, trying to reassure them. "Just make sure to lock up everything and I'll be good." His parents exchanged a concerned glance but nodded and told him they would be back soon. As they left for their trip, Andrew felt a sense of unease wash over him. The house seemed empty and quiet without his parents. Andrew tried to keep himself occupied, but his mind kept wandering to Judd and his stalking behavior. He couldn't shake the feeling that Judd was watching him, even when he couldn't see him. As the night wore on, Andrew started to feel a creeping sense of dread. He tried to shake it off, telling himself he was being paranoid, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. He decided to stay up late, watching TV and trying to distract himself from the feeling of unease. But as the hours ticked by, he started to feel more and more anxious. It was then that he noticed the living room window was open, just a crack. He could have sworn he had closed it before his parents left. A shiver ran down his spine as he realized that someone had been in the house. He got up and checked the locks on all the doors and windows, but everything seemed secure. He tried to tell himself he was just being paranoid, but the feeling of being watched persisted. As he lay in bed, trying to fall asleep, he heard a faint creaking sound coming from outside his room. It sounded like someone was trying to get in. Andrew's heart started racing as he realized that Judd must have found a way into the house. He froze, listening intently, as the creaking sound grew louder. And then, he saw him. Judd was standing in the doorway of his room, his eyes fixed on Andrew with an unnerving intensity. For a moment, they just stared at each other, and Andrew felt like he was frozen in time. Then, Judd smiled, and Andrew knew he was in grave danger.