"Shadows in the Night"

The darkness outside seemed to press in on Erik's room, making him feel trapped and vulnerable. He had tried to distract himself with TV and books, but his mind kept wandering back to the dinner party downstairs. The sound of laughter and music had long since faded, replaced by the occasional clink of dishes being washed and the muffled hum of the household staff cleaning up. Erik's anxiety had been building all day, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He had tried to push the thoughts away, but they lingered, making his skin crawl. As he lay in bed, he heard a faint creak outside his room. The door slowly opened, and Erik's heart sank as he saw his father's figure looming in the doorway. "Jose, what do you want?" Erik asked, trying to keep his voice steady. "I just wanted to check on you, m'ijo," Jose replied, his voice low and menacing. "I noticed you were absent from the party tonight. Everything okay?" Erik felt a wave of fear wash over him as his father stepped closer, his eyes scanning the room with an unnerving intensity. "Yeah, everything's fine," Erik lied, trying to keep his emotions in check. Jose smiled, his eyes glinting in the dim light. "I'm glad to hear that," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I was worried you might be feeling... left out." Erik felt a chill run down his spine as his father moved closer, his presence suffocating. He could smell the cologne on Jose's skin, a familiar scent that made his stomach turn. "Don't worry about it, Dad," Erik said, trying to sound nonchalant. "I'll be fine." Jose chuckled, the sound sending shivers down Erik's spine. "I'm sure you will, m'ijo," he said, his voice heavy with innuendo. "But just in case, I thought I'd drop by and... keep an eye on you." Erik felt his heart racing as his father leaned in, his breath hot against his ear. "You know, Erik, I've been thinking," Jose whispered, his voice sending a wave of terror through Erik's body. "Maybe it's time we had a little... talk." Erik's mind went blank as his father's words hung in the air, a threat hanging over him like a sword. He knew what was coming, and he felt a sense of despair wash over him. He was trapped, alone and vulnerable in his own room, with no escape from the monster that loomed over him.