"Lana?"

Lana opened her eyes looking around. Her father stood in front of her a concerned look on his face.

"What's wrong?"

She shook her head in silence. Had she had a dream? She couldn't even remember it. It was just a lingering eerie feeling, like an aftertaste of fear from something she didn't even remember swallowing.

"Nothing." She shivered. "What are you doing here? I told you I'm fine."

She stood shrugging past her father.

"Well now, that's not quite true is it, deary?"

She froze, her hand on the door knob of her in suite bathroom.

"What did you say?"

Her father scoffed. "Honestly, Lana...I'm at a lost. You won't do counseling, you won't sit down and listen to me!"

Her imagination. She shook her head opening the door to the bathroom. She didn't bother turning the light on for a moment, rolling her eyes at her fathers passionate requests.

"I am grown and I don't understand why you can't just stay at your house, Dad?"

"I'm concerned! Everyone is concerned you've hidden yourself away in this pigsty you call a home, you don't come out, you don't answer your phone you disappear in the middle of the night—"

She sighed, drowning him out.

Seems like life's got you down, deary. How pitiful.

Lana's eyes opened sharply, as she looked up. She couldn't hear her father anymore. Her hand slid down the wall, trying to feel for the light.

She felt the light switch, sighing in relief as she flicked it on. Nothing happened.

I do wish people still used candles. It made it so fun to blow them out unexpectedly.

"Who are you?" She whispered, backing up trying to

Hm...he knows when you are sleeping. He knows when you're awake—

"Santa Claus?!"

Hm...well it's been rather long eternity so forgive me, if I don't know the current jingles. I thought was Jesus.

Lana swallowed. She was hallucinating. No, dreaming. She thought she'd woken up and she just didn't. So she had to wake...up...now!

Now!

Now—

The light turned on, she saw herself in the mirror, closing her eyes in relief.

Now I told you you made a mistake, but you're a pitiful human. So I'm able to forgive. You're my first...friend in oh so long.

She swallowed, looking around. Maybe there was a speaker somewhere. She crouched beside the tub, pulling back the curtains.

The water turned on suddenly, making her jump. She glanced at the mirror. Her reflection stared back.

She glanced down at herself. "Did I take drugs? Am I on drugs that's it. That's it. Let's just stay still...it'll pass."

It'll pass. It must eventually wear off. She inhaled deeply, closing her eye, curling herself up in the corner of the bathtub letting the now ice cold water run over her skin.

You came looking for me. You told me your name. That means you belong to me. You are my new pet. Lana.

Lana shook her head sniffling. "You're not real."

I am very real, Lana. And I am very, very displeased with you. I thought we had a deal. An understanding. Dare I say...a companionship, he lulled gently.

Lana leapt out of her skin, hearing a sudden banging at the door.

I can forgive you, Deary. But you come unlock my cage. All of this can stop.

Lana squeezed her eyes shut, repeating to herself that it was just a dream. That it had to be a dream.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Oh bother. Should I just snap your neck?

Lana's eyes opened, feeling cold air prickling like needles on the back of her her neck. Was he behind her?

Oh but its so pretty. And I haven't seen anything pretty in so long.

Her stomach dropped, her breath fleeing her lungs in a rush. And then it was over. The presence was gone, only the banging remained, now accompanied by her fathers shouts.

She opened the door, clearing her throat.

"Lana!"

"Can't I shit in peace," she murmured, bumbling past him, the goosebumps still on her arms.