Fifty Cent Words

There's someone in my house. I heard a window break and my front door creak open. Then the sounds of footsteps slowly entering. I can hear them right now shuffling through my home in the darkness. I'm trying to stay silent. Trying to slow my breathing. Maybe they'll go away. Maybe I can hide here in my room. Maybe it will all be ok. The footsteps continue up the stairs and I realize that's not going to happen. The sounds draw closer with every second until they pause in front of my bedroom door. Someone’s in my room. A filthy woman dressed in dirty tattered clothes. Her muddy boots leave footprints on the hardwood floor. I lie in my bed in shock and watch her slowly ease further through the threshold. Somehow, she seems so familiar. I don’t know her, but she resembles someone I do. Her eyes lock onto mine. I lay lifeless staring back gripped in terror. She says nothing and turns her attention to the vanity in the corner of the room. The woman sits down and stares into t...