Through My Window

Through my window, I could see the other apartment building across the street. Each night I would stare into space. But there is one particular window that caught my attention.

I see a boy peeping through its dusty curtain only to vanish the moment I gaze unto that spot. He was watching me. And I do not know why.

I've been seeing him ever since I started having a series of nightmares. In each dream, I saw a monster lurking in the city preying on hapless victims.

Tonight, my dream had a twist. This time, the victim had a gun aimed at the beast. The monster opened its mouth to growl. Instead, I heard a child's voice "Stop!"

I woke up.

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Through my window, I observed the city as the sun sets. I've learned from work today that there's a serial killer on the loose. A victim was reported recently. What's left of him was accompanied by a gun he was unable to fire.

I know that kid is looking at me right now. I pretend not to notice him then closed the curtains.

But I still had another nightmare.

In this dream, I saw a family having their meal together. A familiar face was there: the son. The dream shifted to another scene. This time, the father was driving back home one night. Just as he reached his house, the car went out of control. And I emerged from the vehicle drenched in blood. I looked at the car's mirror. I was the monster.

The kid saw me. "Dad! No!!!"

Then I woke up.

I understand now. I killed that boy's father. And he wants revenge.

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Through my window, I sought to clear my head. I was the monster. Each night I become the serial killer but retain no memory of it save for my nightmares.

Anytime soon, I will be out to hunt again. And that boy is waiting for it to happen.

This time, I will let him kill me.

I stayed awake waiting for something to happen. Hours later, my body began move. I wasn't in control. It felt as if I was physically transforming into something. My hunt began. But all I could do was watch.

Before I knew it, I was out of the apartment building and lurking in the shadows. I know that boy is following me. He quickly hid behind a trash can.

I saw a lone man walking on the street. I stalked him. The monster in me plans to kill him. And I must witness this gruesome event. Just as I was about to attack him, I was surrounded by the police.

The boy was there watching me.

I could not control myself. I proceeded to attack but a few bullets landed on my chest. It's over now. The monster is dead. My dying body was lying down on the ground.

The boy walked closer to me and knelt over my corpse

"Dad..." he wept.

I looked at him in the eye as memories began to flood my head. Everything, including the ones of my other selves returned.

"Son..." I said.

Through my window, he never saw a monster.