Precious Face

When loud banging sounded at the bathroom door, she was mildly irked that one of the people staying in the house had crossed into her bedroom. It was a silent boundary that everyone had respected, up until now: this space was large, but even here they were crowded, with so many of them present and needing to stay indoors throughout the harsh, cold days. Her space was her space, and no one bothered her there.

She called out, “Just a minute!” Hugging the stick to her chest, wanting to keep this secret her own for just a moment longer.

But then the banging resumed, louder this time, and she jumped.

“What?” she called, a tremor in her voice.

“Come out, princess,” someone said, their unfamiliar voice sinister and quiet. She listened, her ears straining for any sound, but she found none.

The house had never been this quiet.

“Who are you?” she called, backing against the wall. She dropped the stick behind the trashcan an