Final Girl

The wind howled outside, rattling the windows of Maya's dimly lit house. Shadows danced across the walls, flickering in time with the orange glow of her jack-o'-lanterns. Halloween was supposed to be fun, but now it felt like a nightmare. Heart pounding, Maya crouched behind the couch, her breath shallow and silent. Every creak of the floorboards sent chills down her spine, and she strained to hear any sound over the pounding of her heart. She clutched her phone, the screen dimmed to preserve battery, praying for a miracle as she listened for the faintest hint of movement inside her home.