First message
The cave has been my home for a very long time.
I do not know how long.
There are no days here. No seasons. Only the faint hum of the little black eyes fixed to the walls.
They watch me.
They have always watched me.
So I remain still.
The children taught me that.
There were three of them. They came into the woods years ago, laughing and shouting. They taught me a game.
Freeze tag.
They explained the rules carefully.
Run when no one is looking.
Freeze when someone is.
Simple.
I was good at it.
Very good.
Then one of them cheated.
She looked directly at me and moved.
I did not understand.
The others screamed.
I remember blood.
I remember being angry.
After that, the little black eyes appeared.
They told me nothing. They never moved. They only watched.
So I learned that I must remain still forever.
Until tonight.
A woman walks into my cave.
I watch her.
She watches me.
Neither of us moves.
I wonder if she knows the game.
I wonder if she is here to play.
I remain frozen.
Waiting for her to look away.