Veronica sat at the kitchen table, staring through the doorway. From her seat she could see directly into the living room. That’s where the man was standing.

When she was small, Veronica always felt someone watching her. Whether she was playing in her room or in the yard or eating her dinner, she knew there were eyes on her. She told her mother about him, that he watched her, but her mother thought it was just an imaginary friend. Veronica knew he was real. Maybe he wasn’t solid like she was or her mom and dad, but he was definitely there.

Veronica sipped her drink at the kitchen table and waited. The more she encountered him, the more she needed to dull her senses with a vodka tonic. But lately the alcohol wasn’t helping. It was as if it suddenly made him clearer. More solid.

The man was standing by the window. He had been in the same position for more than an hour. He was tall. Too tall for a regular man. Even though Veronica was taller now than when she first saw him, he seemed to still tower over her. It was as if he grew as she did.

She was afraid to make any sudden movements. The last time the man was this clear he was right behind her, touching her hair, whispering in her ear. She was 12 years old and at her desk in her bedroom doing homework. When she turned around, he was only for there for a few seconds before he vanished, but it was long enough for her to see his eyes. They were completely white. Veronica had never screamed so loudly in her life.

It wasn’t until after her father died that Veronica decided to confront the man one final time. The house was going on the market. She didn’t want it, especially if this figure was a permanent resident. He only appeared to her when she was at the house, leading her to believe he was attached to the property and not to her.

But before she could sell the place she had to know what he wanted.