"Always Watching"

 Do you ever feel like you're being watched? Even when there's nobody around. You're all alone in the dead of night. In a room where there are no windows, no cracks between the doors. There's no way someone could be watching you, as there is no way anyone could be peering in. And you're the only person in said room. It makes no logical sense, and yet you still feel that pair of eyes burning into your skin.

Well, you can throw away that entire concept. See, even though it may seem impossible for someone to be watching you, I have still found a way. I stand still and wait in anticipation as you stare blankly at your phone. Your brain has turned off for the night. Emptying it even further as you scroll on to the next piece of blind entertainment.

If you'd only turn your gaze just ever slightly higher than your phone, you might see the glistening of my eye through the crack in the door. If you were only a little more attentive, you might hear my breathing against the door frame. I was not an easy thing to see out of the corner of your eye, but if you looked directly at me I'd be hard to miss.

It's incredible. I'm simply watching you as you watch something else. We aren't much different, you and I. We are both watching people for our entertainment. The lucky individuals who have earned our attention are unaware that us as an individual are watching them, and yet we are. We admire them.

Now, you may be asking what I want with this person. Someone unwise might say something like murder. Or maybe a suggestive admiration with a plan to act on it. Oh, how foolish you are to assume the worst. Is that a normal thing, for our minds to bend to the extremes to paint someone you don't know as a monster? If one chooses to watch in admiration from afar, and yet chooses not to act on any whim, do you still see them as cruel and dangerous? Boundaries exist for a reason, you know.

And the boundary I was within now was simply watching. You see, there is no harm being done. She doesn't know I'm here. I plan nothing of harm to her. But if simple birdwatching is an illegal thing, then by all means, lock me up.

As I continue to watch, I can see your chest rise and fall with every breath you take. You are comfortable. At peace. Did you know your nose twitches every time you breathe in just slightly heavier than normal? Is it that the video you are watching now is too intense for you? I feel sorrow in my heart, wishing you the best.

Finally, I step out from behind the door to greet you. You look so peaceful. And yet, it is late.

I stand at your doorway now, telling you kindly to put your phone away and go to sleep. Respectfully, you comply. You place your phone on your nightstand and turn to face the other direction. I close your door slowly. Still watching you. Still and silent. But you pay no mind. You never do.