Grackle

Do you ever get the feeling someone is watching you?

It's a common feeling among thieves and murderers, of course. Dodging bounty hunters, mercenaries, and fellow outlaws, you need to grow eyes on the back of your head if you want to survive. It should feel normal by now.

Still, this time it feels... different.

Less like a stranger and more like a predator.

You travel from town to town, city to city, domain to domain, but there is no place is Sornieht you don't feel those eyes watching you. Sometimes, right before you fall asleep, you think you see them, blue in the moonlight. Yet, every time you open them, they're gone. You don't fall asleep after that.

It's been days, weeks, and you haven't slept. It feels like- no, worse than death. The only thing you can hear is the rattle of your own mind, begging you to sleep sleep sleep against the pounding of your heart. Maybe, against your heart, your mind is right.

Maybe, just now, it's okay to fall asleep. If only for a moment-

...

...

Found you.