Footsteps

I hear them in the silence of the night.
Fear grips me, and I wonder if I should check who it is.
They draw closer to the door;
I hear a gentle knock.
My heart skips a beat.
I just can’t get up,
and I continue to wonder who this visitor could be at such an odd hour.
I can’t go out right now, and I don’t know who to reach out to.
I glance at the clock—two more hours until dawn.
Winter nights feel endlessly long and dark.
Whoever it is, I hope they’re just passing by.
I need to get back to sleep.