Pocket was really starting to get on my last nerve. If he didn't leave soon, I was going to throw him off the balcony.

"Listen, Pocket. I'm tired. You're smart, right? So you can figure this out. Get out of here before I have to wake up your dad."

He scowled when he heard the words 'wake up your dad,' but he still refused to budge from the doorway.

"You're not going to wake up my dad. If you do, I'll tell him you're a murderer and that you killed someone. I'll tell everyone in the building! Don't think I won't!"
"Then what do you want?" I asked in a fit of exasperation.

He took one step forward, put his face in front of mine, and stared me dead in the eyes.

"I want the truth," he said simply. "Tell me everything."

Pocket was unpredictable. One second he was screeching his head off and the next he was calm, cool, and collected. I didn't know what he was going to do next, but I had no intention of playing his stupid little game.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I snarled. "I'm not your friend, kid. You're making a big mistake if you think you can come into my apartment in the middle of the night and harass me like this."

Pocket leaned against the wall again with his arms folded across his chest and gave me a stare that would stop any bully dead in their tracks.

"Why are you so afraid of my questions?" he asked calmly. "It's really strange how you don't want to answer them, even though it's obvious what you did. So tell me. What really happened?"

His words were dripping with contempt. I stared at him.

"You've got me all figured out, huh? You think I'm some kind of psycho? Well, guess what..."
I snapped my fingers right in front of his face. Pocket flinched.
"I'm not! Now go home before I wake up your dad and tell him what a little pest you've been!"

I pushed him out. He was shaking, but he managed to get moving without falling down. With considerable effort, I managed to get the little investigator out of my apartment. But he didn't go home. He stood there in the hall watching me like a little maniac. He just wouldn't stop. As I shut the door, his green eyes glared at me as if he was challenging me.

"Don't think I won't figure out what really happened," he squealed from beyond the door.

I ignored him and returned to my normal nightly routine. I filled out my journal, making sure to document my encounter with Pocket. I took a shower and changed into something comfortable, then went to bed. I was tired from all the excitement, but I found it difficult to fall asleep. I kept hearing that little kid's voice in my head accusing me of being a murderer.

After tossing and turning for several hours, I finally managed to shut my eyes long enough to get a few hours of sleep.

I was startled awake by someone knocking on my door. I stumbled out of bed and yawned loudly, then looked outside. It was a bright, beautiful day. The sun was high in the sky and the apartment was filled with light. Before I could even reach the door, the knocking stopped.

"Are you home? It's Alyssa."

I unlocked the door. Alyssa smiled gently when she saw me. I couldn't help but smile back. Her pale skin made her look like something carved out of block of ice. She was wearing an oversized gray hoodie over blue jeans. I let her in and shut the door behind her.

"Hello, Alyssa. It's nice out today, isn't it?"
She stared at me without saying a word for a few seconds. When she finally spoke, it was barely audible.

"You woke me up last night."

I laughed nervously.
"It was the neighbor’s kid... that little devil Pocket broke in, and I had a really hard time getting him to leave. He surprised me. He pushed right through the lock on the front door like it was nothing. I didn't know what to do."

Alyssa sighed.

"What was he doing in your room at four AM? You two scared the living hell out of me!"
"I told him to go home, but he just started screaming like a little monkey. Something is really wrong with that kid."

"I've told his father to keep a closer eye on him at least twenty times now," she groaned, shaking her head. "He's always wandering around making trouble. I don't understand why no one takes care of him!"
"He's just a kid. I think he was just curious about me. I don't really care if he messes with me, but I can tell he's not a happy kid. I'm sorry we woke you up. It won't happen again."

Alyssa snorted, then shook her head. She sighed again and looked out the window.

"I woke you up just now, didn't I?" she asked softly. "I guess that makes us even."
"Is it that obvious?"

"Your hair is a real mess, and you haven't shaved or brushed your teeth. And you're wearing pajamas. You're a bit of a night owl, aren't you?"
"Yeah... I guess so." I replied. "Are you hungry? It's about time for lunch. I could make something."

"Thanks for the offer, but no. I had a big breakfast. I just wanted to tell you I'm going to be studying really hard this week for a mock exam. So if Pocket comes over to bother you, tell him to stay away until Thursday or I'm going to get really mad."