I blink and find myself standing on a balcony overlooking the interior of a large home. To my right there is a curved staircase with a white banister leading to a hallway, the plush carpet is inviting, but in the same way the bright colors of a fly trap is to an insect. Behind me is a bedroom, a twin bed is pushed on it's long end against the wall across from the door, a love seat and a rocking chair sit in the corners. A door in the same room connects to another bedroom with two twin beds opposite each other and a dresser on the far end. Looking down into the house, I can see a living room with a half circle of large plush couches facing an impressive flat screen television. Adjoining that is a kitchen, all white tile and chrome. Pristine, immaculate, fresh from the showroom. Directly beneath me is a dining area. Dark metal chairs with white cushions surround a metal and glass table. The far wall of the dining room is dominated by glass doors and floor to ceiling windows. It is night outside, a black umbra, impenetrable to my eyes that almost seems to have a crushing weight, ready to shatter the glass inwards. The compulsion to explore is impossible to deny and I stride down the stairs. The house is very quiet, no hum of lights or central air, it's very strange. Brushing past the kitchen I make my way to the living area to stand behind the couch. The remote for the television sits on the cushion in front of me, I reach and pick it up. Nearly that same moment, I throw the remote down and dash for back for the bedroom. I slam and lock the door, piling the bed and chairs, then move to the next room and pile it's furniture.
Why had I reacted like that? Sitting in a far corner with my knees drawn up to my chest, the realization hit me. For some reason, I knew without a doubt that I was alone in the house. But there had been something right behind me as soon as I left the stairs. It had followed me into the living room and got almost close enough to touch me before I fled. It made a token effort to chase me, like it knew I didn't truly have anywhere to go. That it would just have to wait. I made mad runs for the kitchen to get supplies, but each trip out the door took more courage. I felt like every time the door opened something was in the spaces I couldn't see and the in the shadows too dark for my eyes to pierce. Each time they got closer, just around each corner. They waited patiently to creep up within reach of me. Did they want my flesh, my fear, or both? They seemed in no hurry to make a move. At night, I would awaken to the blaring of the television, tuned in to horror movies at unreasonable volumes. The screams of the actors were previously an amusement, now though they were nerve wracking. I wondered if I to would have a chance to scream? Sometimes, also, very lightly at odd hours, the door knob in the next room would rattle. Something was trying the handle, just in case I'd become careless.
It was only after what I assume had been days that I noticed the sun had not risen once the entire time. The small windows of my sanctuary had not once shown the rays of the sun. Speaking of the windows, they wouldn't budge an inch and no matter what I hit them with, they refused to shatter. Days later, to my horror, the door knob to my room started being tested and when I finally built up the courage to investigate, everything was undisturbed. My barricade was perfectly in place. Could the things reach me whenever they wanted? Sleep didn't claim me for what felt like forever. When my eyes fluttered open though, I found myself in the living room facing a hissing vampire on the television. How did I get here!? There was no time to consider, ponder or think. I sprung up and ran, feeling the hands grasp for me. Reaching for the wall to aid my turn I rounded into the hall. The sound of feet padding behind me motivated my sprint. Reaching the stairs, my arm shot out for the banister to propel me up, the carpet on the stairs felt like thick oatmeal slowing down my stride. The balcony seemed to stretch on forever but I eventually reached the bedroom door. I grabbed the handle and pushed... the door didn't move. Locked and barricaded, just like I left it. There was nowhere to go and I could feel It descending on me. Closing my eyes and slumping into the door, I awaited my fate.
The next time my eyes opened, it was dark and I was in my own bed. The nightmare was over.
No comments:
Post a Comment