Andell loved the beach. The line where the breathtaking blue sea met the soft sand was a place she visited frequently. The salty smell of the wind that blew through her long brunette hair was the best feeling she could remember. This is why a smile was plastered on her face as she ran towards the bustling crowd spread out across the loading deck. Amidst the crowd stood her mother and father glancing around anxiously, looking around as if expecting their daughter to appear from thin air. The moment Andel leaped forward, taking her mothers shoulder into her hand, the woman flinched before her tense expression was washed away by her relief. One of anger took over as she turned towards her daughter.
“Miss Lucille, where did you run off to? Me and your father were worried sick.”

Andel’s bright smile faltered as she was met with a harsh greeting she hadn't expected. Pulling herself together she took her hand from her mothers shoulder, placing her hands behind her back politely.

“But, I just couldn’t help myself once I saw the ship! I had to get a closer look.”

“You had to do nothing.” Her mother snapped. “You're lucky that the Blanche family paid for our tickets. Act right or you're not stepping on that ship.”

Andel nodded, that once bright smile on her face gone as she stared at her mother blankly. 

“You know I worry about you. Stay right there until we are called to board.”

“Alright mother. I got it, I got it.” She muttered under her breath, speaking to herself.

The moment she glanced at her step-father she regretted it, the man glaring down at her without saying a word. Once her parents turned she averted her gaze to the ship once more, her parents standing silently at her side. The two clearly didn’t understand the beauty of the ship. It was a large, navy blue vessel with glossy white rooms stacked above the deck. Each large window was spotless, overlooking the deep ocean. The clear blue sky was tinted a smoky gray as steam blew off into the wind through two large steam pipes painted a dark blue. The color matched the waves crashing against the base of the ship, that familiar sound filling the air. Andel closed her eyes and listened, the sound of the waves washing away her worries.

“Andel!” Her mother called firmly, causing Andel to jump. She blinked for a few moments as her icy blue eyes took a moment to adjust to the bright sun. 

“Pay attention now.” She hissed "You're going to get lost, again.” Her mother added in a grumble as she turned towards the ship, following close behind her husband. It was then when Andel realized they had been called to board. Andel pushed forwards through the crowd, mumbling a few sorrys as she squeezed past happy couples and families.

The ship was even grander on the inside. With a large ceiling and natural light flooding in, the marble floors glistened under her baby blue mary janes. Each step she took sounded a satisfying clasp against the cold floor throughout the halls. Andel almost ran into a stranger as she forgot to look where she was going, her eyes locked on the smooth floors.

“Oh, my apologies.” She said frantically, giving the tall man a small bow. She looked up at him with a worried expression as she received nothing but an odd look, his eyes seeming as if they were about to pop from his skull. She was pulled from her trance as she felt an arm grab her shoulder. Her mother mumbled something about her behavior as she pushed Andel towards the elevators. When Andel looked over her shoulder, the man was gone. Nothing but the tea sandwich in his hand remained, now waisted as its contents sat spread across the marble floor.

“You better have apologized to that poor gentleman. I just have to hope he wasn’t someone too important.”  Andel didn’t give much of a reaction as she was more focused on trying to make sense of her odd encounter with the pale man.

Her mother continued, Andel finally turning to listen. “I swear I’m going to have to get a leash for this child.” Her mother laughed, turning to glance behind her shoulder at her husband. He gave her a small nod, holding onto her shoulder affectionately. The man never knew quite what to say when his wife frequently scolded his daughter.

“Oh, yea. I know mother, sorry.” Andel said casually, not apologizing about anything in particular. She would do what she had to just to make sure her mother let her off the hook.

As the elevator door opened it revealed not their floor but the large buffet. Almost immediately the smell of fresh cakes and sizzling meats wafted into the elevator. Andel looked behind her, locking eyes with her mother who was already stepping out of the elevator. Her husband gave a smile, sniffing the scent of fresh foods.

“It wouldn’t hurt to have supper a little early.” He chimed in, taking Andel by the shoulder as well. She rolled her eyes but didn’t dare to swipe his hand off like usual. She didn’t need both adults in a sour mood. 

“I’m not hungry.” Andel insisted, laying back on the comfortable booth with her arms crossed firmly over her chest. She had a slight pout on her face as she stared down at the food on her plate with her eyebrows furrowed.

“Hunny, you're as skinny as a beanpole. You need to eat.” Her mother whined, now taking the begging route. She had tried her yelling, demanding, and pleading seemed to be her last attempt. “I won't ask again.” She added firmly.

“Dear…” Her husband chimed in, taking her hand in his. “If our daughter isn't hungry we shouldn’t force things on her that aren't right. We should try to be more positive and supportive.”

“Oh, be quiet.” Andel mumbled.

“What was that hunny?”

“Nothing.” She gave him a warm smile. Her forced smile immediately faded as she got up from her comfortable seat. She was a bit hesitant, but her seat wasn't very comfortable with her mothers constant complaining in her ear.

“Ah!” Her mother called, waving her hand at Andel as if to call her over like a dog, “Don't go anywhere dangerous, stay away from suspicious people, and I love you!”

Andel was already halfway out the door as her mother called to her. If anything it just made her want to get out of there faster. 

The cruise ship was full of large doors leading to more crowded rooms. For a ship that had just set sail almost everyone had food in their hand. It was making Andel hungry. After a minute of exploration Andel found herself at the front of the ship, much emptier than the back. Despite its emptiness, a few people walked by, slipping and out of the buffett. It was a bit late, the sun now hidden behind clouds. The breeze was cooling and the sound of the water was putting Andel to sleep.

“It's vacation, a little nap is due.” She mumbled to herself, the girl already half asleep. She had found a comfortable position on a small loveseat in the center of the deck. With the soothing lulling of the bobbing cruise ship and sound of the waves, Andel fell asleep almost instantly.

When Andel opened her eyes she gave a long yawn. As she pulled herself up from the couch she rubbed her eyes before opening them, taking in her surroundings. Her heart stopped for a moment as she noticed the moon had risen. She wasn’t sure how long it had been but the sun was completely out of view. There was a hint of orange in the horizon but it wasn’t nearly enough for her to see clearly. Once she looked up and noticed the glowing moon high in the sky she noticed how cold it was. With her teeth chattering and her arms held closely around her stomach she ran towards the doors of the buffett.

Andel swung open the icy cold doors of the cafeteria. The smell of stale bread and old meat filled her nose.

 The lights were off… It was just as dark as the night sky.

“Okay…” Andel mumbled, her whole body shaking, and not just from the cold. “The buffett just, must be closed! Yea. It's fine.” She mumbled to herself in a shaky voice, walking quietly as she could across the marble floor. Every hesitant step across the pitch black floor, once such a nice crisp sound, now sounded like an alarm alerting anyone- or anything, where she was. As she took her next step the sound of her shoes meeting the marble floor didn’t ring out across the buffet. Instead, nothing but a soft squelch sounded from under her foot.

Andel froze. Her breath, her heart, everything seemed to stop as she slowly looked down at her shoe. She pressed her foot against the floor as she pulled her foot back to reveal just what she had stepped in.

It was a piece of cake.

Andel took a deep breath as a small giggle came from her lips. 

“Of course, what was I thinking?” She sighed, rubbing the bottom of her shoe across the marble floor. She took a deep breath and continued, working up enough bravery to search for a light source. It wasn’t hard to find, a lit candle rested atop a fancy table. She took the small candlestick into her hand and turned around, squinting in the dark. With a candle in hand Andel was able to find the lightswitch in the kitchen. 

“Why would they turn these off anyways?” She mumbled to herself as she flipped on the lightswitch. Her sensitive eyes took a moment to adjust to the light. As she set the candle down and looked around, her heart stopped. Each booth was filled with families. 

People sitting at booths laying across the table, blood from their mouths and skin pale. Each person's veins protruded from under their skin, the color a cold blue mixed with bright red. Their eyes seemed as if they were about to pop from their skulls. The once fresh food from the buffet sat squished between their fingers, falling from their open mouths.

Each of these people were wide awake. Just staring at her.

Andel felt frozen, her heart felt as if it was being squeezed by cold hands. Nothing but her eyes could move, dashing across the buffet. Everything was a mess. Blood, food, all smeared across the floor. Even the table she had taken the candle from was dripping with thrown up blood. 

Andel turned slowly, her eyes falling over the candle she had taken. Blood dripped from the candlestick creating a pool over the counter. 

A scream escaped her lips as she took a firm step back, falling over her feet. As her hand fell hard against the floor it slipped. Andel caught the blood from her hand smearing across the floor before her head hit the floor. Everything went black.

Again, Andel opened her eyes. This time the bright light of the cafeteria was enough to wake her up. Everything seemed unreal, like a nightmare. Her head spun as with a groan she pulled herself up, gripping at anything she could to get her body from the floor. Andel’s eyes shot open as she noticed something off. Everyone mumbling to themselves, rolling around, gripping at the tables, they were all gone.

The sound of a splash hit her ears. Suddenly, one after another the sound of splashing came from the dock. Without hesitation Andel ran as fast as she could for the exit, throwing the doors open.

Like mindless zombies, people flung themselves from the edge of the ship, falling into the water with a bone chilling splash. Cracks of bones, choking and gurgling could be heard from below. Everything became blurry as tears welled in Andel’s eyes, fear gripping every nerve of her body. She stood, stunned, watching as people seemed to be called to the ocean, diving in from the side of the ship.

Andel’s body moved on its own as she caught sight of her. Her mother, walking in the crowd, mindless.

“MOM!” She screamed, her voice cracking. She ran faster than she ever had before, pushing through people who tried grabbing at her, their cold hands reaching for her hair. As Andel pushed through the crowd she made it to her mother, taking hold of her arm.

“MOM! What's going on? Can't you hear me?” She tugged desperately at her mothers arm, holding her back with all her might. Despite Andel’s pleading her mother was in a complete trance, making her way towards the water.

“COME ON! What are you doing?” Andel grunted through her struggles, trying her hardest to tug at her mother and hold her back.

In one sudden movement she was thrown on the floor. She was stunned as pain spread throughout her body, until she felt something grabbing at her. She screamed as the people grabbed and tugged at her hair, her arms, picking her up.
“STOP IT!” She screamed desperately. “LET GO OF ME!” But every kick and punch accomplished nothing. 

She was being dragged, dragged to the end of the ship, and thrown.

It had been two months since Madison had gone missing. There were so many rumors about what happened to her, “I heard that she was kidnapped.”-- “I heard she ran away”. No one truly knows what happend. “How did the police not find her yet, she’s literally just a 14 year old girl– it’s not that hard.” Amelia said. “It’s not that easy Amelia, she could be anywhere.” Elena argued. 

After school I was stuck on trying to figure out what happened. My mom is a police officer so I thought that I could get some information about the case, but as always–I get the same answer, “I've told you this before Paisley, I can’t just give you confidential information

 like that– even if I could, there’s no leads on the case.” The next day at school we were in the cafeteria, “Paisley, do you know why Amelia didn’t show up to school today?” Elena asked. “No but she’s probably sick or has a family emergency.” 48 HOURS LATER   While I'm making breakfast I’m watching the news with my mom,“We are live at the police station where police say that another 14 year old girl has been declared missing, and yet again still no leads or evidence.” The Newscaster explained. “I’m so sorry Paisley– I’m sure that we will find her soon, and with Madison still missing that must be heartbreaking for you.” Mom said, and she was right. It was killing me inside knowing that my best friends are missing. All I could think was–Why is this happening?–Where did they go?– why to them?– what did they do? 

The next day at school it was really weird and sad because it was only me and Elena. “What kind of horror movie is this? It’s like 2 down 2 more to go.” Elena exaggerated. “I know right this is ridiculous, why our friend group out of EVERYBODY in the school?” By this time me and Elena were more frustrated than sad because what a coincidence that both of our best friends are now missing. So we made a promise to stay with each other all of the time– so we don’t go missing too. We made a plan to take turns sleeping over at each other's houses every night so that we never lose sight of each other. “Oh wait– don’t we have to ask our parents first?” Elena asked. “Well yes, but they should say yes because we are just trying to be safe and not lose each other.”

So then after school Elena walked home with me so that we could both ask my mom first. 

We had just walked in my house, “Elena you are like a second daughter to me– but why are you here? Does your mother know that you're here? What if she’s worried about you? I don’t want to get you in trouble.” My mom nervously asked. “Oh my gosh mom calm down, she just came over for one thing.” “Well then what is it?” My mom asked. “We’ve been thinking and we have come up with a plan to stay safe, we should take turns sleeping over at each other's houses every night so that we never lose sight of each other.” I sounded very confident in my proposal but she didn’t look convinced. “Girls, I think that you're using Amelia's disappearance as an excuse to have slumber parties.” My mom said, “No, we are just trying to be safe.” Elena argued. “ Well don’t even bother asking your mother Elena because my answer is no.” My mom sternly stated.

After that whole pointless conversation Elena walked back home and I angrily walked to my room disappointed that my mom can’t see the real picture in having “slumber parties” and see that we are just scared and think that whoever they are that they are coming for us next. 

It’s been 3 months since Amelia went missing and 5 months since Madison has been missing. Luckily neither me or Elena have gone missing yet and at this point we don’t think we are.

During lunch at school I was walking over to the cafeteria where me and Elena usually hang out and then I finally made it to the cafeteria and sat down. DING! DING! DING! I heard my phone ringing and I didn’t pick my phone fast enough so I couldn’t see who it was. As I was waiting for Elena to come I got a voicemail that said in a whispering tone, “please, please help, I won’t be alive for much longer– I’m at—” Then the sound cut off as if somebody interrupted them. I was waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting for Elena to come and then it finally clicked. THAT WAS ELENA! I immediately called my mother and told her what happened and then she picked me up early and we went on the search for her. 

We were just driving around everywhere and places where it looked sketchy. I felt so dumb at the moment because I had realized that I share my location with all of my friends and they do the same with me. “I found her location!– I found her location!” I said with excitement. Finally we arrived at the mysterious and sketchy location and I was scared for my life. “So how do we do this? Do we just run in and get them?” My mom rushingly asked. “Let’s just do what feels right.” I responded. I was so happy that my mom was a cop because hse had all of the weapons that we needed. My mom opened the door– creek, creek, creek– the door slowly opens as I see the most horrifying thing in my lifetime. We barely take a step into the door and I see my 3 best friends

Madison, Amelia and Elena– there laying on the ground– all of them– dead.

It was in the middle of autumn when 2k25 dropped, and all the kids were hyped. Everyone wanted that brand new shiny CD to play with their friends. This was the case with Troy and Rick. But they were in a dilemma; they didn’t have enough money. The game cost 70 dollars for each copy, and they didn’t have quite the funds, especially as teenagers. They even tried looking for jobs, but nobody wanted inexperienced 13 and 14-year-olds in Detroit for hire. 

“Man…. I’m done with this stuff. We might never even get to play this stupid game.” Troy yawned in a tired voice after a long day when they both tried searching for jobs. 

“I know, I still want to play the game but if nobody wants to hire us, how would we get money?” 

“I might know a way. I heard of this guy down on the other side of the town. People say that he could grant any wish.” Rick pitched as if he was in a sales pitch job. 

“C’mon that sounds way too good to be true. What’s the catch?”

“I’m not sure. Some people say they see their friends go crazy and they ain't ever the same.”

They were both skeptical but they would do anything for the ‘bag’. They agreed that they would bike in the early morning to try to avoid trouble in the streets. 

The next day rose and they went about their business. As they arrived, the man Rick was talking about was there. They were about 100 meters away from him as they pulled up. The man was posted on the wall of an orange tent in the Alleyway of two apartment buildings. He had Black forces with light blue jeans and a North Face puffer jacket. 

“Aye man, you sure about this? This looks straight out of a damn horror movie. I'm sure there are other ways we can make bread,” Troy claimed doubtfully as he unmounted from his bike and rolled it toward the alleyway. 

“Well…,” Rick thought for a moment. 

“You don’t have any other ways of getting money,”

“I guess you're right.”

When they got to the tent they parked their bikes on the side of the wall and walked over to the man. 

“Hey man, are you the guy?” Rick squealed  with uncertainty.

“The guy of what… The dreams of your future? The way to make it? The guy to grant your wildest wishes?” the older man ranted confidently. He said it in a way where it was too good to be true. 

“I guess, but this seems too fishy. How’re you gonna do all this for us? You ain't no genie.” Troy said assertively almost as if he was trying to disprove his work. 

“It’s not me who grants wishes: it's him, " the old man transitioned to pointing to a piece of paper he had unfolded from his pocket. 

“You have to follow these directions at midnight. If you miss one, you might run into crazy problems in your life,” 

“Alright, how much does the paper cost?”

“Nah it’s on me, yall can have it.” 

The boys thanked the man and went on with their day. They were both excited and were thinking about the perfect prompt to ask the paper. The boys knew they had one chance so they wouldn’t waste it. 

As the night rolled around, the mood was tense. Troy stayed over at Rick’s for the night to do the directions. Around 11 pm, they were brainstorming their deepest thoughts: They thought of asking the paper to give each of them 1 Million taxed Dollars transferred to their parent's bank accounts since they didn’t have one yet. They never looked over and prepared for what the paper told them to do, which would be a big mistake. 

“Hey Troy it’s about time,” Rick said as he popped up from his bed about 3 minutes before midnight. They read over the script and got the materials they needed. They needed a lighted candle and a stuffed animal. The paper told them to speak of a poem that sounded very dark and demonic. 

“Yo Rick I don’t know – From reading this, the paper sounds very satanic like a voodoo ritual,” Rick said in a worried tone. 

“Whatever it’s probably fine – you ready?” Troy disregarded. 

They proceeded to recite the ritual and when they finished nothing happened at first. But then a huge gust of wind flowed within Rick’s house which blew out the candle. Sand appeared and picked up from thin air to form a sand storm. Then out of nowhere, an almost invisible force yanked Troy to the point where he was upside down. He was dangling by one leg as if someone wrapped their arms around him 

“Yo, what's going on?” Troy said as the sand bits got in his eyes. 

“NO TROY!!!” Rick screamed at the top of his lungs trying to overpower the sandstorm. It was hard as it picked up speed and blurred his vision. 

The ‘invisible’ spirit dropped his body and he turned lifeless. His eyes rolled to the back of his head and he became limp. Rick ran to his body to check if he was responsive but there was no response. All he heard was a heartbeat, so he at least knew he was alive. Rick could only think of one person who could solve his problem: the sketchy man who gave them the paper. He didn’t want to snitch to the police, so he woke up early the next morning to go ask the man. Rick also checked his mom’s bank account and he saw the money transferred to her account. 

Rick sped over to the other side of town pumping his legs as fast as possible. 

“Yo, you killed my bro! After I did the ritual he went limp!” Rick screamed as he dismounted from his bike and ran over to the dude posted up under the same tent. 

“Nah bro it wasn’t me. I told you the repercussions,” the older man said.

“So? Can you tell me how to fix him? All we wanted was money bro,”

“The only way you can return to normal is to destroy the paper, – however – if you fail to do so quickly the paper might come after you next.” 

Rick then sped home to find the paper. Once he was home he grabbed a gallon of lighter fluid and a lighter and sprayed the paper outside. He then lit the paper and watched it collapse into flames instantly. As it burned, it was almost like layers of stress relieving from his body. While this was happening, Rick heard a creek in the door and a voice calling his name. 

“Yo Rick, what happened? Can we buy the game now?” Troy said in a confused voice.

Rick proceeded to run and hug his best friend instantly as he knew he was cured. He didn’t know if the money disappeared from their account, so he checked his moms account and the numbers vanished. Even though they couldn’t buy the game they still stayed home from the previous frightened night. They watched some night news TV channels and they saw that there was a reported amount of increased mysterious deaths across the town. They thought it could’ve been the same man across town, so they felt lucky they made it out alive. 

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over San Pedro. Josh

and Ally had always loved the beach, and this particular day in San Pedro

promised to be no different. It was a perfect sunny day when Josh and Ally

decided to take their beloved dog, Bear, to the beach. The gentle waves lapped

at the shore, and laughter mingled with the salty air as they played fetch with

Bear. For a while, everything seemed so perfect, to perfect, a slice of paradise

where worries melted away. But then, as if drawn from the depths of a dark tale,

a thick fog began to roll in, creeping over the sand like a cover. "Don’t worry

about it," Josh said with a grin, waving his hand along the mist. "It’s just fog." He

splashed into the water, the cool embrace of the ocean welcoming him. Ally

watched him, her heart light, until it wasn’t.

the rippling waves beckoning him deeper. Minutes passed, and Ally’s

laughter faded into silence as the fog thickened around her. Minutes slipped by,

and the fog thickened, swallowing the shoreline in a quick silence. “Josh!” Ally

called, with worry in her voice. No answer came back, only the muffled sounds of

water lapping at the sand. Panic gripped her as she stood at the edge of the

water, where shadows danced just beneath the surface. “Josh!” she cried again,

her voice growing desperate. The fog pressed in tighter, curling around her like

fingers clutching at her throat. Bear, sensing the fear in the air, barked

relentlessly from the shore, his loyal heart aching for his missing friend. His

missing family member

The beach felt weirdly abandoned, the once vibrant colors faded into a

muted palette of grays and whites. Panic tightened around her heart as she

squinted into the mist, desperately searching for a glimpse of her boyfriend.

“Josh!” she cried again, her voice growing more frantic. When there was still no

answer, a chill crawled up her spine. The water, which had seemed inviting

moments before, now looked dark and threatening . Against her better judgment,

With a heavy heart and trembling limbs, Ally stepped into the cold water, each

step further dissolving her bravery. The water seemed to pull her in, swirling

around her legs as if it had a mind of its own. “Josh!” she shouted once more, her

voice a fragile echo swallowed by the fog.

Suddenly, out of the depths, something began to rise—a dark figure,

glistening with the shine of the ocean’s surface. It floated lazily, its form shifting

as if it were made of shadows and nightmares.It was too large to be a fish, too

monstrous to be anything she recognized. Stunned into silence, Ally’s breath

caught in her throat as the creature surfaced, its hideous form breaking the water

with a sickening splash. Tentacles twisted around itself, glistening in the dark

light, as a pair of hollow, dark eyes locked onto hers.

She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came. The creature

loomed closer, a terrible presence that whispered promises of despair and

darkness. In that harrowing moment, Ally felt the life drain from her, the world

around her drowning in an depths of nothingness. Her heart began to sink when

the shadow morphed into an unusual shape, its stretched out limbs reaching

towards her from the depths, eyes glowing with a deep hunger. Time began to

slow down as the realization hit her like a tidal wave, this was no ordinary

creature but a sign of death, lurking in the mist to claim its next victim.

Ally’s breath caught in her throat as her eyes widened in horror. The

creature’s elongated limbs and hollow eyes bore into her soul, stealing away her

words, her strength. Bear, still barking frantically, sensed the danger and rushed

to the water’s edge, but the embrace of the fog kept him on the shore, trapped in

a frantic loop of worry. On the shore, Bear barked furiously, his barks echoing

through the fog-soaked air, searching for his lost family. He darted back and forth,

frantic, sensing the unnatural stillness in the water where his loved ones had

vanished.He could feel the emptiness, the absence of joy that had once filled

their moments together.

The creature moved closer, flowing through the water, its presence chilling

the very air around Ally. She was frozen, unable to call out for Josh, paralyzed by

the terror of the unknown. Then, just when it seemed that all hope was lost, a

glimmer of movement caught her eye beneath the surface—a hand, struggling

against the weight of the water, reaching for her. “Josh!” Ally screamed, But as

she strained to swim closer, the creature surged forward, blocking her path and

revealing rows of jagged teeth that glimmered with a hunger that sent waves of

dread coursing through her veins. “Josh!” she finally managed to get his

attention, but it was too late.

The water erupted around her, pulling her under, and the last thing she

saw was Bear’s desperate face on the shore, barking into the fog as if trying to

break the spell that had claimed his family.Bear’s heart-forceful howl echoed

across the beach, a sad cry for a lost friend, a lost family member.

As the fog began to clear, the beach returned to its sun-kissed glory, and a

haunting silence fell over the waves. Bear’s barks faded into the distance,

unanswered. The tides continued to roll in and out, but for Bear, the echoes of

laughter and love would never return.. In that moment, darkness closed in, the

fog settling like a tomb over the beach, where laughter once echoed.

The sea claimed its victims, and all that remained was the sound of Bear’s

mournful barks, a haunting reminder that some beaches are better left

unexplored, and some waters, forever uninviting. Some say, when the mist rolls

in, the screams of love and concern can be heard along the coast.

“Why am I seeing this?”

“Whats wrong with me?”

I looked at myself in the mirror, I could see the shadow coming out of my ear. I waved my arms trying to somehow get it out. Why was I seeing this?  Why could I see the truth?

7 minutes earlier

I stare at my weird doodles in my notebook. I’m definitely failing this class. I mean, my teacher isn’t even talking about the actual subject. For the record, no one wants to hear about her actual life. Maybe I can get Selena’s attention.

“Ah!” I scream.

Why is–what is–

Instead of getting to talk to my best friend, I am greeted with a horrifying shadow looming behind my teacher?

Um–

The whole class's attention turns to me. 

“Hey what's wrong girl?” Selena says.

“You don’t see that?” I nod my head towards the teacher.

“What, Ms. Miller?”

Before I could answer, the shadow seemed to try and tell me something. But it sounded like a foreign language.

Strange.

The shadow then spelled something out

I’m a lonely woman who drinks herself to sleep. I’m miserable.

What the hell?

“I need the bathroom,” I said quickly. 

“Okay don’t forget the pass–” Ms. Miller started.

I bolted out of the classroom straight to the bathroom. As I breathed heavily a million questions ran through my head. Why this? Why now? Ms. Miller seems like such a happy lady. The shadow tells me otherwise. 

I went to the sink and splashed water on my face as I looked at myself in the mirror. What’s wrong with me?

Present time

The bell rang, but I didn’t want to come outside the bathroom. All of a sudden Anastasia Solace, probably the most perfect human being ever (well, in my eyes) walked into the bathroom. Oh God I probably look like a mess! I quickly turn away. 

“Hey Astrid, are you okay? You don’t look very well.”

“Yup! Yes I’m perfect! We’re perfect! Not–no wait are you perfect? Because I am– yup you're perfect!” 

I blushed as she raised an eyebrow with a smile. Yup she’ll definitely like me now. We all love a person who doesn’t know how to talk at all. 

I suddenly saw a shadow creeping up her neck. A part of me was curious to see Anastasia’s shadow, the other couldn’t handle seeing one of those things again.

I think that was my sign to leave.
“Well I’ll see you around! Bye!”

I quickly left the bathroom with a red face. Smooth Astrid. 

I regret going outside my bathroom safe haven. 

Shadows.

Everywhere.

There was one behind every person, I didn’t want to read them.

Suddenly I felt two hands grip my shoulders.

“Selena?”

“Girl! Why did you run off like that? Are you okay?” Selena said with a concerned look on her face. 

Am I okay?

“Probably” I answered.

I looked up, a shadow loomed above her head, reading I’m not good enough. Oh, Selena. I wanted to comfort her. 

Selena noticed me staring and raised an eyebrow, then looked at her watch. “Ooh girl I have to go to class! You know Mr. Hawthorne don’t like it when I’m late!” she said.

“Alright girl I'll see you later.” I said as Selena waved goodbye while speed walking towards her next class. 

I didn’t feel like going to class. I needed a break. I decided to take a walk around the school. I still have Ms. Miller's bathroom pass after all. As I walked down the hallway, I looked at the missing posters on the bulletin board. There was always a new one at least every few weeks. 

I walked towards the gym, it would be empty so I wouldn’t have to see those terrifying shadows. They were giving me a headache. I was still confused about this whole thing. What were these shadows and why were they here? Is it a power?  A curse? Does everyone have a shadow?
As I walked into the gym, I felt that raging headache coming back. 

I look to my left, where the bleachers are, a faint shadow coming from the back. It looked different though. The shadows in the hallway seemed more ecstatic and alive, this one just looked sort of, still.

Was someone hiding here?

I walked over to the bleachers, to see that the shadow was coming from under? I kneel down to get a closer look.

I probably should have minded my own business, it's not everyday you see a dead person with their face scooped out.

I cover my mouth, holding in my scream.

How long has this been here? I noticed that there was no smell coming from the body, was it fresh? Did it happen just now? Then I saw it, the shadow read, “Nobody likes me, everyone thinks I'm weird” very faintly. Did their thoughts get the best of them? 

I slowly picked myself up. Contemplating what I just saw. I’m not going crazy, am 

I?

Was this someone from the missing posters?

 I began to walk towards the exit doors. I can’t handle this. 

The rest of the school day was horrible. I tried to avoid the shadows by looking down, but they all seemed to have their eyes on me.

That night I had a dream.

A dream where everyone's shadows looked at me. 

Pointed at me.

They ripped my heart out.

Threw it on the floor.

I could still see it beating.

“You aren’t supposed to know.” They said,

I sprang out of bed, breathing frantically. The clock read 3:09 AM. I needed fresh air, so I climbed out my window and went out the side gate. I decided to walk a few houses down to Selena’s house. I remember walking there sometimes and turning back home when I heard the screams, the arguments. Selena didn’t have a good relationship with her parents. 

I snuck over to her window, to see if she was still awake. I peeked through the window. 

Is it a coincidence?

Why does this keep happening?

What’s going on?

I was horrified to see my Selena in the corner of her room. She looked the same as that person under the bleachers. Her face…hollow. I could see an eerie black substance coming out of it, dripping down her neck. Her shadow, still. It read “I’m not good enough” just like when we were in the Hallway.

I was still in shock. 

Why her?

Why now?

I cried as I walked home.

Did her thoughts really get the best of her?

When I climbed through my bedroom window, I realized. 

I’m the reason she’s gone. The shadows said I shouldn’t be able to see them, is this their way of punishing me? What if Anastasia's next? 

No.

No no no no no.

I felt like ripping my skin off.
That should’ve been me! Not Selena.

I got no sleep that night. 

The next morning, I still had to go to school. 

The image of Selena kept flashing in my mind. 

It's my fault.

It's my fault.

It’s my fault.

That morning, Ms. Miller announced her disappearance to the class. I felt my stomach drop.

I decided to excuse myself to the bathroom.

When I got there, I noticed Anastasia come in after me.

“Astrid,” she started, 

I was staring at myself in the mirror. Thinking about these past few days.

“Astrid, I’m sorry about Selena,” she said while grabbing my hand. I blushed a little bit, but I didn’t have time to be in love. Not after this. 

“Its my fault Anastasia, the shadows–” I blurted out.

Squelch

I couldn’t even finish my sentence.

I guess the shadows didn’t want me telling anyone.
If I wasn’t supposed to know, neither was anyone else. 

I looked down at the sharp dark tentacle that pierced through my torso, as Anastastia watched in fear. I guess when a shadow kills you, other people can see it. 

I stood there for a second, still. 

I could see tears in her eyes. 

“Don’t cry,” I said teary eyed.

“You know I always liked you, Anastasia Solace” might as well get it out in my final moments.

“Astrid–” she started.

“Goodbye Ana–” my words cut off as the sharp tentacle slid out and left me on the ground, not a breath left. 

As I fell to the ground, I could see what Anastasias shadow read.

“I can’t tell her how I feel. I can’t express my feelings.”

Ha. At least she liked me back right? My curiosity was fulfilled. I hope her shadow doesn’t get the best of her too.

Anastasia held me. I couldn’t hear what she was saying anymore. 

I could see the black goo on my hands, dripping down my arms, images of the shadows faces flashed in my head. I saw Selena, and that person under the bleachers, and began to wonder what happened to those other missing people. Maybe their shadows got the best of them too.

As death crept closer and closer I’m glad Ana was the last thing I looked at before my vision blurred. At least I’d die happy. 

At least I’d see Selena again.

At least I’d be free of the shadows.

Right?

You’re Always Home… | Genre: Somber Horror (I guess?)

trigger warning: if you’re sensitive to grief, then you shouldn’t read this short story.

I stand in the middle of my dimly-lit living room. I sat down on my old, dusty rocking chair in the corner; sitting, looking at the wooden floor below me. I haven’t been outside in years ever since. It’s been years since my late-husband died in a car crash. They told me that a semi-truck caused him to swerve off a cliff, and into the forest below.

I visit his gravesite — every single day. But it’s been years since I have done so. I am just here — sulking in my dimly-lit living room… in my dimly-lit house. I decided to walk out someday — but I was too late. It was nighttime when I decided to leave the house. I can’t decide if I regret now, but I accidentally let it in.

When I came back after taking a stroll through the forest, and to my husband’s grave. I picked a few flowers — to lay by his side. I picked a water lily a couple feet away from the site… They were his favorite flowers. I always used to pick them by this lake and gave it to him. Oh.. the smile that was on his face — …how I wish to see it one last time. I walked over and on top of his burial; scattering a mixture of lilies and lavender petals across him. I got one last look at the dusty, wet gravestone lay on top. Then I walked back home. I opened the door to my dark cabin. I locked the door, and went to my room to go to sleep.

I woke up at 3:15 AM; feeling an odd, glaring presence in my bedroom. I felt like someone was watching me in my room; feeling its presence in one of my dusty, moldy corners. But when I looked, I just saw my husband with his back to me, staring at the corner. “What’s wrong?” I asked him. He turned to me. It was almost frightening how he turned so suddenly— I looked nervous at the sight of him glaring at me. He was pale, his eyes were bloodshot red. He also looked kind of shadowy~ if that’s even a word. In a sense, he looked foggy when I looked at him — but I knew deep down that that was my husband.

“What’s going on — what’s happening?!” I asked it nervously. It sighed and took a seat on my bed. “Nothing,” it answered. “I just need to go to work,” it replied. “I thought you called off—” I implied. “I know, I know— but you know that we’ve been struggling money-wise. I need to work so we can get back on track. But don’t worry, I’ll be back in the morning,” it told me. I wasn’t so sure about this… it was the dead of night. “What if you get hurt?” I asked. It sighed then gave me a reassuring smile. “If I get hurt, you’ll see me when I’m in the hospital… But if things go wrong —” it paused… He told me, “You’re strong. You can get by without me… Okay?” 

“Okay…” I answered nervously. “But promise me —” I paused; looking into its deep eyes. “Promise me you’ll be safe,” I said sternly. “I promised,” it said before hugging me and leaving out the door. I draw the blinds to look outside of the dusty window, into the dark, void outside. I saw it leave out the door, it waved at me. I waved back — it got in his car and drove off… into the soulless night. I decided to stay awake; I was too nervous and I stood by the dirty, mold-infested wooden door — waiting for it to come back to me.

I waited — then waited — then I waited. I have been waiting for seven years, but no sign of him coming back. I knew I was delusional, I was informed of his death — but I waited and waited. I sighed, knowing that I can’t wait anymore. I stand in my dimly-lit living room. I sat down on my old, rust rocking chair in the corner; sitting and looking at the wooden floor below me. I haven’t been outside since the incident.

My tea’s gone cold. I wonder why — I got out of bed at all. The morning rain clouds up my window— and I can’t see at all. And even if I could, it would all be gray. But your picture on my wall — It reminds me that it’s not so bad — it’s not so bad. 

I decided to visit his grave, in an enclosed forest site at the bottom of the hill, below my house. I opened the door, waiting — and waiting, and waiting…

I woke up at 3:15 AM; feeling something looking at me. To give some context, my bed is next to the wall perpendicular to the door. This night, I was sleeping by my side, towards the wall. I turned around — and saw it glaring at me. It looked into my soul. It was my husband, but I knew it was not at the same time. I sit on top of my bed, looking straight down, to the floor. It steps in front of me — but I stay still. “You’re always home,” it said to me, placing his deformed palm on my head. I felt the blood dripping onto my head, but I stood completely silent, completely still — staring at the ground below. It felt silent in the room, the only thing that I could’ve done was breath — while this creature stood upon me. It sat next to me, I finally took a look at his face. It was… my husband: bruised, bloody, deformed, and beaten. I sighed. “Why are you still here,” I asked with somber in my voice. In a deformed voice, he said, “Are you still here? I can’t recognize you anymore.” I sit completely silent… “Why do you always come back? How are you here?!” I screamed. He replied, “I promised to be by your side. Remember what I said before I died? You said you were ‘gonna be strong.’ You need to move on. You can’t keep staying in this house for your entire life. You have dreams! You can’t keep dreaming about the same events and expect them to get a different result!” he sighed. “I’m already dead. But you can’t keep sulking for the rest of your life.”

I took a glance at his deformed face. He held my hand — I feel his skin peeling — his blood staining — his deformed hand. I stood up and I destroyed all of the paintings and pictures. I break the door wide open, I hastily walk into the living room, punching all of the furniture, destroying. I walk back into my bedroom, seeing him still here. He looked at me remorsefully. “You’re dying,” he said. I started banging my head against the wall — feeling a sharp pain in my head.

I suddenly woke up in a hospital room — nurses and doctors operating on me. They saw me and they screamed joyfully. “She’s awake!” one of the nurses screamed. “What’s going on…” I asked curiously. They put a mask on my face and I suddenly went to sleep.

I woke up again, nurses and doctors by my side. One of them walk to the foot of the hospital bed. “You’re lucky to be alive,” he said. I look at him weirdly. I looked to the corner and saw him standing there — deformed as ever; but no one noticed. He just looked at me and walked out slowly. “We’re finding you a therapist — so you can get better,” the doctor said while bringing out a ziploc bag. I reach my hand out to my head, and felt bandages on my chin, and on my hairline. The doctor grabbed tweezers and pulled out a bullet. “Don’t worry — you’re gonna be fine,” he said.

I remember everything now…

(If you didn’t get some things, you might need to reflect back and read it again to understand it.)

                      Maple Road

By

Farrah Lepkosky

“Bzz, bzz, bzz,” I received messages. It was my friend Evie from high school. I looked at my phone and saw several texts from her.

They read, “Hey Olivia! I was just in town a week ago and went to this awesome haunted house with James. I know you’re into all that horror stuff, so I would go there if I were you. Let me know if you want more details.”

I was in fact into all that horror stuff, so you know I asked for more information.

“Okay, it's on 1498 W Maple Lane. First, you're gonna see some disturbing figures and make sure not to get any of the fake blood on your shirt. It’s hard to take off your clothes afterward. Suppose you don’t want to see all the mildly scary stuff, just power through the house and get to the backyard. That's where all the real fun happens. I’m not gonna tell you the rest, that's for you to figure out. Let's just say it has something to do with a clown.” she described, all in a voice message.

That Saturday, I pulled up to the haunted house to see what all the hype was about. I brought my friend, Mindy along too. She’s always paranoid, afraid of everything. We stopped at the front of the house, bad Halloween decorations, dead grass, and dirt everywhere, this was gonna be great. The door was peeped open, I gave it a small push and it creaked loudly. I took a step in, Mindy hiding somewhere behind me. In the house was a living room and a dining room. There was a bar with a kitchen behind it, and the refrigerator door was left wide open. A middle-aged overweight man lay down near the front door. He had residue around his mouth, most likely puke from the puddle right next to him. It was disgusting in the best way possible.

We tiptoed our way to the kitchen area, to investigate the area more thoroughly. 

“I don’t like this” Mindy whispered

“I have a bad feeling”

Of course, Mindy would say something about it. We haven’t even gotten to the best part yet and she’s already scared.

“Come on Mindy, you’ve been scared your whole life. Stop being scared and for once enjoy the thrill.”

I could tell she didn’t like the idea, but as always, she submitted. We peeped inside the open fridge door, to find some trashy fake body parts. Hands, feet, ears, and even some organs. There was dried-up blood EVERYWHERE, it didn’t even look realistic either. I was seriously judging Evie's judgment. We explored the poorly made haunted house even more. But for some reason, Mindy stood scared. How? There's nothing scary about this place, there's no way you can be scared of it. The only thing I could think about was the clown. I had imagined how he may look since Evie told me about this place. Fluffy red hair. Spiky yellow teeth, dripping with blood. I had always liked this sort of stuff, even when I was a kid. I guess we all had our phases. 

Mindy and I made our way to one of the next rooms. It was a room filled with torn cloth, broken glass, mannequin limbs, and lots of fake blood. It looked like the backstage room of a beauty pageant after a hurricane. To be fair, that room was pretty cool. Broken perfume bottles were stinking up the place. Not as bad as the disgusting stench that's been in every room the entire time. I wonder what that was? Evie wasn’t joking when she talked about the fake blood. It was everywhere, it must’ve cost a fortune to get this much of it. Nonetheless how they're gonna get the stains off the walls and floors.

We got to room 3 out of 3, the last one. This one kind of sucked though. It was a children's bedroom. Nothing weird about it. Just a little kids' room with princess decorations. And trash and mold covering the entire thing. I gagged, I’ve always loved horror movies, stories, and all that stuff. But out of everything I’ve always hated mold. I could hear Mindy’s whimpering behind me. I’m still not creeped out by this place, and I’m not obsessed with the mold part.

While still in room 3, we heard a really loud gunshot. It made my ears ring, they must’ve used a real gun to get that effect, and then we were reminded that there was one final door left. The door to the backyard. It wasn’t a ‘dark and stormy night’ or whatever, it was one of those warm summer nights. Pitch black but comforting in the best ways. Mindy and I stood outside in the backyard. We could hardly see anything. Minutes passed and I decided to give Evie a call.

“Eves, why did you tell me to go here? This place sucks” I complained

“Say that one more time, your voice is laggy.”

I sighed, of course there's no service out here.

“The haunted house? On Maple Road? This place is terrible.”

Evie paused for a moment,

“Maple Road?”

“The house is on Maple Lane. Where are you? Olivia?”

Once upon a time, in the quiet town of Willowbrook, there lived a little baby girl named Jessi. She was the sweetest little thing, with big, innocent eyes that sparkled like stars in the night sky. But one fateful day, when Jessi was just three years old, she disappeared without a trace.

The whole town was in an uproar, with search parties combing through every inch of Willowbrook, hoping to find little Jessi safe and sound. But as days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, the hope of finding Jessi alive began to fade.

Rumors started to swirl around town, whispers of a kidnapper lurking in the shadows, ready to snatch up any unsuspecting child. And then, the most dreadful news spread like wildfire – it was believed that poor baby Jessi had been taken by the kidnapper and met a tragic end.

But one day, a new detective arrived in Willowbrook. Her name was Lily, a young and determined investigator with a keen eye for detail. Lily was unlike any other detective the town had seen before. She had a way of looking at things from a different perspective, noticing things that others had overlooked.

As Lily delved deeper into the case of baby Jessi's disappearance, she unearthed startling information that sent shivers down her spine. It wasn't a kidnapper who had taken Jessi – it was her own mother, Mrs. Hawthorne.

  KARmA

My heart stopped, my eyes widened as I saw Penny's sister Mariana trip on Claire's leg and fall down the cliff. I remembered seeing Penny crying loudly and screaming next to Marianas body, I heard ambulance  and police sirens and the air around us felt still but cold. Claire, Sarah, and Savannah all looked in shock and did not believe what just happened. I was also in shock and I knew that Claire knew this was all her fault, she always bullied Penny and Mariana and guess  what that led to? 

I felt anger boil up in me and I could not hold it in anymore, I jumped on Claire and started to attack her , “ This is all your fault!” I screamed.  I screamed with a tear going down my cheek. “ HEY, break it up!” the police screamed, “ I didn’t mean it, it was an accident!” she screamed back.

                                        (14 years later)

Hello one and all! Welcome to daily news and Happy Halloween! We just got a new report of two missing people, They identify as females one is named Claire blue eyes blonde hair and the other missing one is Sarah Hazel eyes and brown Hair if any one sees them ple- (Turnes Tv of)

I was In shock that my childhood friends were missing but at the same time I didn't really care, they honestly deserved it, maybe they were at a party and got kidnapped or something.

                                       (Phone rings)

“Uggghhh who calls at 11pm!” I groaned “ It better not be work!” I shouted. 

“ hel-” 

 “ Vicky is that you!?” “   

   “Savannah? What’s wrong, are you okay? How's it be-"

" You have to help! Something or someone is trying to murder me!” 

           Murder her? Was this some kind of joke or what?

“Vicky, I'm sorry for everything that happened in the past but I'm serious! V-v-vicky… S-s-she's looking at me h-h-holding a k-kife..”

“I know this is a prank Savannah, it's halloween I didn’t forget”

“VICKY I'M SERIOUS! (Gasp) I-It’s mar- AAAAAAAAAAAA!” beeb-beeb-beeb- Your call has ended.

 “Hello?!” I said worried, I let the phone fall and grabbed my jacket trembling in fear. What just happened?

I rushed out the door and ran to where I last remembered her living. 

As I turned her corner I felt my lungs go cold and my heart sink. There were like about 5 police cars and I couldn't see much because their lights were blinding me so I ran towards the scene.

As I got through the yellow caution tapes a police officer stopped me. “Hey, you have no permission to enter” 

“I’m her friend. She called me telling me someone wanted to murder her and then she ended the call with a scream, "please officer let me see if she's okay.” I pleaded with all my heart and to my surprise they let me in but I had to answer some questions after.

I walked up her stairs at a slow, shaky pace, I turned the doorknob and as I opened the door I felt sick and I started to get a headache.

“I-I-is that bl-lood?” I couldn’t believe my eyes, if I could I would rip off my own eyes and erase this memory. The walls were filled with scratches of blood and there was a trail of thick dark blood coming from her room to the door. And her head… her head was all that was left… her body was ripped off and her eyes were cut off . “Did she mention how the suspect looked or a particular name she might have mentioned?” the police said behind me “N-no, I mean she was about to mention a name but she ended up screaming halfway there, all she said was what mar.” I said hoping the police would have any idea of who it could be. “Will thank you miss for this evidence but you must leave now.

A walked home in the dark of night feeling a chill go through my spine, my heart was still sunken.

                                         (3 hours later)

It was 3:24 am when I woke up to the sound of breathing. I woke up scared like when you feel like you're falling off a building, I looked around me and to my relief it was my imagination.

In the corner of my eye I was sure to not be mistaken from what I was seeing, there in the corner of my closet was a ghastly deadly stare just staring at me. I went pale as I turned around to get a good look, felt my blood go cold as I saw Sarah’s and Claire’s lifeless heads  rolling in a slow pace from inside the closet's darkness. Leaving a trail of dark oozing blood behind, I looked up to see white sharp teeth with what looked like a grin. The air around me felt cold but still , I didn't know what to do but just keep staring at the eyes. A strike of energy hit me and I ran like never before. I ran for the door and turned the door knob, I whispered to myself while nearly choking on my breath “locked” . I slowly turned around while my heart beat louder louder, my legs shaking, I couldn’t feel my fingers and there she was….”hello vicky..”

I stared in shock, My heart felt like it was going to pop out any second. “I-I thought you died 14 years ago” I said in fear. I could feel my legs shaking and breathing became hard for me. She giggled and said in a scratchy voice “ So you still remember? I bet you also remember you and your little friends pushed me off a cliff!” “ It wasn’t me I swear, I left them because of what they did to you!” I said 

She started to come towards me holding what seemed like a chainsaw, she was floating in mid air which creeped me out a lot, is this how I’m going to die? She creeped closer and I felt lightheaded as her eyes glowed red and her grin was getting bigger and bigger until it was behind her ears. Her  neck cracked as she twisted it. I closed my eyes shut and waited for death when out of nowhere I heard glass break.

I couldn’t believe my eyes “p-penny!” I stammered I never felt this much joy to see another person in my life.

“Mariana I’m sorry but I can’t keep my promise of pretending to not know what you're doing, please leave her alone. Is it really worth it?

“You knew she was killing people and you didn’t say anything!” I said

“It’s complicated,”  She said.

“ They took me away from you! I could have been able to laugh and play with you until they showed up!” Mariana hissed.

Penny looked at me, turned to the kitchen and grabbed a knife. My heart started to race, was she going to kill me? “ARGH!!” Penny screamed as she stabbed herself in the stamace. “ Don’t worry Vicky, I’ll join her to the spirit world to let you live in peace.” Penny dropped dead and once I looked back at mariana she was holding penny’s hand, they started to fade away. 

An hour later the police were called by the neighbors because they heard something in my house. You might be thinking that now that mariana is gone i’m going to live happily? Wrong. The police didn’t believe me when I said Mariana was the one that killed Penny and the rest. They thought I was crazy so I got sent to a mental prison and there… I lost my mind.

Story written by Sophia :) :) :) 

It was a breezy Halloween afternoon, my little brother Tommy suggested we go on a road trip to a small town in North Carolina. I strongly disagreed since it would be a 3 hour road trip with my annoying little brother , and I had already made plans to go out with my friends to go to a halloween party. My parents had been suggesting we go on a family trip for a while now and they finally agreed to go on this trip. As I started packing my things, Tommy barges in my room saying “ I just found an abandoned carnival.That we have to check out! ” I rolled my eyes and kicked him out of my room. I could hear Tommy going downstairs to ask our mom if we could stop by. We had all finished packing, and we made our way to the car. Only 2 hours later Tommy kept asking “ Are we there yet? ” and I continued to blast music on my headphones. As we got off the highway , we pass this deserted looking carnival , Tommy of course wanting to check out the carnival we stopped to see it. “ This is kinda creepy , should we go back?” I said , Tommy laughs “ Looks like someones scared “. I am not scared except for the fact that this is a really scary looking carnival, I roll my eyes and keep walking. It was just me and Tommy since  my parents had gone to the rest area only 10 minutes away. A few minutes later Tommy comes back with a creepy looking doll and says “ Look what I found! ” . “ Thats creepy , it's probably haunted “ I said. I snatched the doll from Tommy's hands and threw it into an abandoned carnival booth. Tommy looked at me with irritation. As our parents pulled up I got in the car first and I saw Tommy outside. I quickly yell for him to get in the car. We arrive at the hotel which also looks a little creepy. “ I already wanna leave” I said, “ We just got here , plus we can watch scary movies!” Tommy said. We finally got settled in, everyone was getting ready to go to sleep. I couldn't sleep for some strange reason I kept thinking about the doll my brother had found. As we were all starting to fall asleep I saw Tommy’s backpack moving. I didn't think anything of it at first but as I heard the zipper slowly start to open , I saw a hand reaching out the backpack. I wanted to scream as loud as I could but for some reason I didn't? I approached the backpack with extreme caution, as I got closer I heard cackles. I see another hand pop out the backpack, I jump. I quickly open the backpack and saw that it's the doll from the carnival.I felt frightened, I open the door quietly and took the doll with me, I walked out with a flashlight and I planned to throw the doll in the woods. The doll was gone , I finally was able to get a good night's sleep. It was about 3am in the morning and I woke up to whispers? I saw that Tommy wasn’t in bed. I got up to search for him , I checked everywhere , I followed the sound of the whispers. The last place I checked was the closet. There I found Tommy sitting and talking with the doll. I look at the doll with disbelief ,  “ What are you doing with that? ” I said to Tommy. “ This is my friend, say hi! ” I thought to myself that there was no way this could be real. I threw that doll away yesterday , it's not possible. “ It's 3am go to bed ” I said , Tommy doesn't even look at me , he continues to talk to the doll. I quickly hurried back to the bedroom to wake up my parents but when I went to wake them up I saw Tommy back in bed and I saw the doll back inside the backpack. But how I thought? I go back to bed thinking I was just dreaming or something. I go back to bed and feel something pulling on the sheets , it was the doll. I try to not say anything. “ Don't try to get rid of me next time. I'm always watching. ” he says angrily. I kick him off the bed , the sun slowly starts to rise and Tommy starts to wake up. He acts like nothing had happened last night. I tell my parents what had happened and they didn't believe me and told me I was just tired. We got packed up and ready to leave. We were on the road about an hour into the drive. I had taken the doll with me. “ Has anyone seen my doll?” Tommy asked. “ Nope. You probably left it back at the hotel ” I said. “ Guys were gonna stop at the rest area ” Our parents say. I get out of the car to stretch , I take the doll out of the car and try to find somewhere to leave it. I walk around and I find a nearby bridge , I take my chance and throw the doll off the bridge. I make my way back to the car, and I can finally be at peace without having to feel like I'm being watched. When we finally get home , I'm happy to see my house again. I go up to my room and start unpacking my things. I hear a strange scratching noise in my closet. I walk very quietly  to the closet door and I open it with caution. I don't believe my eyes. It's the doll in my closet. “ You can’t get rid of me that easily..” He says..

The house at the end of the block is always dark and abandoned. It's tall and a shade of matte black, its windows are covered in heavy curtains that blocks anyone from looking inside. Locals have always whispered rumors about the house, tales of strange noises coming from inside and ghostly apparitions that had said to be seen by those who dared to go near.   

One day, a new family moved into the house. They were quiet and a very introverted bunch, rarely every seen outside of the house. The two children, two young boys, were always as pale and sick looking as a ghost. It made it even weirder that they never played with other kids around the block.

As the months passed, the many rumors of the house somehow sky rocketed and intensified. People spoke of eerie laughter echoing within the walls of the home, and shadowy that skidded across the windows in the dead of night. The children, too, were subject of the whispering, their pale faces and dead eyes were very much in a state of unease.

One Halloween night, a group of teens decided to play a little "harmless" prank on the new family. They wore their costumes and quietly crept towards the house, armed with eggs and toilet paper. As they approached, they noticed that the curtains were wide open, almost like the house was inviting them in. They peaked inside and saw a single candle burning in the living room. 

Gaining the confidence, the teens rushed forward, hurling their eggs and toilet paper at the house, laughing a little to loud. As they continued their prank,  their laughter was abrubtly cut short by a piercing scream that echoed from within the house.

The teens froze in their tracks, their hearts immediatly pounding with fear. They looked at eachother in fright and disbelief, wondering what could have made such a horrifying sound. Suddenly, the front door of the house swung open, and a figure emerged. It was a man, tall and scruff, with sunken eyes and a face that seemed to not have any emotion at all.

The man stood silently in the doorway, his gaze focused on the terrified teens. He raised his hand, and a chilling silence appeared upon the neighborhood. The only sound was the soft crackles of the candle in the living room. The teens turned and ran, their legs trembling and running with all the power they can give. They fled down the street, their hearts pounding in their chest. As they ran, they could hear the mans footsteps behind them, growing louder by each second.

They ran until they reached the edge of town, where they collapsed on the ground, gasping for air. They looked at eachother, their faces pale and eyes horrified. They knew that that they had barely escaped death, but they also knew that they would never forget the horror that they had witnessed that night.

The house at the end of the block remained its dark matte black color and eerie vibe, its secrets locked away within the walls. The new family never left the house again, and the whispers about the house grew louder and more sinister. The teens who tried to play the prank were never seen again either, their fates unknown.

And so, the house at the end of the block remained a hauntingly beautiful reminder of the horrors that lurked in the shadows, waiting to be unleashed upon the unknowing.

(I really don't think this is horror, its more just a short story meant for young audience but either way I did enjoy writing it!)

Imagine,If you dare,

Waking up alone in an empty room with only one door.You open

   That door which leads to an identical but smaller room.

Every door you open leads to an even smaller room. Your

 curiosity compels you to keep going.Door,after door the walls keep

Coming in closer,and closer until finally you can barely move.

And try as you might,you still can’t resist going into the next room.

By the time you open the door,it’s the same thing,except something is not the same.The next room you look to see is dark!

So dark,you can barely see at all.You start creeping inside for you heard something strange?When suddenly,a giant hand with sharp claws grabs you by the shirt and pulls you into its room.

You do not know where to go in a dark room like this.When suddenly

You see a bright light shining through somewhere in the room.You start following it.

But by the time you were going to get out,the giant hand with sharp claws,

the same one that got you into this mess,tries

to pull you back so you don’t end up escaping the room.But it wasn’t alone.Furthermore it’s friends are keeping you from reaching the way out.But after trying to wiggle free for a few

Minutes,you escape into the light;and away from the creatures

From the room.

Will you never see those awful,disgusting,and malicious creatures

Ever again,or will they get their revenge?Who knows;you tell me.

Happy Halloween!

February 20, 1999 4 siblings 1 girl and 3 boys, Abby, Ken and Brandon.  It was a normal day, They were all sleeping but woke up to their parents arguing which was normal they’d always argue and every time they did the 4 siblings would walk out and go to the woods they’d lived in into a little house by a lake that their dad had made. every time their parents would argue or fight they’d go to that house. So that’s what they did, after sometime they heard a LOUD bang and then went silent. They of course were scared so they didn’t come out, eventually their dad came with a straight face and the boys “asked what happened?” Curiously he didn’t say anything and just grabbed ken and Brandon and left Abby, abby was to scared to walk back without her brothers, so she stayed put she knew they of course would come back to get her  but  the weird thing was they never ever came back and again she heard a LOUD bang and once again  it went silence she waited some time but no one came back to get she walked to the main house and saw 3 dead body’s laying there on the ground but the rest of the house was empty the dad had left and took everything with him she was alone and her mom, and brothers were died after that every day she went out to the lake and swung on the same swing in the same spot singing a song her mother would sing her until one day she got so depressed and sad she went in the late all the way under water and killed herself in the water!!! 

It was a dark and stormy night.Vampires were all of the scareing villagers around town telling them to hand over all of their goods and put all of the goods in a sack. One of the villagres step out of the crowed and said “No.”

Everyone gasped. “I am Diego The Hunter,” he said with a grin.

He pulled out his sword and sliced the sack open all of the goods came poring out. One of the vampires yelled “Retreat!”

All of the vampires scram back to their castel. Diego jumped on his nobal steed and took off.

It took an hour to reach the castel. Once there Diego got off he opend his coat filled with garlics, bows and arrows. Diego walked down the hill towards the castel. When he reached the brige he saw two werewolfs gaurding the door. He grabed a flashbomb from his back pocket andd tossed it at the werewolfs and it was so bright they were stuned so Diego snuck in. 

Diego krept up to the coffin and opened it he took the garlic out of his coat but the vampire king was gone. “Uh, oh” Diego said.

The vampire tackeld Diego tring to bite him but he threw the garlic at the vampire get his bow ready to attack. Tha vampire king knocked the bow 5out of the hunter’s hands. His pocket wacht fell on the ground and it showd six thrity am. “The sun light!” Diego yelled as he ripped off the curtines.

“No the light!” the vampire king yells then turns to ash.

Diego celibrated but he felt his neck to find out he has been bitten. Soon later he had been turned into one.

It was a saturday night when I was in my room sleeping until I heard a big thump! I ran out looking for what made that big thump.Then  I walked past the basement and I heard a big bang on the door so I open the door and hear a whisper in my ear saying run so I ran right back to my bed checked the time and it was exactly 3:00 a.m  and I put my blanket over my head with fear I hear the door open and I shut my eyes so tight then I hear my mom say are you awake? I take the blanket off my head and run to my mom hugging her and telling her the whole story of what happened to me. Then I go back to bed and hear my phone go off and my mom texted me that she is on her way back home and then I text her back, "But  you're already home? So I run to my parents room and there's nobody there but then I hear from the basement I'm down here sweety. So I walk to the basement and there's nobody there and then all of a sudden I feel like somebody is choking me and then I start screaming HELP HELP HELP HELP and the last thing I heard was don't worry mommy is here.

                                                                                            The end

“Rizzo, what was that, Rizzo help.”  “ Well Joey, you  want to play a game.”  “ Rizzo help, Rizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzo.”  “ Rizzo won’t help you know Joey, it’s just us.  I live in Salty Springs, Colorado.  Just a normal kid, going to school everyday playing videogames with my friends, and playing sports.  Little did I know a tiny doll would slowly terrorize me everyday and night.  

One Saturday night me and my friend Rizzo were exploring old man White’s house.   Mr. White was a toy maker for Toys. inc down on main street.  Main street factory has been closed ever since the accident.  Mr. Choo was flattening out a doll's hair when his hand got stuck in the roller.  He could not get out.  Slowly the 500 pound roller  ate him alive.

Ever since the factory has been closed his old creepy house has been abandoned.  No one has been it sience that one day.  Now me and my friend will,  we walked up to the attic and saw a box with a big lock on it.  WE had no clue what it was so classic Rizzo picked it up and opened it with a crowbar he found in the junkyard.  He opened it and there was a doll with a pale white mask and red circles on its checks.  I picked it up like a normal yot until something odd happened.  It moved.  

“ AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH,” I yelled with horror.

What was that I thought?

“Rizzo that was scary, Rizzo where are you?  Come out.”

“He can't be here now Joey, it’s just us.”

“ Who are you,” I said.

“Your worst nightmare.

One normal day a group of friends went on a boat.They thought it was a normal afternoon but then they heard some people say time travel.

 ¨Time Travel??”One girl said.

 “Oh yes we are going to go to the year 1856.¨ Said the creepy man.

“I want to get off this boat!”Said another girl.

“Ava we have no choice.” Said Mia. 

“Ava ehh?” The creepy man and woman said.

“Yes my name is Ava.¨ Ava said creeped out.

As all the girls were scared they left and went somewhere else inside. When they got off the boat the girls went to a grassy spot. Everyone there was dressed in old fashioned clothes like they all are slaves.  They were the only nicely dressed ones. The girls were scared and just wanted to go home but sadly there boat

 came back in 1 week.

“Girls, I have to use the restroom. I will be back.”Said Ava 

“Ok want me to come?”Kayla asked 

“Nah i'm ok thanks though.”

As Ava went to the bathroom and the girls waited for her and it was turning dark and Ava had not found a bathroom yet. She went into a restaurant and asked if she could use the restroom. 

“Can I use your restroom please?” Ava asked 

“Sure but it's up those 5 cases of stairs.”The creepy girl said 

Ava knew she remembered that lady from somewhere but where. So as scared as she was  she climbed those 5 cases of stairs that got smaller and smaller until she almost fell off. 

 “AND IT'S TIME TO SHINE!!”A girl Yelled. 

“Sorry we are getting ready for a play.” The other girl said.

That bathroom was full and she did not want to wait for all of them so she went to a new bathroom. Ava thought it was weird  because there was nowhere for a play to be plus it was around 10 at night.

“That's ok I will go somewhere else.”Ava said 

Some girls followed her because it was way too crazy in that bathroom and they found a new bathroom a few feet away. As they walked in it became cold and it felt like an ice box. All the other girls had scary  expressens on their faces like they saw a ghost and then Ava went to look. 

“Bbbbb Body bag!!!” One girl yelled.

“AHHHHHH!!!!!!”Ava yelled. 

After that Ava was never to be seen again.

 The Dark Hours

My friend Chelsea started rolling on the floor as she laughed uncontrollably, gasping for breath. 

“Oh my gosh! Why would you say that, Tyler?” Chelsea said as she laughed for a bit more.

“What? Is it not true that Mr.Wilson loses his temper everytime someone gets a question wrong?”  Tyler said as he held his drink in the air drunk. 

“Ugh! I hate having to sit here in the middle of my backyard, drinking and joking around, with absolutely nothing to do! Anyone have any ideas on what we can do for our summer break?” my friend Capri complained

We all just stayed quiet as we knew she was right. Everyone was quiet when suddenly a car pulled up behind the backyard, our friend James came out of the vehicle.

“Guys! I know what to do for this summer break!” our friend James said as he came running excited. He stopped and panted for breath before continuing his explanation. 

“I have an idea on what we can do this summer break!” our friend James exclaimed. Capri immediately stood up, James catching her attention.  

“Just hurry up and tell us, James!” Capri shouted as she stood up.  James pulled out a magazine that showed an old hotel.
“Seriously? An old hotel? We could stay at someplace like that for $20 near us! No way are we going!” Capri complained. “Well, I mean we have nothing else to do this summer, and plus! There’s a beach like 30 minutes from there!” I said as I supported James. Capri rolled her eyes and slouched in her chair.
“We can leave tomorrow afternoon if we start packing tonight!” James exclaimed. We had a good discussion about it and decided we would drive there.
“But it’s a 2 hour drive! I can't stand that long in the car.” Chelsea complained.
“We are not paying $250 just for a 30 minute flight. So a 2 hour car ride, or boredom for the rest of summer.” my friend Vanessa said with a cold expression and tone. Chelsea knew she was put in her place and slouched down. We all went home soon after and packed our bags for the vacation. Next morning came and we all met up at a cafe, we ate breakfast and talked about what we could do at the vacay spot. James pulled up with his van and we all boarded the van, putting our bags in the back. 

“The plan so far is 3 stops limited, we will stop for snacks later today, and we should get there by 2:30-6:00, depending on traffic.” James yelled from the front. Capri groaned as she slouched in her seat. I put in my airpods as I looked out the window, admiring the trees, the birds flying past, the sun shining through clouds. I slowly drifted off to sleep, the warmth of the sun on my cheek. 

“ Vayeli! Wake up, we’re here!” James said as he shook me awake. I slowly sat up straight as my eyes were drawn to a tall hotel building that had vines on the outside walls, part of the wall paint peeled.
“What is this?” our friend Chelsea asked with a disgusted expression. James grabbed his bags out the van as he stared at the hotel building for a while.

“It’s where we’re staying! For like, 3 weeks.” James said as his tone changed. Capri ran inside with her luggage as we all followed behind her. Capri pushed the doors open as we entered, greeted by a decent hotel lobby, cleanliness filled the room. Shiny floors and walls blinded our eyes.

“O. M. GOSH! This is where we are staying!? I thought it was haunted?” Chelsea said as she squealed.

“The reviews and pictures said it was, probably bots.” James said as he walked up to the counter. 

We received our room keys, 207 and 218. The girls slept in room 207 and James and Tyler slept in room 218. The hotel staff walked us to our room, carrying our bags on the bag trolley.
“Just a few things, ladies! No loud music, the bar is on the fourth floor, no pets. Finally, DO NOT BE AWAY FROM YOUR ROOMS OR LEAVE YOUR ROOMS from 10:30 PM to 6:00 AM in the morning. Thank you and enjoy your stay.” The hotel staff informed us all as he left.

“Uhm…that was weird.” Vanessa said with an awkward expression.  We all shook off our awkwardness and went into our rooms. We all then got a text from the group chat, James sent a message saying; “Meeting in the lobby by 2:30 for the beach!! 🏖️ 🌴 😀”
“Well, we have about an hour to get ready, so let's get to it!” Chelsea said as she threw her bikini out. We all threw our bikinis and swimsuits on as we laughed over stories and jokes. We all finished up getting ready and ran out of our rooms. We met up with James and Tyler in the lobby, grabbed a few snacks before heading to the beach.

James laughed as we walked back inside the lobby, returning from the beach. We all walked back up to our rooms to shower and change into our fresh clothes.

“Meet at the rooftop for a bonfire!!!! 🔥 “ Tyler sent in the group chat. After an hour or so, we all met up on the rooftop and started roasting marshmallows. As we told jokes and stories, Vanessa looked down on her watch and saw it was 11:00 PM. 

“Guys! It’s 11:00 PM! We have to go back to our rooms!” Vanessa said worriedly.

“What for? It’s only 11:00?” James said as he took a bite out of his s’mores.

“The hotel staff said  we cannot be out of our hotel rooms by 10:30! I’m not trying to risk my life for whatever reason. I’m leaving, goodnight.” Vanessa said as she left the rooftop. We all continued to laugh as we heard a blood-curdling shriek, similar to Vanessa’s.

“What the heck was that?” Tyler said as he was alarmed by the shriek.

“Was that Vanessa?! I’m going to go check on her.” Chelsea said as she stood up with a worried expression. Me and Capri followed Chelsea as James and Tyler followed soon after. As Chelsea was down a few flights of stairs, she found Vanessa’s head turned 360, her lifeless and cold body on the floor. Chelsea froze before crying, dropping down to her knees, holding Vanessa’s body in her arms, rocking side to side.

“NO!!! NOT VANESSA! WHY!?!?!” Chelsea screamed as she cried. 

Capri carried Chelsea up on her feet and we continued walking through the hallways. As we were walking, we suddenly heard a scream. We turned around to find a person covered in blood, from head to toe. Next thing we knew, it started running down the hallway with a blade. James eyes widened as he pushed us all into a room, Capri accidentally falling back, begs for help, clinging onto her ankle.

“HELP ME! IT'S COMING!! VAY-” Capri yelled, begged, for help. Yelling for my name before getting slashed in the throat by the figure. James slammed the door shut as he blocked the door with a dresser. I stood there in fear, gripping Chelsea’s hand.  Tears ran down my face as Chelsea sobbed into my shoulder. I sat down on a chair in the corner of the room as Tyler comforted Chelsea. James stood at the door, lost in thought, eyes widened in horror. I turned around softly as I saw the rocking chair, rocking back and forth. My eyes widened in horror as it rocked, no one in the chair. James turned around soon after, and saw the chair turn.  Soon, the chair levitated.

“DUCK!” James yelled as he pulled me down to duck.

Tyler turned at the last minute, eyes widened in fear and horror before getting impaled by the broken leg from the chair.

Chelsea looked at him in horror as his lifeless body pinned to the wall by the broken chair legs. Chelsea screamed and cried as she left her gaze onto Tyler. I ran and picked Chelsea up as James removed the dresser away from the door. We ran down the hallway, panting for breath, as a vile, bloody, creature crawled across the floor after us. Chelsea being pulled into another room by another creature. 

“JAMES! NO-” Chelsea cried out before disappearing.

I turned back and saw 2 different creatures feasting on Chelsea. James turned my head to his eyes before running again. We ran into an empty room, as James locked the door behind us. James ran towards a window, taking a quick peek down.

“Climb through the window! I’ll distract it!” James said as he broke the window open.

“W-What about you? I can’t-” I stuttered as tears came to my eyes. Suddenly, James cut me off with a gentle kiss planted on my lips.

“I love you, Vayeli. I always have. Ever since the day I laid my eyes on you. Now, you have to go.” James said as he caressed my cheek with his left thumb.

James helped me climb through the window from the 2nd floor. I landed on a tree, before climbing down I looked back up at James. Tears appeared in my eyes.

James returned a sincere look of love before hearing aggressive pounding on the door. My heart sank as James was snatched by the creature, the creature biting James by his neck. James let out a blood curdling scream as he fell back along with the creature. 

“JAMES!!!” I cried out as I started to cry. I climbed down the tree as I ran for the nearest police station I remembered seeing on the way to this hell-hole. I ran with my bare feet, blood covering my face and shirt. Memories of me and my friends came rushing back in a flash. I saw the police station ahead and ran inside.

“Sweetie! Are you okay? What has happened?” one of the police officers came to my aid. I sank into the police officer's arms and sobbed my eyes out. They took me in for questioning. I told them everything. Every detail, every person involved, and every word.

Soon after, my mom arrived. She ran towards me crying as she saw the sight of me.

“My baby. What…happened to you? Where’s James, Tyler, Chelsea, Capri, and Vanessa?” my mom said as she wiped my tears. I just sank into her shoulder as I whispered to her ear.

“I want to go home.” my mom smiled as she helped me on my feet.

I sat in the car as my mom spoke with the police. Soon after, she opened the car and started the engine. I held her hand as we drove off.

The question I still ask…

   What are those creatures?

Shack on the Bayou 

“Do we have everything packed for our paddling trip?” asked Jack.

“Everything, but a tent!” said Justin.

“Ha, ha! Really funny! We’re only going out for the day,” Jack spouted back. 

Justin and Jack were best friends. They lived in New Orleans. Since they lived close to the bayou they thought it would be great to go for a paddle to check it out for the day. They set off on their trip and were having a fun day. They were exploring through the swampy bayou. There were trees everywhere with moss hanging down. Jack said “I am kind of scared, Justin.” There were all kinds of creepy things like murky swamp water with moss and leaves floating in it. The air was humid and smelled of moss. Shadows were falling across the water. All of a sudden they saw a head pop up.

There was a big and hungry crocodile right in front of them. Justin shouted  “Paddle!!!” So after that they paddled away as quickly as they could. They didn’t look back because they were too scared to see what was behind them.  The sun was setting and it was getting very dark. So Jack said “Let's see if we can find a place to stay for the night. I think it’s too late to find our way home.” They paddled and looked and they found a run down shack that was on stilts. The wood on the side was starting to fall off. They were not sure if someone lived there.  

Justin said “I guess this is home for now.”  

 “This is creepy! Who knows who lives there!” Jack added on.

Then Justin said “There is no other shack for miles, I think.” 

They hooked up their kayaks and went into the house. There was a nice old couple named the LeBlanc’s. They were very friendly and Mr. LeBlanc asked the boys, “What brings you here?” They told them the whole story and told the couple they needed a place to stay for the night.  The LeBlancs said they could stay. The inside of the house had a torn up couch, a table and two chairs. There were two bedrooms. One bedroom was nice which they assumed was the LeBlancs. The other one was a guest room, with a mattress on the floor. At least it looked clean. 

The LeBlancs seemed nice but they were a little odd. Justin and Jack unpacked their few things and went to bed for the night. In the morning Jack said “Let's go find a  town where we can get something to eat. I’m starving!” After packing up, Jack noticed that the couple was not there. They decided to head out on the kayaks. Justin said, “Let’s leave some money for that couple. It was nice of them to let us stay here.” They left the LeBlancs a $10 bill on the table under an old coffee mug. 

After an hour of paddling. Jack and Justin found a place called Breakfast on the Bayou and the pancakes they ate were even dyed green. When the waitress was serving Jack and Justin food she asked them “Where’d y'all stay last night?” 

Jack responded “At the LeBlanc’s house”. 

The waitress said “That old shack! How’d you stay there? There isn’t even a roof on it!” Jack responded, “What do you mean?” 

She said “That place burned down 25 years ago. There isn’t much left of that place!” Justin said, “We just stayed there last night.”

“Well you can check it, but I know it is burned down” she said.

They knew she was wrong because they had literally been there today. They paddled, back and to their surprise all there was was a platform with a table and on it was an old coffee mug with some money under it. Every last part of the cabin was burnt down other than the $10 and the coffee mug. 

Jastin and Jack looked at each other and said ”Wow!”\

  Scary Story

On a stormy night, Lucy settled into her grandmother's old house, a creaking structure filled with secrets. Candlelight cast eerie shadows on the walls, and just as she settled down with a book, the power went out, plunging her into darkness. Deciding not to let fear take over, she ventured upstairs to the attic, curious about her grandmother’s past. Each step creaked as she reached the door, slightly ajar, beckoning her inside.

The attic smelled musty and was packed with dusty furniture and cobwebs. In one corner stood a large mirror, its surface clouded. As she leaned closer, Lucy noticed a faint, shadowy figures reflected behind her. She shook off the unsettling feeling, but then a soft whisper broke the silence, making her heart race. She reached out to the mirror, only to see the figures morph into anguished faces, their mouths moving as if pleading for help. Panic surged through Lucy when a gust of wind suddenly slammed the door shut.

As the whispers grew louder, Lucy felt the weight of fear settling in. She tried to touch the mirror again, but now her reflection showed those lost souls staring back at her with hollow eyes. It dawned on her that the house held dark secrets, and she needed to find a way back before the shadows could claim her forever…

Thump…Thump…Thump was the sound my heart made when Rayna pulled out the brown planchette followed by a board written “OUIJA” across it. I looked at her smug smile responding with a worried expression “Oh come on don't be such a loser Illiana,” “Rayna can we not-”

“Whoever we are about to talk to, can you make your presence known?” Rayna says as she cuts me off. The sound of a pound on the door fills the room– Lyle and Sylvia peak through the door. I jumped to greet my friends, oblivious to the fact that I had just made one of the biggest mistakes in my life. “You broke a rule! You always have to say goodbye before leaving!” Rayna yelled 

“Whatever, it's fake anyways, well it's 11pm, what do you guys want to do?” Lyle says. We all come together in my dimly lit room and discuss what we should do for halloween that is coming in 2 short days. “It's getting kind of cold in here” I say. Lyle quickly hops off the bed and walks over to the heater in the dark hallway and the door slams shut.

 “Lyle, what are you doing?” Syliva says when she’s interrupted by a chilling scream and a slam from outside. Followed by the scream, the small lamp in my room starts flickering and eventually turns off, revealing the moonlight in this small room.
“Where is Lyle? What do we do?” Rayna says frighteningly. The door slowly creaked open revealing a big shadow hand clinging to the door. I quickly turn on my flashlight trying to put some light into this now creepy room, but when I do, the hand is gone and left behind is a bloody handprint. 

12:03 pm. It has now been an hour since Lyle has disappeared and we’ve done nothing but sit in silence. What can we do? There's someone in the house and we are just a bunch of scared kids. “Guys we have to do something, someone is in this house!” We get our candles and flashlights and decide to use shards of glass from my mirror to defend ourselves to whoever is out there. We peek outside and run to the light switch. 

“Finally some light!” Rayna says. We walk over to my empty parents room and see footprints being set on the floor, but no one is there. Again, the lights flicker and shuts off when we hear Rayna scream and a thud on the floor. 12:17. Sylvia is shocked and is shivering. “Sylvia what do we do?” 

“Call… 911” She sputters, and that is what I do. I tell them about the thing in our house and our missing friends. “1 am. Why do they have to come so late, that's another 40 minutes!” I say. We decide to search the house for Rayna and Lyle and when we reach the basement, I get a bad feeling. We walk down the creaking stairs into the weirldy lit up basement and turn the corner to see Lyle lying unconscious on the dirty floor while Rayna stood in the shadowed corner, right next to the dark silhouette of a tall, tall man. 

“Oh good Rayna, are you and Lyle ok?” I managed to say. She creeps into the light revealing bruises all over her arms and legs. “Why did you do this to me, Illiana?”

“What are you talking about?” She and the shadow then charge at me and slam me to the ground and I black out.

1:04 am. That was the time it was as I picked up my phone after awakening. Sylvia is right next to her brother Lyle, looking at him in silence. I look around and see Rayna on the floor and no shadow figure to be seen. I run over to Lyle who is still unconscious and see a pale and lifeless face. It was so chilling as Lyle is always an alive and bubbly person. 

“What happened?” I say and Sylvia turns to me with no expression and looks back at her unconscious brother. 1:06 am, the police should have been here by now. I walk up the stairs to the lit up house and walk to the front door. I peer through the peephole to see a police officer walk up. I quickly open the door and rush him to the basement where Lyle and Sylvia are—  but Rayna is nowhere to be found. The police call an ambulance for Lyle and start asking questions about the night and he asks where Rayna is. 

“We don't know, officer.” I say to him when suddenly the sound of footsteps comes from the stairs, and it's Rayna and the shadowed figure. “Who are—” the officer tries to say as the shadow charges at him and he quickly calls for backup. Rayna slowly turns her head to me and just stares, 

“I have never seen this side of you.” I say, but she doesn’t answer and just stares with wide eyes. The sound of officers rushing in the house is made and they come and drag the now injured officer away from the shadow. “Get her too!” the officer says, pointing to Rayna. The Shadow then covers her from head to knees so that the officers can’t get to her, until Sylvia runs over and grabs Rayna's ankles, swiping her from her feet. Rayna hits her head on the ground and the shadow slowly starts fading, “What–”

“Without me, there is no him.”

NO GET AWAY FROM ME i start running and screaming as it chases me, there's so many branches and all of a sudden i look down and FUMP i fall into a pit its huge and dark i can't see anything but then i hear my friend scream SCARLETH hurry up everyone's jumping in the pool. What does she mean pool, in the woods? How did she get here? Then I look around and all of a sudden I'm standing in front of a pool. I look around and all my friends are jumping in, I thought I was just imagining things so I forget about it and jump in and once I'm in the water I open my eyes and there it is…. Staring at me at the end of the pool it's not moving it's just staring at me then all of a sudden WUSH IT STARTS CHUCKING TOWARDS ME IN THE WATER i swim as fast as possible but i start going down. It got my legs, it's pulling me down, yanking me, scratching me ....drowning me. I start to struggle getting a hold of air. I looked up and my friends were gone but then all of a sudden I started to slowly see black and then.. RING goes my ..alarm? It-it was just a dream but it felt so real. I just put my hands over my face and got out of bed realizing I have to get ready for school. My friends pick me up and tell me about a dream they all had all being the same and we all realize it wasn't a dream.. It was the future and that's how we go out the same way.. The same thing.. Different days…we decided to try to stop this thing so we all decided to stay at my house and have a sleepover to see if we get the same dream. The time comes and we eventually go to sleep here i am back in the woods but this time i run straight to the pit and there it is chasing me i fall and boom back in front of the pool with all my friends but this time were all lined up and we don't jump we go inside and grab knives and weapons we go back to the woods waiting for it and there it is i tell them there it is let's go but they look confused they don't see it one by one they start turning into the creacher i realize it's up to me so i start HITTING THEM AND SCRATCHING THEM and then after i suddenly realized i killed them but there not dressed as the creacher and we were back in my living room but they were dead. I killed them.. No-No this was a dream this can't be happening. The police came knocking at my door because of a disturbance from the neighbors. They see what's happened and take me away. I'm screaming and crying as they pull me away and then BAM all black..  I wake up in a white room for the crazy people. I see my mom outside talking to the police and good thing I'm a great lip reader but it turns out what i was seeing is that the officer said ¨it's been 3 months and she still can't escape the dream and the sleepwalking. She murdered! her friends thinking they were in a dream!¨ I realized I was crazy. I have been having psychotic dreams and I've been in this room for 3 months without progress but still having one thing I can't escape from The Dream.

It was a chilly night; the moon was full and the trees’ leaves danced along with the wind. We were hiding in the bushes, looking through the hat store window. The clerk was sleeping. 

“Nash, are you ready?” Noodle asked. I didn’t know what he was talking about. 

“Ready for what?” I responded. 

“To steal a hat! Don’t you remember?” replied Noodle. 

“Do we really have to?” I asked.

“Don’t you want to get into that club?” exhorted Noodle. “We can get free tickets to Buddy World and ride the Shredder!”

“Okay”, I said. “What hat do we steal?”

“Do you see that green hat with the swirly eyes attached to it?”, Noodle asked.

“You want me to steal that one?” I asked.

“Yeah! Come on, no one’s going to miss a hat like that!” he said. “Don’t worry, when that clerk falls asleep, there’s no waking him up.”

“Okay”, I said. I walked out of the bushes and opened the door, causing a bell to sound. I looked quickly over to the clerk, they were still sleeping. I crept towards the green hat trying not to make a sound, then I made it to the hat. There was an unsettling feeling being next to that hat. It almost felt as if it was watching me. I took the hat, crept back towards the exit of the door, retreating slowly to the bushes as the bell sounded again.

“Okay, I got it”, I said to Noodle.

“I didn’t think you’d actually do it!” Noodle said.

“Well I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.” I said.

It was dark, very dark. The only thing that illuminated the room was the ghoulish blue light of the TV. I crept into my room and closed my door. I placed the hat on a mannequin I had in my room and went to bed.

“WAKE UP! WAKE UP! IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP!” screamed my alarm clock; I recorded the sound of the alarm myself. I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom. Something in the mirror caught my eye, it was a bald spot! I looked more closely and saw bite marks on my head, so I decided to wear the hat, the hat that I had stolen, to school.

As I sat in my chair, waiting for class to start, I closed my eyes, like I always do.

“What are you doing?” a student asked. I opened my eyes and saw myself wiggling my arms. No matter how hard I tried to stop moving my arms, they wouldn’t stop. Suddenly, I found myself getting up out of my seat and walking out the door.

“Nash, get back here!” demanded my teacher in an angered tone. I tried to talk, but I couldn’t open my mouth, it was like something was keeping it shut. I bumped into the principal as I was walking in the hallway. “What are you doing out here? Class is about to start!” said the principal. I tried to talk yet again, but this time, I just fell to the floor and everything faded to black.

“What happened?” I said to myself. Then, I found the hat on my head, this time with rows of teeth feeding on my head! I quickly yanked it off my head and threw it onto the ground, noticing something different about the hat; it looked alive. It let out an ear bleeding roar that sounded nothing like I’ve ever heard before, then it flew on to the mannequin's head. I ran out of my room, out of my house, with the mannequin close behind me. I suddenly turned back and kicked the mannequin to the ground. The mannequin’s head popped off and the hat looked stunned. I quickly grabbed it and ran to the hat store in the distance hoping to return it to where I found it.

“Hello?”, the clerk said, waking up with surprise.

“Here! Take it!” I screamed with urgency. I threw the hat on to the table, which didn’t seem to be alive anymore.

“Again?” asked the clerk. “That’s the fifth time this month someone didn’t want this hat.”

“This hat had teeth! It was trying to eat my brain!” I said.

“Well maybe you shouldn’t have stolen it.” the clerk said. How did he know that I had stolen the hat? I suddenly got the feeling that something was behind me. When I turned around, I saw an amalgamation of different hats, constantly shifting its form. The hat that I stole was at the top of the creature, glaring at me. The hat let out the same shrilling shriek that pounded upon my eardrums. I quickly grabbed the hat off of the monster, and it revealed a face; it was the face of the clerk. The clerk’s face was slightly transparent, with images of lightning swirling around inside.

“Finally!” the clerk said, “I have found someone to take my place! For too long have I suffered this curse, but now, you can take my place!” I dropped the hat and tried to run to the door, but the clerk picked it up and pulled it over my head.

When I woke up, I saw my body sitting behind the counter, sleeping. I looked down and saw myself as the green hat.

I feel the cold autumn air against my skin and the fall leaves beneath my feet, I am in the woods. I try to run but suddenly I trip over a pile of sticks, I must’ve not seen it due to the thick fog. As I attempt to get back up I hear the snap of a twig from behind me, I whip my head around, I jump and scream with fear, It’s as if it appeared out of nowhere. Laying on the ground with leaves of red, orange, and yellow lies an old man dead with silver hair covering his face. Standing above him was a shadowy figure in all black smiling with blood dripping down her palm. I jult up with fear… it was just a dream.

 I get out of bed and make myself some pancakes. I hear the noise of a police car and quickly look outside to see what happened. I see a group of police cars driving to the house next door to me owned by a kind guy who I called Mr. Hart. Mr. Hart was an old guy in his late 80’s that has lived there for most of his life. I felt a rush of concern and fear as the police made their way to his house as I would do my best to check up on him and care for him. I couldn’t see anywhere past his driveway though due to his tall wooden fence, so I quickly put on my shoes and slowly open the door and walk outside as I take a peek at Mr. Hart’s lawn. On his lawn I see Mr. Hart on the floor motionless with his silver hair covering his face. It was at that moment I realize that was the old man from my dream.

I quickly run back inside my house and lock my door behind me to make sure I am safe. I make sure to finish eating and turn on the news. The reporter talks about Mr. Hart’s death, the reporter follows that up by saying that the killer has not yet been identified. I hear a loud knock coming from the opposite side of the door. I slowly get up and walk towards the door, as I reach towards the handle there is a second and louder knock that follows. I pull the door open and see two police officers, the first one about six foot and the second one slightly taller than me. “Are you Anna Smith?” asks the first officer. “Yes?” I reply in a confused tone. “We are here to ask you a few questions surrounding the death of Tom Hart” “ok” I reply they both walk In and find a seat on my couch and I take a seat on my white fluffy chair directly across from them. “When was the last time you were in contact with Tom?” The first officer blurts out. “Last week, I did my best to check up on him weekly.” I reply; He follows that up with a few more standard questions about me and my relation to Tom Until they are satisfied and leave my house. I feel scared as I realize that the police still haven’t found the killer.

I make my way to bed and I eventually fall asleep. I find myself In the same dream as last night in the cold woods with fog surrounding me. I tried running again being cautious of where I stepped but this time was different. This time I fell down a small hill but at the bottom I gasped as I saw the same shadowy figure standing above two bodies. I immediately wake up this time cold and sweating. I check the time and realize I slept in a lot, it is now 1 o'clock. I get out of bed and quickly get ready for the day. Just as I put my shirt on I hear a knocking on my door. I take a glimpse through the window to see who it is and I see that it’s Jennifer, my next door neighbor at my front door carrying something. I open the door and see her in a black skin tight cocktail dress. Jennifer moved into the neighborhood around 5 years ago a few months after me. I see that in her hands holds a large gift basket with foods, fruits, and a bottle of water. “what is this for?” I ask her “Scary times” she replies trying to be nice. She hands me the gift basket and storms off. I found this weird because Jennifer has never liked me since she first moved in, she also never struck me as the gifting type. I place the gift on the kitchen table and finish getting ready since my parents will be arriving for dinner soon. After 30 minutes had passed, I  finished getting ready and started preparing the dinner. I chose to make a steak with a side of rice.

As I am getting the ingredients I hear a knock on the door that must be my parents. I walk away from the kitchen and towards the door and as I opened the door outside stands my mom and dad smiling at me. “Hi sweetie!” My mom says lovingly “hi mom.” I replied. I invite them in as I start the dinner. I put the steaks on the pan and started the rice. I finish the steaks just as the rice is done. I serve my parents the food and we all sit down to start eating “can you get me a glass of water please?” My mom asks me “me too” my dad adds. “Sure” I reply, getting up. I grab the water that jennifer had just given me as I poor the water into the first cupI blink and when I open them again both waters are full I give my parents the water but when i give them the water they question it, i'm confused what they mean but only seconds later they both fall out of their chair and onto the floor I then see a red liquid come out of both of their mouths… they are dead. 

I quickly unlock the door and run to Jennifer's house still in horror of what I just watched. I bang on the door and see Jennifer's face as the door opens. I ram into her and slam her onto the floor “WHAT DID YOU PUT IN THAT DRINK””YOUR A MONSTER " “WHAT ARE YOU EVEN TALKING ABOUT?” Jennifer replies “YOU POISONED THE WATER I GAVE MY PARENTS YOU KILLED THEM!” “NO I DIDN’T YOUR CRAZY!” She says as she shoves me off, I go flying into the mirror resulting in it shattering. We start fighting as I punch her and she shoves me, parts of my long black dress end up ripping, I grab a piece of the shattered mirror and I plunge it into her back leaving me with a cut onto my palm. Jennifer falls to the ground and says “I know what you did” and as she says that her eyes shut and goes lies on the floor motionless. I get up confused about what she meant but also terrified of what I just did, suddenly memories flood my brain of me stabbing Mr. Hart and poisoning the drinks of my parents and now of me killing Jennifer but I don't remember doing any of it. “It was me,” I say as I turn around. I see myself in the shattered mirror. I am the girl from my dreams. “It was always me.”

 Brian and Mitchell were walking through the woods as the good friends they were, but brian had a really big secret he hadn't told Mitchell yet. As they were walking through the woods Brian told Mitchell “ I'll be right back” and ran off before she could say anything, she didn't think much of it until he came back with dirt and blood all over his clothes when he didn't have those stains before he ran off. When he came back  he acted as if nothing happened, so they continued on with their walk. 

When Brian dropped off Mitchell at home she went straight up to her room without a word because she couldn't stop thinking about what was on Brian's shirt and how it got there. Later that night she put the situation aside and called her boyfriend Chad, now Chad was the school’s most popular boy and so was Mitchell. Chad played football and Mitchell was a cheerleader. While they were on the phone Mitchell told Chad what had happened with Brian, and Brian and Chad were pretty close friends so Chad didn't really think much of it either. 

Back when they went to school the next day Brian, Mitchell and Chad were all hanging out like they do every day, but Brian did it again and told them “I have to go” and ran off. And Mitchell looked at brian and said “this is what I'm talking about.”  But this time Brian didn't come back. So Chad went after school to look for him around all their hang out spots but didn't find him. So Chad decided to go home and figured that he’ll see him tomorrow at school but that all changed. When Chad was driving home there was a car right next to him and next thing you know the car rams into Chad's car and smashes the car. The driver in the other car drove off so ast no one saw who it was but Chad did before he crashed. 

Chad was taken to the hospital but the doctors told him he only had 3 days to live because the crash was so hard that when he hit his head it damaged the brain so badly he was lucky to still be alive. Mitchell came to the hospital and she and Chad were talking about what had happened and Mitchell asked him who was the driver if you even saw him, Chad put his head down and sobed. He said it was Brian. Mitchell was so confused because why would brian do that to his best friend of 10 years, but then he told her “it was him he recognized the car” and before the accident Brian and Chad had made deep eye contact before brian rammed into Chad's car.

As time got closer Chad was slowly dying, it was day two and he could barely open his eyes, talk and even breath. His whole family was there and so was Mitchell, they were all sobbing really hard and for the whole day. Mitchell was numb. She didn't know what to feel. She was so angry but so sad that her best friend, her boyfriend and her everything was dying in less than 24 hours, and she still couldn't believe that Brian did this to him and his whole family. Mitchell hasn't told anyone about who did this to Chad, the cops were still looking for clues to find out. 

The time came for Chad, his whole family was there and Mitchell and her family were there. They all gathered inside the room to say their final goodbyes. Mitchell was heartbroken and when her time came to say goodbye she told him “ if you can hear me right now i want you to know i love you so much words can't express it, this isn't goodbye this is simply see you later.” and she gave him a kiss on the cheek. 5 minutes before Chad died brian showed up and Mitchell was very confused he was here, he went into his room and said his goodbye like nothing happened. 

The next week Mitchell didn't go to school on Monday because she was still broken, so she stayed home with her mom and she told her “ I have to tell you something I've been keeping since Chad died.” So she then explains how she found out and told her what Chad said to her before he died and her mom said “ what are you talking about, there's no way.”. But she told her mom not to tell anyone. But her mom obviously told the cops.

Mitchell goes to school then the next day and brian acts like nothing happened and is getting all the popularity and fame, Mitchell then gets very upset because Brian just killed her boyfriend and his best friend. So she went up to him and said “what is wrong with you, your best friend just died and you're the murderer.” everyone around him is now confused and walks away from him, he then turns to michelle and says “ you're gonna regret saying that.”  She then tells her mom to come pick her up because she can't stand seeing his face. Her mom comes and picks her up but when they're driving home they see brian also getting picked up. So her mom rushes to get him and she tells Mitchell “get to her room as fast as possible” she runs up there without questions. 

She's sitting in her room and she hears footsteps coming up the stairs. But the steps sound way heavier than her mom. So she asked “who is it?” no response, she yells again “who is it!” Brian then storms into her room with a knife and tries to stab her, she yells “ MOM HELP!” repetitively. Her mom then runs through the door with the cops and they grab brian and take him away from Mitchell. Her mom told her “ I called the police when I told you to run up the stairs because I saw him get picked up when you did and he was fooling us home” and Mitchell said “ thankfully you did or else I would be dead.”

Karisha was in the military and she had a habit of keeping her gun in the glove box in her car.

She was an ex military police officer and she was a homicide detective. She left the military after

a life changing event. So now, these days, she is just a soccer mom. As a single mom, she feels

like one day she would need it. Her gun was the only thing that protected her and Jasmine, her

daughter. That’s what she tells herself every night.

It was a dark cloudy Tuesday evening, and the wind was slamming against the house, and the

rain poured so hard you couldn’t see out the window. If you were standing outside the house

you would shake and shiver from the freezing rain falling on top of you. This was the kind of

night no one went anywhere. It was the kind of night where you sit at home under warm

blankets in your warm bed, eating popcorn with butter, and warm hot cocoa watching your

favorite scary movie. Her daughter Jasmine was out of hot cocoa and she wanted to make

more hot buttered popcorn. So she slid from under the warm blanket and went downstairs to

refill the popcorn and the hot coco. Not long after, Kaisha heard, from upstairs,the microwave,

“ding” signaling the popcorn was done and Karisha, called out to Jasmine.”Jasmine, are you

almost done, sweetie?” No answer. “Jasmine, hello? Are you finished? HELLO!! She yelled. No

answer. Karisha decided to go downstairs to see what was taking so long. She slipped on her

fuzzy warm slippers and headed for the kitchen downstairs. “Jasmine, don’t you hear me calling

you? Girl, where are you? Just then Karisha felt a wild cold wind blow roar right through her

cotton pjs to her bones. “I can’t believe how cold it is outside, like a blizzard,” she said to herself.

“Jasmine, why are you not answering me and why do you have to open the door? We don’t live

in a barn!’, she exclaimed. Annoyed that her daughter hasn’t answered her, she yelled once

again. “Jasmine, do you hear me?” as she yells through the wind howling in throughout the

house now. No answer. “JASMINE!” A strange feeling came over her as she came further down

the stairs. Looking down she saw a puddle of blood by the door, immediately her heart began to

pound hard against her chest. Now, Karisha was almost running down the stairs, skipping every

other stair and screaming “JASMINE! WHERE ARE YOU!”

As Karisha came closer to the door, a man appeared out of the cold freezing rain, running

toward her, yelling! She couldn’t make out what he was saying. “Come with me NOW, I know

where they have taken your daughter!” the man said. Startled she began to turn to run, but the

man grabbed her by the arm. “Wait," he exclaimed! Karisha was so greatly surprised and she

tried to punch the man in the face.He ducked and yelled at her, “:We don’t have time for this! We

have to leave right now!” We only have 3 hours to get to her. After that it will be too late! The

man was about 35 years old, in shape, with muscle pushing through his clothes like a grape

about to burst. He looked like he could run a marathon. Karisha saw he had two guns, one in his

right hand and another in his holster. Then she thought about her weapon in the glove

compartment too far to think about getting. Karisha was deadly scared and especially worried

for her daughter. She realized he said he knew where her daughter was. She thought to herself,

who is this man and did he have something to do with her daughter being taken.

Karisha yelled at the man, “Who are you and what did you do to my daughter!” The man replied,

“I was sent to watch over your daughter, but I got here too late! Now they have her!” Why were

you watching my daughter! Are you some kind of weirdo? She yelled. “No, I was sent by the

Catholic church.” he said. The who? I'm going to warn you once! I am an ex-police...he

interrupted her, “I already know who you are! you're an ex-cop detective. I'm telling you we don’t

have time for this!” He exclaimed. “We must leave now!” Right now! She responded, “How do

you know who I am?” he siad, “Look, if you want your daughter back, then you will come with

me now! I already got your gun from the glove compartment and got your clothes from the closet

downstairs. Get dressed and let's go right now.”

Karisha, didn’t know how but she knew, but she knew he wasn't there to hurt her. He was there

to help. She could feel it in her bones. And right now, that is all she had, so she got dressed.

They ran out into the cold freezing rain of the black night. It now began to turn into a full blown

blizzard. The cold air smacked them both in the face, blinding them. The cold air was painful to

breath. The man gave Karisha some goggles and he put on a pair as well. They went to his car,

which appeared to be a pick up truck. They both got in, and he drove.

Your daughter has been taken by vampires. Karisha couldn't believe she got into a car with a

manic that had two guns. “What!” Vampires?? Man are you crazy! Let me out, I have to call the

police and get my daughter!!!” He said, I am telling you the truth! I am a vampire too! I am a

good vampire..”Karisha, interrupted with a loud scream, “Good Vampire?” there is no such thing

as a good vampire! She yelled. “Wait, this is crazy, how come you don’t have long fangs”. He

said,”I do’ She said, “You have regular teeth like mine.” He said, “I hide my fangs.” He leaned his

head back and revealed his long pointy fangs that dropped from the roof of his mouth.They were

as sharp and pointy as thick needles. My name is Silver. Karisha, became unhinged, hysterical

screaming in utter fear! He said, “Calm down. I know you are afraid, but I had to show you that

you would take this seriously.” I need you to prepare yourself for a fight, because it will take

everything we have to get your daughter back before they change her into a vampire or just kill

her.” Trying to calm down, she starts to breathe slowly, and more breaths of regular controlled

breaths. In disbelief and complete fear, she leaned back towards the door and kicked him as

hard as she could. She knew how to kick from her training in the police academy. She looked at

him, nothing, no blood or bruise or anything. Just pure white ghastly pasty skin. Oh my God! He

is dead.”

“I told you we don’t have time for this! We have to catch them or you will neve see your daughter

alive again,” he yelled. I wish I had time to tell you all about me, but I don’t! Now listen...”WAIT!

DON'T MAKE A SOUND THEY ARE OUTSIDE THE CAR!” he screamed out in a whisper. “They

are on the roof and in the back of the truck”, he said.

She said in a mouse voice, “I don’t see them.” He responded, "They move too fast for you to

see.” But I saw your daughter. She is here.” Karisha panicked and yelled out for her daughter!

“Jasmine!” a voice, “Mom?” “Jasmine?, she yelled again. “Yes, mom! It's me!, the voice replied.

The Man, who called himself Silver shook Karisha hard and told her to wake up! “They are

playing with your mind!” “No” she said I heard my daughter’s voice! It was her!” “NO! He yelled,

they are fooling you! They do that sometimes because they are cruel and evil!”

“They left with your daughter. We are almost there. We will have to fight. Are you ready?”

Groggy, Karisha, said “fight who?” We are here. Get your gun and put these bullets in your

weapon. As she came back to herself, she said where are the bullets? He handed her the

special bullets. He said, “These bullets will kill the undead but you have to hit them directly in the

head or in the heart. I Know you are a good shot so make them count!” Ok lets go! Wait! She

said, I thought they will move to fast? “ Here” he handed her some black dark glasses designed

to slow down the vampire's movements. “Now you’re ready.” She responded, “Thanks. I still

don't know why you're helping me though. You will find out soon enough.

They both exited the car. Guns ready and attitudes to match. Karisha was going to get her baby

girl back and nothing was going to stop her! The moment they stepped out of the car they were

rushed by one vampire, then another and another. They were perfect shots to the head and

heart and the undead dropped like roaches by a can of Raid. They kept moving forward, both of

them yelling “Jasmine! Where are you!?

Silver and Karisha see Jasmine in the arms of a big strong vampire. They are attacked again

and again by vampires and over and over they drop the special bullets Silver gave her. They

finally get to Jasmine, Karisha exhausted and ready to drop. He stares at Karisha, and laughs!

Jasmine yells, “Momma help me!” Then that undead thing’s laugh turns into a grin and the

vampire's fangs drop down. He pulls Jamsin’s head back and the vampire sinks his long fangs

right into her neck. Karish screams, “NO!” The tears fall like raindrops rivers down her cheeks as

she watches her daughter's body go limp and drop to the ground.

“Momma, momma, momma help me,” is all she can hear her daughter say.

Karisha feels a heavy shake of her body and she hears the words again, “Momma, momma

help me!” Karisha opens her eyes and sees Jasmine standing over her. “Momma, help me!”

You're alive! Karisha screamed! “Of course I'm alive! She yelled back. “You always fall asleep on

these scary movies and have nightmares momma.” I was only gone for ten minutes!” “Your right

baby, let's watch something else, " Karisha said. By the way, why were you crying out daddy’s

name?” Jasmine asked her. “What?” Karisha said. Yeah, you keep saying Silver-daddy’s name,

said Jasmine. Nevermind.Karisha said, “You know I can’t stand your father!””Really”, said

Jasmine. I don’t think so! As she laughed out loud.

 Sophia, Lily, Bella, Olivia, and Ava arrived at their vacation rental house on lakeview drive. They turned off the main road and onto a dirt road. 

''Are you sure this is the way?" Ava asked Olivia who was driving. 

"Yes, we are almost there." said olivia. 

Ava shrugged and they continued down the road there blue convertible setting up a dust cloud behind them. They continued down the dusty dirt road for about 10 minutes. Then they saw the house. It was painted a peeling forest green, it had a small porch and was raised off the ground. It also has small windows and dying bushes in the front yard. 

"Well this is...nice. " said Bella. 

"Maybe it is better on the inside." said Sophia, who was always optimistic.

They grabbed their bags and went inside the house as they opened the door it made a slow creaking sound. They walked inside and lily looked around and said

"Am i the only one who is creeped out by the birds?" 

As they walked in they were able to see bird pillows, paintings, statues, curtins, table cloths, and carpets. 

"I hope there are no bird things in the bedroom" said Lily 

"They look like they are watching me." 

The others agreed and went to find the bedrooms. There were three bedrooms, Olivia and Sophia in one, Lily and Bella in another room, and Ava in the last one. As Bella was unpacking Lily collected all the bird things from the room and put them in a hall closet. 

"I told you i don't want birds watching me sleep" she said

 When Bella laughed at her. They unpacked and went to look at the lake. It was a spanking blue and had a small dock. Tied to the dock was a little boat bobbing happily on the current. 

" want to go for a swim" said olivia 

"Me to " sophia said

They ran inside and changed into swimsuits then spent the rest of the afternoon into the early evening playing and swimming in the lake. 

"Look what i found" called Ava from the yard 

The others looked to find a small fire pit next with five chairs circled around it. 

"Let's eat diner and them make s'mores" said lily 

They ate hot dogs and chips and roasted marshmallows into the night. When it was finally time for bed they went to their rooms and layed down. When lily and bella went too lock the front and back doors 

" look" bella called in a loud whisper

They looked at each other and then deep into the dark forest on either side of the house then they saw it 

"It looks like a person" said lily

"But there are no other houses for miles since we left that small town" bella added

"Well whoever it was i lost sight of them lets lock the doors and go to bed." Lily decided. 

During the night Olivia sat up straight in bed and listened to something that woke her a sound maybe? She saw Sophia also looking around scared into the dark then they saw something or someone moved past their window. 

"Did you see that?" crooked sophia in a small whisper

"Yes" was olivia's only reply

"How about we go sleep with Bella and Lily in their room? They must be 

scared too." 

"Ok" olivia said 

They moved quietly to the door and called equity into the other girl's room so they would not scare them. Then they opened the door to find them equally as terrified as they had seen the person too. They sat together and finally fell asleep late that night. The next morning they got out of bed and went to the kitchen to get breakfast thy were halfway through cooking bacon when lily said

"Where is Ava?'" 

They all looked around 

"She must be sleeping in." said Olivia

" i will go wake her." said bella 

as she began to move towards the hall and to Ava's room. When she opened the door she was confused. All she saw was a neatly made bed with Avas suitcase on top. All the clothes were folded in her suitcase and her wet swimsuit was dry and packed as if nothing had ever happened. Then she saw that on top of the suitcase was a single bird feather. It was black like a crow and as she looked around the room and saw that there was nothing bird themed in the room and the window was shut and locked. But on the bathroom mirror where the words leave while you can.  She called the others and they searched the house and area near it for hours but no one found a trace of her. They went back to the house and decided that they would drive back to the little town they found on the way there to look for her and tell the police. When they got in the car they tried to start it but nothing happened. They tried again and again but nothing changed. 

"I just got gas, I should have a full tank." siad olivia 

"Maybe it's something else." siad lily 

They got out and walked to the front and opened the hood. They looked in and everything seems normal until lily pointed and said 

"that wire is cut!" 

"So is this one' said bella 

In their rush they had also missed a flat tire in the back. 

"What are we going to do" sighed lily

They went into the house to think of a plan they could not walk the 25 miles to the next town and if they did it would take forever. They decided to stay another night and figure out what to do in the morning. They all decided to sleep together in the same room. They were all preparing to sleep when they heard it; a low metallic scraping sound coming from right outside their window. They all stared into the darkness right outside the window. Then they heard footsteps, loud heavy footsteps, then the door knob began to turn slowly. They all were huddled at one side of the room. 

"What do we do" whispered lily

"Shhh" said bella

So they sat in silence while the door knob turned. Then the lock clicked 

and they screamed. Olivia, Sophia, and Lily jumped to their feet while Bella was frozen in fear. A tall figure moved towards them and when he stepped into the light they saw a bird mask covering his face. They all scattered all but Bella who was still frozen they tried to grab out of the way but it was too late the man had an ax. 

"RUN" yelled olivia 

They ran for the door. They ran through the hall past the living room and into the front door. They went past the car remembering it was broken down. They ran on a dirt path deciding if they should go into the woods instead they ran together for the main road. They were too scared to look back and Lily was slower than Olivia and sophia. They got to the main road and finally turned back and saw nobody was there. They looked around for Lily but did not see her, then they remembered what had happened and kept running. Nobody ever saw any of the girls. The house was left empty and nobody ever stayed there again for fear of whatever happened to the girls that day might happen to them. 

There was once an art teacher by the name of Joseph Bell.He wasn’t in a great financial situation and was looking for stability when he applied for a teaching position at local High School. He felt lucky to see that his application was accepted, especially in such a short time period. Joseph would stand outside the great entrance way at around 6:30 am when a man walked out from the shadowy corner behind the entrance. “You the new art teacher?” the man asked in a grunting old person voice. “Yes I’am, who might you be?” Answered Joseph. “Heed my warning, those kids here are not what they seem. Be careful for they sense weakness and feast on it.” Warned the old man as he disappeared into the shadowy corner. Joseph was quite concerned but made his way to his class room, everything was still left over from the last teacher that was there, even the name of the old teacher was still written on the white board and the computer fan was still running.

Joseph got his lesson plan ready for the day the loud CLANGING & RINGING of the big red bell signified the start of first period as a rumble befell his room. The pitter patter of dozens of people running, walking, the slam of locker doors and talking, the occasional loud yelling from some random kids. A stampede of children run into the classroom moving chairs and tables around to the dismay of Mr Bell. The kids stuck gum under desks, drawing on the tables, and throwing chairs across the room. “QUIET!!!” Yelled Joseph. A silence fell over the room as the children all directed their attention directly at him, a deafening silence befell the room as Joseph began to speak “Hello.. Everyone, I’m Mr.Bell & I’m your new Art teacher.” He said sheepishly. The children said nothing, Their eyes completely locked onto him.

“Today we are going to start our first lesson on water color painting” He stated. The pattern of Silence continued for the remainder of the day. As Joseph left his classroom the man from earlier in they day approached him from around the corner. “Beware the children, for they aren’t what they seem. I survived by living in the shadows. However you do not have the same luxury, if i were you I’d leave”-Said the harbinger as he walked backwards around the corner. Joseph tried to follow him but the strange man had simply disappeared. Joseph was confused & unsure what to do next. So when in doubt he decided to go get some food from the grocery store. He left the school and got in his Toyota Corolla & as he drove down the street watching the kids who walked home on the sidewalk stare at him specifically which he found highly disturbing. As he parked his car in the parking lot in his apartment complex he walked up the stairs to his small studio apartment.

He opened the door to his apartment and there was a child staring directly at him, & before he could react in the blink of an eye it was gone. Now highly paranoid Joseph sat down on his leather recliner and turned on the small television. He swapped through dozens of channels and swapped past one that looked like his student but with black eyes and a single white spot directly in the center. He quickly swapped back to the channel just to see an episode of impractical jokers playing. Eventually he was able to stop worrying but the lingering fear of whatever was happening loomed over him. Joseph fell asleep in his recliner when in the middle of the night he gently opened his eyes to see a student of his with the same black piercing eyes looking back at him, he jumped out of his chair just to see nothing. He was highly alert and immensely paranoid. So he grabbed a couple red bulls from his refrigerator and stood in the corner of his living room until morning. Eventually he left his house to go to work again. 

The weather was dark and gloomy as he stood before the entrance of the school where the harbinger was nowhere to be seen. He stepped up the concrete steps into the building where no other sounds other than his footsteps echoed throughout the hallway. He walked to his room where he carefully opened the door to his room where to his delight there wasn't anyone or anything standing there. Then the ringing of the school bell chimed and the hoards of students stampeded throughout the school. As the dozens of students stormed into his classroom he stood there as dozens of students slowly encircled him. He was pushed back to the wall of his room as the students slowly pushed him back. Their cold dead eyes stared at him before grabbing at him. Their greasy hands clawing at him while they began pulling at him. The hoards of children clawed down at him as he was torn apart while the faces of students were cold and unchanging.

SEBASTIAN QUILISCH - Scary Story Contest - 17103396 - SEBASTIAN QUILISCH.txt

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Displaying SEBASTIAN QUILISCH - Scary Story Contest - 17103396 - SEBASTIAN QUILISCH.txt.

“Wake up Ethan, you do not want to be late to soccer practice!”

His dad bursts open the door while yelling, as it slides across the carpet pushing its cushion inside of his room. Ethan in his bed lies down while stretching as far as he could see.

 Ethan pushes his head, legs, arms and whole body forward to pull himself up and get ready for his soccer practice. Ethan heads towards the bathroom and pulls his drawer open to grab his toothbrush, toothpaste and brush his teeth, brushing his teeth, he spots something at the corner of his eye, he looks into the mirror and focuses his eyes towards the black, tall and scary figure.. 

“Good Morning, ♬” The eerie sound of his alarming music wakes him from his deep thoughts on what had really happened where the pile of dirty clothes at the dark mysterious corner of his bedroom. The bird was sigma and rizzed and ate lunchly to the skibidi toilet and then killed people.

He first grabs his soccer bag and fills it with his soccer cleats, a water bottle for thirst, two shin guards for protection, high leveling socks, and his favorite jersey number 10 for the argentina legend “Diego Maradona.” Rushing out the room and slamming his door to find that he had forgotten his medical pills to fit inside of his stuffed soccer bags. 

Huffing and Puffing down, down, down the stairs Ethan heads towards the outside into his backyard door dodging all that gets in his way. He then passed by stops signs, street lights flashing lights, envyous lights making the scene all the more scarier. He passes by an alleyway where he comes to a stop and starts facing a figure that is tall, shadowy, with glowing white eyes with a horrific body formation creating the creature standing inside the alleyway 6 feet away, facing Ethan.

Ethan, running and taking off even after a glimpse of him heading, towards the place he knows he feels safe the most. His soccer practice where all his friends and parents were meeting him had been where he felt welcomed and at home. Ethan opens the gate and his friend jumps out the corner of the building, scaring him. 

“Boo! Haha I definitely got you.” Mason states. 

“Ahh” Ethan responded in a  scared state of fear. Ethan looking at him concerned asks, “Are you alright, Ethan you look traumatized! 

“I'll tell you all of what has happened later, for now we've got to get onto the field before we're really late!”

Mason follows behind Ethan and they run to the feild, seeing coach Pablo, they rush towards the crowd of people training for tomorrow's game. Starting another conversation Ethan spoke 

“About earlier, I may have seen a creature that was following me.” 

“I believe you, you know what they say “Kids see ghosts.” answers Mason

“I have never heard that quote before, Did you make that up? Ethan had said in response. 

“Shriek!” The whistle blows to start running and get dressed to go home and Ethan runs, suddenly he spots the ghost again and slams into someone's shoulder falling onto the ground and is knocked out. He wakes up laying on the ground, it's dark, everyone is gone, it's foggy and one lamppost is on, the figure is standing menacingly.  

The shadowy figure has started floating, looking down with a dark aura that is mysterious, odd and that does not feel right to Ethan, Mason pops around the corner with his cleats in his hand, Mason is terrified after he finds Ethan backing away from the monster that he sees before him.

“Ethan, what the flippity flip is going on?” Mason yells, his voice trembling with fear and a little bit of feeling of confusion.

“This is what I wanted to talk to you about.” The wind around him starts forming a tornado of debris and past memories of Ethan eyeing the haunting ghost. “This thing keeps haunting me. As if I had done something terrible!”

Mason and Ethan head to the locker rooms to find shelter away from the storm. “Grab anything to block that door, we can not let that monster inside this place. Ethan yells as he pushes a bench from the side of the concrete wall towards the entrance and exit door.

“Bang, Bang, Slam!” The door disappears so Ethan and Mason head to the back of a stall inside of the bathrooms where an emergency fire ax was conveniently placed. Ethan and Mason both holding the ax wait till they get towards the nearby stall. 

‘Slam!” The nearby stall was busted open. Ethan and Mason grabbing the ax tightly open the door and enter the stall, finishing the job. Ethan and Mason with a face filled with fear and traumatization. Ethan wakes up and he finds his dad slamming open the door like it had been the day before.

“I can see you.” says a masked man with a mysterious voice.

“Where are you?” Asked Alisa. There was a long pause. The house was silent. You could hear even the slightest noise. You could hear the crickets chirping in the grass. The man on the phone starts laughing ever so slightly. 

“I’m staring at you… Alisa.” the man says. Alisa, looking out of every window in her house trying to see where this man is. She closes all of the curtains and shutters and locks all the doors. “I can still see you.” The man says. The house was dead silent. Alisa, standing in the middle of the living room shaking. She is terrified. The masked man is lying. She thought to herself. It’s just a prank right. There is no way he can get in the house right? 

“Come find me.” said the masked man. Alisa hears something moving in the hall. The Masked Man comes running down the hall! He has a knife in his hand. Alisa ran to the door trying to unlock it. She opens the door and runs across the street. The Masked Man not in sight. She thought he was still in the house. Alisa turns around. 

“Ah! Stop, Stop!”

“What's going on out there!” Says the old man who lives in the house they were in front of. The masked man runs away while the old man comes outside. Beep beep beep. The old man calls 911. “Hello, there is a woman who got stabbed. I can’t tell if she’s alive.” 

“Wanna go to the movies?” Said Nate.

“Yeah sure what time?” Myles asked.

“We can go at like, 7:00.” Nate says.

“Ok sounds good.” 

Nate meets Myles at the movies. They go see Spongebob the movie. Midway through the movie Nate says he has to go to the bathroom. Myles got suspicious so he followed him. He saw Nate go into the bathroom so he didn’t have to have any more suspicion. 

“Peekaboo!” Says the Masked man standing behind Myles. Myles tries to run away. The masked man chased after him. Myles runs into the bathroom. 

“Nate! Nate! The killers here the killers here!” Myles yells. He hears nothing. “Nate?!” He looks in every stall and he doesn’t see him. Nate’s disappeared. Myles was confused though because as soon as Nate went into the bathroom the masked man was there. But where did Nate go? Myles hears the door open. He hides in the stall. He looks through the crack between the stall door and the wall of the stall. He saw a man in his fifties washing his hands. Myles was relieved. Ching, Ching, Ching! 

The killer stabbed the old man. Myles was terrified. He didn’t know what to do. He put his feet up against the stall door hoping the killer wouldn’t see him. He hears the door open again. Did the Killer Leave? Is he still there? Myles thought. He didn’t hear anything so he put his feet down, quietly, he opened the stall door. He looks left and there is no one there. He looks to the right…

“You didn’t think you could get away that easily did you.” Says the killer. 

“Ah!” Myles yells. The killer takes off his hood from his black robe. “This is gonna be a lot to clean up.” The killer says. He takes off his mask. He looks at himself in the mirror. “Where is Nate at?” The killer says,”I'm gonna need his help.” The bathroom door opens again. 

“WHAT THE HECK!” A kid says. He runs out the door screaming. “There’s blood there’s blood! Aaah.” 

“What happened? What happened?” Says the boy's mom. 

“There are 2 guys in there. There…There’s a lot of blood.” The kid says. 

“What do I do now?” the killer said. “How do I get out of here? Where is Nate?” 

Beep beep beep. The boy’s mom calls Nine-One-One She tells them that there are 2 dead bodies in the movie theater bathroom. The killer sees an air vent on the ceiling above the sinks. He knows that that is his only way out. He climbs on top of the sink to try and open the air vent. He takes his gloves off for better grip. He untwists the screws that are in it. He gets one loose and it drops to the floor making a noise. 

“Wait. Did you see anyone else in there?” Asks the mom. 

“No, I don’t think so.” the little boy says. 

The Killer is still trying to get this vent open. Finally he gets the last screw. He pries the vent open, jumps up and pulls himself into the vent. The police and ambulance get to the scene. They pull the old man and myles out of the bathroom. Nate meets up with the killer in the alley a few streets over. 

“That was interesting.” Nate says.

“Yeah I know. I almost got caught back there.” The killer says.

“Well good thing you got out of there Jimmy.” 

The End

“Ugh,” Christian sighed.

 “Mom, I'm going to walk in the park to go clear my head.” Christain yelled from the front door.

“Okay dont be home too late though.” Christian’s mom said.

Christain walks down a couple streets and goes to the park. As he’s walking in the park he sees something run by him, he doesn't think anything of it and decides to ignore it and continue walking. As he is walking he sees a dark big shadow; almost like a man by the playground. He decides to go towards it, he looks behind him to see if anyone else is there with him, as he looks back at the playground he notices that the figure isn't there anymore. While Christian is walking back home he hears people talking, but no one is around. He sees his friends in the distance, he walks towards them but the closer and closer he gets, the more and more they get farther, then they just vanish. His friends live a couple blocks down from the park so he decides to go to their houses. He goes to his friend Jose’s house first to tell him a little bit about what happened, Christian tells Jose that they should go to their other friend Rose’s house. Christain tells Rose and Jose about what happened in the park.

“I saw figures or people and heard voices, then I saw you guys, but when I closed my eyes and opened them again, there was nothing there. I decided to come here and tell you guys because this has been happening more and more slowly as time goes by. I keep hearing and seeing stuff no matter what I'm doing.” Christian explains.

“Yeah, we kind of figured something was going on with you, you've been acting a bit different.” Rose commented.

“Maybe you should go see a GP.” Jose added.

“What's a GP?” Christian asked.

Jose and Rose looked at each other and sighed, they knew Christain wouldn't want to go see a doctor.

“A GP is a General Practitioner, you can tell them everything that's been happening and they tell you why you're seeing and hearing stuff” Jose said.

“They might have to stay a couple nights in the hospital so they can assess you, it's for your own good.” Rose added in despair.

“I don't want to go but if it will help me, then fine, i'll go to see a GP.” Christian said.

Christian went home and told his mom what he had been hearing and seeing, his mom wanted him to go get him checked out and find out what's happening with him. He went to the hospital and got his medication. They asked him to go back in 5 weeks. When he went to the hospital it seemed off, like an empty hospital with dimmed lights, the hospital even smelled like no one had been in there for years and the paint was rusted off the walls. After waiting for a doctor to come, he went to the restroom and noticed he was hearing and seeing doctors in the restroom and next to him, he quickly took his medication out and took some, he splashed his face with water and rubbed his eyes. He noticed he wasn't in the hospital anymore, he was back at the park.

“What the.. What just happened” Christain asks.

“Is anyone here?” Christian called out.

He walked home and told his mom, she thought it sounded kind of weird so the next morning she took him to the hospital, they kept him a couple for a night and noticed he might have schizophrenia, they ran test on him; to rule out any other diagnoses, they came to the conclusion of Christian having schizophrenia and everything that happened was an episode of his schizophrenia. They gave him medication

“Here you go Christian, take this medication, it will help with the episodes.” The doctor stated.
He started to take the medication and noticed the episodes started to get better, but one day.. It was something new, something scary happening. He went to bed and woke up one day, somewhere he’s never been before.

“Where am I?” Christian said.

“What happened to me, I was in my room, and now this?..” Christian shouted in confusion.

It was a very unfamiliar place, it was almost like nothing was around him.. It was smoggy around him but he could see lights ahead of him. He was next to a bench. He started to walk down the street and closer to the lights so he could see better. Everytime he looked around, he somehow always ended up back next to the bench. Everything kept relapsing again and again. He tried to reach in his pocket for his medication, but it wasn't there.. He started to panic and didn't know what to do. He sat on the bench and looked down at the floor, when he looked up.. All of a sudden, he was back in his bedroom.

“What just happened.. How did I get back here?” Christian asked himself while confused.

He knew it was another schizophrenia episode, and he knew to take the medication, so he went quickly looking for his medication, but it was nowhere to be found…

My name is Feinous, I have been on many camping trips but never one quite like this. It was the last day of school, like all the other ones it was emotional. Everyone is either happy to leave or sad to see others go. I was always just happy to go. I had a few friends that I would see next year so I wasn’t stressed. I had been waiting to go camping again like usual but this year was different. You see, my friends and I were going to a new place this year. This place seemed like your generic old camping destination, but you don’t know how wrong I was.

You see I was already on my way to the new camp not knowing what I was getting myself into. Once I arrived it seemed like a nice peaceful place so I got comfortable easily. There were plenty of people at the campsite but we were all told to meet Camp Instructor Rodger. From there we were all assigned cabins by color, my friends and I were all assigned the red cabin and another new kid from our school. The camp seemed nice, we had many activities and other events throughout the day. The sun started to set and that's when the mystery began. We all meet at the camp by a bonfire as soon as it starts getting dark. Like the kids we are, we began to tell spooky stories by the campfire.

I was never scared by campfire stories, I always thought they were quite silly. They always seem the same or generic with a relatively close storyline. There was one story that grabbed my attention. A story that takes place in the same area we were in about 20 years ago. About a child who went to a camp similar to ours who was happy to get to a new camp, a new distraction from his new school. He had no friends and quickly became the laughing stock of the camp. Since he had no friends he made fun of and had problems with other campers. They played pranks on the new kid and of course the staff did nothing about it. One night he just could not take it anymore he went out into the woods and went far away soon to be missing. The camp staff looked all over but couldn't find him. Three days later he came back to the camp but something was off. Nobody seemed to care he was still the laughing stock getting pranked on each day. But he didn't seem to care about any of them, no reaction, his face almost seemed pale and blank. That same night half staff and students went missing. No one noticed anything but they all knew who was responsible. Nobody knows why he left half but the police never found the bodies and parents were furious so due to all the problems the camp was shut down.

Soon the camp instructor came to the campfire and announced when it was time for all the campers to return to their camp. In the morning we went to a new place and everything seemed normal in the morning until we heard some saying, “stop stop”. My best friend Jack and I went to investigate the noise. Jack was one of my closest friends who I trusted very much. We came to see that a kid from our cabin was being bullied by a random kid. We do our best to stop the bullying, “thanks for helping me out back there” he says, “My name is Timothy”. We introduced ourselves back, “My name is Feinous and this is my friend Jack.” I said. We get back to the rest of the camper and report the student to the staff. They tried to help solve the problem but they said there was not enough evidence. Soon enough it is time to go back to the camp area, we all do the same thing as last time and tell stories until it's time to go to sleep. Except something seemed off about Timothy. It was almost like he was planning something or mad at something. “ Are you alright?” I asked and he responded, “Yeah I was just lost in thought but I'm fine.” As we went to sleep In the middle of the night I heard a noise, “It was just the sound of the wind or maybe a startled animal” I thought to myself. Soon I went back to sleep but felt that something was wrong.

In the morning we were woken up to a scream that seemed to be coming from another cabin. Everyone was startled by the noise of the scream, “What was that I asked” everyone in the room now awake opened the door to see what had happened. Most of the campers were out of their room curious to see what was going on and the staff and Camp Instructor all along. With all the commotion we went to the cabin to investigate the situation and the Instructor also came. My face went pale and I felt sick, I was shocked to see what was in the room. It was writing in blood, never before hav e I seen that much blood. It wrote, “Your action tends to have a way of coming back to you”. Everyone soon started to panic but the Camp Instructor soon started to deescalate the situation and checked for all the students. One student was missing from camp, the same one from who was bullying Timothy. I was scared, I thought of the suspects but the only person was Timothy. I thought back to the story and said “He couldn’t have done it right?” I slowly started to put the story together. Is that what I heard at night? I was determined to find out what happened and who did it to solve this mystery. They threw a search party for the missing kid, “This is my time” I thought, “I will investigate this story”. 

I started to look around the cabin for clues but the Camp Instructor would not let me and Jack get near the cabin. We asked other camp members about the night in question. I could find nothing throughout the day, but later that night I heard another noise. This time I woke up and I was determined to hopefully find a lead or something. I looked around to find that Timothy wasn’t there. I go outside to see if I could find anything, and all I hear is strange noises. They keep getting louder and louder as I go on then I see Timothy with a machete. I see him but there is another, a man in the forest, a dark man with an ominous presence. Timothy had found out about the killer and looked for clues the same as I, but he went further. He found footprints leading to the Camp Instructors cabin. Turns out he had stepped on a bear trap when going to kill Timothy for getting too close, but it was too late now. We were both scared for our lives and the Camp Instructor pulled out a gun. We ran for our lives with him chasing us. We got far enough to where we couldn’t see him. We were both catching our breath when he told me what he had found and how the boy in the story was Camp Instructor Rodger. Then out of nowhere Rodger appeared, we had nowhere to run, we were out of breath. He pulls out his gun and then it goes.. BAM! We thought we were dead, but soon we saw his body drop. It was a local Park Ranger who had been out for sightings of bears near here. He told us his name was Smith and we returned to camp with him. The rest of the camper parents were notified of everything and the park was again shut down. Everybody was safe and returned home we had found the killer or so we thought.

Face Your Fears Or Perish                           

It was a dark rainy night when four friends decided to test their skills in an escape room. BUT little did they know this was no ordinary escape room. The four friends arrive at the escape room named “ Phantom Paradox”. The four friends named Myah, Jake, Lena, and Tom walk inside of the escape room and head to the counter waiting for someone to come. “ Oh my gosh this is gonna be so awesome” Maya says to her friends. “I know right” says Tom and Lena. “I doubt that, this place doesn't look scary at all.” says Jake “Gosh man why do you always have to be such a buzzkill.” Says Lena. “Just stating facts,” says Jake. Suddenly a decrepit looking man comes out from behind the shadows scaring the four friends “ Why hello everyone” The decrepit man says. “I have a very special room for all of you” he laughs hysterically pointing to a rusty metal door. 

The four friends go into the room and the door shuts right behind them. As they sit down excitedly waiting for the games to begin a voice calls out to them through a speaker. “ Hello everyone Welcome To YOUR DEATH!” everything goes silent.  “Wow whoever made this must’ve put a lot of thought and effort into it.” Says Maya. “ SILENCE FOOLS! You all have an hour to complete this escape room otherwise you all DIE!” A timer begins to countdown as the four friends start to search for clues when suddenly the lights flicker then go black. “Ahhhh!” someone screams the lights come on in an instant and Jake is gone. The three friends start to panic but Myah snaps out of it then finds a key. She calls out to her friends and they open the door to the next room. 

As the three friends walk into the room they see a tv screen with Jake on it he was all beat up and tied to a pole The three friends watch as a man comes into the room and starts beating Jake up with a baseball bat.They were completely horrified but Maya suggested that they should focus on escaping the room and finding Jake so they can free him and escape the place.They all agree and split up in search of a way to get out. Tom hears a whisper in his ear saying to kill them all he's shocked and surprised but he doesn't let that catch him off guard so he looks around to see who could have whispered in his ear but there was no one to be found suddenly the lights flicker again and all of his friends are gone it is just Tom.

 Suddenly a black figure walks up to Tom. He is shocked and tries to run away. He was absolutely frightened  but he gained no ground. He was standing still the whole time and the dark figure reveals himself as a horrible looking monster and possesses Tom.The two girls walk up to Tom to notice that he has changed a lot so I'm gets off of the ground and yells at them saying “DIE DIE DIE DIE” he friends are confused and worried but Tom's eyes glow red the two girls run for their lives as Tom keeps running at them chasing them yelling “DIE DIE DIE DIE!”

Suddenly the girls fall in a very very deep pit only to notice that they fall on a soft warm bouncy surface that cushions their fall. They look at the distance to see Jake all beating up; they yell at him and run straight over tying them out of the ropes. Suddenly he mumbles something “ What?” The two girls say “ Behind you!” He yells at them. The two girls gyrated in fear only to see nothing. They turned back around and saw Jake and Tom with red eyes. They scream and tear in fear running to what they see the same rusty door they came in. They bust open the door and shut it behind them. They look around only to see the same exact escape room the decrepit man told them to go in. They are panicking not knowing what to do when suddenly Jake, Tom, and the decrepit man come from behind the rusty door with loud horns and honk at them. The whole time Jake and Tom were behind this because it was a silly little prank or was it? 

THE END

“Ouch” Akari shrieked while walking up the old creaking stairs of the house, Akari And Daniel snuck into an empty house. “The house is so lonely,” Daniel said. Akari and Daniel are feeling a rush of cold wind pass through them, “Did you feel that? Akari said,” Yes I did, I got goosebumps", no doors nor windows had been opened at the moment. They had suspicion as to why they felt so paranoid over wind, as if something had been awoken. Akari sees stairs to the attic and feels as if something called her to go up there, Daniel said “I don't know about this Akari." I think we should leave; something gives me the feeling that we shouldn't be here. “Don't be lame let 's see what's in the attic,” Akari says. As dusty and cold the attic is, they walk in… Akari finds a box filled with candles and instructions, “Hey isn't this an ouija board” Daniel says to Akari. “Yes it is, let's play with it.” Akari said. “I don't think we should, my grandma told me bad things come from it” Daniel says. “Oh come on Daniel, it'll be fun,” Akari says. Akari then sees candles and matches. They both hear a loud wind burst from the window in one of the other rooms of the house. The wind is so strong the door slams right behind them. Daniel then tells Akari they should leave but without a slight thought she says no. Daniel then feels as if Akari is joking with him since it is the night before halloween. “Are you joking with me? This has to be a prank,”Daniel says with shivers rolling up his spine. Akari then smiles slightly, Akari says to Daniel “of course I'm not, I would be dying with laughter by now.” Akari then grabs the ouija board and brushes off the dust as a dead spider falls off the top of the board. Akari opens it and tells Daniel to use the matches to light the candles. As the room gets some light, Akari finds a red sheet. She then uses it to place the board on top of it .  They sit down surrounded by candles and place two of their fingers on each side of the board's coffin nail. Akari asks “who lives here”? The coffin nail moves slowly as Daniel shivers with fear, as scared as he is he is curious to what the bored will say… oh my gosh did you move it? Daniel says to Akari “no I swear I didnt.” Akari grins, Daniel  then asks, The ouija board a question. “Is anyone here?” The coffin nail moves… Suddenly Akari screams… she starts forming into a blood like skeleton and the candles blow away with a brush of cold wind, the smoke starts forming around her; into a storm like a cloud. Daniel is petrified with horror, he starts shaking, getting goosebumps all over, not able to move or speak. Akari stares so deeply into his eyes as if she is able to look into his soul. Her face is showing nothing but evil. She seemed desperate and thirsty and looked as if she were to eat him alive. Daniel, without knowing what to do, gets the courage to run. He jumps out the top floor window… Akari then floats out the window, with nothing holding her back. Daniel’s fear grows as he is trying to get away without being able to process what is happening. But no matter how fast he runs, Akari's power grows as she is feeding off his fear. No matter how much he tries to run away Akari is faster and she moves as fast as the wind,when suddenly it all turns gray and a dark cloud is over Daniel, blood gushes from Daniel's head, Akari then catches up to him with pure evil thoughts she demolitions him. She made sure to leave nothing of him behind.. No evidence, A couple of days later..  Their parents set up a search party for them. They looked in the woods, their favorite places, even towns far far from their own. They post signs with their pictures asking for answers .But no one seems to have a clue. Police never found anything but blood on the floor in the house they had visited the day before Halloween. Since then the mystery of Daniel’s body missing has not been discovered. Akaris body nor Akari herself was never to be seen again…The mystery of their disappearance has still not been found till this day.

I’ll show them who's scared now. Henry kicks the rusty old latch that’s hanging by some-what of a screw off the door and peers inside as the ancient door creaks open. Without looking back, he runs into the darkness as the door slammed behind him.

A few hours before: “Hurry up!” One of the friends says.

“If we don’t hurry then all the candy will be gone before we get there.” Amelia was waiting at the door with the others. She watched impatiently as Henry exited the small light blue colored house. Henry lets out a breath from rushing to get ready. He stands there. “Well? Let's go!” Amelia yells impatiently.

“Oh, right.” Henry walks a bit faster to catch up with the others. The group of friends continues on, and trick or treats at every house they spot, sprinting to each one in a rush to receive candy from as many houses as possible. Until they pass by a house that stood out from all the rest.

“Hey! There’s that creepy old house… what was that rumor about it again?” Amelia curiously asked.

“Oh, you mean the haunted house?” Jake, who was one of Amelia and Henry’s friends said annoyingly in a silly high pitched voice.

“Heh, oh- I remember, the rumor was that anyone who enters disappears forever and all is forgotten about them.” Amelia responds.

“Yeah sure, that’s so reliable.” Henry sarcastically says.

“No- it’s true! The old owners of the house were the Millers.” Amelia says.

“Mhm, right. The Miller house.” 

“Fine, if you think you’re smart, go investigate the house.”

“What? No, that’s trespassing.”

“No it’s not, no one has been in that house for years. It’s abandoned, nobody cares.” Jake interferes with their conversation.

“See?” Amelia reassures Henry once again.

“I’m not going into that rusty old house, I'm sure that if I even touch it, it’s going to fall over before I could say I told you so.” Henry glares at her proudly as he had refused once again. 

“Whatever wimp, it’s getting late anyways, so we should head home.” Amelia rolls her eyes. The friends all say bye and Amelia and Henry pass by all of the houses they had gotten candy from. Once they reach their house it is so dark you could barely see the light blue color from the house. When they enter, Amelia asks,

“Where are you going to store your candy this year?” 

“I’m not telling you! Not after what you did last year.” Henry responds while hiding the treats under his bed as Amelia leaves the room. She’ll never find them here, I have too much junk to find anything under this bed. Henry thought to himself. The two go to bed, without saying a word to each other. Henry doubts if he should have gone in the so-called haunted house, and if it would have been a good idea. I’m not a wimp! He thought to himself. After about 20 minutes since they headed to bed, Henry peeks over to see his sister's bed, and sure enough, she’s asleep. He uses his phone flashlight to find his jacket and boots which he then puts on and slowly heads outside to make sure he doesn’t wake anybody and then heads on his way to the Miller's house so he can prove everyone wrong.

Amelia looks over her shoulder and realizes that Henry is not there. She gets up and goes beside his bed and looks under, but stops herself when she figures out that Henry had no reason to get out of bed. Where did he go? She slowly turns around and stares at the bedroom door which is slightly open. She cautiously walks down the stairs to see if he is in the kitchen but he isn’t. The bathroom door is wide open, so that means he isn’t there either. She goes toward the stairs but when passing by the coat rack she spots that his jacket is missing, as well as his boots which would usually be on the shoe rack under it.

The stepping stones that were partially covered in moss and mostly covered with dirt made a path that led to The Miller’s house. They must have been some wealthy folk if their house is that big. Henry thought as the house seemed to get bigger as he walked closer. He found himself in front of the tall wooden door, and it felt like it was about to fall over him. Just then he heard someone yelling his name: “Henry! Henry!” Sounds like Amelia. He thought to himself. He turns back and sees a figure in the distance, but can’t quite see who it is. It's obviously someone he knows but who? A couple other figures follow behind the first. As Henry watches them sprint through the thick fog he figures out that it's his sister and their friends. I’ll show them who's scared now. Henry kicks the rusty old latch that’s hanging by some-what of a screw off the door and peers inside as the ancient door creaks open. Without looking back, he runs into the darkness as the door slammed behind him. 

Henry quickly realized this was a mistake. He reached to find his phone in his pocket but it wasn’t there. It was very dark because the windows had been covered with planks of wood, and very difficult to breathe because the enclosed space was extremely dusty. 

Henry coughed the most dry coughs he had ever coughed. So he went to go in search of the door, but the darkness was thick and the air overfilled with dust that flowed all around him whenever he moved. He ran forward as fast as he could, but never seemed to even reach a wall. Soon it felt like he would never reach an end, but he ran with all his might. He had a very bad feeling, a feeling that he couldn’t escape from. He felt two scrawny hands with old long nails grab him and cover his mouth so all he could hear was his muffled screams.

“Henry! Henry!” Amelia yelled.

“What did I do?” She asked herself.

“Wow he really wanted to prove us wrong.” Jake says.

“It's not the time for that now.”

“Right, sorry.” Jake tries to open the door, but only seems to shake it slightly.

“Let me try.” Amelia says. She attempts to open the door but sees that it is locked shut.

“How did he lock it from the outside?” Amelia asks with total confusion.

“Look, he left his phone on the ground.” She says. Just then a strong wind blows from towards the house and a sudden change occurs.

“Wait, what just happened?” Jake asks.

“I'm not sure. But I did feel something unusual. And why was it only windy for a short amount of time, it’s not windy at all right now, just cold.” Amelia responds.

“Wait, whose phone is this?”

It was on a cold winter night that everything started. I remember the road getting closed by the snow pile outside. After a few days of snowing, the electricity to our little farm went out, our crops were starting to die, and we couldn’t go into town to get more resources since the snow prevented us from doing that. But it was after one week of this that everything started to go downhill. Knives were found outside from where they belonged, Firulais(our family dog) disappeared hours at a time, doors were found open from time to time. 

WEEK 1

On Monday, my brother, Timmy, called out to me for breakfast.

“Jeremy!” he exclaimed from the kitchen.

“Coming!—what happened?” I said while running downstairs.

“Is that your friend?”He asked me, concerned.

“Huh?” I looked at where he was pointing, there was a human figure outside, just staring, not moving.

“He isn't my friend. He must just be passing by, trying to get to town before the snowstorm gets worse, dont worry about it.” I told him calmly.

We then sat down to eat, my mom(Amanda) was really concerned about the snowstorm.

“We should really pack up and go into the city and stay with my mom, it's starting to concern me.” She exclaimed, with fear in her voice, looking outside.

“Don't worry, it's probably going to get better next week.” My dad(Bob) reassured her.

“You know what, you are right, I think it's just the lack of movement[freedom] that is concerning me, it's probably going to be fine.” She said, trying to reassure herself, but with some doubt in her voice. I just wished we would have listened to her.

WEEK 2

In the second week, things didn't go according to plan. The storm got worse, and now it was impossible to even go outside. I had to put Timmy to sleep since my parents were sleeping already.

“Good night, Timmy.” 

“Jeremy?”

“What?” I asked.

“Why does the man outside keep looking at our house?” He said as Firulais entered the room.

“What do you me—?”I stared at something outside, I couldn’t tell what it was I was looking at, but deep inside me, I knew it was a person.

“Don't wor—” I wanted to reassure him, but in a blink of an eye, the shadow disappeared.

“...ry about it, it's fine, just go to sleep, okay?” I wanted to act calm, but fear was in my voice. I think he noticed, since his face looked worried. He went to sleep, and I got into bed. Next day, I woke up early since for some reason, my door was open. I went to make breakfast for the whole family. 

“Food’s ready!” I shouted. One by one, they came to eat, first my dad, then my mom, and even Firulais. I sat down, but then realized that Timmy wasn’t here.

“Where is Timmy?” I asked them.

“I don't know, could something bad happen to him in his sleep?” My mom said in a panic.

“Don’t worry about him, just eat, nothing could have happened to him, let his breakfast be cold, he has to learn one way or another to come when being called.” My dad said, firmly and way too confident.

“You are right. Jeremy, check in on your brother after we eat.” My mom said,

“Okay.” I said, a bit worried, but what could happen to him, he is probably in his room sleeping, I thought to myself, but still could shake off the feeling. Just at that moment, I realized that Firulais wasn’t eating, so I tried to feed him, but he refused. Then as he left, I saw some red spots, I thought I imagined it, so I let him be. He then left, somewhere outside, he was the only one who could get out of the house. After we were finished eating, I cleaned the dishes, the water was icy cold since the heater didnt work because of the snow storm. I went to knock on the door, but it was already open.

“Timmy?” I said, but heard no answer, flies came out of the room. My stomach tightened, I slowly opened the door the first thing I saw was blood on the walls, all splattered in lines. I gathered all my courage and opened the door all the way. I can still see him, lying there, covered in red, thick, blood, surrounded by flies.

“TIMMY! MOM, DAD, COME, TIMMY IS DEAD!” I screamed, I heard them go up the stairs.
“WHAT HAPP—?! He saw Timmy laying on the floor. A chunk of his arms and legs were missing. 

“How did this happen?” He said in a sobbing voice.

“I don't know, I found him here, laying down on the floor, he was already dead.” I said, anger rushed through my veins. At that moment, I promised myself I was going to find the killer of Timmy.

WEEK 3

We were all still in shock with Timmy’s death. I barely ate, looking all over his room for clues of what could have happened. We left him there since we couldn’t go outside to bury him(it killed me on the inside seeing lay there),  or even call the police. I picked him up, I can still remember his body, fragile, icy cold, he smelled like rotten meat and eggs already, but there was just nothing we could do. My mom spent her days crying her eyes out, and sent my dad to sleep on the couch. She blamed him for convincing her that everything was going to be alright with the snowstorm, and if he hadn't convinced her to stay, Timmy would have been alive. My dad wasn't any better, he barely ate, he just sat at the couch, thinking, existing. I was looking at his room, when I suddenly remembered the man outside. I knew he couldn't have done it, Timmy was on the second floor, but still, I knew he was connected to Timmy’s death. 

WEEK 4

Everything changed on the 4th week. I was looking once again at Timmy’s room, when suddenly, I heard a crash, and then a shriek.

“AHHHHHHHH!” My mom yelled. My heart sank, anger, fear, ran through my head,  but the most powerful  emotion was revenge, it was Timmy’s assassin. I sprinted down, expecting to see a man, but there was no man. I stood in shock, I couldn't move, I trembled. Timmy’s assassin wasn't the man outside, it was a demonic-ish hound, what is this thing, where did it come from!, I thought, but deep inside me, I knew it was FIRULAIS. MY dad entered the room.

“WHAT THE DOG DOING!” My dad shouted. But Firulais was already finished with my mom, and jumped to my dad. I grabbed a knife(since the knives were once again outside for no reason), and jumped on Firulais. I stabbed him, his flesh was hard, but the knife was sharp enough to penetrate him. His blood was pure red, sizzling hot. I sat there, everyone was already dead, except me. I was going to check how the storm was doing, to see if I could contact the police, and that’s when I saw him, the man outside, staring me down, but I couldn't get out, I just stared at him back.

WEEK 5

The snow cleared off, I ran to the town, and got the police. They searched the entire house, to my shock, they didn't find Firulais, only a broken door, a knife with my finger prints covered in blood. They took me in custody, and was accused of killing my parents, since there weren't any signs of forced entry, so I was the only one possible to do it. They put me into a county jail, until my trial.

CURRENT DAY

And this is how I got here with you, your honor. 

“I see, well, due to your testimony, and the evidence, I declare you guilty of murder, and you will be sent to a psychiatric hospital to cure your schizophrenia prescribed by the doctor on your mental exam, you are all dismissed.” And I was sent here(even though I don't have schizophrenia), and sometimes in the day, in my free time, I can see him, the man outside, staring at me. 

The Blood In The Snow

Chapter I: Setting Camp

It is 2012,Dec 24, in the Alaskan wilderness, two men drive. The driver was named Cory Voy, and the man in the passenger seat, Wyatt Fletcher. “So how many do you think you’ll get?” Asked Cory, “Maybe 2-3, depending on if the traps work.” Replied Fletcher, “Oh! And remember the sixth day, or I'm no longer coming!” Says Cory. “ Alright then.”. Later that day Cory drops Wyatt off, as Cory drives off, Wyatt is now alone in the Alaskan wilderness. Wyatt owns a small cabin out here, he hunts deer. During the first day of arrival Wyatt sets up his cabin, gets firewood, plants down his equipment, and steps out of the cabin to see his surroundings. He’s been here before in an area he knows well. The cabin is in the middle of a snowy field, the nearest road is 4 miles away. On the eastern side are multiple hills beyond that is flat earth. In the north a dense forest, most of the deer Wyatt hunted have been there. From the cabin to the forest is 200 yards. Wyatt climbs into bed, this will be one of the only peaceful nights. 

Chapter II: Footprints

Dec 25, Christmas day, Wyatt sets out at 7:21 AM, this day he feels lucky. He hasn't caught anything in his traps, so he sets out for the woods. After an hour of searching and quiet he finds a set of footprints, deer, he follows them for half an hour. 8:53 AM, as he reaches the end the prints stop, but what is new is a trail, a trail of blood. “ A wolf or something must have gotten it before me.” Muttered Wyatt, annoyed. However he then notices something, when the deer footprints stop, they are replaced by different footprints. This deer is larger than average, their tracks of 5 inches, these new ones are 2 feet long, and 1 foot wide. Wyatt, an experienced hunter, knows that he shouldn't follow these tracks. He doesn't know how big this animal is. He begins to head home, but the few birds in the trees stop singing and calling, the only sound is the crunching of leaves and twigs, and the broken snow under his feet. Wyatt then hears something else, another set of footsteps, when he stops to see if they are real or in his head, they stop, when he continues they start up again. “Smart thing ain’t ya.” CRACK! Wyatt fires his small rifle into the treeline. A shriek, a shriek of an animal fueled by the hatred of Wyatts blast roars. The unknown animal charges, Wyatt runs. After minutes of sprinting, Wyatt gets out of the trees into the open field. He continues and only after he reaches his cabin does he look back, the only visible thing he sees is a large shadow on the trees, hidden by a tree, that's what he believes till the tree starts moving back the shadow moving with it. A large animal,  at least 7 feet big judging by the shadow and the other trees. Wyatt stays in his cabin the full day, only heading out to collect firewood, with his rifle by his side. All day he feels he is being watched. A few hours later a blizzard sets in, a snow storm brings the clear sky to as dark as night. As he eats his supplies of food, he looks out the window, the storm blocking all view from inside. Then the sounds of breaking snow. He finishes and looks out the window. He can’t see anything, but he knows whatever is out there can see him.

Chapter III: Stalker

Dec 26-27,The night though uneventful, breaks Wyatt, he knows the creature knows where he is, and that he doesn't know where it is. He can’t tell if it’s the snow hitting the window or the creature touching it. Wyatt is locked in his room with his rifle on his bed. The morning light comes, temporarily the blizzard dissipates. “ Oh, Christ.” Mutters Wyatt, trembling, “It was here.”. Outside his window, no, surrounding the whole of the cabin are footprints, the same ones. The creature had been watching him as he looked out the window. When he makes his way round the cabin, he sees the deer. It is decomposing, the smell nearly makes Wyatt vomit, flies and maggots in its skin. He throws it far from his cabin. The creature has played a sick joke on him. Wyatt then knowing he can’t stay here walks the four miles to the nearest road. Where when he sees it he breaks, and whimpers. The road is completely snowed in. No way of a car coming through. He must get back to the cabin, and fast, he doesn't want to be out here at night. As he trudged back to the cabin, the blizzard returns, the biting winds making him shiver, and parts of snow going into his nose and mouth. He gets back as from afar, the faint sounds of a roar are heard. He shuts and locks the door.

Chapter IV:Trapped, and Traps

Dec 28,The fourth day and second day of this nightmare begins. Wyatt remembers he has traps for bigger animals. He sets them out a few feet from his cabin, he sits on the porch rifle in his lap. He is trapped out here for a few more days. Then he goes back inside. While eating his soup, enriched with meat and vegetables, like carrots, and his drink of water. His plate of fruits like strawberries. For the first time in those two days since the first encounter he feels calm, feels confident. He realized that he’d rather face that creature than to wait for help. He packs his things and heads for the woods once more. After 15 minutes he finds the trail, blood has soaked the snow, a clear path, the trees tower over him. His objective is clear: kill the beast. He walks for hours it seems. He is about to quit, when he sees it. 

Chapter V: First Look

What stands before him, is the creature, it is large, around 15 feet, twice the size he thought originally. It is in the process of a meal, a deer.It has white fur, four legs, a tail and two ears. The body looks like a wolf, but its legs are far too extended, and it uses its front two as hands. It breaks the bones of the deer, the sound of tearing flesh and stench of death fills Wyatt. Without himself knowing, he unconsciously says “ Dear lord.” It breaks the silence and by the time he realizes his mistake, he has his rifle in his arms.  The creature is a few seconds from completely turning around.

He fires, the bullet slicing through the flesh of the creature, then it fully looks at him, a maw of 2 sets of teeth, perfect for tearing, 2 great yellow eyes that cut through him. But most abnormal is that the maw extends down, wide open, its breath on Wyatt, from just 10 feet. It jerks its body towards him, as Wyatt fires again, and again. The creature falls, but gets back up. Wyatt starts to run then stops and fires, and keeps running. He repeats this cycle again and again, with each bullet the creature looks more exhausted, then SLASH! The creature slices Wyatts back, and Wyatt makes his way to the field. “ 200 yards,” He says.” Then this nightmare is over.” Then at the base of the porch he turns back the creature point-blank, CRACK! He hits the creature's eye. The creature roars in pain and partially blind nearly slices Wyatt. It turns, running back to the forest, Wyatt continues to fire. When the creature falls out of sight its roars still echoing, each quieter and quieter, Wyatt takes note of his situation. He then makes a shocking discovery, of the 100 rounds he took, he used up 58. The creature took 58 rounds, till it turned heels. For the first time since the first night, he slept soundly.

Chapter VI: Thaw

Dec 30,Two days, two days of peace. The 6th day brought a clearing to the road, it’s the day Wyatt and Cory decided to leave. Wyatt spends hours collecting his gear and supplies, and trying to heal his wounds. Then he sets out, as he makes his way to the now drivable road, the feeling of being watched comes back. He knows the creature is dead, but after nearly a week of stalking, how can he not be paranoid? But those feelings are overcome as he sees Cory's truck. But it is now early night, and the blizzard is slowly returning. He knocks on the window and he gets inside.

Chapter VII: A Win And A Loss

“So how many?” Asks Cory, “ None, some creature was hunting me for about 4 days. It stalked me, slashed me, and made me paranoid. I hate the night out here now. But it’s dead now, at least I hope.” Replies Wyatt, a silence is in the truck, but Cory breaks it asking if he wants to hear the radio,”Sure, anything to get my mind off it.” Says Wyatt. As Cory starts the engine, puts on the radio, and starts driving away from the cabin. Away from the place that for the last 6 days was a living nightmare, Wyatt finally feels some sense of normalcy. Then, for the first time, Wyatt is again in danger, it happened too fast, and too violently. In one moment he is in a car with a friend, the next the car is flipped over, the howling winds of a blizzard are in his ears, and his friend  screams are heard, Wyatt crawls out the car, just to see a trail of blood going back over towards the cabin, in the distance he sees two shadows, one enormously towering over the other, and finally a final shriek mixed with screams are heard.

THE END

*Ring ring* The phone goes off. I went to pick up the phone thinking it was any other call. As I reached for the phone an uneasy feeling began to explode throughout me. I brushed off that feeling as if it was nothing, as I brought the phone to my ear and answered the call, I heard the familiar voice but I couldn't figure out who it was.

 “Clara…?..” the familiar voice says through the phone with an uneasy eerie tone. “Who is this?” I say to the familiar voice on the other side of the phone, “Clara, oh you know who I am —” Confusion builds throughout me and this uneasy feeling grows bigger and bigger, “Im you sweety” the voice says. A million thoughts now running through my mind, could I have a twin I didn't know about? This must be someone playing a stupid prank– right? “This isn't funny, who is this?” I say terrified. “Clara, there's no reason to be afraid I'm calling to help you.” The voice says to me calmly. I stay quiet and the voice speaks again,

 “Clara, we are the same person but I am just a few years in the future.” I again stay quiet and speechless, the voice says again. “I am trying to warn you Clara, someone is going to kill yo–” *thump* I hung up the phone. 

“I'm sick of people and thinking they're funny!” I say to myself. Although I had hung up the phone, this terrible gut feeling that something is wrong is still taking over me, but I ignore it. I went to bed later that night thinking I’d wake up feeling better. But  soon after falling asleep I am woken up by a noise that sounds like it's coming from the front of the house.

 Even as terrified as I was, I rushed out of bed and stormed out of my room to see what was there. And there, standing in front of me, myself? This thing looked as if I was standing in front of a mirror, but different, taller, stronger–different. This person that claimed to be me, her eyes went black and that's when that overbearing gut feeling took over me. I could hear the voices in my head telling me to run, as fast and far as I could, but I stayed. I didn’t know what this black eyed creature was but I knew it wasn’t human. Before I knew it, that thing in front of me was now lunging at me, holding me down, and I couldn’t get out of its grip.

 I felt like there was an overbearing power coming from this black eyed creature. That's when I saw it, that piece of shiny sharp silver that was coming from the creature's pocket, a blade. As the creature towered over me, pinning me down, I tried to reach for the blade that was peeking out of its pocket. I felt as if the blade was calling my name, I had to take it from this thing's pocket. My arm was reaching for the blade so hard I thought it would fall off, but I felt my hand chill as I touched the blade. 

I didn't even care, couldn’t care if it cut my hand, I gripped it so hard to bring it to me, indeed it sliced my hand open. I was able to puncture the skin of this creature on top of me but it seemed that it made it more mad rather than hurt. That poke to the gut had set this thing off and I regretted it more than anything in my life. The creature picked me up as if it was nothing, like I was as light as a little piece of paper. Terror shot through my body and I could no longer breathe due to fear. I was held by my throat, the creature staring at me dead in the eyes.

 While holding eye contact with the creature, looking into those large round black eyes, not being able to breathe, I realized, there was no soul in that body, it was something that lived in everyone's nightmares. Before I knew it, I was thrown against the wall. I could hear some of my bones break as I hit the wall and slid down like a bird on a window. The thing creeped closer and closer to me, although my vision was blurry from the slam and my head ached, I felt it come closer and closer, I heard the floorboards creak and I felt the warmth of its body come closer onto mine. 

As my vision cleared I saw the creature's face more and more, identical to mine, as it inch closer and closer to me. It stared at me, no not just at me but in me. It looked at me as if it could see something inside me, like it was looking at my soul. Those black eyes just kept looking. I felt like I was there for hours and it just wouldn’t stop staring. “I tried to warn you Clara.” The creature said to me with genuine aggravation in its voice. I was so confused, more than I ever have been or will  be in my life. “Why are you doing—this to me?” I rasped, my throat still sore from the creature's tight grasp on it moments ago. “Oh Clara” It stared at me “I'm here on unfinished business.” A crack in its, the voice that sounded just like mine with a tear rolling down from its eye. 

A bright light started to shine behind the linen closet door. The creature walked slowly, to the door. The door opened, so smooth and calm. The black eyed creature came back over to me and picked me up, I didn’t even scream or try to get out of its grip, I now knew why this was happening. I was thrown into the shining light where I fell, fell for what felt like hours. When I landed all I heard was screaming, and all I felt was hot. I could hear the flames eating at my flesh. This, this agony and sound of terror is all I would hear and feel, for the rest of my life, for all of eternity. This is where I would stay, I had deserved it.

Mental

The gates of the prison scraped open sliding across the gravel, the prison for the people who were prisoners of their own minds, or better known as insane people. My bus drove into the entrance bouncing across the bumpy road. It stopped at the entrance, the entrance was a plain white, with dark windows. The blond, short driver opened the door. A large guard enter the bus, and exited with a few “prisoners,” and with me. They weren’t normal prisoners. They were prisoners of their own minds that’s what they were that, and nothing else. Or at least thats what they tell themselves. I am not a prisoner I am free, no matter what they tell me. I am not like the others, I am not a prisoner! The prisoners and I walked, and walked down long white corridors each time we stopped a different prisoner was led into their own plain room with stone walls. Stopped, I was finally stopped. I was led to a room a room for me, and only me it was like the others plain with stone walls, and barely scrubbed toilet and a bed with stained bedsheets. I am not a prisoner of my mind, yet they put me in this wretched prison. “It wasn’t my fault” That was the thought that filled my head as I sat in the room they put me in, on the floor, in the stone room. I, Dion, sat there on the floor, in the room for me, and only me, within my mind thinking that horrid thought over and over. “It wasn’t my fault. It was hers. I am not in the prison of my mind, I am not a prisoner, I am not insane, and I WILL escape this place!” 

Then a man entered the room. He was tall, wore glasses, and had dark hair he had a white coat on and, an I.D badge. The man sat down in a chair. I stayed on the cold, and dirty floor. The tall man spoke in a deep voice with an accent that I can’t quite make out, “Hello there Dion, I will be your doctor for the rest of your stay.“ I sat there staring at the tall man, my “doctor.” He then continued to speak much to my displeasure “Do you know why you’re here Dion?” I nodded. I knew why they sent me to this place, even if I don't deserve to be here as I’m perfectly sane, and it wasn't my fault! The man started to scribble something on his clipboard, looked at me, and spoke, “How about you tell me the events leading up to the event that sent you here?” The “event that sent me here” I knew exactly what he was speaking of, that event haunts me, has forced me into this place, and is not my fault. He grew impatient of my silence and spoke again, “Dion? Just tell me why you did what you did.”

I was hesitant, though I still began to explain, I started to explain how my mother had always wanted children, and that it would be almost impossible for her to have some. Almost impossible… In some unholy miracle I was unfortunately born and my mother was ecstatic, practically jumping for joy, or so I’ve been told, but of course since I was her only child I had to be the perfect child for my dear dear mother, and then when my father was.. Brought to his end by my uncle it broke my dear mother. So she pushed me more, and more, and more to be perfect. By four she had me learning multiple instruments such as the guitar, piano, flute, saxophone, and violin. She also had me enrolled in many art classes, and of course she hired a tutor for me so I would be “the smartest in my kindergarten classes.” By five I was stressed out, no five year old should have to deal with such stress as I did! I had too much too much. It was unbearable my life was nothing but stress, and striving to be the perfect impossible human my dear mother wanted me to be. Then I reached middle school it got harder, I had no free time, life, or friends I was known as the creepy kid, who never spoke to anyone else, but succeeded at everything he did, I was known as a FREAK! I couldn’t take it anymore I was depressed, and the stress and anxiety finally got to me. I remember the day vividly it was late after, school, after my extracurricular activities it was around 7, and just starting to get dark a dusk of sorts, I snuck into the kitchen, while my mom slept tired from her job,  I placed my hand on our cupboard, it creaked as I slowly opened it the sound was so loud yet so quiet. Then as it slowly opened I grabbed the large butchers knife… 

My mom found me on the floor a while later. I survived, somehow I survived. They sent me to a doctor like the doctor I told this story to, a doctor for the mentally ill, but it didn’t help, and I continued to break under the pressure so much pressure, and now my appointments with my doctor took more, and more of my freetime, so much stress I was experiencing. Then highschool approached, and I finally broke. One after school day again I went to the kitchen cabinet grabbed the large butcher knife, and… My mother was no more. I called 911 and told them “It my wasn’t my fault.” then hung up. The police arrived found what happened and then sent me to this prisoner for prisoners of their mind, even though I am not a prisoner, I am not crazy, the event was her Fault. 

That is what I told the man, and after my long story he spoke once more “That seems like a lot for such a young child, but that story took up a lot amount of our time, and now I must visit my other patients. We shall speak about this later.” He left and I was alone… So alone. That night I got out I escaped the prison, the hospital. I don't know where I went or where I am now but I’m still here. I’m still here. 

End.

Please take care of your mental health, and never be afraid to ask for help. 

“Marquise run, the killer is right behind you.” said Braeden

“Come here I am going to get you guys.” said The Killer

Marquise and Braeden start getting some distance from the killer, but Braeden trips and falls. Marquise just kept running. 

“Nooo do not kill me” yelled Braeden crying.

“I show mercy to no one.”  said the killer.

“URGH no stop.” yelled Braeden in agony.

“Get off that guy, get away before i call the cops.” said Aaron from a distance.

As the killer ran away Marquise realized that Braeden was not behind him.  Marquise tried to call Braeden but he was not answering the phone.  Marquise was trying to find him.  Then he saw an ambulance at the park where they ran through.  Marquise goes over there to see what is going on.  He asked the police why the ambulance was there, and they told him that Braeden told them some guy in a mask stabbed him.  Marquise just started to break down and tell them what happened before he got stabbed.

The next morning Marquise tells his friend about what happened to Braeden, and Finley comforts Marquise about the situation.  Finley asked Marquise if he wanted to go to the high school football game later that day.  Marquise told him that he was down to go.  

Later that day Marquise was at the high school football game and kept trying to get a hold of Finley, but Finley wasn’t answering the phone.  Marquise went to get a snack from the snack shack and then saw the killer at the game so Marquise ran into the school library away from the football game.  Marquise locked the door behind him, but then he hears a loud noise from the corner where the windows are and sees nothing.  Now Marquise gets paranoid and starts looking around.

“Aren’t you surprised to see me Marquise.” said the killer behind Marquise.

Then Marquise turned around and saw the killer ready to stab him so Marquise started to run around the library, but when he turned a corner the killer slashed his arm.  Marquise had too much adrenaline to realize that he got slashed.  Marquise went to jump through the window, but slowed down as he was elevating and got slashed by the knife in his leg.  Marquise starts crawling  to the football field, but the killer did not follow. Marquise went to the football field.  When Marquise made it to the football field he saw Finley and he asked Finley to call the police for help.  When the police came with an ambulance they put Marquise in the ambulance. The police told Finley to go with the emt.  

“Were you helping Marquise get to the ambulance.” asked the EMT

“No, when I got to the game I saw Marquise crawling on the floor with a bloody trail.”  said Finley

“So how did your hand get all bloody” asked concerningly Marquise

“I must have accidentally cut my self on the fence” said Finley

“Ok do you want me to check it out.” asked the EMT

When they were driving to the emergency room Marquise just went unconscious because he lost too much blood.  When they made it to the emergency room Finley saw Braeden in the hospital with a heartbeat and smirked. 

When Marquise woke up he asked where Finley was at, but none of the doctors knew where he went.  Marquise wanted to know where Finley went, so the doctors went looking all around the hospital to try and find Finley but there was no sight of Finley anywhere.  The doctors told Marquise that they could not find Finley anywhere, so Marquise wanted to know if they could check the camera.  When they checked the camera they saw Finley look into Braeden’s room then left out a backdoor.  When they checked the live cameras a man with a mask walked through the same door with a bloody knife.  So all the security guards told the masked man to back away from the hospital, but then the masked man charged at the security guards and slashed the first one in the throat.  Then stabbed the second in the stomach, but then the third guard shot the masked killer in the chest.  Then the guard checked the masked killer's pulse and felt the killer's chest was hard, so he checked to see what it was and he saw a vest.  Before the guard was able to realize it was a bulletproof vest. The killer sliced the guard in the throat. He picked up the guard's gun.

The doctors rolled Braeden’s body into Marquise's room so that the doctors could protect the two victims, but while they were rolling Braeden's body the doctor heard a gasp and saw Braeden’s eyes open. 

The killer started running to Marquise’s room and saw Braeden and Marquise in the room with sharp surgery tools in their hands.  The masked killer let off an evil laugh (mwahahaha) and opened the door.  The masked killer runs for Marquise but the doctors try and get in his way and they all charged at the killer and the killer stabbed two of them and the three other doctors try to jump on him.  The first doctor got stabbed but when the other two jumped on him and the killer's mask fell off.

Marquise and Braeden saw that and got mad, so they both got up to help attack the killer but Marquise just falls to the floor because he couldn’t get himself up.  Braeden went to stand in front of Marquise to protect him.  The killer finished the other two doctors off and got up.

“Aren’t you happy to see me” said the Killer

“No get away from us or I kill you Finley” said Braeden

Marquise then looks up in confusion realizing that Finley was the killer. Braeden get ready to fight Finley.  Finley charges at Braeden but Braeden dodges it and slices Finley in the back but doesn’t do anything to Finley.  Finley pulls out the gun and he aims it up at Braeden goes to whack it and he does.  As he did there was a loud bang.  Braeden dropped to the floor.  When Braeden whacked the gun it fell next to Marquise.  Marquise started crawling towards it.  Finley sees him crawl.

“Where you think you're going.” said Finley

Marquise just starts crawling.  As he goes to reach the gun Finley threw a knife and Marquise’s hand.  As Finley went to swing on Marquise; Marquise was stabbing Finley in the legs with his surgery tools so Finley was screaming in pain.  As Marquise went to reach for the gun and got it.  BANG BANG.

THE END

Chapter I

 There were three friends Cory, Joseph, and Max. They all knew each other since they were in kindergarten. There was this field trip that was coming up, and the three friends were all excited about it. “I can’t wait for the field trip,” said Max. “I know right,” Cory said. *The next day “Yess!!The field trip is today” said Max. So while the three students were going on a field trip to the Rainforest. They boarded the bus and 30 minutes later something tragic happened. The bus crashed and Cory, Joseph and Max were abducted. They were taken into a black vehicle with a mysterious person inside. “W-w-What happened?” Max asked. “I think we were kidnapped” “Cory, stop overreacting why would someone want to kidnap three children; unless we actually got KiDnapped!!”. Max then lost his mind because he couldn’t stop thinking about getting kidnapped. “Max chill out” that's Joseph. He's really smart, but he can get scared easily. To be continued…

Chapter II

So now you know how we ended up here( in a black van), but we were still moving so the person who kidnapped us must be at the front. When we went on a rocky road I felt like I got the feeling that we were going to be killed, but I don't know it just feels so weird that the MP(Mysterious Person) took the three of us when there were 50 kids on the bus. (Unless we were special which I highly doubt but who knows) We were definitely going up a hill. “Let's try to get out of here” “I am getting the chills” Said Max after he finished losing his mind. The van finally stopped, I wondered if we were ever going to get out alive. I then realized that we were in the Rainforest, then it hit me that the bus crash wasn’t an accident, it was on purpose to lure us out of there and do what deeds the kidnapper wants. To be continued…

Chapter III

“Cory!” Shouted Joseph “we have to get out of here”. *the doors opened. “Finally we're out” Max said in relief. Then the MP came out of the vehicle and carried a metal bat in and knocked us out. When we woke up we were in a house and we saw many things a kid shouldn’t have seen. There were skeleton heads, zombie arms, weird pots for brewing soups, and weird creatures that were staring at us. On the table top I saw a map that had a strange pearl on it. On the “welcome home Ravenna” sign I just assumed the MP’s name was Revenna. Ravenna laid us on the ground and I saw a key laying on the hardwood floor. When Revenna turned around I quickly picked up the key and put it in my pocket. Then Revenna took us outside where it was very scary and dark. I was getting the chills that someone was watching me. Then I saw bloody red eyes staring at me. I couldn’t see who it was. It looked like the size of a sixth grader then a high schooler, and lastly a 20th foot monster. It had three heads, ripped dragon wings, and teeth larger than an Elephant. My jaw dropped. This was not an ordinary kidnapper, it was a witch and it made sense, the pots, the prototypes, and the weird zombie limbs. To be continued…

Chapter IV

“You're a Witch” I yelled out, “Yeah no duh” Max said.”who would want to kidnap three kids?” “No, she's really a witch, remember the zombie arms, the pots, and the prototypes.” “Oh yeah you're right no kidnapper would have those names.” Max said. The monster kept coming closer and closer. “Ahahaha, bad luck to you kids” Ravenna laughed. “The monster won’t stop chasing you until the two of you are dead.” “Your blushing” I added “Maybe so, but you can try to find out” Ravenna said. She disappeared into the abyss. Max then went closer to the monster, closer and closer. “Max! Come back!” Joseph yelled. He still kept on walking closer and closer. The monster opened its mouth “Guys it's fine, we're oka—ahhhhhhh!!!!!” The monster bit him in the ribs and dropped him on the ground. His blood started coming out. “I can’t breathe,” Max said in a pale voice. All his blood rushed to the floor, Then his skin turned pale white. The monster then ate Max’s head off. Joseph and I were in shock, and we still couldn’t believe our friend we knew from kindergarten was now dead. To be continued…

Chapter V The last bloody Chapter

After Max died, it was only me, and Joseph left. The monster then ate Max’s remains and gave us that same bloody stare. I was frozen still staring at the devious monster that just killed my friend. The monster was walking toward us, but I stood still until Joseph grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the direction of the bloody monster. “Y-y-You saved my life. Thank you Joseph” I said “No time to talk now we have to get moving” Joseph then pulled my arm and started running away. We both tripped on a log and fell on the ground. There was a huge hole in front of us which kind of looked like a meteor crash except it had spiky rocks. The monster had us in its sight and ran towards us. “I-I i don't know what to do, we're all going to die, I’m too young to die, my family would be sad and I wouldn’t want them to feel that way. Please do something Cory.” Joseph started freaking out. “Chill out man, we’ll get through this just calm down” Joseph stood up “How can I calm down, there is a monster trying to kill us and we need to get out of here fast. *piercing noise.* Joseph was pierced with the teeth of the monster. The monster then bit the top half of Joseph’s body and left his legs on the ground. I saw his flesh, bones, and lots of blood. After the monster ate half of Joseph, it started targeting me and now chasing me. Then I saw the spiky rock hole and had an idea. I ran as fast as I could towards it and the monster was chasing me pretty quickly. I then turned to my left, and the monster couldn’t turn in time. It fell in the hole and the spiky rocks pierced it to death. “Good riddance, you bloody monster”. My pocket started glowing blue. I put my hand in it and there it was the “pearl”. I smashed it down on the ground and a blueish-Greenish aura appeared right where it was smashed. I stepped onto it and when I looked back up I wasn’t in the forest anymore I was in the witch’s house. “I see that you lived, but I'm guessing your friends died?” Ravenna said “You're a monster for killing my friends.” I said. The witch started to fight me, but instead of fighting I chose to run. I ran and ran until the witch fell through a trapdoor that was supposed to be for me. “Get me out of here!” The witch started screaming for help. I saw that there were gears below her feet, so I assumed there must have been a lever here somewhere.  I found the lever and pulled it down the gears turned on and started shredding her feet. She screamed in agony “Stop!, Stop!" "Did you ever stop when you killed my friends!?” “I guess not.” I heard her mumble something like agracopentiopia. Right after she mumbled that my feet exploded into blood, then my arms, and my chest. “Die now little hero-oo!” The witch died before me. *Cory’s head exploded into red marbles.

THE END

Day: 1

The darkness, the musky air, and the faint sound of water as it quietly drips onto the floor. Yes, that is all I remember before opening my eyes. Waking up in the middle of a dark and dirty tunnel with the musky smell of dirt filling my senses is not the best way to wake, but that is all I can do. For who knows how long I've been down here? 10 minutes? An hour? Maybe 2? Yet all I can do is sit down and write with this dusty old journal I found covered in dirt and sprawled about on the ground. I thought about wandering, looking for a way out perhaps, but I can't. For every time I take a step away from the place I woke, a single step into another tunnel, I hear it. The sounds of someone, no. The sound of something following me. “Who's there?” I shouted, but there was no response. I can't go, I can't leave, for fear that it will follow and catch up to me. 

Day: 2 

I can only hope that it has been a day, for I cannot imagine this being any less. Nothing has changed, nothing at all. I still sit here on the dirt filled floor as the air gets worse and worse. “I feel as if I'm suffocating,” I mutter, though I know I am not, at least not yet. I know I can't stay here longer, even if that thing will not get me, something else will. 

That is the reason I finally made the decision to face whatever it is that watches me from the murky shadows. I took a step into another tunnel, and then another. This tunnel is just as dark as the last. The only sense of light is the dim flame of the torches that have been unstably pressed into the dirt walls. However, none of this made me feel uneasy, no. It was something even more unnerving. the steps that still trailed slowly behind me, but every time I looked back I saw nothing. Perhaps I should feel relieved that nothing was behind me? No, I dreaded the fact I couldn't see it even more. “Nothing’s there,” I tell myself. However, I know that's not true, I kept walking, and I kept looking back. I didn't know what I wanted to find or even accomplish, but I walked on, tunnel after tunnel, and step after step.

 It had to be hours of walking, yet I only seemed to find one thing that made me feel stranger than the steps, a chalk outline. No one was there, at least not anymore. The only thing I saw near was a dead little black and orange moth, but was this moth different? It had a little skull pattern on its back, perhaps it means nothing. However, this little moth interested me. Maybe it was the fact the moth had died exactly where a human once had. Perhaps it was the fact this was the only trace of life I had found? No, it was something so small, yet I don't know what. Something about it drew me closer, but as my eyelids became heavy, I knew it was time to rest.

Day: ???

It has not been 3 days, for how could it have been 3 days? I’ve walked endlessly through these dark and dirty tunnels yet I have no sense of hunger. “Why do I keep going?” I ask myself, yet I don't know the answer. I thought it would be just another meaningless day of walking. I've grown used to the steps slowly following me. However, today was different, I found a door. The door was covered in rust, but I didn't care much for it. I opened the door and stepped inside, the air, the smell of mold and musty water. The steps follow, this may not seem of much importance, since they have yet to stop. But I swear they got even the slightest bit faster. 

The room is practically empty beside a rusty old pillar and table and layed about in the room with little care. However, the pillar had a small dusty poster that read ‘Missing’. The man in the photo seemed the least bit familiar, as if I had seen him before. “Do I keep it?” I ask myself, but before I can decide I hear the echo of water dripping quietly, almost creepily. The sound easily filled the silent room, and I quickly turned my attention to the faint splash that fell behind me. It felt strange, almost as if each drop was a ticking second. I quickly ripped the poster off the wall to take with me. However, as if angered by my actions the steps start, yet I am not moving like when they had followed me in the past. Startled by this I ran, but the steps began to run too. I don't dare to look back even as my breath becomes ragged. However, I know the steps will not stop until they get what they want. I do what I must, and continue as fast as I can. “Go away!” I yell, but to no response. I feel like I just took a bath in sizzling hot lava as my lungs and legs burn from exhaustion. But this is not the thing that stopped me, no. Something much bigger, something I never expected, a dead end. “Why now!” I gasp out as I struggle to breathe. After minutes, hours, and days of walking through these tunnels a dead end appears now of all times. 

 I stop abruptly with no choice but turn back and face the thing following me. But when I finally turn around I realize the ‘thing’ following me is worse than I ever could have expected. Something so strange I question if it's even real. Something strange so much so to the point I begin to question my own sanity. It was a mirror, yes. That is strange in itself, but the thing that terrified me was what I saw in it. Something that made me remember everything all at once. I wanted to scream, panic, anything as the memories rushed back to me all at once! Yet I stood there, shocked. I didn't hesitate, did not give a second thought. I punched the mirror as hard as I could, hardly thinking about the consequences. Yet there were no consequences. My fists didn't even bleed, and I still felt nothing. Because I knew I was already dead, I knew deep down this whole time. I knew the second I saw that missing person poster, because I am the person in the poster. No matter how much I wish it was not true, it was, and I knew I had to accept it to move on from this place, and that is what I did.

There was nothing that could scare Arnold. Well that’s what everyone in school

thought. Nobody knew what was really going on inside him. He was just acting tough to

fit in and be elite.

He was getting ready for school one day and left his room. The hallway was a bit

dark. He saw a shadow figure at the end. He stepped back. His mom appeared, out of

that shadow.

“Get ready, we might be late.” He immediately started to get ready, shaking his

head. Something was wrong. He was off. He didn’t know.

He wanted to get out. He was stressed, he wanted something to help him,

something that could save him.

“Hey bro, are you ready for the carnaval on Friday?” Nico had asked him, which

was his friend.

“Yeah, yeah.”

“You okay bro?” Nico asked with concern. He looked seriously at Arnold, “Really.

Are you?”

“Yeah, just kinda tired.”

He looked skeptically at Arnold, but we were almost late for the next period. It

would be horrible being late in their high school.

Arnold had chills in his spine the whole rest of the day. He was in his house with

his sister named Ruby, his mom named Oliva, and his dad named James. Ruby and

James were with him the whole time watching it. The game was won by his team and

they celebrated.

Arnold couldn’t feel the normal feelings. The next blink, his world went blurry. It

was dark and whispers were in the background. Just then the TV turned on. It was

static.

“MOM!” he called out. He couldn’t hear his own voice, he looked around and saw

no one. He shut his eyes tightly hoping this would bring him back to reality. He opened

them, and the normal, it was back.

He ran to his bed and shoved himself under the covers. He could hear his

heartbeat in his head, echoing. He closed his eyes dreaming of a wonderful place.

The next day he was next to his Oliva the whole morning, because James had

gone to work.

“I don’t mind that you want to be next to me but why?” Oliva had asked.

“To mind your own business,” Arnold had whispered under his breath. He

blinked, it came back. Heartbeat in the background. Loud noises. Was this really real?

Was he really dead? Was this happening?

He felt uneasy and steadily dropped to the floor. It felt like he had gone to sleep.

“Hurry up and wake up!” Ruby demanded, “We’re gonna be late!” He got up and

looked around, he was sitting on the couch, but how? Wasn’t he just on the ground?

With his mom?

When he got to school Nico was there, he had seen Arnold was angry and

looked scared.

“You sure you're okay?” Nico asked nicely with a smile of concern and looking

worried.

“Yes, can you stop following me,” Arnold had said, shoving Nico aside.

“Bro my bad.” Nico said, shoving him back. Arnold slowly turned his head toward

Nico. “Now you think you're that kid.” Nico responded with another shove. “You ain’t

him!”

Arnold pushed him this time making Nico stumble back. A crowd of 10 people

had already gathered around them and was growing swiftly. Some people started to yell

fight.

“Now you wanna fight, huh bro!” Nico screamed putting his fists up while Arnold

copied. Nico went for the stomach making little to no contact while Arnold, because he

was half a foot taller, went for the head.

He sent his hand flying out in front of his face. But before he made contact he

blinked again. It was like every time he blinked in a big situation he got sent here.

But this time there was red fog around. It was a two story house this time. A

growl came from another room on the bottom floor where he was. Wood being

scratched near the top of the staircase. It was an old house that was run down.

“PLEASE LET ME OUT!” he tried to say but it wasn’t strong enough, he could

hear himself. Again his legs went numb. He felt the urge to rest and sleep. He fell to the

floor but this time he didn’t sleep. He was still awake. He saw a figure in the distant part

of the room. But holding something.

“I gave you many chances,” it said in the most deep voice I had known, “One

more and you will feel pain,” it paused for a long time, “Don’t let it happen again.” Just

then he knocked out.

He woke up in the principal's office.

“YOUR SON IS A DISGRACE TO OUR SCHOOL!” The principal yelled. Arnold

looked at the person he yelled it to. My heart dropped. It was Arnold’s mom, and she

didn’t take these fights funny. “He nearly killed a kid!”

“Well he had said to stop,” Arnold’s mom replied, “It made him uncomfortable!”

Arnold was breathing hard in the corner.

“IT WAS HIS FRIEND!” the principal yelled, “That attack was unaccounted for!” I

was now shaking.

“Oh my God,” Oliva said, shaking her head annoyed, “I’m annoyed, let's solve

this out on call when I’m at home.” Oliva and Arnold walked out of the office.

When they got out of the school Arnold said, “Mom plea-” he tried.

“No.”

He closed his eyes and just knew all of the punishments were coming. They got

into the car and it began but he just closed his eyes and shoved his face into his hands.

They couldn’t stop coming.

It was normal grounded. Well until Friday. This was when everything went

downhill.

7:46 PM Hey you still might be mad and might not want to come but, you’re still

invited, so come if you want.

These kids are so fake, Arnold had thought. I wish I could just punch them in the

face right now. Next he blinked.

It was the darkest color of red fog and noises of everything he heard before. His

door creaked open, and a dark shadow figure was at the end of the hallway and I knew

it wasn’t mom.

“Think what you want, do you really still?” The deep voice from before said. It

was still as if you talked, you died, like silent.

“No I don’t!” his voice actually worked, he felt his throat.

“Totally,” the voice said sarcastically. I then felt sleepy.

“No,” I said weakly.

There were sounds of canaval all around him, he opened his eyes to see gray all

around him. I looked down to see a toilet. He was in a portapotty. He got up and pulled

up his pants. He immediately opened the door to see a whole canaval with his ears

exploding.

He couldn’t remember a thing about anything but being there in that moment. He

saw his parents and sister in a corner probably waiting for him. They met together and

started talking and playing games.

When he went for a toilet break, he came out to see the music deeper, and less

people around, but at that moment it didn’t matter because he was there with his family

100%.

He went to the bathroom a second time, and this time when he got out the music

had gotten way deeper and more people had left. It was strange before he realized it

wasn’t real. He went back to his parents to see them standing looking at him with a

smile. Eyes wide open, but not only them but now the rest of the park. All breathing

heavily all simultaneously. He started to get a tear in my eye and knew it was over for

him and remembered his past experiences with these encounters and knew he was

going to die.

“Well, well, well,” The known voice had said. This time he was floating in the sky

dressed in all black wearing a top hat with a coat and tie and fancy pants and even

fancy shoes.

Without listening to another word he started to run, noticing that all the fake

people had disappeared. He looked back, slowly realizing that the man who was talking

was the grim reaper. That was what it was holding in its hand a scythe.

“Don’t be afraid,” the grim reaper said with a horrible tone, “It is now your turn to

die.” It was floating in the air casually all cool and normal like it’s a saturday stroll.

The surrounding building started to collapse but as cardboard like everything was

a trick. Well because it was but still Arnold was terrified.

But out of everything he saw the porta potties still around. And he knew that was

some sort of teleportation device to get home.

“Hey bad kid,” the grim reaper had said. It appeared right in front of Arnold. It

almost grabbed Arnold by the arm. “If you get out you have at least 50 years of peace

away from us, but that’s very unlikely.”

It teleported right behind Arnold while he was running and grabbed his scythe

and wrapped it around his arm pulling it back making an indent of the arm, but he kept

running. It started to gush out blood.

“Wow, persistent,” the grim reaper had said. I might let you go. Arnold had

reached the porta potty. “I’ll let you go.”

“Thanks,” Arnold said, getting into the teleportation device.

And he was back. His arm gushed out blood though. But it's still good to be

home. A bandage wrapped around by his mom and then was the explanation.

The explanation was taken care of by the grim reaper making them forget all

about it.

“An enemy to a friend, nice surprise,” I had said to Nico who still wouldn’t believe me.

“If you don’t believe it don’t matter. Because it did happen.”

11/23/12

There is no other effort I can make, no salvation lies for me, but I need to get this out to everyone. I’m fine now, but I don’t know how long that will last. Things that I have found on this planet are a danger to everything on earth, possibly even farther out. I don’t know their objective, or if they have one. Maybe this was just karma for how I’ve been to everyone. I won’t ask forgiveness from anyone, but I Regret it and wish I had done better. That can’t be undone now though. The best thing I can do is to keep writing, to warn everyone, then I might have at least done something good. 

11/24/12

 Well, it's morning now, a better time to write this than any other. It only happened three days ago, I was in the same cabin I’m in now. The price was oddly low, a nice place in Vermont away from the big cities for cheap. An abandoned facility kept the price at what I thought was a steal. A place where I thought would give me a second chance now turned into my own personal prison. Around a day after I moved in, I was woken up at dawn by the shaking of the entire house. That accompanied by a groan and a strong whooshing and crackling. I peered out the window and observed two men carrying a large bag. I would have assumed that they could be just carrying out leaves or trash, but what they were wearing was just off. Bright suits covering every inch of their body. Like a hazmat suit used for contaminated areas. I was finished getting dressed, but by then, they were behind the abandoned building dropping off the bag. I had a job as a reporter, and I was desperate for money, anything that could be a story would be one if I learned about it. As I approached the men, I didn’t even get a chance to speak. “Leave,” one with a blue insignia said before stepping in front of my path. I told them, “I live here, where could I possibly go?” The other worker with a green one let out what I could discern as a sigh after looking at the cabin and then told me, “return home sir, don’t try approaching the building, it’s prohibited.”

 At the time, I abided by his command and walked back home. This was something I had to investigate, I had never been above things like this. I waited some time and embarked as soon as they left, there was no time to waste. After reaching the back of the facility, a peculiar smell reached my nose. Like that of a damp forest, leaves and mushrooms enveloped the area and were making their way towards the bag. But at the same time, so was I. My hands were uncovered, so I used a stick from the ground to peel open the bag. After that, a smell of something that had been horribly burnt wafted through the air. Inside of the bag was the first sign of something I shouldn’t have kept pursuing. A charred skeleton laid bare in the bag, I don't think any flesh remained. The only other things were mushrooms sprouting out of it as well as vines entangling bones, the holes where the eyes were had large clusters of fungi hanging out, while various bones were covered in the green leaves. Repulsed, I dropped the stick and circled to the front of the building.

 There, I saw the building like I had never seen it before. Inside was just as it was in the back, but at much more of an effect. It felt like I was in a garden the size of an office floor. This much of an overgrowth was completely unnatural, which was the exact reason I went into the building. The room dampened outside sounds to the point where the only things I heard were the sounds of my own breathing and the constant scrunch of leaves under my boots. Then, something came to me, a distant, soft, buzzing and humming sound. Like old fluorescent light. It came from above. The staircase was in the farthest corner of the room, a flight of stairs presented itself as the only option to ascend the building. The tapping of my feet on the solid stone steps accompanied me to the second floor, And as my gaze reached the ground, I became just as amazed as I was unnerved. On this floor the natural world took over the human made areas almost completely. The size was the same, but it felt more like an entire terrarium than just an overgrown area. What stood out the most was one corner of the floor surrounded by walls with a door in it, the only area without total plant coverage. By cautiously approaching it, I noticed a spot where it looked like a handprint on a screen. Everything looked extremely advanced. Most likely better than anything that the public had access to. With nothing else to do, I placed my hand upon the spot, and the door made a beep, and slid open.

 As I stepped into the room, it felt like I had entered somewhere that I was not supposed to, more than I already was doing. It looked like a station where one or two people would stay to work on something. A monitor and box of tapes sat in the corner of the room, each of them labeled. Going from the left to the right, they were named, 

“Training Tape,” “Log 1,” “Commercial,” “Procedure” “Log 2,” and “Incident”  

One last tape was completely scratched out with the words “DO NOT WATCH” under it. I assumed that they were to be watched in that order, but I do have them here right now if needed. I tried to watch them all in the facility, starting with the training tape.

“Greetings new employees of Digon Industries, this is the mandatory training tape needed to acquire the job. Any who try to illegally distribute or view this tape will be marked for termination. So, you got accepted for a job here, but I must warn of certain dangers, that’s what this video is for. Anyways, you will first receive a standard issue Lune Industries®, containment suit, along with your rifle and chemicals. Now that you’re all geared up, let's talk about the jobs you will be taking. Starting with protection jobs. When you are assigned to one of these, your goal will be to protect and monitor an area, object or thing until further instructed. In case of outside interference, use your rifle to attempt to neutralize the target. In situations involving anomalous events,

 G̸̴̩̦͕͈͔̰͈̥͎͓ͮ̄̾͌ͣ̔̂͆̂̈̅̓ͮ͠i̵̛ͣ͝͠͠_̴͓̬̣̳͕̃͊͒̑́̈ͩ͂͜͝v̷̢̛̛͇̼̙̠̬̹͖̥͇̼̜͚̼͛ͪ̍͐͊ͨͫ̂̆̋̑͒̚͜͡͠͠͡ͅȩ̵̸̨͈̖̣̮̙̜̐̎̈̇̄ͯͣ͆̏̈́̓̊͂̄̊̏̑ͯͨ͘͢͟͢͢͞͠͞ͅͅ u̸̢͓ͨ͐̐ͮ̈p̷̳̰̗̻͇̋ͥͭ͐͛

Contact your nearest containment or neutralization unit depending on the level of danger. For now, these will be the only jobs you take, upon promotions, you could be assigned to  neutralization, retrieval, and sacrifice,  delivery missions. So hiree, are you ready for a future unlike any other?”

It was so odd, I couldn’t tell if some of the parts were even meant to be there, but I had to continue, before putting in the next tape, I saw something that immediately brought me back to reality, One man wearing the Lune uniform was walking up to the third floor, somehow not seeing me, or at least was pretending not to. I quickly closed the door and stuck the next tape into the machine.

Log 1:

“I hope someone is seeing this, my name is Bernard Smith, I’m a scientist at Digon, listen, this company is worse than you think. They’re-They’re experimenting on something, on some ancient parasite dating back to thousands of years ago. They recorded these things to have had interactions with the Romans and even the Mayans. I don’t know why, but they are feeding them, communicating with them. They want to get something from these things, but they don’t understand, nothing we can offer them would be good for us. They want to return to reign over the world after all of their failures before. Get this out, or even try to stop it. This is bigger than just us I’m afraid tha-. *Knock Knock Knock H-Hey, who’s there, Oh, Rob what are you doing here? Could you say something? Wait, no-no, Get away, Stay back! St-. 

!SEVERE COGNITOHAZARD DETECTED, TAPE WILL BE EJECTED!”

This tape ends with static, something interfered with the recording system before I saw the rest of the tape. At that point, I didn’t need to watch anymore. For anyone reading this, I brought the rest back home before I continued, they are under the floorboards, you’ll need to find them yourself. After that, I was determined, determined enough to explore everything in this building. If everything the scientist said was true, this was bigger than us. I needed to climb the building's floors to learn more. I had somehow forgotten that there was already someone above me though. As I got to the third floor, I was stopped in my tracks by the room. In it were flowers that were glowing, lighting up the room and showing me that someone was in fact still there. 

“Stop,” the man inside the suit told me.

I asked him, “What’s going on here? Why is all of this here?”

He did not respond, instead, he told me one thing, “Follow”

His voice bore no aggression, I had to comply anyways, I thought he could have had a weapon. The both of us climbed to the third floor as the environment warped even more. The area itself bent to the will of plants, how could I even deal with this? I was shown the true danger of these things as my exploration reached its turning point. On the fourth floor, there was yet another worker, I recognized this one though. This one was the worker with the green insignia. He heard us walking up the stairs and turned around to see, rifle in hand.

“What the-” He didn’t finish his words. 

I asked him, “You’re the one from earlier, what was that body, what were you doing?” 

“That’s not for you to know, anyways, you probably saw the tapes. Who is that behind you? I’m the only one assigned here. Wait, get away from him, now.”

He raised his weapon, pointing it at the man next to me. I couldn’t know who to trust, I knew who one of them was, and that they worked for digon, but the other one had no identification. I stepped into the middle of the room.

“You, who are you? How were you assigned here?” the man asked,

“Rob.”

The worker heard him and immediately turned the safety off on his rifle and unloaded every single shot on him. Rob dropped to the floor and the worker approached him with a syringe. Before he could stick him with the needle, Rob got up and started moving oddly. The worker got him with it but at the time, it was too late. The body, who called himself “Rob,” started convulsing. A giant form burst from the mask. A giant venus flytrap with mutated proportions growled and screeched in pain. Before I could even react, the plant grabbed the worker with its mouth. It effortlessly chewed through bone and bisected him. It was at the stairs to get down, but as it was still digesting its food, I ran past it. I tried to get it out of my mind and tried to escape the thing. I was not able to focus on that for long though.

Thump

The creature had spit out the worker and started to pursue me. I looked back for a second and saw the thing sticking out of where the head would be, with the body barely being able to support it. It was catching up to me faster than I ran. The head start allowed me to reach the bottom floor and get to the exit. Before I could escape, the thing leaped and bit my leg. By that time, I had fully gotten outside, and it stopped following me as soon as its body started to burn from the rays of the sun. Adrenaline outperformed my pain and my exhaustion, and I began to limp home. I don’t know if what I saw was real, but multiple vans were already outside of the building, and dozens of workers did nothing but watch me as I reached my home and went in. I’m still taking care of the wound, it seems to have more than a physical effect though. Since then though, they have been watching me. Morning, Night, it doesn’t matter. Their soulless, perpetual gaze has haunted me for days. I cannot let them find this, it doesn’t matter what happens to me.

12/21/24

They are gone. The workers are gone, but the calls aren’t. I can feel the heart of it beckoning to me. It wants me to find it. The top and fifth floor of the building, it's there. The wound, it’s growing. It is the only thing that can help me. The creature is outside, waiting for me, it never wanted to harm me. They need a vessel, they need someone to carry out their ambitions. They say that I can help them and that they will enlighten me. I have abandoned everyone else just as they have abandoned me. After all, how much difference is there between the actions of some faceless organization, with faceless workers, compared to the “devils” that they are dealing with. I have released the information to the public, but what will be done about it is up to them. If their own is revealed to be against them, will they stay with what they think is right, and uphold those beliefs? You may think my beliefs are fallible, that I went back on what I said I would do, that I did not bear any responsibility for them despite the possible weight of my deeds. But what would and did anyone else do? I have new responsibilities now. They could be wrong or right. It is up to everyone to decide, using their thoughts and more importantly, their actions. 

 Help, There's a Xenomorph on my Ship!

By Ryker Dukic

Three months ago, a Xenomorph attacked the Tug Nostromo and killed all the crew with only one surviving. Ellen Louise Ripley was the one person who survived. Jonesy the cat survived as well, but stalled time for Ripley, almost killing all of them.

But it doesn't matter to me, that was 3 months ago. Why should I care, I bet the Xenomorph is already dead, floating up in space. Well my name is Sam, and I'm alone on a transport ship inspecting the Tug Nostromo for scrapping... I'm not scared... Not at all. Well I'm flying right now, no turning back, no regrets... Okay I'm a little scared but the rest of my brain cells are making up for it, though still I have no regrets. Anyhow, I'm approaching the Tug slowly and I'm still quacking in my boots. When I'm about 23 yards away from the Tug, I do a space walk. It was the first time I did this and now I'm emotionally scarred for life. The feeling you get jumping over a dark plain, I mean, one wrong jump at the one wrong moment and you're falling like Frank Poole in 2001 Space Odyssey. Though with a beating heart going faster than light speed, somehow I managed to get to the Tug Nostromo. With my bulky space suit, I jumped into the empty area of the escape pod Ripley and Jonsey flew off of.

The area was... Dark, and spooky. I didn't know where to go first so I took a look at the map of the ship on my visor. I decided to go to the kitchen, and it seemed fine until, "OH MY GOD, HOLY!!!" I saw a dead corpse with a hole right into his chest. The blood and gore an- "*gags aggressively* Wha- What the heck. Only one thing went through my mind, that blood spill was caused by the Xenomorph. But how, I don't know but I think that was the only bad thing there. I continued to walk through the halls of metal and scan the area with the scanner on my helmet.

I was really scared, and my mind was questioning, is the Xenomorph still here? Am I going crazy? What happened here? When I arrived in the new room, I had to scan all of it. I looked to my right and- *throws up* I puked... IN MY VISOR! At least there was a system to clean my visor. But, the thing I saw, uh-uh-uh, I can't get out of my mind. I saw an automaton, severed by the head. There was no blood shed this time but there was vomit colored white stuff all over it. God, the body on the floor. I knew it was an android, but it had human-like skin, and it looked like a human too. Truly disgusting. 

After a while, I got skeptical. There was nothing keeping me from leaving, I couldn't lose this job, but this was my only choice. In a bit, I saw nothing, I still scanned the area for a while and I got more relaxed... But that was all before I reached the infirmary. I knew something was going to happen, something bad. 

I took a deep breath, and I walked in. I looked at the floor and saw a dead creature. Ripley referred to it as a "Face Hugger". She said that they would latch on to your face and put you in a coma. When you'd wake up, you only got around 30 minutes till you met your demise. It'll lay eggs in your chest and incubate. Then after the coma, a baby Xenomorph, often referred to as a "Chest Burtster" would... Burst out of your chest. 

I felt in that minute a pain. My face went from neutral to an I'm-gonna-die face. I hear a noise, I run out of the infirmary to check it out. A shadow. A saw a shadow.

Then I heard creaks and a chill went down my spine. I almost peed my pants. I turned around... an-and there it was. The Xenomorph. Time slowed, at that moment my first reaction was to scream, but instead I sucker punched the thing and ran.

I juked the alien in the corridors. right, left, then right again. It wasn't on purpose, I just didn't know where to go. Soon I got blocked and stuck in a corner. The alien was far, but I knew he was coming. I saw a vent. It was a stupid idea to go in but it was my first instinct. It was hard to move and crawl. I admitted to myself that I was going to die and I was daydreaming on how it would end. Though, I kept going. "AHHHHH!!!" I screamed. Real stupid of you Sam, I thought. That must have attracted the beast, and I heard the clanking of the alien crawling as well. I saw a copse, but the rotting bones had a flamethrower. Then the Xenomorph catched up. I burned the thing. I was stunned and I dropped through the vents and went to my ship. I was at the place where I began. The alien was running... And I jumped.

Later

I'm on the ship. My breathing has been slowly decreasing. My last brain cells have left my body and a headache has been killing me. Where did that thing come from? It probably has been in the dead guy's chest and has been waiting to come out.

I was fired at the end. And was never seen again.

        The End

Wouldn’t that be something?

      Blank, the world froze. In the distance, through the fog I saw a little boy, pale as the snow, smiling.

 “You’ve drove everyone in your life away. You are left … nothing” BEEP BEEP BEEP My obnoxious alarm waking me in a panic. 

I snap up and look to see, I’m late!!

I rush through the morning each and every minute counts, not a second to waste. Of course, I still have to be careful, as dad will end my existence if I dare to have as much as an attitude.

“Li Li there you are!” Dad said bright and cheery.

“Morning! Running late so I can’t stay for breakfast.” 

“Morning to you too trash panda” chuckles Scarlett

I punch her on the shoulder jokingly, with a piece of toast dangling from my mouth and run out the door.

“Dang it!!!” I forgot my car keys, of course. 

I dashed back inside and without a moment of hesitation, I was now speeding down the freeway. 

     I run into the room, everyone looks up and acts like they are witnessing a crime being committed.

“Linda!!! Where have you been??” Maria says annoyed.

— “Sorry, rough morning” I say, while letting out an already exhausted sigh. 

“Well today’s gonna be a lot. New patient.” 

“How bad?” I ask.

“11, he’s currently being fostered by the Jones family; apparently his mother went insane a few months ago, took her own life, and almost took his too.”

It’s awful to think this is what some of these kids have to go through, I’m just happy I get to be a part of what helps reverse the damages done. 

     “Alright now enough chit chat, get to work” Maria says, already walking away to get back to her own tasks for the day. A few hours into the day and now it was time to meet the poor kid. 

“Hello Michael, my name is Ms. Willams.” I say with a warm and open welcome. 

Until….

My blood flushed from my face, it was the boy in my dream last night. Not wanting to make a scene I compose myself and try to stay focused.

This is, easier said than done as the kid said nothing. Just stared. Not moving, lifeless. 

We moved into the room for our session that day and closed the door behind us. 

“So Michael, do you want to tell me a bit about yourself?”

“. . .”

“Well, it’s okay if you don’t feel comfortable talking at the moment. But know we are here together to talk about your feelings and anything you feel is too much to carry on your own.”

Not a single word I said for the whole hour got to him.

The entire time he just sat, not moving a muscle, staring; staring at me and nothing else. 

    That night when I got home, Dad was there making pesto. 

“What’s wrong my Li Li?” Dad asked, sensing my distress.

“It’s nothing … It's just my new patient. He didn’t do anything the entire hour, didn’t even move.”

“That does seem … odd, But today was just the first session. Hes probably been through a lot and is just not comfortable yet. He’ll open up sooner or later” Dad says in an attempt to reassure me.

    But this behavior would continue through each and every session for weeks, until…

After about a month after the first session we had together we finally spoke.

“Do you have any hobbies? Interests?”

“… Baking”

“Oh! I love baking!”, happy I had finally made some progress.

“What are things you like to bake?”

He stares at me for a moment, then grabs a pre-made note from his pocket and hands it to me. 

I’ll make you one of my favorites 

With a drawing of me and him in a garden with what looks to be stone walls?

    The next time we meet, he brings a container with my name written on it. I take it with gratitude and for the first time ever, he … smiles.

That night, I leave the cookies on the counter and settle in. 

“Li Li!” Dad exclaims while picking me up and hugs me to the point where it feels like I’m going to throw up my insides. 

 “Oh? And what is this?”, seeing the container of goods Michael had made me.

Scarlett, intrigued, appears out of nowhere; as food is the only reason she’ll be present.

“Oh! Yea these are some cookies from the boy I was telling you about!” I say beaming with pride.

“See I told you he’d open up sooner or later.” Dad said smiling, his warm and loving smile.

“Here, I know you guys want some. I already had enough to eat for today so go nuts.” I said as I passed them on, ready for the day to be over with. 

Without a second more they dug in savoring the baked goods Michael had created.

   I woke the next morning with the feeling, that something … something was off. I couldn’t put my finger on it until I realized. It was too quiet in the house; 6am Scarlett and Dad are always already laughing and talking to one another in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.

But not today, the only thing I hear is my own heart beating, now growing faster and faster as I start to worry. I run down the stairs to find nobody there. But why? 

Not once in the last 23 years of my life have I ever seen Dad and Scarlett not in the kitchen, there waiting for me to wake up. I checked everywhere, every room, every single possible place they could be at 6 in the morning. Minutes turned to hours, and suddenly it was then when I realized I had missed the entire day at work. 

   My family is gone; and I need to know why. I call in sick at work and spend the next few days desperately looking for anything that can help me. But nothing. There’s only one person left I can go to now. My life long friend, Grace.  

But when I try to call, no one answers. I go to her house to see if she’s there, nothing. It seems as though everyone in my life is disappearing; and the worst part is I still have no idea how or why.

  Eventually I get a call; could it be? An answer to all the madness of this past week? Yes, but this was not something to have celebrated. My father, sister and best friend were all found dead. Hidden in the graveyard in the pond. My world shattered. Everything was different now. 

   How or why I to this day do not know, but through my own pain and grief, I was the one who planned all 3 of their funerals. After the service I stood, looking down at where the people in life now lay, broken. Then, I started to hear …. Giggling. I turned to find, Michael, and what was once giggling now turned to laughing. This laughing was like no other, it grew louder and louder in my head, to the point where it became all too much. A piercing pain ringing and ringing and ringing and ringing until…

   Richard Henry’s institute for the mentally unwell

“Hey Dr. Thompson?”

— “Yes, Dr. Hart?”

“I was just wondering, what was the worst patient you’ve had to work with here?”

“Oh, definitely Linda Williams.”

“Oh?”

“Linda Willams, female, no family or friends left in her life. Went crazy. Murdered all the James family, one of the worst cases of schizophrenia I’ve seen in a long time; she would break into their house and pretend they were her family. After about a week of complaints from the family, it would be the last time she broke in. Once the police finally got her here, all she would do is go on and on and on about some imaginary little boy.”

One Friday night in mid October there was a group of four high school students named Katie, Mariah, Jonathan, and Colton. The teens were walking home from their High School football game. They were walking alone in the DARK and FOGGY evening. “Guys imagine if someone is following us?.” jokingly said Mariah. Everybody just ignored Mariah and continued to walk towards Katie's house. The teens had made plans to sleep over at Katie's house after the game because her parents were out of town. “Woah guys — I actually think someone is following us, look behind.” Colton said. There was a mysterious looking man who had a mask on with dark black clothing. There was something eerie about the man that happened to freak the four students and made them all speed run to the house. As soon as they got to Katie’s house they made sure they locked all of the doors. “Ooooh that was scary, I'm just glad that we are in the house,warm and safe.” said Mariah. All four students changed into their pajamas and met in the living room to play a game on the Ouija Board. Katie waits till 12:00 am to ask her first question.“Is there someone watching us?” She thought it would be a fun way to spice up the night, but little did she know the Ouija Board immediately answered the question with a,  yes! ”No way, there is no way that this stupid game tells the truth” Jonathan said. That wasn’t the only suspicious thing that happened at that moment, Banggggg— there was a loud sound … the room went silent— they all ran to the sliding door to see if there was actually someone outside Katie’s house. 

All four students piled up at the window, looking outside to see if there was anyone. Katie, Mariah, and Colton were all terrified, even though they saw nobody outside, they knew that the Ouija Board was right and there were consequences. “You guys are big babies, you see nothing, the Ouija Board is just a fake game that people like to play.” Jonathan said fearlessly. “If that's what you say Jonathan, there have been true occasions where the Ouija Board has told the truth that eventually led to the players' death. Look on Tik Tok if you don’t believe me.” Mariah said to Jonathan. “ Yeah right” Jonathan replied to Mariah. They all headed back to the living room and decided to stop playing the Ouija Board because at this point they were spooked. Everyone was just casually sitting on the couch watching their phones when Katie mentioned watching the scary movie called Scream 6, they all agreed and went to grab snacks and a  drink. As Katie, Mariah, Colton, and Jonathan  gathered up again, they all piled close together on the couch and sat quietly till the movie began. Everyone's eyes are locked into the movie and as the movie comes to an end the doorbell rings. All the bodies jumped… They immediately stood up to go check to see who it was at the door— it was nobody, they were all confused but knew that there was something up and it had to do with the Ouija Board's answer. Only Katie, Mariah, and Colton were terrified, Jonathan still didn’t believe that there wasn’t anyone outside. 

 Katie,Mariah, and Colton all huddled together in the living room in a panic, they needed to come up with a plan to see if there was somebody outside without getting caught. Since Jonathan was so brave, he wanted to prove them wrong that there was nobody outside, so he told the three that he was going to check for them and would remind them how silly they were for thinking something was wrong. As Jonathan exited through the sliding door, the three friends ran towards Jonathan and wished him good luck. It was still very cold, foggy and dark. He just wanted to get done with searching so he could go back and tell them that nobody was  there. “I don’t see anything, I'll just check all the areas one more time and I’ll go back inside.” Jonathan said. Jonathan looked back and forth, as he looked to the right bamm… somebody popped up, grabbed Jonathan, covered his mouth and took him into an empty warehouse on the other side of Katie’s house. The warehouse only had one single chair. It was the creepy man who was following them home from the game. Jonathan was tied with a rope and had his mouth taped, he was trying to do anything he could to escape. “Mmm mmm, let me go,” Jonathan murmured. 

It had been sometime that Jonathan was missing. The group of students Katie, Mariah, and Colton were back in the living room and had grown anxious that Joanthan had not returned. “Guys where is Jonathan?” Colton asked  “Yeah where is he? I'm getting worried.” Katied replied to Colton. Seconds later there came a ring, an anonymous phone call to Mariah's phone. Mariah answered the phone thinking nothing of it, “Hello, who is this?” Mariah asked the caller. “ Are you looking for your friend?” the caller asked Mariah. “ Guys come hear this.” she said in a panic. Both Katie and Colton came rushing to Mariah and when they got there the caller showed Jonathan on the phone tied up. “Guys it's the creepy guy that was following us home” Colton said “ He has Jonathan” screamed Katie. “If you want him back you're going to have to give me something” the man told the group of three. “ Okay what, will do anything just give us back Jonathan.” Mariah replied to the man.  “ For you guys to get back Jonathan, you guys need to give me money” the man demanded. “How much?” Cotton asked, “ I need 1,000 dollars, by 4:30 am” the man replied  to Colton. The man hung up , and it was impossible for Katie, Mariah, and Colton to come up with the money in 2 hours.

“Guys we need to call the police, there is no way that we can give him that  much money.” Mariah frantically said. They all agreed. They received a text message from the man giving them strict orders to follow. All three of them got to the warehouse with police officers by their side. As they open the door to the warehouse they immediately call out for Jonathan. When they saw Jonathan tied up they ran, but the old man got in front. “Where is my money?” the man asked. Colton acted like he was going to get the money out of his pocket while the girls were untying Jonathan. The man caught on, but they were all able to make a run as the officers came in. The four were all able to make it home safely, they decided to go to sleep and talk about what had happened the next day. “Good night guys” Katie said, they all replied goodnight. Katie turned off the lights and all fell asleep. There was the old man at the sliding door once again watching the four as they fell asleep.      

“Bam”, the door shut.  On Halloween a group of five boys named Tyresse Young, 

Brandon Macoy Jr, AJ Dybansta, Kyian Anthony, and Rob Dillingham were in a haunted 

house and right beside them lied a Ouija Board. All five of the boys thought that they 

were brave knowing the consequences of the board and decided to open and play the 

game. Then they heard a “clink” noise from the front of the house,  all the doors were 

locked and nobody was around. None of the boys thought anything of the doors locking 

and continued to set up the game. The game was ready, and Tyresse asked the first  

question. “Is there anyone here” said Tyresse laughing. The board then responded 

“yes”. The boys went from being brave, to a scared and serious straight face. Brandon 

got up and ran for the door. He tried to open it, but it wouldn’t budge, Brandon then told 

the rest of the boys that  “the door was locked” in a terrified tone. As Brandon made his 

way back to the rest of the boys, the board began to move alone, it signaled death.

  After this the boys were a bit anxious and worried. AJ then asked the board if they 

were going to die and the board responded “yes”! Then Rob scared for his life 

remembered that he had seen a warning on social media that a group of 3 people died

 last year, and that is when he knew that someone was not going to make out alive.

They heard a creaking and clicking sound coming from the top of the stairs, slowly

 making its way, closer and closer down the hallway of the stairs landing. As the 

unknown thing made it down the stairs, he turned off all the lights. All five of the boys

 screamed in fear for their lives. Then they heard a noise coming from the kitchen,  

“slice”  as if a knife was getting pulled out of it’s case. The lights started to flicker and 

Kyain could see glimpse of the person, he had a terrifying clown suit that was covered

 in blood. The clown was making it way to the boys with a knife in his hand. 

When the clown finally approached them, he held the knife high in his hand, and 

motioned it toward the boys. 

Brandon, Rob, and Tyresses all ran to the door and looked for something that 

they could use to break the door open.  AJ and Kyian stood behind because they  

thought that they would be able to fight the clown off, but as the three boys broke open 

the door, Bradon said “Let’s go guys”, and they responded “we’re coming”, but then all 

of a sudden all the three boys could hear were stabbing sounds, AJ and Kyian both 

screamed in agony. Brandon, Tyresses, and Rob, decided for the sake of their lives to

 flee the scene and run as fast as they could, They ran the fastest they ever did before,

 They ran in direction of Brandon’s house and they never let up.  As they finally reached 

Brando’s house, all the boys parents were in the living room hanging out and enjoying 

their Halloween. Then one of the parents heard loud bang from the front of the house, 

he walked over to see what the noise was and seen three boys who looked anxious and 

were panicking. The dad ran towards the door and opened it as quickly as he could. 

The boys looked red in color and out of breath. The dad then asked them what 

happened and as the boys were about to explain what happen Brandon fell to the floor 

and had a seizure, then immediately Tyresse and Rob had a heart attack of being so 

badly scared. The dad screamed, “call 911, now!!” to the other parents. Within a few

 minutes the ambulance showed up, and took the boys to the hospital as fast as they 

could. The next day, Tyresse and Rob were in the recovery room, healing from their 

heart attacks, but Brandon was in a coma due to an injury of falling so hard on the floor 

after his seizure. Rob and Tyresse continued on with their lives but couldn’t help to not 

think and relieve the horrible experience. They were haunted in their sleep and every 

night they had flashbacks of the miserable day of the incident.

It had been three months since the night of the incident, and the doctors were ready to 

pronounce that Brandon was dead. The doctors then called in Brandon’s Mom and Dad, 

and told them that there was nothing they could do to help him survive and should start 

preparing for his death. Both of this parents were shocked, his Mom then broke down 

and started crying. His parents then had a talk with the doctors, and agreed that they 

would keep him in the hospital for 15 more days, to see if he would survive and come 

out of his coma. A few days had passed and Brandon still hadn’t came out of his coma. 

On the 14th day his Mother and Father went in the room to say their final good byes to

 their son, but then out of nowhere his Mom had seen her 

son twitch his hand. “Doctorsssssssss” his Mom screamed. The doctors then came 

in sprinting and his Mom had told them that he had just jerked his hand while she was 

saying good bye. Brandon had woken up, his Mom and Dad cried in joy that their son

 had survived. Brandon stood in the hospital for an extra days to make sure everything 

was ok. It was a miracle! Tyresse and Rob went to the hospital to visit Brandon, and 

when they seen each other they had mixed emotions of joy that they were alive and 

sadden by the deaths of AJ and Kyian. Good to see you alive and healthy bro” said 

Tyresse and Rob, “thanks” said Brandon.  A month after being out of 

the hospital, they had went to Aj and Kiyan’s funeral. Everyone was in agony after their 

deaths. All three boys finally recovered and continued on with their lives, but were 

traumatized for the rest of their lives. Brandon had a message to all….. “Never play the 

Ouija Board”. 

The Watcher

By: Audrey Lipson

Snap! Helena sighed as another piece of lead from her pencil broke. She rolled her eyes as she sharpened her pencil with the cheap sharpener taken from her desk drawer. “Why couldn’t I have just done my homework on Saturday?” She thought to herself, though she knew the reason being she procrastinated the entire day. Helena groaned and slumped her head into her hands, closing her eyes.

Suddenly, something clamped onto her shoulder, and her eyes snapped open as she all but jumped from her skin. She whipped her head around, ready to flee her attacker, only to see the concerned face of her mother. 

“Helena, sweetie, make sure you go to bed soon. You have school tomorrow and I don't want you being tired.” Helena’s mother whispered. Helena replied in a murmur with her hand over her hastily beating heart as she recovered from the previous jumpscare. Leaning down, her mother rubbed her back and kissed her forehead before tiptoeing out of the room and closing the door quietly behind her. Helena tried to continue her work, but before long her tiredness took hold of her and her head rested on her desk as her consciousness slowly faded. 

The next thing she knew, Helena was waking up from the same place at her desk. Helena groaned as she moved her neck from side to side, stiff from its uncomfortable position. She rose from her desk chair, reaching her arms towards the ceiling as she stretched. She looked back at her desk, tapping her phone to see the time. Her phone’s home screen lit up as it read “2:34 AM” Helena sighed. She resolved to go downstairs to get water, as she knew going to bed would not be easy.

 Helena slowly creaked her door open, as the light from her room flooded the dark hallway. She creeped upon the carpeted floor, eyeing the decorative vases and candles that lined the shelves. Helena stopped at a photo of her father, placed on shelf in the middle of two candles. “I miss you, dad.” Helena spoke softly, “Im sorry i never said goodbye.” She couldn’t bring herself to look at her dad’s smiling face any longer, and tore her gaze away from the photo. She tip-toed down the stairs, turned down the hallway, and entered the kitchen. Flicking the lightswitch, Helena reached into a cabinet and smiled as she grabbed her favorite glass.

As she walked to the fridge on the opposite side of the kitchen, she saw a dark, shadow figure of a person staring at her from the window from the corner of her eye. 

 Helena stopped in her tracks, slowly turning and facing the window, frosted from the frigidity of the night. Her eyebrows tensed as her eyes scanned the window, clutching her cup tightly in her hands as if for comfort. “Come on, Helena. You have locks on your doors and live in a suburban neighborhood. Nothing happens in suburban neighborhoods.” She muttered, trying to convince herself of her safety. She carefully turned back towards the fridge, only to hear the unmistakable sound of the front door creaking open.

Helena jolted as she saw the front door agape and the dark outline of a figure just outside of the doorway to the kitchen. The figure didn't even blink. It stood motionless, staring straight into Helena’s eyes as if it knew her every thought. She struggled to breathe. She felt as if any movement could set the trespasser off. Helena slowly stepped back, so slowly she barely felt she was moving. Then, she collided with something directly behind her. Helena yelped as she jumped and dropped her glass. She whipped around, only for the thing behind her to be a wall. Now, her favorite glass was painted across the floor, shattered into an irreparable amount of pieces. Helena turned back to the figure, only for it to be gone and the front door closed. She took a deep breath, turning away from the unfortunate scene of her cup in front of her. “It’s just 3AM jitters, Helena. You probably just saw it wrong.” She spoke to herself.

Helena gathered her once favorite glass, dumped it into the trash, and exited the kitchen. As she turned to go up the stairs, she saw the figure again. This time it was further down the hallway, outside of the kitchen, staring at her with its same endless eyes. Helena froze in place before closing her eyes and taking a few deep breaths. “Come on Helena, you know this isn't real.” she said, opening her eyes slowly, only to see that the figure had now moved to be placed around an arms length away. 

Helena yelped as she fell back onto the steps, facing the figure. “W-what do you want from me?” She asked, scared out of her mind, trying to find anything in reach she could use as defense against the intruder. Helena clumsily got to her feet, turning to run up the steps, but the infiltrator suddenly stood before her, now somehow at the top of the steps. 

“W-what…” Helena muttered, slowly walking backwards down the steps, making sure to keep an eye on the person in front of her. Suddenly, something grabbed hold of her shirt, yanking her down the stairs as she tumbled to the floor. She groaned before looking up to find that there was no sign of the intruder at all. “I-is this a trick?” She said, “This isn’t funny whoever you are!” fear turned into anger as she clenched her fists and slowly picked herself up. Helena walked determinedly to the kitchen, grabbing a metal pan before exiting.

Helena’s face was set with determination as she held the pan close and ready to swing. Her adrenaline was the only thing that kept her from breaking down and crying as she creeped through the house, looking for the intruder.

Helena’s mind was a storm of thoughts as she entered the living room further down the hallway. What was happening? Why was this happening? But most of all, what the hell was that thing!? Helena’s thoughts were cut short as she heard floorboards creaking from behind her. Helena’s skin jumped and she whipped around, ready to attack, only the intruder wasn't there. Instead, words were painted on the living room wall, forming a horrifying sentence. “Why didn't you say goodbye to me, Helena?” was written on the wall with jagged lettering.

Helena took a small step back, horrified. “D-dad?” She spoke, disbelief painting her face, “I-I’m sorry! I never should’ve left your side!” With these words, candles and books and other objects flew at Helena, hitting and slamming into her. “You are not sorry! You knew I would die in the hospital, and all you did was be a selfish brat!” A voice roared around the room as Helena curled into a ball to protect herself from the objects. “I’m sorry, dad! I r-really am! I j-just couldn’t bear to see you like that!” She sobbed, her eyes squeezed shut. Suddenly, the objects stopped in their tracks, and fell to the floor. Helena opened her eyes, slowly uncurling herself before looking up at the figure in front of her. 

In some ways the figure looked like her dad had, the thick eyebrows and the deep brown eyes, but she knew it wasn't him. The figure had rotting skin, hanging loosely around his bones like a burlap sack. “You are not my father!” Helena screamed, “He’s dead! He’s buried six feet under the ground!” She clenched her fists. Her “father” raised his arms, and Helena saw that he was holding an axe, pointed directly at her. “You will pay for your actions, Helena.” The creature growled, stepping closer and charging up to attack her with the axe.

Helena ducked and ran from the living room, hearing the pounding footsteps of her “father” behind her. Tears poured from her eyes, and she wiped them with her sleeve. Helena was overwhelmed with guilt from her father’s death. Afterall, she had refused to say her goodbyes to him while he was in the hospital. She couldn’t bear the sight of all the medical equipment.  Helena climbed the steps, taking two at a time as she heard the sounds of wood snapping from missed axe throws from her “father” The wood splintered and sank into her skin, but she was determined to get away. Helena ran down the hallway to her room, reaching her door and slamming it closed behind her.

Helena backed away slowly, breathing heavily and her face wet from the tears. She grabbed her desk chair and jammed it under her door handle, ensuring no one could open it. She slumped on her bed, waiting for something to happen. Anything to happen. Anything was better than silence, and being surrounded by her own thoughts of guilt and sadness. Helena slowly climbed further back onto her bed, climbing under the covers and trying to get some sleep. Every creak from the floorboards or rustling from the plants outside sent her frantically sitting up, crying at the thought of her father. Eventually, however, her exhaustion took hold of her and she fell into a dreamless sleep.

Helena woke with a beam of light shining directly into her eyes. She blinked repeatedly as her eyes adjusted when she remembered the events from the previous night. Helena was immediately awake and went to jump from her bed when she realized that she was not at all in her bed. Helena was sitting at her desk as she had been earlier in the night. “W-what…” She trailed off, “It- It must’ve been a dream.” 

Helena slowly walked to the door, a relieved smile covering her face. Her smile immediately dropped as she opened her door, and saw the state of the hallway outside of her room.

Canvas paintings that had been hanging nicely on the walls were now slashed, showing the bare wooden frames. Candles were taken from the shelves and smashed on the floor, and deep ax marks were indented in the drywall, giving the carpeted floor a soft white dusting. In the middle of it all, though, proudly stood her father’s painting, with the words, “YOU WILL PAY” painted on the floor.

Mysterious Grandfather

Mario stepped out of the house, with his gear on his back. It was cold that night. Ben follows right behind him as he leads him into the forest. They were careful not to make much noise. They went farther and farther into the woods. Ben looked at his watch and it read, 7:14. With little to no time left, they continued walking through the forest looking for it. It took a long time, but they had made it to their destination. It was the same spot where they had kept their money stashed. Mario dug a hole 14 feet west of the tree with a huge X carved in it.

“Found it,” said Mario as he put the shovel in his bag and lifted the crate.

“Nice, how much is there?” questioned Ben wiping off his sweat.

“Around 350 euros,” Mario replied. “This is plenty for the new console coming out in a few days., lets head back now.”

“Sure,” Ben replied as he shoved the tools in his bag.

Mario shoved the cash into his pocket. Ben checked his watch, 7:42. The sun was almost down. The clouds were pink, orange, blue, and red. They lit up the sky like they did every night during the summer. Italy was a beautiful place to live. The ocean, tourist attractions, lovely people, and amazing food. What else would you want in a place like this? It was a long walk back through the woods as the sun continued to perish from the sky and transition into night. The moon started to become brighter and brighter. Ben looked once more at his watch, 8:06. The sun had officially gone down and the night sky was more visible than ever. Mario pulled out his flashlight and led the way for Ben and himself. While walking, there was a noise from the bushes nearby. Mario pointed his flashlight at it. Nothing there. Then, they heard a tree branch snap in the distance. Mario shined the light over the large tree. There was a man with an ax, in all black, waiting for them. They sprinted! They fled as fast as they could until they saw the house! The man was close! He threw the ax and it barely missed Ben’s leg. Once they made it home safely, they got ready for bed, and tried to fall asleep. It was a struggle that night. But, they eventually dozed off, still dreaming about that man. A few days went by. They didn’t see the man outside anymore so they thought they were safe. They got dressed and headed outside to play. They played all day. Until the night sky was visible. The street lights came on. Mario decided they should stay out for a little longer before they went inside. Passing the soccer ball back and forth hundreds of times until Ben kicked it in the street. 

“I got it,” Mario said to Ben as he ran to the ball.

Mario retrieved the ball but looked down the street. A man, in all black, under the street light, stood with an ax. Mario squinted and blinked and every time he did so, the man would move one street light closer. Mario had no clue what was happening and went pale. Ben rushed over and saw the man down the street. Just then, a white van came from behind them and two men grabbed them. They shoved them into a sack and drugged them. Mario and Ben woke up in a chair. Their hands were tied together and they were in a dark room, with a singular light right above their heads.

“Hello children,” a voice said. A man walked through the open door. He was covered up, in all black and a thick mustache. He does sound familiar. Who is he? Mario thought to himself.  Ben questioned. What does he want from us and who is he? Thoughts came racing into both Mario and Ben’s heads as the mysterious man approached both of them slowly. With every step he took, the click of his shoe increased. 

“Look at you two,” He proceeded. “You’ve grown quite a bit, haven’t you?”

“Who are you?” Ben asked. “What do you want from us? We're kids!”

“I’m most likely the best art thief in all of Italy,” the man said. “Yes, yes, I know you are only children, but I need big, fast, strong, and energized people for my mission. To steal an art piece that is priceless.”

“How do you expect us to do that?” Mario responded with an attitude. 

“I don’t,” he replied and continued. “If you would like to live, you will steal the piece for me. Plus you will have my equipment to help.”

“What art piece?” Ben asked. 

“The Mona Lisa,” the man replied as he snickered to himself. “In a little while, we are leaving this poor town and going to Paris to retrieve it.” 

The man put them into a cell with a bunk bed and toilet that seemed to be used once before. Ben and Mario got into their beds and tried to fall asleep. Minute after minute, they tried to sleep but they couldn’t. 

“Ben,” Mario whispered.

“Yeah,” Ben replied.

“Do you think something really bad is going to happen to us?” Mario asked.

“I don't know,” he said. “I guess we just have to find out.”

Mario fell asleep as did Ben. At 11:00 o'clock AM, Ben and Mario were woken up to a loud banging sound. It was the old man hitting the bars of the cell with a shovel. Even still, the old man’s face was not revealed except for a scar on his right eye. Who has a scar that I would know of? Mario thought. Could it be? No! It can’t be!

The old man opened the cell door and let the two out with his men grabbing onto their arms to ensure they didn't escape. They exited the building which seemed like an old warehouse and jumped into the van. Mario and Ben were seated in the back with handcuffs and blindfolded. They proceeded down the street and what seemed like a main street. After about 15 minutes, they got off the main street and made a left turn. A minute later they were getting out of the van and into a private jet. The jet started up and they took off. Only then were the boys allowed to sit in their seats without handcuffs. The old man gave them a device that has a hologram display of the plan. They get in through the vents and drop down to grab it and escape. 

“Very elaborate plan,” Ben said sarcastically.

“Yeah, I could have thought of this!” Mario jokes while turning off the hologram.

It was only an hour and a half later when they arrived in Paris, France. Getting dressed up in an all black outfit and packed all the gear needed on them. They continued their journey to the Louvre Museum and onto the roof. They cut a hole in the glass panel on the side of the building and crawled through. They found the vent needed to crawl through. As they started to make their way through the vent, they heard a loud scream and everyone was silent. It was loud. A little too loud to be any of them. What was that? Questioned Ben and Mario as they scaredly crawled through the vents more and more. It was a while until they found the right vent to see the Mona Lisa. Ben grabbed the vent and pulled it out and Mario started to lower himself on a rope. Ben followed right after. They both landed in the museum when they heard the loud scream once more. 

Both looked at each other and slowly turned around. A man, in all black, with an ax, was standing right in the moonlight shining through the window. He started to walk, then run, then he sprinted right at Mario and Ben. They made an effort to hide somewhere but the man was too fast. He grabbed both of them by the arms and shoved them to the ground! Mario made it up, but Ben didn’t. The man then used his ax for the first time right on Ben’s arm. Ben couldn’t move. He was paralyzed from the fear and Mario made a break for it. The man took a few steps swinging his ax back and forward ready to throw it. Mario glanced over his shoulder to find an ax right behind him a few feet away in the air. He tried to duck but couldn’t in time. The ax flew straight into his left shoulder and the pain was excruciating!  Mario fell to the ground and turned over. The man walked over to him and took his ax from Mario and he flipped over. 

“Hey, before you kill me,” Mario explained. “Tell my Grandfather that I loved him, but he deserves to experience our pain for the rest of his life!”

“I don’t think I need to experience your pain Mario,” said the man as he lifted his hood to reveal his scared eye and Mario’s Grandfather. He then lifted his ax as Mario turned pale and tried to swing it, but Ben grabbed it from behind him and hit Mario’s Grandfather right in the side. He fell to the ground. Mario and Ben called the police on a pay phone and got rushed to the hospital. They made full recoveries and made it back home safely. Never again, did they play outside when the streetlights came on and the night sky was out.

EXTRA CREDIT: Scary Story 

One evening at the boys camp fire Place when all the boys were sitting and telling  Scary stories.  One of the boys they were best friends with were Jack,Ben and Jacobthey were waiting to go to sleep when. When the camp Ranger told them to go to bed as they all got to bed. One kid really Thought it was real and could not go to sleep. As he Tried to sleep he heard some Loud noises coming from the woods. When he got the courage to wake up his friends and tell them about it. When he was telling the story. His friends did not Believe him. After a long of Courage They decided to go out of their Tents. They Wandered into the forest trying to be sneaky from making any noise to wake up the other campers and Camp Ranger.  Tippy  Toeing in the woods trying to find what  was making that noise. Trying to look was hard because of how dark it was. They watched their steps trying not to step on anything on the ground and wake up the other campers. They knew that if they got Caught they would be in real trouble even calling their parents or worse getting kicked out of the camp. You could Barely see anything scared of getting lost or something being out there near them. They wanted to leave and go back to their tents but they heard the noise and were Curious of what it could be. It was Around 9:27 when they came Across  a Abandoned house. They were not sure if they should go But curiosity one over  them and they Decided to go in as they made their way they didn't notice anything weird as they check the rooms one of the kids and one of the rooms checked out from the window and  he thought he saw a black figure peeking  at them out of the trees. He didn't really make out the Figure if it was an animal or a person. As they walked from room to room. The friend could not get the thing he saw of his mind but he did not want to tell his Friends cuz they might think he was lying and call him a liar and the second thing is that he didn't want to scare them  because he was so so curious of what was in the woods that they have found. And he wanted to show people about his Discovery. We still had a little bit to check the house When we put some footsteps. It was a kid. He looks like maybe an 8 year old kid playing with a Worn out teddy bear. There was also a  baby bed, a wooden chair and a glass window. As he saw us approaching he got scared and hit behind the baby bed. We were  also scared thinking this might be a real human being. We tried to be friendly and help him.  We  told him it was okay that he could come out as he came out. We tried Talking to him. We told him some stuff for a little bit. Till we heard something like the door open So we quickly got out of the room trying to be quiet.  and we went to another room with an open window. Luckily we were able to get out. We got lost. We did not remember the place where the camp was and we did not want to set up camp in the middle of the place where something can be near.  As we made our way walking  trying to find the campsite We thought we heard footsteps or even got the Goosebumps  as if we were being watched but every time we looked around we didn't see anything. We knew something was there. We just didn’t know what it was. Ben was really scared and was holding on to Jack’s arm. Jack was having a really hard time with him being Tired  and having to hold on to Ben. Him being the older one he was trying to be brave and try to take them back to the camp before it was morning. When he saw a Figure behind the trees he Shouted RUN! As they all ran they saw a person. He was tall and was running up to them making a Weird noise. And saying come here in a Weird tone  that was not like a human. Their friends Thought he was a Skinwalker. He was white with big arms, big legs and big eyes Crawling up to them. He was running fast but the kids were faster they ran as they never had. Ben being the Slowest Tripped on a rock and Jacob tried getting him when the monster jumped up and it looked like it was going to get both of them when the monster was hit with a stick it was Jack who had picked it up and hit it. When Ben got up they ran again. They saw a light. It was some people when the kids started Screaming to get their Attention so they could help. The people did not look out and one of the campers got Dragged into the darkness who knew what had happened to him. As the people ran with the kids they stopped it seemed like the monster had stopped Chasing them. Then the campers asked the kids what was that? “ We don't know it just started following us Ever Since we entered the house” “What house?”  “ the one down there was following us. The people looked pale. They told the kids that a long time ago there had been a family that lived in this  Exact forest  in the same house the kids went to. And That a kid had gone missing and the Parents did not know why but they Thought it maybe something that had come into the house so they Decided to move and Close the place for good reasons some say that they had Caught something in the Cameras. But they never had the boy and they don’t know where he went. The boys got Scared looking at each other having the same thing in their mind. Was it the same boy they saw in the house in the room with the Teddy bear? But then there was news about a boy found in the woods with a Teddy bear. By now the boys knew it was the boy they saw Earlier when they were at the house. They heard the noise again and started to run. When they Heard a Scream  they saw that one of the people was gone. As they ran they saw a light but the monster had got the boy’s leg with the help of the people and  Jack and Jacob Ben was able to let go and then he got a rock and Through the rock and it hit the monsters face making him let out a loud Scream and then there they were the camp Rangers and a few Policeman and they told them to get in the car and they would take them home. A week later they found out in the news that the camp Rangers  and Policeman had not been found in the woods so the kids knew that the monster was still out there. 

The END!

Screams of terror are all I could hear the night before halloween, kids running around a neighborhood happy about their halloween costumes and showing it off to friends and others around the neighborhood, but everything goes into silence, a pin  drop could be heard at this amount of utter silence. Leo and Vincent walk outside the house to witness a man in a clown costume running around trying to put the kids to sleep PERMANENTLY with a deadly weapon. I couldn't tell you what it was, due to the darkness of the dead hour of the night. “VINCENT CALL 9-11 NOW” yells Leo in a demanding tone  “already on it Leo”. Vincent  dials the 3 digits on the phone and they pick up, in just 8 minutes the law showed up and apprehended the man in the clown suit and disarmed him of the weapon he was holding towards the kids. It's been 3 days since that incident.

Leo and Vincent sit down and turn on the TV trying to relax the night before Halloween of 2024, when we get news that the clown has escaped prison and that the law is looking for him at the moment and told everybody to stay indoors. That same moment we get a call from the landline phone, Leo answers “Leo speaking, may I ask who this is?.”. Asks Leo to the anonymous person on the phone. But he did not speak a word, the anonymous person just breathed into the microphone of the phone, leo said once more “Who is this?”.  But there still was no response, just BREATHING, Leo gets freaked out and hangs up the phone thinking it's another prank call. But soon Vincent heard a BANG, coming from the back door, Leo doesn't hesitate to run over to find the man in a clown costume standing there menacingly. The man in the clown costume doesn't move a single muscle, instead just stands there and breathes heavily, Leo approaches the clown with the intent of kicking him out of the house,  but the clown had DIFFERENT PLANS. The clown charges forward and attacks him and with a weapon, Vincents quickly steps in and stops the clown from hurting Leo, They quickly run away and find a nearby police station. They run inside of the police station and yell “THE CLOWN THAT ESCAPED JAIL IS OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING RIGHT NOW.”. right after saying that a clown comes in, but they only heard 3 sounds BAM BAM BAM, in that instant 3 cops were hit. All the cops stationed at the time run in with guns drawn  “PUT THE WEAPON DOWN NOW.”. The clown puts down weapons  but runs out of the building as fast as he could, runs down the block and disappears into an alleyway .

The clown completely disappears, like he was never even there, he was gone for about 3 hours. Then out of the blue he re-appears attacking Vincent, but he was not ready for the trap that Leo and Vincent had made, during the attack Vincent stood up and hit the clown down then ran to the trap location in a abandoned alleyway where Leo was patiently waiting for the clown to arrive, the signal was given “NOW LEO, NOW.”. Yelled Vincent from a couple of meters away. In that instant Leo cut a rope. SWOOOSH, the rope got the clown tangled and floating in the air, unarmed and apprehended by the hands of the rope, the police ran over at the sound of Vincent yelling and cut the rope where the clown was hung by the feet, and took him straight to jail. 

After that the cops asked Leo and Vincent questions on why the clown would attack them, all they said was “We have no idea. Possibly a grudge against us?”. The cop wrote it down and walked away with the clown, later Leo and Vincent were sitting down on the coach when 2 police officers came in and gave them news that clown had a death penalty awaiting. Leo and Vincent were not sad about it, instead were happy due to the fact that the clown couldn't hurt anyone any longer. Vincent and Leo were happy about this, and walked to the police station for a sit down talk with the police asking more questions. After this they were tired. It was late and they walked home,  But when they got home the clowns' victims were lying on the floor with a note that was written in a red substance saying “i’ll be back.”. Vincent and Leo didn't want anything to do with the clown anymore so they called the cops. They cleaned up everything and asked questions on the mess of the bodies, and why they were there, “Officer the clown tried to make us feel guilty, but were not.”.and Leo and Vincent threw all of the halloween decorations away.

 In the end they ended up making a book on this experience and sold it for millions of dollars. People ended up making Halloween costumes of the clown representing Leo and Vincents troubles from the past, they did not see the costumes as the people of the town mocking them, they saw it as a checkpoint for their accomplishments together as brothers, and they lived life happy and not in any case scared of any more clowns.

    THE END

“Screaming” thumping  pounding”

 “Screaming” thumping  pounding”

“DEAD MAN WALKING!”“DEAD MAN WALKING!”

Yea we get all ready it's a dead man walking said the officer

While putting him in the cell beyond bars. Slang! the cell had closed “he whispered to me"” BLOODY MURDER BLOODY MURDER BLOODY MURDER” in a deep scary voice trying to shake my hand” I wondered what he meant and what did he do to get life in prison and why would he say that nonsense I thought in my head.

“The next day I woke up feeling bad where I couldn't breath. My throat was feeling sore like if I was being choked and I couldn't feel airways going through my lungs.

Maybe because of my Respiratory tract infection” yes my infections I thought .

So I went downstairs to get my lunch from work wife Daisy. Yes daisy we met in college back - when I was learning how to be a police officer trying to work my way up hoping to complete my goal to become chief but finally I accomplished my dream. I thought it would be easy but it wasn't. I had to act as the highest in command in a police department and manage its efficient operations. They have a number of managerial and law enforcement officer duties they perform daily. These duties typically include: Managing police department staff. But yea so I was grabbing my lunch from my wife Daisy getting ready to drive to work so I kissed her goodbye and got in my car heading to work. “Vrommmmmmm” I as I drove off slowly I wondered what my police officers were doing? Slamm! The door closed as I walked In I notice something different all my officers were talking and talking about all this nonsense I wonder what had happened so I went up to them and asked them what had happened one of them replied: I was just walking until I notice something wasn't right and I turned around and found this little ugly mouse trying to search for food so I grabbed a my baton and tried to kill that mouse until he ran into the room were all junk is at. My new prisoner  replied his name is Mr.Dinkles I found him yesterday and named him. I found him when I was sleeping. He was in my room grabbing a piece of a chuck of wood so I let him keep it so yea I guess we can keep him. He's pretty harmless. I thought maybe we can keep him, he's just a little mouse. So I said sure we can keep him but it's your responsibility. He replied: okay and smiled at me with a scary grin. So I just walked away and told everyone to get back to work. And so that day went on. Until 2 years passed and I was just walking around to see what everyone was doing in their prison cells. Until I collapsed and fell I Couldn't breathe. I was choking and I could  hear my heart pounding louder! and louder!

And there was nothing I could do none of my officers were there because I was here earlier until It stopped I could breathe again I felt my sickness was getting worse and worse until one of my officers had finally came and seen my laying on the floor and had picked me up to sit me down on a chair to ask was It getting worse and telling me I should go home. So he drove me home and told my wife Daisy about the antecedent that had happened at work. So that day I went to go rest and that same day I got a call that night at 4:00 at the night I got a call from one of my officers saying “He's gone” 

I replied who's gone MIKE!  Yes his name was Mike the new prisoner that had come 2 years the one with the mouse. I wondered how he had escaped? So that night I drove to the prison and talked to my other prisoner about what had happened. One of them replied: “I was just sleeping until I heard whispering. I turned around and saw Mike tell his mouse Mr.Dinkles about grabbing some key to open the cell to his room so that way he can escape.” WE RECRUIT AND SEARCH FOR HIM UNTIL WE FIND HIM I YELLED!

So that night we searched and searched around the town, the forest and nothing but I noticed we didn't search the church and so we did find shattered glass and BLOOD! BLOOD! scattered everywhere on the floor leading to the confessional room to find the priest dead. He had written BLOODY MURDER  BLOODY MURDER  BLOODY MURDER ON THE WALL. And had carved some word saying SHES MINE. So I rushed home and drove as fast as possible to hear screaming coming from the house I had rushed in with my men and broke the door open BANG! We broke the door and searched the house and separated in two groups to find my wife but two of my men had been killed by him.

It seemed that he had set up some traps around my house to kill us all so he had taken out my men one by one. Until it was just me and one of my officers so we headed to the bathroom up stairs to find my wife until I heard shattered glass break. My heart was pounding! pounding! pounding! With fear to see if my wife will be ok so we kicked the door BANG! She was there tied up but he had jumped out the window and had ran toward the forest we had tried to shoot him but he was too far long gone.

Knock Knock… The boys knocked on the door waiting for a response, the old man opened the door, “Trick or Treat” Jacob exclaimed, the old man seemed sketchy to Elliot, the old man smiled and gave Jacob some candy, Elliot didn’t get anything. 

“Dude! Why didn’t you get any candy from the guy?” Jacob asked, “I don’t know… something felt off about that guy..” Elliot said with worry in his voice, deep down he knew something was wrong about that guy, Elliot’s phone rings, he grabs his phone and checks who was calling him, it was his mom, he picked up the call, “I’ll be home by eleven okay mom?” He said he hung up the call. “I should get going, it's late and my mom is worried about me…” Elliot said monotone, “That's fine! I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then Elliot!” Jacob exclaimed as he waved goodbye to Elliot.

Elliot got home and put down his bucket of candy, he couldn’t get that old man out of his head, it troubled him. He decided it was best to just forget about it and head to bed. RING RING RING! Elliot’s alarm went off, he slowly got out of bed and did his daily routine, once he was done he started walking to the bus stop, he still couldn’t get the old man out of his head, “Hey Elliot!” Jacob yelled out, Elliot waved, “I ate so much candy last night, now I have a terrible headache…” Jacob said, “That sucks, I didn’t eat any of mine yet.” Elliot said with a monotone voice, the bus arrives and the boys get into the bus, making their way to the school, they get there and Jacob explains his head starts to hurt really really badly, but why? Jacob goes to the nurses office to go see if they can help.

Elliot got to class and thought about that old man, maybe something was in the candy that Jacob got maybe… Someone screamed, it wasn’t a playful scream, it was a scream of agony, and pain… The bell rang, everyone was going to their second period, the halls flooded with kids getting to their classes. Elliot could see Jacob at the end of the hallway with a fire ax, where could he have gotten that? The crowd moved in front, blocking the view from each other, another scream occurred from the crowd. Everyone started running, trampling over the kids that fell down, Elliot was so confused, he stood there in shock realizing the blood on the ground, dismembered bodies, Jacob could only see confetti being shot around, it was almost like a party to him, he fed people lollipops and spread the happiness all around!

Elliot stood there in fear and in shock, he couldn’t comprehend what was happening, splatter, glass shattering, and screaming, so much at once, Elliot backed up slowly, his pupils dilated. Screams of terror, agony, it drove Elliot insane, confetti flew, party poppers, bang bang! It was so lovely to Jacob, everything was amazing in his view. Elliot ran down the stairs from the second floor to the the first, his heavy breathing, gasping for air, he trips down the stairs falling onto his back, Elliot groans in pain but he has to keep moving, but he’s stopped by Jacob walking down the stairs, dragging the bloody axe across the floor, “Jacob..? Please don’t do this to me…” Elliot cried as Jacob got closer, and closer. 

Jacob brought the axe in the air, the blade glistented, he swung… but he stopped, Jacob let out a small tear, “what am I doing…” Jacob mumbles, his vision blurs out, his vision goes back to normal. He drops the axe on the ground, he pulls on his hair running into lockers and walls, bashing his head against the walls, realizing what hes done to the poor innocent people, Elliot gets up and Jacob hugs him, crying into his shoulder. “What have i done?!” Jacob cried out, Elliot let go of him for a moment, Jacob was confessing, Elliot was right about that candy. 

Police break down the door and hold the two at gunpoint, they tased Jacob and handcuffed him, “where are you guys taking him?” Elliot questioned the officer, “were taking him into an asylum.” The officer said, they took him away and it was all finally over. Elliot calmed down, the officers escorted Elliot outside and started to clean up everything…

Title: It was the 25th of October

It was the 25th of October, 6 days till Halloween. I woke up at 3 am and someone was calling me. I reached over to pick up my phone to answer. It was a deep voice saying, “Hello Lilly”, and had this wicked deep laugh at the end. I said who is this and they hung up. I just thought it was someone from my school pranking people. 

Before long, I went back to sleep. The next morning I was getting ready for school and my mom asked me how I slept. She thought she heard something last night. I told her that someone called me and I answered.  My mom stopped me right there and yelled, “Why would you answer a call in the middle of the night!?” Just then, I told her, "I wasn't thinking because I was half asleep!”  I thought it was someone from my school . 

Later I went to school and told my friend Lilac what happened and asked if she called me. She exclaimed  “No!”, with a weird attitude. She asked me why would you answer a call at 3am so I told her I didn’t know. I just did. I was half asleep. The day went on and I went to bed . 

It was the 26th of October, 5 days till Halloween . I woke up to someone calling me again. It was the same person at 3:00 so I just shut off my phone and went to bed. 

It was the 27th of October, 4 days till Halloween. Then it was the next day. I looked at  my phone and there were 10 calls from the same guy I told my mom and she said maybe they got the wrong number and are trying to call someone.  

The day went on. I went to bed . It was the 28th of October, 3 days till Halloween .It  was the end of school. Me and Lilac were on our way to get ice cream. My phone started buzzing  and it was the app, so I went into the app and it said ding and Lilac looked at my phone and said it worked, and  a guy popped up and his name was Asher and I thought he looked nice and kinda cute. 

I decided to add him back then he added me back and he texted me and I said, “hi:,  and he said “hi,  “what are you doing?”  I said “doing my homework what about you
“ He said “no way me too ” I said “lol what school do you go to” So i said “san pedro high school” and he said “i go to Torrance highschool” . 

We talked for 2 hours then I went to bed . It was the 29th of October. It was 2 days till Halloween.I woke up at 2am and it was the same person calling me and I remembered what my mom said and I shut my phone off and went to bed.  I woke up in the morning. I was getting ready for school and I got a call and it was the guy so I answered it and said you got the wrong phone number and then I hung up and went to school and Asher texted me and said  how is school  I said” it is ok how school doing” he said it is “fine”. Then he said "We should meet each other some time”. I said “what if we meet with some friends  on Halloween” he said” No how about just the two of us meet “. I thought it was weird but I said “ok”.

 It was the 30th of October. It was 1 day till Halloween.I woke up and got ready for school.I got to school and was telling lilac and she said that it was weird that he only wanted the two of them and knowone else. I told her maybe he wants it to be specole and she said maybe so my day. I was walking  home with lilacs. I was talking to lilac about how cool the dating app is and she found one and she said no. i told her maybe it is just slow and it  will be fine and it will pop up. I when home and did my home work and them whent to bed. 

It was the 31st of October. It was 0 days till Halloween.I woke up and went to school. When I was at school I was talking to lilac that today is the day that i will meet him. And I can't wait. She said omg i got the text and i said what text she said  the teen dating app i said what does it say and it said this kid james so she clicked on the  and hse said he is so cute and looks so nice too. I told her I am so happy for you and that you would talk to him and if he wants to come with use.then after we meet them we can meet up together. She said that is a good idea. I will tell you what he said. On our way home lilac told me he said yes. Ii went home got my costume on and when to the spot that we where going to meet up at and i he was there waiting in a suit with a black top hat i when to him and said hi he said hi you look nice and i said you to what are you he said a magician  i said what tricks do you got and he said give me your hand and he grabbed my had a put a ball in it and put his hand in a fist and said open you er had and there was no ball in my  healed and he opened his hand and there was the ball in his hand i said wow that is crazy. 

Then i asked him can i have your number then we can go meet up with our friend he said ok then the typed in his phone number and it twas the guys number Iand i gasped and a cloth what put over my face and Ii fell to felt like I got stabbed and i got stabbed in my stomach and blacked out. 

That was it. I was dead. So Llilly never came home and her parents started to worry and they called Lilac's mom to ask her if she was with her and Lilaclilac said she would never meet me . So the parents went to the police and looked for her and the police officer looked they asked lilac when she last saw her and does she know who she was with and she said that she was going to meet this boy named Asher and they when to go ask Asher and he said I i never meet up with her Ii thought she set me up. So her friends and family  and police officers  looked for her and looked but  they never found her.

 Until…It was 6 months after she went missing  and this guy was going scuba diving and found a body. He whent to the police officer and told them where he whent in a boat and he told them where the body they whent down and got the body and took it to the autopsy. TSo the autopsy reports came back on who it was and it was Lily who went  missing. They called her parents  and told them to come to the police station. So they got to the police station and they told them that they found the body of  Lilly and her parents    burst into tear.Their hearts were broken. The police officer asked herlilly parents if they wanted to know what happened to herlilly and they said yes please so they said that she was stabbed  and was abused then was dropped in to the sea with a rock to hold her down. Lilly's parents were so sad. 

The cops said they could not find who did it.  A week later the cops got a report that they saw And he had a rock and a duffel bag he was fishing the day after lilly when missing. The cops call the FBI. They broke into  his house and they found a knife in his closet and they found lillys jacket. They went outside and looked inside the boat and found Lily close and then sent Asher to jail for killing Lily and later that year he admitted to killing Lily.

Photographs

Bzzt-Bzzt, said the phone, unplugged on the bedside drawer, waking up Wyatt immediately. He was tired and wanted to go back to sleep, so he went to decline the call, but the screen had the word “BOSS” written in white bold lettering. He panicked and completely woke up, then answered the phone.

“Wyatt, you know what would be great on the front page? Finding out what is happening out in that old house down on Oak Street.” Wyatt’s boss said on the phone. His voice was deep and he had a serious tone when he spoke.

“Why would that somehow be on your mind now?” Wyatt asked confused why this house would finally be investigated after years of rumors being spread about. This specific house was somewhat of an urban legend amongst the people of Silverton, Oregon. Many people have tried to investigate the area, however they were never seen again after they entered. Some bystanders have heard many odd and unusual noises and occurrences from this location, but they were always too scared to even step foot in that place.

“Well, people are still dying to know what is going on within that house. Go there at night whenever you can, but just so you know, the deadline for this is in ten days, so better not screw this up. I will inform you what to do when you arrive.”

“Alright, I’ll get started on that.” The boss then hung up and Wyatt moved on throughout the day. When it was about 10 PM, Wyatt, not so enthusiastic about what he has been told to do now, took a deep breath then proceeded to get ready for the task that he had been assigned. The only things he decided to bring were his phone that he stuffed in his right pocket, a flashlight that he put in his left pocket, and his camera clipped onto a strong leather sling that stretches from his right shoulder to his left waist. After his preparations, he got in his car and drove off to the old house.

Upon arrival, the old house looked as if it was dying. The white paint was wearing off, revealing the pale wood it was concealing. There were visible holes in the walls and roof of the house and the front porch had broken railings. Suddenly, the front door opened slowly on its own with a resounding creak revealing a dark inside. Wyatt flicked on his flashlight and tried to peer into the dark before entering and then,

Bzzt-Bzzt, the phone said once again, spooking Wyatt and making him jump in place. It was his boss calling once again.

“Are you there yet?”

“Y-yes sir, I was just about to enter. Do you need something?”

“Affirmative, take as many photos of the place as you can. Anything that is suspicious or unusual should be photographed. Good luck!” Good luck? What was that supposed to mean? Wyatt thought to himself and before he could fire back with any more questions, his phone started flashing an empty battery, and died on the spot.

“Darn it,” Wyatt said, just realizing that he should have prepared more for this. He stored his phone back into his pocket, and despite the boss’s cryptic message, he approached the front door, and entered the dark abyss. It led to a hallway in between two rooms; one to the left and one to the right.The state of the house’s interior looked far worse than the exterior. The floorboards were creaky, broken, and uneven; also, many of the barely painted walls had rodents hidden in certain crevices and holes. Bugs and insects were also on the walls, floor, ceiling, and also they were flying about. Wyatt picked up the camera dangling from his neck and took a photo of the hallway.

“This is not weird at all…” Wyatt said sarcastically, totally creeped out over the environment. The camera was whirring as the photo started to dispense from it. He took another deep breath and started to explore the grounds further. He went into the room to the right first. It seemed to be a nursery room with two windows both boarded up from the outside, toys scattered all over the floor, and a dismantled crib. The walls had animal paintings that were wearing down and bugs, more particularly spiders, were dangling from the ceiling as if they were the mobile for the crib. Wyatt tried to tug on the pull chain to turn on the light above him, but the lightbulb was shattered and unusable. He then grabbed his camera again, took a photo of the nursery room, and proceeded to the entrance of the room to the left of the hallway. 

As the noisy whirring played again, Wyatt tried to twist the knob to the eroding door, but the door would not budge. He tried to kick the door open but the door still wouldn’t move either. He crouched down to see through the opening between the door and the floor, but all he could see was black. However, a smoky scent punched his nose.

“Oh god- *cough* what the heck?” Wyatt exclaimed as he got up and backed away from the crevice. The scent was so strong that it made him wheeze a few more times. Soonly after, he moved past to where the living room and kitchen were in sight. He walked over to the kitchen, which was musty and gunky. Most of the cabinets were either missing doors or they were out of place and scattered around the kitchen as if they were thrown. There was a door that led to the backyard, and there was one pot on the stove that had a metal lid on top. Wyatt, as curious as ever, wanted to check if there was something inside, and after lifting the lid, he saw that it was filled with gunk that he couldn’t even explain himself, making him wretch at the sight of it. He quickly took a photo and as the photo was coming out of the camera, he proceeded to the living room.

The living room had a torn up couch, a dirtied and ripped carpet, shattered tv, and boarded windows once again. There was a broken down ottoman between where the tv and the couch was, and beside it was a dusty handheld audio recorder.

“This could be great for evidence!” Wyatt said as he dusted off the speakers and started off with the first message that was recorded.

“November Seventeen, 2009, 9 AM.” A monotone voice said, playing from the speaker. Shortly after, a different voice played, “Big news, there’s a house over on Oak Street, that my friends and I will visit the place in a few. Apparently there’s some sorta haunted thing going on there, but first we just gotta meet up at my place and then we’ll head over to the location.”

“November Seventeen, 2009, 10 PM”

“So we decided to go there later at night just in case there could be more paranormal activity at night or something like that. Say hi yall! ‘Yo!’ ‘What’s good?’ That's just Mark and Daniel, they're gonna be the people that will come with me, right? ‘Yeah!’ ‘Woohoo!’ Haha, alright, we’ll see what happens when we’re actually there.”

“November Seventeenth, 2009, 10:30 PM”

“We’re at the location, and gosh darn it’s frickin’ disgusting. ‘*cough cough* What the heck was in that pot?’ I dunno Daniel but probably don’t eat it! Yeah, so it looks very old and broken. This definitely would be the place where a ghost or a killer would be. Hey wait… where’s Mark? ‘Oh I saw him go downstairs to the basement.’ I’ll get him, just stay there, alright?”

“November Seventeenth, 2009, 10:45 PM”

“OH GOD! HE’S DEAD! SOMETHING OR SOMEBODY KILLED HIM! HIS HEAD WAS ON A FREAKING MEATHOOK IN THE BASEMENT! DANIEL! DANIEL! I'M COMING UP!” [ heavy breathing was only heard for a few moments] “DANIEL! WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU? ‘AAAHHHHH! AHHHH! SOMEBODY HELP! IT BURNS AGHHHH!’ DANIEL! HOLD ON! I'M COMING TO GET YOU! *grunt* WHY WON’T THE DOOR OPEN! *grunt* DANIEL! ‘AGHHHHHH…!’ DANIEL! Daniel…! *sobs* What the heck is happening, man…? *sniffles* Wait… No… NO NO---”

“You have reached the end.” the speakers started to play, Wyatt was horrified over what he had heard. His heart was racing and in complete panic. He wanted to bolt for the exit door but it was too late. 

“NO!” Wyatt yelled as he saw the roof collapse in front of where he first entered from. He desperately tried to find another way to escape the house, then that’s when Wyatt thought, the backdoor! He sprinted to the area, with the recorder and flashlight equipped, and then a tall, bulky, masked figure about 6’7 broke through the door, holding what looked like a lumber ax. The beast of a man started to chase him down around the house, and Wyatt, not knowing what to do, tried to go down into the basement. The basement was unlike any other basements where it has stairs leading downward. Instead, it had a ladder descending into a dark abyss. As he was about to descend, the man stomped on the fingers on his left hand, breaking them, and Wyatt let out a crying wail. He then stomped on the other hand, and Wyatt fell backward, getting caught by his leather strap on a protruding wooden spike, choking and strangling him. Wyatt started to struggle and look around, trying to get himself out of the predicament he was in, but nothing worked. His squirming only did so good as to clip his camera off to fall onto the floor, flashing him in the face as the camera started to process the photo. His eyes went bloodshot red and his choking and gurgling was very loud. He saw the photo on the camera fully processed and it flew out of the camera, gliding toward Wyatt. His body finally went limp. He stopped squirming. His eyes went completely red and locked in place. The last thing that he ever saw was his vibrant red eyes in his own photograph…

  The Isolated House 

“Come on Cornelius! Don't be such a scaredy cat!” yelled his friends. His stomach felt like it was at his feet. He swallowed hard and walked up the driveway. “Yeah Cornelius!” said all the friends. It was Halloween night when Cornelius and his friends were trick or treating. It was the perfect spooky, chilling night for Halloween. 

They walked up to this super isolated dark house, when all his friends dared him to go knock on the door. Corneilus thought it was a joke until they pushed him towards the door. Some of his friends were new and he didnt wanna seem like a baby in front of them. Accepting his fate, Corneilus walked up the driveway and knocked on the door. 3, hard, knocks. 

“Well hello there boy! How'd you do?” towering over him was an old guy. Cornelius was shaking in his boots, surprised by what kind and outgoing man was behind the door of the isolated house. Cornelius remembered his new friends. He couldn't keep being scared. No! He had to stand up straight and bring candy back to prove them all wrong.

“H-h- hello sir.” corneilus stuttered. “I- I mean trick or treat!” “Oh yes of course! It's Halloween night, why else would you be here?” the old man nervously chuckled. “Well i must've forgotten to bring a new bag of candy out. You wanna come get a new one with me?” the old man asked cornelius. He knew it was wrong. He knew he couldn't go into strangers' houses. Especially on a cold and foggy night.Without his parents around. But he needed to be strong. There was no way he was coming back to his friends without the candy. “U-uh sure.” He said. 

He began slowly walking into the house, fear and determination rolled down his spine, as he wanted to impress his friends but knew deep down anything could happen. BAM! The door shut. Corneils jumped in fright. The man locked up 7 locks in counting and put the ring of keys in his pocket. I knew I shouldn't have done this. It wasn't worth it, Corneilus thought to himself. The old man picked him up and covered his mouth. Cornelius tried to scream but couldn't make a sound. 

The guy sat him on a chair and made him swallow a pill. Corneilus was screaming and trying to escape but there was no way one could hear a sound that came from that house. After trying and trying to get untied from the hair, he began to feel tired and drowsy. He gave up and eventually passed out. 

Cornelius wakes up and is on a mattress. Not a bed, just a mattress on the floor. It was pitch black with a tiny source of light coming from the moonlight. He immediately knew that he had to do whatever it took to get out of that room. Out of that house. All he wanted was to be home and with his family. He got up from the floor and went to find a door. He saw a door and started banging on it.

The old guy opened it and dragged Cornelius to a chair. He didn't tie him up. He didn't put any tape on him. He just sat him there and watched. Normally, people who had a chance to escape, would- but the look that the guy gave him made him feel hopeless. Cornelius was crying. Crying because he knew there was no way to escape. Banging, yelling, crying and other noises were coming from upstairs. People were trying to open the door, break it down, everything that could get them in. 

Confused, the man gets up and heads toward the stairs. There was a door at the top of the staircase that the old man shuts after him, locking it. Since Cornelius had nothing to prevent him from getting up, he ran to the stairs. He ran up the stairs. He was banging on the door, trying to break it or get someone's attention. “Help! Please! Help me!!” Cornelius was so focused on using his strength to get out, rather than his thinking. He remembers that maybe, just maybe, the door would be unlocked.

It is! The door was unlocked, the old man messed up. He swung open the door and ran. He turned right and kept going. He didn't know where he was going, but there was an exit. An opportunity to be safe again. He ran out the back door, hearing the yelling in the distance. He heard his name being repeated over and over. Sobbing, corneilus kept running. Running faster than ever. A hill! A hill in front of the house. Corneius rolled down the hill. It felt like he'd been rolling forever. He rolled. And rolled. And rolled until he had reached the end. He ran home. Ran to his home that he felt like had been missing forever. 

The end.

The Facility

Slam! And just like that we were now trapped inside of this old, yucky, abandoned science facility. “Ugh, what are we supposed to do now?” Yelled Mary angrily. We just push forward, look at the door, door 1, just keep going through the doors I guess.” Timmy said, trying to reassure Mary. So then we were off walking through the doors, looting drawers, playing around inside the weirdly large lockers, and I even found a lantern in one of the drawers. As I open the door to the next room, the lights start violently shaking, and even worse a light growl is coming from behind us. “GET IN A LOCKER! NOW!” Yelled Ben like it was life or death. I jump in a locker, holding the doors shut. Then this black mist rushes by us, breaking all the lights so fastly you could barely tell that they were ever on. We get out, all 4 of us shaken, I turn on the lanturn, which is swiftly taken away by Timmy. I want to say something, but it's probably for the best, so we just walk on. No words are said, we’re all too shaken to talk. We open a door to be greeted by a completely dark room, but this one is different from the 3 others before it, the sign displaying the numbered door is glowing bright green, that only happens when the room isn't dark. I won't question it, It doesn't matter. Ben being the one in front of everyone opens the door. Behind the door wasn't the next room, instead it was a black void, “AHHHH” Everyone yells in fear, then a sharp black spike shoots out of the void, piercing Ben straight in the abdomen. Some weird black sludge trinkles out of his mouth, and he falls to the floor, lifeless. We all start yelling, crying, freaking out, but we don't got time for that because then the lights flicker. We all scramble to the nearest lockers, I still don't know what that thing is but now I don't feel like finding out. After the thing leaves we look for Ben’s body, it's gone, and the real door is open. As we keep traversing, everyone is trying to stay calm by acting like everythings okay, talking like normal. I'm not feeling like talking to anyone right now though. “I get that you are scared, we all are, but don't distance yourself too far away from us, we still don't know what’s in here.” Timmy warns me. “I don't want to talk, lets just keep going, please” My words come out as just mumbles from all the tears streaming down my face. Now that Ben is gone, we are really cautious opening every door. I look up, door 35, We open the door, the lights flicker, we’ve done this dance before. We walk into a little side room where we know we are safe. This time it's different, instead of hearing the growling it's this weird twisted sound, like a broken music box. We get out of the side room, still huddling near lockers. The sound is quickly replaced with a loud screeching as this large, floating, brown blob with eyes all over it starts rushing by. I jump into a locker, but instead of going by it runs toward my locker. It bangs its body against the locker as I hold the locker shut from the handles on the inside. Even though it's trying to break down my locker I still hear the others screaming in fear. After a little while the thing gives up and runs away, er really more like floating away. After I got out, I saw that the locker doors of which Mary was hiding in were destroyed. The doors broken off its hinges, with blood splattered in the locker. Timmy is too busy cursing to realize that I'm just standing there staring, I'm too zoned out to notice myself either. standing and staring at the puddle of blood on the bottom of a locker. I would cry, but I weirdly can’t, my mind is just telling me “It doesn't matter, keep pushing, keep going, it's just another obstacle trying to hold you back!” I just start walking away as Timmy runs up behind me, looking for a good choice of words. “You know it’s ok to feel sad? You don't have to pretend to be okay” Timmy says, a little worried. I stay silent, I really don't care that much, sure it's very depressing but things happen whether you like it or not. As I open door after door, evading monster after monster. I look up, door 76, but that's interrupted by the sound of a very high pitch screech, higher than the other monster. I waste no time, jumping into a locker as a pink puff of pure killing power runs by, evading both of us. I get out, “what was that? It was different from the other one.” I say a little confused. “I don't know, but I think we have a bigger problem than that” Pointing at the next room, half the room looks normal but the other half is corroded in the same black void stuff that had killed Ben. I walk onto the tarry void and open the next door, Timmy cautiously following. A giant steel door slowly cracks open to reveal this massive room, a sign says “incase of low power, please call maintenance to fix generators.” SLAM, the door shuts tight behind us “What generators?” Says Timmy. “Probably those over there” Pointing at 3 generators close to each other. I start to walk over to the generators but a weird black drop lands on my hand. I look up to be greeted with the ceiling replaced with the black void, holding four massive searchlights, shining them down, looking for us. “Don't let the searchlights see you!” I yelled at Timmy. “Ok” He yells back. There is a monster that could kill us and all he has to say is okay? Whatever. As I'm doing the first two generators I look to my right to see the corpse of a security guard, even worse is a searchlight beam moving toward me. As I'm hiding under some boxes the corpse is spotted by the searchlight. A giant, black, tarry hand comes flying down, grabbing the corpse and pulling it upward into the void mass. The second the thing stops shining the light over me I fix up the generator and start looking for another. I spot another and start fixing it, as I am finishing up the last generator and I see the exit opening, I hear it. “Wait, no, please, have mercy on my soul!” It's Timmy pleading, but before I can run to him I see a hand, come down, grab Timmy, and drag him into the void. I run to the exit as the door closes behind me, all I’m thinking about is getting out, so I open the next door. Eventually I looked up, door 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95. Evading monster after monster, hazard after hazard. Until I stumble across a document on a table. After picking it up I see in bold, red text, Z-221594 - Codename “The Eternal Abyss" I open it up, it's pictures of the void that had killed my friends with a whole paragraph about it. I grab it and start running through the doors, 96,97, lights flickering but I don't care, 98, 99, 100, I see it, the giant steel exit door, I pull the lever to open it, I don't even wait for the monster. The second the gap in the door is big enough, I squeeze through. It's night, but I don't care. I sprint faster than I ever have back to my house, practically breaking the door down and finally plopping down in my bed finally passing out, sweet peace and silence. I had a weird dream where I held the document, reading through it and all of the special things about the void. I woke up this morning to the sound of police breaking down my door, my parents arguing with the police officers as they put me in the back of the police car in handcuffs. At the police station they say that I've been charged with the murder of my 3 friends, trespassing, and breaking and entering. In court I have been found guilty and sentenced to death by the electric chair. I sit in my cell waiting to be dragged away to the chair, thinking, maybe this is for the better. But my twisted stream of thoughts is interrupted by a man dressed in a black suit coming to me, ordering me to follow him. I get up and we start walking. “So tell me boy, how old are you?” He asked “ I'm 14 years old. Me and my friends just wanted to do a video about that facility, we didn't expect all the things that happened there to happen.” I said, mind racing with PTSD. “You broke into my facility, and made it out alive? I'm impressed!” The man said oddly enthusiastically . “Wait, you’re the owner of that facility? So you knew about everything in there? All those monsters that killed my friends, YOU created?!” I snapped back at him. “Yes but I'll strike a deal with you since I know what really happened. You go back to retrieve a special crystal for me, in return I’ll give you freedom, fame, riches, anything your heart desires. And please call me Shade, Urbanshade.” Shade said. I knew that name from the news, he was wanted for running illegal experiments, what was he doing here? But I don't care, I have to earn my freedom, and avenge my friends. “Oh and if you do somehow defy the odds and live, remember, nobody will ever believe you, so don't bother talking”

The Three Gargoyles

The river had been stained red with his blood. It seemed like it would be a regular Wednesday for the Fishermen of the Tiber River, it had been a pleasant day apart from the rather gloomy search for the lost son of the pope. He had been missing for quite some time now, yet no one knew the true horrors that had happened to him. It was just a few moons ago when  he had just been out hunting with his fellow men when a man dressed in a cloak as dark as night itself came from the forest,

 “Come Quickly,” he yelled, “There is a man who needs your help, he claims to be one of your servants.”

Giovanni Borgia was known to be a man who treated his slaves kindly and would do anything to help them so he rushed over as quickly as possible. Giovanni was also known to be quite a foolish man, someone who could not see danger if it was right in his face, knowing that the mysterious man took advantage of Giovanni, first he took out a knife and with Giovanni’s back to him he plunged it right in his head. Giovanni cried out in great pain as he fell off his horse and landed on the ground. 

It was done. The man knew he must get rid of the body, but where would he place it? He was thinking when a great idea came to mind, he would throw it in the lake. After the deed was done the man quietly walked home, he knew it would be a matter of time before they started looking for Giovanni and he could not make himself suspect. He walked his way home when he saw something strange. It appeared to be a creature moving on the side of a Stone building. He blinked, thinking surely his eyes were playing tricks on him, when suddenly the creature was gone. 

He went on his way seemingly walking faster now, he felt something was staring at him, his heart was beating faster and faster still, yet to the man's relief, at least to his knowledge, no one had seen him. It had been some time since the man had murdered Giovanni, a few days afterwards some fishermen found his body in the river tiber, no one suspected the man. In fact they had put the Servants that were with Giovanni to death suspecting it was them who killed him. The man thought that surely he had gotten away with the murder but little did he know it would not be humans who would punish him for his deed. 

He was in bed that night when he heard a sound “Who’s there!” He shouted. He heard no response, he quietly reached to his side for his Oil lamp. As he lit the lamp he heard more noise, it seemed to be getting closer and closer. He lit the lamp and in front of him he saw the stone figures of three Gargoyles. He tried to scream but no noise came out of his mouth. The gargoyles all made a horrible noise almost as though they were trying to laugh. 

The man recoiled in fear trying to hit them back when suddenly they started to talk to him, “You have committed a crime against God in killing the pope's son.” it stated in a deity-like voice, “now you must pay the price!” “Please,” the man shouted, “P-please let me have one more chance.” He cowered in fear as the gargoyles licked their stone cold lips.

 “We will give you 1 hour.” They stated in unnerving unison, “Before that hour is over, we want you to admit to the pope what you've done to his son.” The man rushed out of the house as quickly as he could. He looked around as he ran and it seemed that everywhere he looked he saw the coal black eyes of the Gargoyles. He felt a fear that none could fathom. He could see the house was within reach with only 15 minutes left of the hour. He heard the cackling of the gargoyles as he approached the gates

  “Please P-please let me in,” he begged the guards, “I need to see the pope.” 

The guards looked at him with their eyes full of pity, “I'm sorry,” they stated, “but the pope is with us no more.”                                                                                          

“N-N-No, surely this can't be,” he stuttered; he could hear the laughing of the gargoyles getting louder, “Please!’ he shouted though it seemed that no one else could hear him scream, “Please, somebody, anybody help me,” he saw what appeared to be a an old man in a robe walking away, it felt to the man that this would be the last person he would see; he grasped the old man by the shoulder, the old man slowly turned his head towards the man, as he turned his head the man caught a smell piercing his nostrils, he looked the old man in the eyes and recoiled in fear crying out, in front of him was the withered face of Giovanni Borgia. 

As he stared into the soulless eyes of the corpse he realized his fate, it was time for him to die at the hands of the three gargoyles. He could hear their stony feet crunching the dead leaves behind him; he hoped with himself that it would be a quick and painless demise. 

“Do you see what you have done,” the biggest gargoyle snarled, “ you have caused the untimely death now of not one but two people.”

“I beg of you to forgive me,” the man said, though knowing there was now little chance of such happening, “I regret my poor choices.”

“If you regret the deed so much,” the smallest one snapped back, “then why on earth would you haven done it in the first place.” 

“It seems,” continued the medium one, “ that you only care to think of yourself, and what your deeds will do to you.”

The gargoyles crept closer and closer backing the man up towards the well, the man knew that if he was to get the gargoyles to forgive him he must do so with great haste.

“Please,” he shouted this time with more volume and urgency, “ I will do anything, I will give the riches and riches to the church.”

“Ah but you see my good sir,” the gargoyles repeated in horrifying unison, “we care not about what you offer to us, we care only for revenge;” The gargoyles lunged at the man cutting him off midstream with their sharp vicious claws.

The next day the town well was opened only to find the man's body in there with a vicious scratch mark drawn deep into his throat, belly and arms, all that was remaining was a paper lying next to him that read “A reminder of what happens to those that commit murder.

                                      The Maze

One dark rainy night, Ava was cooking dinner with her mom when her mom said “Honey, would you mind if you went to the store and grabbed some eggs for me?” Ava said “I don’t mind at all, mom” Ava’s mom said “Thank you.” Ava went towards her mom and kissed her on the cheek before going to her room to put on some shoes and a jacket. Once she was ready she said “I’ll be back, mom” Ava’s mom said “Okay, be safe out there.” Ava gave her mom a soft smile and walked out of the house shutting the door behind her. As Ava walked down the hill she took a deep breath, breathing in the calming wind blowing past her. 

As she walked past some bushes, she had an uneasy feeling of someone watching her. She turned to the bushes but saw nothing, I must be hallucinating she thought to herself. Ava continued to walk down the hill ignoring the thought of being watched even though it made her heart thump loudly. She couldn’t shake off the feeling of being watched, the thought of being watched still lingered in her mind. She took a deep breath and looked behind her, yet nothing was there. Ava shook her head thinking she was really hallucinating, she kept walking but suddenly stopped at the sound of footsteps behind her.

She froze in place and suddenly felt a strong rough hand covering her mouth sending a jolt of fear running through her body. Her eyes widened as she struggled to breath, she tried to squirm out of this firm grip but it only tightened. Her eyesight started becoming blurry, her body slowly started to feel numb as she closed her eyes, the weakness becoming stronger. In just a matter of seconds, her mind went blank, her eyes closed, though she was still breathing a little. She had fallen in a deep sleep of unconsciousness as if someone had flipped off a switch to make her body stop functioning. Her whole body felt like a very heavy weight that only very strong people could lift.

Her eyes snapped open as she regained consciousness, she found herself on a grassy surface, A bright full moon shone glowingly in the sky. She slowly stood up, taking in her surroundings, tall bushes encircling around her. She walked through the bushes glazing behind her every few minutes making sure she wasn’t being followed. As she walked further into the bushes she immediately felt a wave of coldness rush by her from behind, she quickly turned around and a white paled ghost appeared in front of her eyes. She screamed and sprinted through the bushes as the ghost chased her from behind. She ran and ran as fast as she could, taking turns and jumping over traps.

She kept running for her life but a wooden door blocked her path. Ava looked behind her, the ghost catching up to her, she was trapped. She looked at the wooden door and tried to think of something to get out of this situation. The ghost got closer and closer leaving her no choice but to break down the door with her body. She took a step back and took a leap forward throwing herself at the wooden door breaking it into planks of wood. She fell on the ground with a loud thud but quickly got up and ran. She turned and hid in a small corner where the ghost couldn't see her.

 She kept her mouth quiet, not daring to make a sound. The ghost rushed past her and a wave of relief came over her. She took a few seconds to catch her breath but then a drop of blood stained her shirt. She looked down at her shirt and slowly touched her face feeling something wet her fingers. She brought her hand down to take a look at it and saw blood all over her finger tips. A shock of pain was felt across her face. She had a big scar on her cheek from breaking the wooden door, she had no time to heal or cry about the wound so she got up and looked around to see if the close was clear. 

Ava continued to walk through the bushes making sure to look around carefully to see if anything could attack her. She walked and walked when she suddenly felt a sting get tangled around her foot, she tried to pull her foot but it made something go off. She looked up and saw a very big sharp blade swing down cutting off her left arm. She stumbled backward and groaned in pain, a few tears forming in her eyes. Her eyes widened in terror as she looked at the blood dropping to the ground, her bone sticking out. She wanted to scream but she didn’t dare to, she knew it would only bring trouble.

She ripped a piece of her shirt and wrapped it around her shoulder to make the blood stop. She got up and tried to forget about the pain but god it hurt so bad. Tears fell down her cheeks from the suffocating pain, her breaths were heavy with a hint of pain hidden in them. She really had to think of a plan now, she couldn’t stand being in these bushes any longer. She sat on the grass and closed her eyes trying to think of a plan to leave this nightmare, but her mind was all over the place, the pain from her arm just made it worse. She took a few minutes when she suddenly remembered her mom telling her “If you ever get trapped in a maze follow the walls” she knew it was just a theory but she had no choice but to test it out like it was the only way to get herself out of this misery.

Ava started to follow the bush walls like her mom told her to, she could see a bright green line light from a few blocks away. She quickened her steps, feeling her heart beat louder and louder. Once she was close to the light she ran the rest, laughing happily as she saw an exit sign. More tears ran down her cheeks, she was finally escaping this nightmare. She opened the exit door and there it was, finally freedom. She ran out of the maze and through some trees but she was suddenly stopped by the same rough hand grabbing her arm tightly to prevent her from running away.

“No!” She screamed and yanked her arm away. She quickly grabbed the knife that the unknown person was holding and stabbed him right in the stomach before turning around and making a run for it. She dashed through the forest  not caring what direction she was going in. After a few minutes of running she saw a blue and red light from afar, it seemed like a police car with two policemen standing near it. She ran towards the police car and the policemen quickly noticed her. One of the policemen pulled out a blanket from the car while the other rushed to her. She yelled out, “Help, I- I’m being c- chased!”

The policeman said “Mam, you need to calm down. You're injured and we need to take you to the hospital immediately.” She nodded and the other policeman handed her a warm fuzzy blanket. She wrapped the blanket around her and stepped into the vehicle. The two policemen sat in the front seats and started driving. Soon enough, they arrived at the hospital and she was quickly sent to the emergency  room. Doctors surrounded her and took her to a room with machines and other stuff. A few hours later, she was laying on the hospital bed with a machine attached to her and a cast on her left shoulder.

Moments later her mom barged, a worried expression splattered on her face. Ava’s mom rushed towards her the moment she saw her and hugged her tightly. Her mom then said “Ava, my baby, I was so worried about you” Ava hugged her mom back and said “I’m fine mom, I’m okay.” She reassured her mom but her mom didn’t seem too convinced. Her mom then said “Tell me what happened” her mom said firmly but a hint of gentleness hidden in her words. Ava took a deep breath and started to tell her mom everything that had happened. Her mom looked terrified as she listened closely to Ava. Her mom hugged her again and said “Thank god you're still alive” Ava just smiled and hugged her mom back feeling relieved that she had finally escaped the nightmare.

                                      The End       

Ties that Bind

Sweat dripped down my brow as I saw their faces-damn! Their faces, all mangled and deprived of color, I hesitated as I jumped into the mangled pit of human remains. 

“Adam, Adam, Adam!” someone cried, “Get up, PLEASE!”

 I tumble out of Bed, still half awake. I feel something cold and hard against my foot and hit my face against the wooden ground.

“Damn!” I cry out, “ Who left-wait, KANE! What are you doing here!?

Staring back down at me was Kane's pale face, he looked like he’d just seen a ghost.

“What happened?” I asked, It's been weeks since I’ve seen them since my trip to Alaska and yesterday was my first day back. Kane leaned on my bed and clenched his fists together

“Me and Rick were hanging out the other night, we were  in my room when we heard crashing and screams-” Kane looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole, his knuckles  were the color of snow. 

“We went down to check and-and, no one was there! Everything was trashed and there were animal remains, I-I never saw anything like it, I can’t believe this is all new, don't you wonder why this is happening?”

I nod my head, I stagger up and pat Kane’s shoulder as he leans back fully and falls on my bed. Yeah I felt sympathetic for Kane, but everything felt foggy like, I didn’t feel right and I wanted space so I walked to the living room. On my floor was Rick with snacks stuffed in his mouth, he looked sickly and tired, I could see cheeto dust on his fingertips and on his chin. But that didn’t matter, I didn’t care that Rick and Kane had broken into my home, what did matter was where my family was. My house was trashed, tables, chairs and plates were scattered all around the place, pieces of wall were ripped off the wall and there were specks of blood. Did they do this? 

“Rick,” I call out, he looks up at me and nods, “ What happened-here?” I say as I point down

“I dunno, I followed Kane and we came here, we found only you asleep, the place was already trashed when we got here.”

“The spots of blood on the walls don't concern you?!” 

“They do, it’s just,” He sighs, “Look there's been a lot of things going on, Kane just lost his family and now this-”

“They we go looking, we’ll find them and we’ll come home” I say

“Adam, are you dumb!? We don’t know what's out there, let alone what will happen to us!”

“It’s better than sitting around doing nothing, look, if you're not going to do anything then just stay here” I say, I turn around and head back to my room, if Rick didn’t want to go then Kane would, he didn’t have anything to lose. Convincing Kane was pretty darn easy, we didn’t know how long we would be staying out there so we just stuffed ourselves with an enormous amount of food. That same day, me and Kane agreed that we should go looking at the top of a woodbury hill. The news has been stating that most likely strange noises are coming from there. We travel up the seemingly endless, by the time we reach the top my feet burn, everything hurts, every muscle does. 

“Look!” Kane says pointing somewhere in the distance, he was a little bit further up than me but when I catch up I see. Piles and piles of car junk 10 feet in the air, all revolving around a humanoid sculpture of a human with a disfigured face. A regular human face, but with disfigured eyes and all kinds of shapes for the nose and head, it seemed like the sculpture's face was also changing, the way it looked depended on the angle you looked at it from. It was holding out a book with very worn looking pages and bits and pieces seemingly bitten off. My eyes dart from side to side as I look at the area all around me, then I see it. It must’ve been at least 10 feet tall with long ghastly arms like a stick man, its face seemingly replicated the sculpture's face but at times you could see that it had none. It was completely  gray and moved around like a rabid animal on its hind legs, I grabbed onto Kanes shoulder tightly and pointed at this ghastly “creature”. Through hand signs I instruct Kane to follow me further back into the woods away from this “thing”, I, 2, 3  I say counting in my head

1, 2 ,3- CRUNCH!  I look around and realize that I stepped on a branch, I whip my head around just in time to see the monster growl and roar, it’s mouth looked like an endless dark tunnel filled with massive amount of teeth

“RUN!” I yell to Kane, we break into a sprint through the forest, I could hear the monster right behind me, gaining on me, then-BAM!  I land onto my stomach as the monster sits right on top of me, now at a closer view I see that the monster's face changes into human faces, people I know, my family..Just then I hear rustling and a shriek, green liquid squirts all over me and I stagger back as Rick impales the monster from behind.

“Adam! Run hurry” He calls out as he runs towards me, I follow after him and see Kane in front of us

“Adam, we need to get to the top of that lookout tower,” He points up and sure enough in the distance there's an abandoned tower “It’s our best chance of getting somewhere safe and finding that green light.”

Green light? I think to myself, then up above me a flickering green light shines, silhouettes of humans disappear and reappear, this was my chance, OUR chance to find our families. I look at Kane and come to a stop, I clutch my hand tightly as I break into another sprint. I dash towards the green light passing through tiny streams of water and mud. I don't even look back to see If Kane is behind me, if he isn’t I’ll just do it myself.

“ADAM, STOP!” I hear Rick call, but I don't listen and soon enough I find myself at the entrance of a cave, the green light casts an eerie shadow, I enter anyway. Inside I’m shook, there are people on top of each other and others digging at the ground, the green light seems to be coming from the ground, I join in on the digging, my arms ache, everything aches. I must’ve been digging for hours because I realize it’s the next day, no sign of Kane and Rick yet, maybe if I just get the green light this will all be fine, everything will go back to normal, Yeah I think to myself. I look at the pile of mangled human remains, the light seemed to have changed places because now it was under a pile of human remains, I breath, I step back and close my eyes. Sweat dripped down my brow as I saw their faces-damn! Their faces, all mangled and deprived of color, andI hesitated as I jumped into the mangled pit of human remains…

I walked on the dirty gravel as I look around me to make sure nobody was outside. It’s just me and Luna Moon, but I had a feeling someone was following us. The year was 1645, Luna Moon and I were witches and had to hide our identities or else we would face a really bad punishment; Being burned at the stake. We were looking for Rosemary for a potion we had to make. “We’ve been walking for 30 minutes, do you know where this spice could be Posie?” I shrug, I didn’t know ether, but we still needed to find it.

 We walked for another 10 minutes until I pick up a scent; peppermint. I see a wooden shack which I assumed was a spice house. We walk up to it, and we see a big sign above the door. Sadly, as a 7 year old, I can’t read cursive. “Big Joe’s Spices.” Luna Moon translated. We knocked on the door. The dude who opens it is a big, fat, crusty middle age man. He wore an apron and had splotchy hair that didn’t seem to fit him. “What do you dainty little girls want?” Said the man, in a voice that sounded like he eats dirt, which is another way of saying raspy. “We need spices for a soup were making, isn’t that right Posie?” I nod. “Well you two look delicious as well.” Replied the man. He grabbed us by our arm sleeves and pushes us in a room, and lock the door.

 Taking a look around the room, I realized this dude was a cannibal. There were arms on tables, deer mounts with human heads on them, and way too much blood on the walls and floors. The man yelled “Looks like Big Joe’s having some witches for dinner! If you girls misbehave, I’m telling the town about you guys and eating you charcoal bodies!” He starts swinging an axe at us, lucky we were able to dodge it. I transform into a bull and ram him while Luna Moon set’s him on fire, his scream is so loud it sound like a million people sawing the same tree over and over again. I go to the door and try to pick the lock while Luna Moon handles Big Joe.

 5 minutes later, I pick the lock and open the door. If I didn’t turn into a lion and torn his arm off, He would've decapitated Luna    Moon. He laid on the ground, with no movement whatsoever. The only thing we heard was the strong gust of wind. We grab the Rosemary and get outta there. But out of the corner of my eye, I saw Big Joe’s fingers twitch.