1000 Soul Screamer

In the distance were screams that could be heard as if someone was being chased. Trivia Collins and her best friend David Michael quickly ran back to their car when the screams seemed to have gotten closer.

“That has to be a panther,” David said, locking the doors. “Panthers sound like women to lure their prey in.”

“David, I’m not a scientist or whatever it is that studies animals, but I’m pretty sure that wasn’t a panther call,” Trivia said, searching for her phone. “No service.”

“There has to be a cabin somewhere around these woods,” David said, turning on the headlights after starting up the car. “Keep your eyes peeled.”

They drove a few miles before they noticed a small light in the distance. When they got closer, an outline of a house stood before them in the middle of the woods. It sat in a perfect clearing with no trees or grass. Just dirt and dead leaves.

“Do you think someone is home?” Trivia asked.

“I’m not sure. But there’s a candle in that window so maybe someone is here,” David said, killing the engine. “Let’s go.”

Trivia sat there shaking her head. “I’ve seen too many movies to know you don’t go into a creepy empty looking house in the middle of the woods. And have you noticed there is no vegetation around the grounds of the house in a certain radius?”

David rolled his eyes, closed his door, and walked over to her side and opened the passenger door. He stepped to one side and motioned for her to step out. She stared at him annoyed but climbed out of the car.

“If something happens…” she began.

“Nothing is going to happen,” he said, grabbing her by the hand and leading her to the front door.

David lightly tapped on the door and with the slightest touch it creaked open, slowly, causing an eerie echo throughout the house.

“Um, yeah,” Trivia said with a nervous laugh. “I’ll sleep in the car.”

“Stop being a scaredy cat, Triv,” David said, pulling her back to his side. “I’d rather sleep in here than in the car out in the open. If there are panthers out there, I’m not going to be their dinner.”

Trivia huffed and followed him inside the silent house. David noticed a fireplace in the living room with cobwebs and dust living there. The candle they had noticed in the window was still flickering, sending shadows to dance around the room.

“I’m fine staying in the living room to sleep,” Trivia said.

“I’ll find some firewood,” David stated. “Pull out the sleeping bags, I’ll be back shortly.”

Once David disappeared outside in the dark, Trivia gave a shaky sigh and laid out the sleeping bags. The wind howled, making the candle light flicker and sending a child through her body. Something didn’t seem right about this place.

“David, did you find the firewood?” she called, her voice echoing through the halls.

No response. Trivia hugged herself and walked to the door that stood wide open. She took her phone out and turned the flashlight on. Something moved in front of her around the car, which made her jump, dropping her phone on the ground.

“D-David,” she stuttered, reaching down to pick her phone up.

Once the flashlight shined in front of her she was face to face with something that had sharp fangs and an unsettling smile. Trivia screamed.

“David!” she howled as loud as she could, hoping it would cause whatever the thing was to run.

Instead, it stood up about seven feet tall on its hind legs. It spread its arms wide, claws dripping with blood and let out a scream that sounded like trapped souls.

“David!!” Trivia called again, unable to move from where she stood.

She looked past the beast and noticed a body laying behind the car. Was that her best friend? Trivia held her breath as the beast got close enough to her face, she could feel its breath that smelled like someone had been dead for months. It stared her down with a face with no eyes, and snarled.