A Living Nightmare

Mary couldn’t study anymore. She closed the heavy math textbook with a sigh. The exam was tomorrow and she didn’t feel anywhere closer to being ready then she did 3 hours ago.

“You’ll do fine” Lucy said with a smile. Mary shrugged, “I hope so” she said packing the textbook into her bag. Mary stood slinging the bag over her shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow” she said turning to leave Lucy’s bedroom. “ get some rest” Lucy said with sympathy. As she knew for the last couple of months sleep has been an issue for Mary. The same reoccurring dream keeps haunting her.

“I’ll try” Mary said before leaving the bedroom then heading out the front door. The spring night was cool and clear. Mary adjusted her bag on her back. Took a deep breath, walked off the porch and down the path. She looked back at the house, Lucy’s bedroom light was still on. Mary turned back around, and headed home.

The street was quite, and there was no one else but her, as everyone was in their home probably watching the football game. The ground and street was still wet from rain..

As she walked home, she got a sudden dark and empty feeling. Like something was stalking her like prey. She stopped walking and quickly looked behind her but there was no one. She checked the street and the sidewalk across, but it was only her. She looked to Lucy’s window as she was only a few feet from her friends front gate. Her mind told her to run back to her friends house and stay there, but it was a school night and she knew she had to be home. She told herself it was nothing so she cautiously turned back around and took a deep breath, and continued walking. She couldn’t help but be reminded of the continual nightmares she’s been having, unable to get a decent nights sleep in what seemed like forever. Her vivid dreams of a screaming child and of something dark and sinister coming to kill her from the darkness felt too real to keep her eyes shut for long.

she suddenly felt the hairs on her neck stand up, a cold shiver ran through her body making her shake. She knew it was the dark figure. The one that has been following her for months in her dreams and now when she is awake. She felt a warm breath on on the back of her neck, she quickly turned around expecting to see it like in her dreams. But she was alone in the street. Her heart now pounding and starting to sweat.

She turned back around and began walking a little faster, she got under a street light, but it shut off immediately leaving her in the dark. The sudden change in light startled her making her jump. Again she felt a warm breath on her neck like someone standing right behind her , followed by a quick push forward.

Mary fell to the concrete her hands catching her before her face hit the ground. She quickly turned around on her back expecting to see some attacker, but there was nothing. She could feel her breathing increase, her heart pound out of her chest. She was too scared to speak. She quickly stood up, and began running. She felt like the invisible creature following her was catching up, as she ran the lights shut off one by one exactly when she was under them She was in panic, she just wanted to see her father, he’ll make her feel safe again. She ran faster thinking of the invisible creature chasing her. She heard her footsteps echo against the pavement, but didn’t hear anyone doubling hers. She saw her home at the end of the street, the lights still on. Knowing her daddy would protect her from anything she began running as fast as she could, ignoring the burning in her chest, her heart pounding , or he tears streaming down her face. She passed her neighbours house the Morton’s, she was so close to home, she was sure she was going to make it.

She opened the front door, ran inside slamming it and locking it behind her. She leaned her back against the door and sighed relief. “What’s wrong Mary?” Mary saw her father standing in the door way of the living room. The light of the television making odd shadows on the wall. She ran up and hugged him, she tried to slow her breathing and pounding heart down. She made it, she was safe. “is there someone out there?” He asked concerned, Mary thought for a moment about saying something to her father, but he was a simple man and wouldn’t understand what she experienced or been experiencing. She had wished her mother was there, but she had left them a few months back.

Mary had come home from school only to find an empty house. Despite Mary’s tired-less search there was no goodbye note, but her mothers clothes and jewelry were gone and so were her favourite pair of shoes. She had left them as of she never really existed at all.

Mary swallowed the lump in her throat, . “no daddy, just scared of the dark” she said pulling away and smiled hoping he wouldn’t see through it, she knew her mother would. “I’m happy you’re home honey, suppers in the oven” he kissed her on the head then turned and left to go sit back on his recliner watching the game. Although Mary was happy to be with her daddy, she felt no safer inside. This house felt different now, like a strange organism. Slowly digesting them waiting for the right time for its final attack. She rounded the banister and began walking up the stairs to her room. There she saw the figure in the corner waiting for her. Mary froze in fear, it’s black eyes seeming to stare through her. It’s rotten skin falling off its body. “Mary?” She looked at her father, “you okay?” He asked still sitting on the chair. Mary looked back up the stairs, it was now gone.

“I’m fine” she said slowly continuing up the stairs. Looking for the creature. She got to the top and looked around, but there was nothing. She hated the house with a passion. It was a nightmare living there. She walked into her room, flicking on the light before she entered. She looked around the room expect to see the creature but saw nothing. She was exhausted the sleepless nights and stress from exams finally catching up with her. She decided a little nap especially with the light on and her father downstairs she should be alright. She lied on the bed and closed her eyes.

But the creature was watching her and waiting, she was never safe. It was finally ready to take her as it’s next victim. It stood over her sleeping body and took over her exhausted mind.

Mary’s screams could be heard by the next door neighbours. The scream was high pitched, and full of terror.

Her father who was sitting in front of the t.v. Oblivious to what was happening to his daughter, shot up and out of his recliner, and raced upstairs. As he got to the top of the stairs the screaming stopped. Her went into his daughters room, Marys body was laying on the floor in a puddle of blood. She bled from her mouth, nose and eyes. She was dead.

25 years later....