Horror Story collection

Mental Illness

I hated being home alone. So when my friend asked if they could crash with me, I snapped onto the opportunity. Her name was Marie and she had been one of my best friends since 4th grade. We knew each other's fears, secrets, crushes and every detail about ourselves. I got home around 10 and found my entire house dark. Maybe Marie hadn't come yet. I chalked it up to that and made myself a cup of tea. In this time period my front door unlocked and I walked down the hall. It was Marie!

"Hey what's up?" I asked. Suddenly my teacup jerked and split all of its hot contents on me. "Ow!" I yelped and dropped the teacup, having it shatter on the floor. Marie still hadn't answered or looked at me. "Marie?" I started asking, now concerned. I gently touched her shoulder and... she screamed at me. Not a "Oh you scared me scream" a... ethereal scream that seemed to erupt from deep inside her. She grabbed fistfuls of her hair and started screaming louder. I was now terrified and concerned more than ever for my friend. "Marie what's wrong?!" I shouted over her screaming. Now she looked me in the eyes. Her eyes were empty, dark, like deep pits had been gouged into her skull. It was my turn to scream now. I ran down the hallway, grabbed a kitchen knife, my phone, and locked myself into the half-bathroom downstairs. I still heard Marie screaming. I shakingly dialed 911 and heard the soothing voice of the operator. "911 what's your emergency?"

"My friend... she came home and started screaming she's acting mental" I breathlessly said.

"Okay ma'am please stay calm. Has she shown any violent signs or attempted to hurt you?" the operator asked.

"No but I'm locked in my bathroom. Wait..." I listened. Marie had stopped screaming. I didn't know if that was more concerning than when she had. "Ma'am are you ok?"

I shook my head "Yes ma'am I live on ##### and %%%%" I heard typing and she hummed quietly. "Okay ma'am we have a dispatch on your way. Would you like me to stay on the line with you?"

"Yes yes please" I whispered. Suddenly banging erupted on the bathroom door and it sounded like Marie was slamming her body against the door. "Ma'am you're going to be okay the dispatch is only 3 minutes away"

"O-ok" I was crying and my makeup streamed down my face. This was not the Marie I knew. I watched the time tick by. 2 minutes. The banging got louder and more rhythmic. 1 minute. I heard sirens. 30 seconds. Banging on my front door. 20 seconds. The door cracking. 10 seconds. Boots coming down the hall. 5 seconds. A gunshot. Months later I had found out what had truly happened to my friend Marie. And the answer was more horrifying than the experience.