The Curse of The Cubic Necklace

8: Night terrors

CLEO'S POV

It was a really peaceful summer night and I was fast a sleep. Around twelve in the midnight, I felt movements beside me.

 I cautiously opened my eyes to see my bestie awake. I wanted to know what was bothering her, so I slowly turned to my side to face her.

"What are you still doing up?" I asked in a groggy voice. "Can't sleep. You?" she asked softly. "I need water," I stated simply. 

I didn't know why, but I suddenly felt thirsty for water. My throat felt really parched. "Well, you can drink from my bottle," Ari offered.

"No, it's fine. I'll go get it from the kitchen," I said and got out of bed. I quietly opened the wooden door, and tip-toed out. 

It was pretty dark downstairs and if someone were to peak down from the top of the staircase, all they would see is darkness.

I walked towards the kitchen and flipped on the light switch. There was a jug of water and a mug close by. I quickly filled the mug up with water and started drinking it slowly.

 Suddenly I felt the air around me getting chillier.  I felt as if someone was standing behind me. I could also hear faint footsteps walking closer towards me. "Ari? Is that you?" I asked my voice trembling slightly.

Nobody answered.

All of a sudden the light went off. I was shaking in fear by now. "Guys...if you're pranking me, you can stop now..." I said, but still didn't get a reply.

 Just as I was about to talk again, I could hear heavy breathing from behind me and I dared not to turn. I finally managed to build up some courage in me and turned around.

 Big mistake!

 I was met with those horrifying crimson red eyes. Blood tickled down its neck as it started at me intensely. It's huge red eyes looked very terrifying. 

The figure's scary features made the hair on my back stand giving me goosebumps. The approximate height of the shadow was around 8 feet tall.

 It reminded me of Hachishakusama; the 8 feet tall woman who abducts children, from the urban Japanese stories. 

 As I was about to run away, the goddamn creature grabbed my neck and held me off the ground. I started screaming as I struggled to get free, but the more I screamed the tighter its grip became.

 Its nail kept digging into my skin making it difficult for me to breath. Soon, it became so tight that I was almost out of air, my visions slightly blurring.

 My head started hurting making my heartbeat race. Luckily, just as I was about to faint, the light switched back on.

 There I saw Luca with an empty bottle and a terrified look on his face. Just as Luca was about to scream as well, the creature or better known as demon looked at the staircase and fled the scene, dropping me on the floor. 

"Cleo! are you all right?" asked Luca running towards me. "I'm f-fine," I said coughing a bit and taking in deep breaths. "What were you doing down here?" he questioned.

 "Getting water. That's all," I said quietly. "Okay, let's go back up," Luca said helping me up. Just as we were about to walk out the kitchen, I caught a glimpse of a black cat near the window.

 When I turned to look again, it was gone as if it was never there in the first place. I must be tired and that's why I was probably seeing things. 

"Thanks Luca. Goodnight," I quickly said and walked towards mine and Ari's room. As I walked back to my room, Luca stopped me.

"Cleo I think we shouldn't tell Ari and Leo about what just happened. They might get worried and do something stupid," he said.