Creepy Tales

The Intruder

          
        It was storming that night, the worst weather we'd had in months. I had just gotten home after a tiring shift at work. I'd worked longer that night than I usually did, but I thought it'd be fine. I locked my car and trudged up the steps that led to my front door. I fiddled with my keys, trying to find the right one. Once I had the correct key, I inserted it into the lock, my hair and my clothes drenched from the rain.

I turned the key and I opened the door, relieved to be home. I took a step into my house, but then saw that the television was on, and that there was a stranger sitting on my couch, drinking some wine. My eyes widened and I cautiously took a step back, but the floorboards creaked, causing the man's head to turn towards me.

His eyes, full of fear, met mine. He looked as if he had just seen a ghost. He abruptly stood up from the couch. "Who..who are you?" He asked me. I, confused, asked, "I live here...who are you? What are you doing in my house?" The man darted to my kitchen, opening the silverware drawer, and pulling out a knife. The biggest knife in the house.

"Wh- what do you want?" The man asked me, still frightened. I had no idea what to say. I was beyond confused, but terrified at the same time. "I know this is my house", I thought. I had even used my key to come inside, so why was there a horrified stranger in my kitchen? "Look, I'm not here to harm you, okay? I don't want anything from you. This is my house, I think you're mistaken or something." I said to the stranger. No matter what I said, it seemed like he wouldn't put down the knife.

I thought about walking over to him, but that's really not the best idea in this situation. "You should put the knife down." I suggested, but knowing he wouldn't listen. His hand, holding the knife was now trembling, it looked as if he would drop it at any second. I took a step forward. "Stay away! Don't come any closer! I'll call the police!" The man yelled. His sudden outburst surprised me. "What's up with this guy?", I thought.

"Can I ask what your name is?" I calmly asked him. "Wh- why should I tell you? Why do y-you want to know?" He stuttered. "Please, I'm just, I'm deeply confused, okay? I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours." I said. "O- okay, alright. I'm John Harvard. What's your n-name?" "I'm Griffin Lodge, I don't think I've heard of you. Do you live around here?" I asked him. "What? Do I l-live around here? Are you s-serious?" He asked me.

"I'm completely serious. Where do you live? This clearly isn't your house, it's mine." I answered. "I- I don't understand, this is my home." He told me. "Well, I don't recall having a roommate. Now that we know each other, can you please put the knife down?" I questioned. He looked down at the knife, then back at me. He then slowly placed the knife on the marble countertop beside him. "What...year is it?" He slowly asked me. I squinted my eyes in confusion.

"What year is it?" I echoed. "Yes...what year is it?" He repeated, staring at me. "It's 2004." I had told him. He shook his head, then, before I knew it, his head was in his hands, and he had rushed out the door. I immediately attempted to follow him, as I dashed out the door, nearly tripping down the steps. My eyes searched for him in the darkness. I could barely see anything. There was no way I could find him. I would probably never see him again. I just ran back inside and called my dad, who had lived in this town since I was born.

"Hello?" He answered. "Hey, Dad, it's me. I have something important to ask you." I told him, out of breath. "What's going on?" He asked me. "Do you know a John Harvard?" I asked him, desperate for some answers. "Mr. Harvard? Well, sure I knew him. Why?" I smiled, relieved. "Great! That's great. Can you tell me anything about him? Anything at all?" He sighed into the phone.

"Well...around 30, 40 years ago somebody broke into his house, and shot him. It was terrible. The Harvard case, the talk of the town for weeks. I don't believe the case was ever solved." He said. "Where did he live?" I asked him, barely able to breathe. "I thought you knew already, Griffin, but I guess they didn't tell you when you bought the place..."