House of Horrors

Chapter 3: Ever Hear That Curiosity Killed The Cat?

We were having fun, every now and again I'd give them a good scare by quickly lighting one of my candles or slamming a door or window. They brought something that I have never seen before, they called it an "ouija board", I think they use it to try and communicate with spirits. I tried to use it to communicate with them, but it didn't seem to work. Wait, where is that one boy? The one that seemed off, he's split from the group, but when? One..two..three..four..why are there only four? Without the boy there should be five right? No no no no no no, it can't be, how did I not realize it before? That's who he reminded me of, that man, who ruined everything, who brought me to this state all those many many years ago. What is this feeling? Is this anger? No. It's something more, I feel like I'm on fire, burning with hatred. Yes, that's what it is. Rage. Where is this kid, I must find him and protect these humans. No more blood will be spilled in my halls. There, I can feel his malice, it's so pure and overwhelming, next to another, one who radiates love and compassion. All his malice is focused on her, he's about to silence her, I know it. I must intervene before it's too late. I will save these humans. I slam a door shut behind him to get his attention, for a brief moment I feel his sinister feelings fade and turn into curiosity as both of their heads turn to the now closed door behind them. The compassionate one, the girl he is with slowly walks over to the door, overcome with curiosity and fear. Each of her gentle steps seem to echo all throughout me. She's about to walk past him, is it safe for her to do so? Has his killing intent been quelled? She's past him now, hand on the cold doorknob. I can feel that she's trying to work up more courage to open the door up. But before she even twists the knob she shrieks in terror. I feel a warm, sticky liquid drop to the floor around her feet. The boy releases her hair as she grasps her throat, she falls to the bloodied floor with gurgling gasps for air, choking on the blood that rises and drips out of her throat. There's so much blood. I can almost taste it as it flows between my floorboards. I can feel the hurried footsteps of the others in their group rushing to where they heard the blood-curdling shriek of pure terror. What can I do? If they get there he'll surely kill them just as he did her. I start slamming every door and window I can. Trying to warn them. LEAVE! DO NOT RETURN! PLEASE! Why aren't they listening? I have to protect these humans but...I don't know how. The bloodied boy gently slinks into a nearby room, as if trying to set a trap for the incoming group. YES! I can just shut that door and keep it closed. He won't be able to get out then, it's perfect. I must close this door, but.. I can't. No, don't tell me, there is no door. It was ripped from its hinges long ago by earlier humans.  The group, rushing to their dear friend's aid, now closes in, unaware of what danger lies ahead. As the group runs past the dark room the boy is hidden inside, I can feel his excitement grow, as if he's truly enjoying himself, stalking his prey. He reaches his hand out from the shadows and grabs the last human's hair. She releases a very similar shriek that was quickly silenced. There it was again, that wark and sticky liquid. The three she was with turn around and try to take action but are stunned by fear at what they see. This boy, he's a monster, a being of pure destruction and insanity. Covered in blood with that smile, the wide smile that shows too many teeth, in one hand a bloody knife and the other the hair of a lifeless girl, blood still dripping from her throat onto the ground. Again, I feel it, that fire, that blazing hot fire. Rage. I cannot control it anymore. This beast will pay for what he's done to these precious humans. I can feel that I'm somehow getting more control over my walls and floors. That's when the screaming begins, now fueled by rage my walls shrink and grow, pulsating with fervent life; the angered huffs and puffs of restraint as to not harm the others. The glass in all my windows scream from the strain as a third human falls with their terror still reflected in their glassy stare. Not like this! It was never supposed to be like this! It will not happen again! Not in my halls that were once filled with music and life. I am a sanctuary for those who wander within. For those who look back at me with nostalgia as they recall the scary stories I was able to give them and remember something from a distant past that I cannot ever fathom. For those who gently touch my peeling wallpaper with a warm smile. The ones who seek thrill. The ones who want to live.
They escape, the two surviving humans make it out, stumbling away back into the dark and cold night. I slam all my doors shut until they get stuck in their jambs. My shutters close and meld with the walls until they become solid. If this human, no, this beast thinks he can fill my halls with blood, then I will become the old monster this town believes I am.

End