Preston Greens

5. I am NOT Okay

After Belinda's, I went to the attic. Mom and dad were going to lunch together and left me at home. I walked up the stairs with my cell phone and notebook in hand. I was going to write to the previous family since they just sent me a letter. I sat down in a corner and started writing.

Dear Josie,

            I remember when you said that they house always made a noise, right? Well one night I was sleeping and the noise was right next to my bed and the body tried to get out but I didn't let him. He started assaulting me and knocking my dad unconscious. The police came too and saw the whole thing unfold, but then the man just vanished. I had a huge cut on my back from them throwing me, and I was going to the ambulance when the garage flew open. My dad's car rolled out with no driver and went down the street. Something took me to the car and I started driving it. I went down a dirt road in the middle of the night when suddenly something took over my mind and body. I crashed into a tree and started shouting like a hooligan. I felt a tingling feeling and then passed out. Josie, has this ever happened to you or your family before? I'm very disturbed that the man targeted me and not my parents. He said and I quote "You will pay! You will pay!" to my dad and my mom. They were scared. I have attached some pictures from the incident that I took on my cell phone and the news article about it. I didn't realize the news crews were there until the next day. Pretty crazy, right? Now to answer your question "How are you doing", well, I am NOT okay. I am dazed, angry, and determined to figure this out. Hopefully you will have something to say and don't think I'm crazy, just write to my parents.

                                                Sincerely,

                                           Carla Merriam Sosabella

            I chewed on my pencil. It sounded pretty absurd, I had to admit, but it was true. If I believed everything Josie said, then she will have to believe everything I say. It was only fair. Josie had known my family for years, so she should already know this family isn't full of liars.

With confidence regained, I attached the pictures with the stapler and put them gingerly in the envelope. I licked the little strip and sealed it. I hugged the letter to myself and smiled warmly.

It all faded away when I heard a faint noise. It was very hard to hear but it then got louder. I was startled and didn't move.

What is going on?

My mind was swirling in possibilities and other thoughts, but I couldn't get my mind straight. Then I felt that sensation again- the man was taking over my body again! I tried moving away but my brain didn't seem to function.

With frustration in my fist, I punched a hole in the floorboards of the attic. What was happening now? The noise was blaring in my ears now, and it was the moaning man. I was home alone and I had nobody to help me. I tried running down the stairs and succeeded until the man grabbed me and tossed me around.

Now I was just plain dizzy all over. I was hearing the floor creaking from the hole I made and that small hole only got bigger. It was swallowing me and the moaning man up. We fell through the floor as I shrieked for my life.

This is it, I'm going to die in my own house and with this man who is trying to harm me; I have no defense whatsoever and I wish I could just- wait a minute, that could work!

I gasped for air and grabbed the moaning man by the neck. "What price do we have to pay Mr.? My life?" I shouted at him, shaking him around. The control of my mind was slowly fading away as I strangled him some more. I slapped my hand on the garage door opener and the man screamed.

"You will pay with not your life but your soul!"

I got a shovel and hit him in the heart. He was slowly vanishing Then I realized I was as well. There was more light in the garage and the floor felt like jello. I felt myself let go of the man and withered. My body was on the ground, and I started to cry.

I had not been defeated, and that this was just the beginning of the battle.

I heard the noise of a car engine as I saw mom's Honda drive in the garage. I still lay on the floor, unable to move. My mind felt weary. My bones felt broken. The feeling was impossible to describe, so many things were happening all at once.

Mom ran out of the car and dad came up behind her. Her eyes were filled with worry and fear, as dad picked me up and carried me inside. They set me on my bed when I started to cough. I felt so weak!

"Carly, are you okay?" Dad asked me.

I only remembered saying this one line-"I am NOT okay"- before passing out.