The Monster That Lurks

Prologue

I was running. Scared. Confused. Why was I running? What was I running from? I don't know. It's tall and dark. It had a black hat, like the people from the old days used to wear.

I run faster.

Where am I? Why am I here?

It's laughing now. A deep, hearty, evil laugh, it's almost cynical.

I'm scared. There are trees all around me, tall and green. I keep running.

"Don't stop. DON'T look back."

It's almost midnight, I think. I've been running for a while. I wonder if it's still behind me.

"Don't stop. DON'T look back."

What does it want from me? Why is it chasing me?

I remember Isaac telling me his older sister went into the mansion one night with her friends. He says they never came back. He warned us not to go near it.

Why did he bring us here?

I trip.

"Ow! My f@&$ing ankle!!"

All sorts of things are rushing through my mind now.

I broke the major rule. I stopped.

I lay there, paralyzed in fear.

What will happen to me?

I hear footsteps. They stop. The voice is hard to understand.

"Aw, is —-itt—- Val hur-? Oh -o! Wha-e-er shall we -o with her?"

Wait. WE?!?