Shivers

The Girl That Lives On The Third Floor

Glenn Munson, a man in his early thirties, sighed deeply as he placed the last box on the floor of his new apartment in Sleepers Row, a modern building nestled on the outskirts of Nantwich, Cheshire. Having lived in the bustling city of London, Glenn sought a fresh start in the quieter, more peaceful surroundings of a small town.

Sleepers Row was still under construction, and only four other residents inhabited the building: a sweet elderly lady named Dierdre, a lesbian couple, Ivana and Mei Lei, and a mysterious girl residing on the third floor.

The girl was an enigma, a whispered rumor that sent shivers down the spine of every tenant. The owner, Michael Radcliffe, admitted that he rarely saw the girl, but he heard her strange, unsettling sounds every night.

A few days after settling into his new apartment, Glenn decided to introduce himself to his new neighbors. He found Dierdre to be the epitome of warmth and kindness, and Ivana and Mei Lei were polite, albeit reserved. As the sun began to set, Glenn decided to introduce himself to the mysterious girl on the third floor.

When he reached the third floor, he noticed that it was dimly lit, the shadows creeping along the walls like tendrils of darkness. Glenn approached the apartment at the end of the hall, the door slightly ajar. He knocked hesitantly, the sound echoing through the empty hallway. No response came, only the distant howl of the wind outside.

"Hello?" Glenn called out, pushing the door open further. "My name is Glenn Munson. I'm your new neighbor."

The apartment was shrouded in darkness, and a feeling of unease washed over Glenn. He felt as if he were trespassing into forbidden territory.

At that moment, Michael Radcliffe appeared behind Glenn, a worried expression on his face. "You shouldn't be here, Glenn. This is a place of... darkness."

"What do you mean?" Glenn asked, curiosity piqued. Michael hesitated, then whispered, "I've heard things, Glenn. Things that should not exist in this world. The other tenants avoid this floor for a reason. I've considered sealing off this apartment, but I can't. There's something that keeps drawing me back, a force that won't let me leave."

Glenn, unable to ignore his burning curiosity, stepped further into the apartment. "I need to see this for myself."

Michael reluctantly followed, his heart pounding in his chest. They found themselves in a living room, devoid of furniture or any personal belongings. The walls, however, were adorned with strange symbols, painted in what looked like dried blood.

"What the hell is this?" Glenn muttered, his voice trembling. Michael's eyes widened with terror.

"It's a doorway," he stammered. "A gateway to something... otherworldly."

As they stared at the symbols, the room grew colder, the air thick with an oppressive atmosphere. A low, guttural growl echoed through the apartment, sending chills down their spines. The symbols began to glow with a sinister, pulsating light. Glenn and Michael exchanged horrified glances, their faces drained of color. They knew that they had unleashed something monstrous and malevolent. The glow intensified, and a black, swirling vortex appeared before them. The force of the vortex was so powerful that it threatened to pull them in, their bodies straining against the suction.

"We need to get out of here!" Michael screamed, his voice barely audible over the deafening roar of the vortex.

Glenn nodded, grabbing Michael's arm as they struggled to make their way to the door. The vortex seemed to grow stronger, as if it were feeding off their fear and desperation.

As they neared the door, they heard a bone-chilling, inhuman shriek that seemed to pierce their very souls. They glanced back to see a hideous, shadowy creature emerge from the vortex, its eyes burning with malevolence.

With a final surge of adrenaline, Glenn and Michael managed to escape the apartment, slamming the door shut behind them. They collapsed against the wall, breathless and terrified.

"What... what was that?" Glenn stammered, his voice quivering.

Michael shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "I don't know, but we need to do something. That thing... it can't be allowed to stay here."

They made their way downstairs to Michael's office, where they researched the symbols they had seen on the walls. The markings were related to an ancient, dark ritual, used to summon beings from another plane of existence.

Armed with knowledge, they enlisted the help of the other tenants, explaining the dire situation. Together, they devised a plan to banish the creature and seal the gateway.

The group gathered the necessary materials and began to prepare for the ritual. Each person held a key role, working together to ensure success. Ivana and Mei Lei drew intricate symbols on the floor around the vortex, while Dierdre and Michael chanted incantations. Glenn, having studied the ritual in depth, served as the leader.

As they performed the ritual, the creature roared in rage, attempting to break through the barrier they were creating. Its shrieks were deafening, but the group stood firm, their voices unwavering as they continued the chant.

Finally, a blinding flash of light erupted from the symbols, the force of the explosion knocking the group off their feet. When they regained their senses, they saw that the vortex had vanished, the creature banished back to its realm.

Exhausted but victorious, they rejoiced in their triumph over the darkness. The bonds they had forged in the process would last a lifetime, a testament to their bravery and determination.

In the weeks that followed, Glenn and his newfound friends worked together to erase any trace of the dark ritual from the apartment. The atmosphere of Sleepers Row changed, becoming lighter and more welcoming.

Glenn Munson's fresh start in Nantwich had become an unexpected journey into the heart of darkness. But in the end, he found not only the peace and tranquility he had sought, but also a group of extraordinary people who would stand by his side through thick and thin.