The Dead Man

2

Sarah and Becky had spoken for a little while, getting to know each other. Eventually, Becky left, leaving Sarah alone in her newly made bed. As she lay there, she couldn't help but notice that a man had previously lived in this room. The space was vast and dark, and as she tried to snuggle into her sheets, a chilling breeze passed through.
"My room," a voice whispered carried by the breeze, causing Sarah to sit up in fright. Her heart raced as she scanned the room, searching for the source of the voice, but there was no one to be found. Sarah quickly grabbed her silk bathrobe and slipped on her bunny slippers. She hurriedly made her way to the wooden door, intending to run out, but the wind slammed it shut before she could escape. Startled, Sarah jolted as she struggled to open the door, eventually succeeding. She rushed to Becky's room, banging on the door in distress.
"Open up!" Sarah cried, her voice filled with fear, while she anxiously glanced back at her own room. Becky opened the door, rubbing her eyes, her annoyance dissipating when she saw Sarah.
"What happened?" Becky asked, her eyebrows raised in concern.
"I heard a voice!" Sarah exclaimed, her palms sweaty as she nervously rubbed them against her shorts.
Panic settled into Becky as she repeated to herself, "He is gone," before swallowing and composing herself.
"What did the voice say?" Becky inquired gently. "Why did i hear a voice?"
"Do you believe in the paranormal?" Becky asked, placing her hands on Sarah's shoulders in an attempt to calm her, though it had little effect.
"Y-yeah, I guess," Sarah stuttered, her voice trembling.
"Good, because there are a lot of weirder things than hearing voices here. You might see unexplainable things. What did the voice say?" Becky asked once more, her gaze fixed on Sarah.
"My room," Sarah repeated slowly, her attention drawn back to her own door. Becky's breath hitched, but she tried to remain calm for Sarah's sake.
"The room you're in belonged to the death man. It's possible his soul still lingers. You don't need to worry, but you mustn't speak of this to anyone. It's dangerous. You are safe," Becky reassured her, even though she knew deep down that Sarah was far from safe. However, Becky wasn't willing to put her own life on the line for a girl she had only just met, even if she sensed the potential for a friendship. She didn't want to face the harsh reality.
"He's not gone at all," Becky thought to herself, but kept her thoughts to herself.
"Go back to bed and try to sleep," Becky instructed, turning Sarah around and leading her back to her room. However, Becky didn't set foot inside again.
"Sleep well, Sarah," she said, her voice laden with an unspoken unease.
Left alone in the vast room, Sarah turned in circles a few times before crawling back into the oversized bed. "My room," the voice echoed once more, causing Sarah to squeeze her eyes shut in fear.
"I'm sorry. If I knew of another room, I would leave," she whispered, clutching the blankets tightly to her body. "I can try to find another place to stay," she pleaded with the voice. Suddenly, the room fell silent, not another word spoken. Taking the silence as a yes, Sarah made up her mind to leave. However, when she attempted to open the door, it wouldn't budge, not even a centimeter.
"Do I have to stay?" she asked in confusion, but no response came
As Sarah crawled back into bed, her head spinning with fear and confusion, she found it nearly impossible to find a moment's rest. The room seemed to hold an oppressive weight, suffocating her senses as she tossed and turned, unable to escape the relentless grip of her restless slumber.
With her eyes tightly shut, Sarah remained unaware of the sinister presence that emerged from the shadows of the room. A dark figure, shrouded in mud, stepped silently into view, his chilling presence accentuated only by the glimmering of his dark yellow eyes in the dimly lit space. It was his room, or so he believed, and this girl's attempt to reclaim it had stirred a primal anger within him.
Moving with an eerie grace, the tall figure approached Sarah, his every movement devoid of sound, despite the creaking protest of each floorboard under her weight. Dirty fingers, tainted with filth, grazed lightly against her pale skin, leaving a trail of grime that marred her once-pristine complexion. A malevolent smirk danced across the creature's face, reveling in his ability to tarnish her in every way he desired.
Whispering with a voice as chilling as a winter's breeze, he claimed his possession, "Mine." The words hung heavy in the air, carrying the weight of his twisted desires. And just as quickly as he had appeared, the malevolent being dissolved into thin air, leaving behind an atmosphere of lingering malevolence.
Sarah, trapped in the clutches of her restless slumber, remained oblivious to the intrusion upon her sanctum. Dreams melded with nightmares as her subconscious struggled to process the horrors that had unfolded within the confines of her room. Shadows danced menacingly on the walls, whispers of ethereal voices lingered in the air
-
The next day, Sarah awoke to find her face caked in mud, causing her to stare at her reflection in horror. Her mind raced, desperately trying to recall the events of the previous night. Determined to erase the unsettling memory, she hurriedly washed her face and changed into fresh clothes before hastily leaving her room.
Just as she stepped into the hallway, Sarah nearly collided with Becky, who appeared visibly surprised to see her friend alive and well. Sarah managed a small nod and greeted her with a weary "Good morning," eager to put the events of yesterday behind her. The entire corridor seemed engulfed in darkness, intensifying her anxiety. She hadn't been able to sleep a wink throughout the night, haunted by unsettling thoughts.
Returning Sarah's greeting, Becky asked, her voice filled with concern, "Good morning. Did you hear his voice again?" The two walked side by side, making their way towards the dining hall. Sarah's stomach growled audibly, reminding her of her hunger, which temporarily distracted her from the uneasiness that still lingered.
"No," Sarah muttered, shaking her head, her eyes darting to the side. In her peripheral vision, she caught sight of a dark figure moving. Her heart skipped a beat as she turned to look behind herself, only to find a small, hunched-over woman lurking in the shadows. The sight sent a chill down her spine.
Becky, sensing Sarah's unease, quickly intervened, gripping Sarah's arm and turning her around. "That's Crazy Anna," she whispered, her voice laced with caution. "Don't make eye contact with her, and you'll be fine." Becky's words held a sense of urgency, as if she knew more than she was letting on.
Sarah's confusion deepened, her mind swirling with unanswered questions. "Nothing makes sense here," Becky continued, her voice tinged with a mix of resignation and warning. "And leaving this place won't be easy. Remember that." With that cryptic message, Becky let go of Sarah's arm and stepped forward, making her way into the dimly lit dining hall.
Sarah stood rooted to the spot, her gaze fixed on the enigmatic figure of Crazy Anna. The woman seemed to blend seamlessly into the shadows, her presence unsettling and mysterious. Questions flooded Sarah's mind, but she couldn't bring herself to confront the enigma that was this place just yet.
Taking a deep breath, Sarah followed Becky's lead and entered the dining hall.