CREEPY SHORT STORIES

WAS IT A DREAM OR NOT?

I'll never know whether it was a dream or not.

I could barely take in the warmth of the sun on the bright suburban street. I had been searching my whole life for this moment and was rewarded with the most beautiful sights. But now, as I gazed upon the beauty of the street, the peaceful and silent atmosphere was disturbed by a piercing scream that came from behind me.

I did not recognize the voice at first, but as the screaming grew louder and more hysterical, I was shocked to realize that it sounded like my own voice. Panicking, I looked around, but I could not see anyone nearby.

For a moment, I considered calling out to discover the source of the screams, but fear held me back. Instead, I started to walk away cautiously, even though the voice seemed to be following me. After walking a few blocks, the screaming had died down, but I could still feel a sense of dread lingering in the air.

Eventually, I arrived at a children's playground. The voice seemed to be coming from here and as I got closer, I saw the figure of a teen, screaming and calling for help uselessly.

I recognised the teen as I moved closer. She was my younger self, trapped in a time loop where the same tragedy kept repeating itself, an endless cycle of pain and suffering.

Everything was repeated as in a bizarre nightmare: The mockery, the laughter of contempt.

'What did you think, ugly disgusting thing, that I was going to notice you? What was I going to do for you, deflowering you? Stupid!'

My friends imitated my voice and the way I walked together. It was not fair. I wanted to die, to disappear.

Someone spoke to me, I don't know if it was an angel or a demon. It doesn't matter.

I was reminded of the consequences of my past mistakes and poor decisions in the moments of joy and happiness. I lived in a beautiful suburb but the unseen pain and trauma had followed me.

I finally understood that it was not just me - all of us have our demons and wounds to bear. We all have our secrets and scars, yet life can still be bright and beautiful, even in the shadows.

Taking a deep breath, I wrapped my arms around the teenager and provided comfort until she had finished crying. She said to me, 'Let's go home. Together. We have a bright and wonderful future ahead of us.'

I smiled as she took in the sunny street once more and realized that, even though the echoes of screams could still haunt me if I confronted my past, I could still hold onto hope for a brighter future.