Red's Family Diner

Chapter 8

November 23rd, 1961

Wilbur Beloved —

I found myself back in that house. Back into the quiet house since Red insisted it's best if we finally returned to the diner. Nova was at my front door, watching me walk up to the steps with messy hair and sunken eyes. "Where the hell were you? I was ringing your doorbell for days!" She said, sounding rather upset. "I was going on a marathon," I spoke sarcastically as I hustled myself to the front door. Opening the door for the both of us. "Coming in?" I said as Nova scoffed. "No. God you stink. But–here. Court letters since someone was on a 'marathon.' " Nova complied, handing me the letters before returning home. "Wait–" I called out, seeing her stop in the middle of the road. "H–How's Maddie and uhm...Drew?" I asked as Nova turned her head slightly to face me. "Happy. That's for sure." Nova spoke, continuing her journey. I felt myself inclined to ask for more—more questions needed to thrive off of. But I told myself to not. To shove those thoughts back down, I went on a drunken paradise to forget them. When I closed the front door–the house felt like it was growing with each creak. I wasn't extremely drugged and hungover. But I never understood how badly my heart wenches and my head grows ache. I sat down on the couch as I groaned. Rubbing my head, I ruffled my hair. "Back to square 1." I mumbled.

I had a microwave dinner and even thought of buying over the phone a TV. Something to kill the time since the idea of radio was in the past ever since seeing one in Red's place. Drinking my soft beer and shoveling the last meal of potatoes into my mouth the radio grew silent. There was simply no more on the air to feed the silence that sat. It was clear that nobody wanted to be heard–especially with me. As I got up, I found myself in a standoff. It was another Edith. I could tell it wasn't her. Maybe if you ignore the gauging white wings that sprouted out of her head and sprayed blood down her head. She had also a massive eye. She approached me and I felt my throat clog. "W–How?" I cried, holding the empty beer bottle tightly in my hands. She only walked forward still as I felt my hands grow weak. "Stop! Get away!" I cried again. Backing up now as I felt like the walls began to close. Like a sick puzzle. When this "Edith" was only a few feet away, I threw the beer bottle at her. Watching her collapse and only wraith in pain. She scrambled and screamed in a tone I never heard. She was screaming high pitch before stopping and laughter forming. It wasn't Her, it was something masking AS Her. I felt tears begin to surface in my eyes as I ran around. Leaving the living room and towards the bedroom. I slammed the door as I flung myself around. Scanning the room. This can't be a dream! I'm awake, and fine and well! I've been clean for a couple of days and no drugs have influenced me. I panted as I grabbed my chest. My heart palpitates with the fear and anxiety of the situation as Her screams wail. "Wilbur?" It cried as I cornered myself into the room. "N-No..." I whispered, tears flowing even more while the door knob rang. It was violent—before it dragged out and died. I covered my face as I felt my body shiver from absolute anxiety. Seconds later, it was fine. I was awake. Not asleep. I reopened my face to see a person, similar to Red but built like the exact opposite. It trailed, not even touching the floor.

"Wilbur Valerie Beloved. Oh, what a pleasure to finally meet eye to eye. I personally can thank you for finally being near Red Television. Your interesting time together helped this meeting to take place." It spoke, before lifting its hand up to act as support. I didn't take it but rather stayed in the corner. My head shook. "What—how do you know me?" I whispered, my voice breaking as it looked gently at me. It didn't answer, rather shocked about the fact I answered before vanishing. Did it think I was asleep? And suddenly, everything calmed down. My heart relaxed, my head eased. "What...on earth..." I muttered before finding myself distracted and going towards the bathroom. That Edith monster wasn't real. Couldn't be. Why does this always happen when I'm alone in this darn house?!