The Horrors

Chapter 12: The Last Day

Morning came, sunlight streaming through the curtains. The nightmare still gripped me, Alicia's twisted face haunting my thoughts. Every muscle felt sore from the tension that had held me all night.

It was my last day in the house. By evening, I'd be back at Murkoff, far from the unsettling feeling that clung to this place. But instead of relief, unease settled deeper.

I packed my things slowly, each sound in the house amplified: floorboards creaking, the distant hum of the refrigerator, whispers of a breeze that made me shiver.

Downstairs, Alicia was slicing fruit at the kitchen counter. "Morning," she greeted with a smile that felt sharper than the knife in her hand. "Sleep well?"

"Not really," I managed, my voice weak. Her grin widened.

"Last day," she said, her tone light. "I thought you'd be happier."

I forced a nod, but breakfast was suffocatingly quiet. The tension between us was thick, and I barely touched my food. When I stood to head to the kitchen, Alicia moved, blocking my path.

"You're in such a hurry," she murmured, stepping closer. Her eyes roamed over me, and something in her gaze made my skin crawl. Her fingers brushed my arm, and I flinched. "It's a shame. We could've had so much fun, mommy."

Her words sent a shiver through me. "I should finish packing," I said, backing away and almost tripping in my rush to escape.

Her laughter followed me up the stairs, lingering long after I locked my door, my heart pounding. I needed to get out of here—now. But escaping before the guards arrived was out of the question. If I tried, the punishment would be severe, a reminder that leaving without permission wasn’t an option.