A Nightmares Truth

          

He tried to focus on the road ahead, but when he came to the cemetery gate, he couldn't resist turning toward it. He immediately wished he hadn'tー "Willow, dinners ready!" I closed my book and ran down the steps in my favorite Nike sneakers. Mom was in the kitchen, getting food on the plates, she asked me to set the table. My phone rang and it was Katherine, asking if I was going to come to the Horror Film Fest with her, I said i'd ask as soon as I got the chance, but obviously mom didn't look like she was in a good mood "Honey, you should turn off your phone at the dinner table" I put my phone in my pocket and started eating. Dad came in the door, I could see his expression, trying to put on a smile, but I knew he was tired, the late shifts this weekend must be killing him. He sat down, and we ate in silence.

Halfway thru dinner, Jamie came down with headphones in his ear, mom looked at him, and began to open her mouth but she quickly closed it, giving up the fight before it even started. Dad didn't even bother either, they were both too tired. This was my chance, if both of them were out of it, "Mom, Dad, I was wondering if Katherine and I could go to the Horror Fest on Friday?" Dad ran his hand thru his unbrushed hair and said "Sorry hon, we have plans, I finally got a day off" disappointment struck my face, then Mom added "We bought a house up in Forest Hill, not too far, but a great vacation from this busy city" Toronto wasn't that bad, yeah, I admit, it's not perfect, but it's where Katherine is, and that's where i'm staying this weekend.

Mom and Dad were almost done packing the car. Jamie insisted on bringing his video games, but mom said there's no wifi there. Great, i'll be trapped in some old house with no wifi, what a coincidence. Though, I did tell Katherine , I couldn't make it, she freaked, and now I don't think she'll be lending me lunch money anytime soon. "Willow! stop daydreaming and get in the car, we're ready to go". Unfortunately, it takes over an hour to get to the house, so I brought my copy of "The Unexplained".

I woke up and no one was in the car, I looked out the window and saw that we we're at the house. It was dark outside, and no lights were on inside the house, I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of the car. The door was opened and I went inside, yet, the little voice inside my head was saying "don't do it! are you crazy?" Once I stepped inside, a figure ran across the top floor, I went upstairs and into one of the rooms to the left, candles were everywhere, I turned to face the mirror, and on it was writing, a sign saying BEWARE LITTLE GIRL! YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE DEATH....

I opened my eyes to see dad shaking me, "Get up kiddo! we're here!". I buried the book in my bag and went outside to look at the house, I froze, it was the house from my dream. Dad glanced over, I tried to hide my expression, but it was too late. "You ok there kiddo? You look a little pale"  "I-I'm fine" I stammered,  "just tired" "alright, you can go inside and explore"  "Um ok", I always enjoyed exploring (when I was five!) I loved my dad but he still thinks i'm his little girl....

When I walked into the house it was like stepping into an old horror film, grime coated the Victorian style windows, cobwebs hung from the long wooden rafters, and dust covered the dark floors. The staircase was narrow and crooked, winding behind a corner. I made my way into the living room and sat on one of the oversized couches, testing it, but when I sat down dust flew up from the old cushions making me cough and sneeze until I could escape the cloud of dust.  I took one look at the stairs and started walking towards them when I heard mom yelling "Willow lunch!" I wanted to see the upstairs, but hunger took over, leaving me to search for the kitchen.

After lunch, I went to the stairs which have been haunting me since we arrived, the message in my dream, still engraved in my mind. Creeping up the stairs, each step felt like my foot was going to collapse into it. The upstairs was divided by a  hall leading out into other rooms, the first room was a bathroom, and three small bedrooms. Soon I was settled in my room (the farthest from the door). The thoughts of the day became cloudy , as soon as I put my head on the pillow, I was out cold.

It was midnight and the sound of a branch on my window sent me flying out of bed, I tried to fall back asleep, but I couldn't, instead, I decided to get a glass of water from the bathroom. So I tip-toed out of my room, gaze focused on the door to the bathroom. I was almost there when the soft glow of candles began to illuminate the hall. I stopped. Frozen in the classic movie scene were the stupid girl follows the candles to her death, I begged my mind to switch to a happier thought, but nothing came. Slowly backing away, I was about to enter my room when a shrill cry cut me off, the hallway went dark.  The house was quiet, too quiet, my heart pounded in my chest, I ran back to my room, and didn't look back.

When my heart rate finally slowed, I fell into a dreamless sleep. I woke up to the sound of police sirens, and a man's voice calling behind me, when I turned around to answer though, engraved on the foot of my bed was "aren't you glad you didn't enter the bathroom?" I screamed. It was cut short at the sight of police officers entering my room, they dragged me out the door, telling me not to look in the bedrooms, but I couldn't help it, in each bedroom was a body on the ground, lifeless. Tears burned my eyes as I left them, as I left my family.