The Thing in The Corner

Chapter 1: Harley's House

It was 7:30pm on a Tuesday night. Harley Nichols, an 8th-grader, was having a sleepover while his parents were out of town visiting his sister in university. His 5 best friends, Jack, Jesse, Derek, Gene, and Zeke were coming anytime now. Harley had set up his video games and sleeping area in the basement, and his parents gave him $50 for pizzas. Harley was just cleaning up a bit when all of a sudden, there's a knock at the door.

Harley runs to the door to open it, and there's Derek and Jack with their sleeping stuff. They walk in, take off their shoes, and plop their stuff by the door.

"Are we the first ones?" asked Jack. "Yeah. Grab your stuff and we'll set you up in the basement." Said Harley. The 3 boys take their stuff and head into the basement. They set up their stuff quietly, when there's another knock at the door. "I'll get it." says Harley. He runs upstairs and opens the door, where Gene is holding his sleeping stuff and a backpack. "Zeke's right behind me, and Jesse said he's gonna be 10 minutes late," says Gene. "Okay, well you can go set up in the basement. Derek and Jack are down there already," said Harley. Gene walked downstairs and Zeke popped in the door. "HEY Y'ALL!" yelled Zeke. "Oh, hey Zeke. Everyone's downstairs," said Harley. Zeke ran downstairs, but Harley decided to wait upstairs until Jesse came. While Harley was waiting by the door in pure silence, a sort of whisper or mumble was heard in the other room.

Harley felt a chill down his spine. As Harley was a big believer in ghosts and the paranormal, he automatically assumed it was a ghost and let out a quiet shriek. He heard it again, but closer, as if it was in the same room. Harley was having trouble breathing. Either his asthma was acting up, or he was about to call the Ghostbusters. The noise was coming closer, until a knock is heard at the door. "Jesse!" said Harley. He dashes to the door and opens it, quickly sighing in relief and inviting him in. "Everyone's downstairs, we should go down," said Harley. Jesse takes off his shoes and the boys walk down stairs, but before walking down, Harley locks the door.