Christmas Horror

Part 2

Ethan's house was only a five minute walk away from Jess' house, a pleasant journey on a day when the weather was fine. For Jess, however, the day was not kind. An unpredictable overcast came about in the form of dark grey clouds that covered the once deep blue sky like huge blankets. With them came sheets of rain which, to Jess' dismay, began as soon as she had reached halfway.

Clutching her coat close to her body and tucking herself in the way a tortoise retreats into its' shell, Jess hurried the rest of the way. Her boots made flat slapping noises as they hit the wet pavement, and as she ran past the picturesque houses adorned with all kinds of lights, she couldn't help feeling miserable.

A rainy Christmas? Where were the snow-topped houses promised in books and cards? Where were the merry robins, the beautiful streets of tasteful lights?

As she made it to her boyfriend's house, she noted the small wreath that hung lopsided on the front door. From what she could see, it was the only festive feature on the outside of Ethan's house. No great surprise given how lacking in holiday cheer his family was. A rocky marriage and a spiteful sister didn't make for the most joyous family portrait.

Jess knocked on the front door twice and waited. She resisted the urge to put right the wreath and hopped from foot to foot, desperate to be indoors.

The door flew open and there stood Ethan, brown hair tousled and wearing a cheesy Christmas jumper that looked thick and itchy. His eyes were wide with excitement, while his smile instantly warmed up Jess. She  gave him a quick hug, taking in his scent as she drew him close. They parted and Jess folded her arms.

"So, my lovely boyfriend. What is it you have to show me?" she asked.

"My room." he replied, nodding towards the stairs that led up from the dimly lit hallway.

Jess rolled her eyes. She sensed another 'dick-in-a-santa-hat' surprise. Ethan could see her apprehension and winked.

"As great as that would be, this is something different."

The way he said it, Jess could tell that this was something more. Not his usual cheek.

As she followed him upstairs, she asked him about his family.

"Usual fights and crap going on. Nothing new there. They're out doing last minute shopping now anyway. How was the tree after the cat-astrophy?"

Jess gave him a small push from behind.

"How did you know?" she demanded.

"Your brother posted about it." Ethan replied, waving around his mobile phone.

Jess groaned. With social media, nothing was ever private anymore. It was a good and terrible thing all as one.

Jess followed Ethan into his bedroom...and gasped.

Directly above his double bed, the pale white wall was cracked. A huge black jagged line ran about two meters across, bold and dark.

"What...what is...?" Jess was dumbfounded.

Ethan walked up to it and traced it. As he did, Jess heard what sounded like a fire hissing, as if coming from the other side of the wall.

"I'm not sure what it is." Ethan said, tracing the line again. "but it's pretty cool, right?"

"Pretty scary I would say." Jess said, stepping backwards away from it and feeling uneasy.

Ethan continued to trace the line. The hissing grew louder. Jess felt like pulling Ethan away.

"Ethan, stop it! You don't know what it is! What if it's a pipe that's going to explode or something?"

Ethan turned back to Jess, who now stood in his doorway. He laughed.

"C'mon Jess, it's just a bit of-"

That's when the wall burst open, and from out of it emerged a huge, hairy hand complete with sharp claws.

Both Jess and Ethan screamed.