The steps creaked under the little girl's weight.
"Quiet, Mister." She whispered to the worn-out teddybear she hugged in her arms.
A car honked in the distance and someone shouted. Light seeped through the blinds and shone down on the Christmas tree.
The little girl got down on her hands and knees to peek under the tree.
"Santa isn't here yet, Mister. Did he not like the cookies?" she sniffed.
"Don't run. Come play." A voice called from the chimney.
"It's Santa!" She exclaimed and dragged the bear to the chimney, where soot dirtied its fur.
"I can help. Don't run." The voice said again.
The girl was only four. Her elf costume was black with soot. Her short red hair was covered by the wilting hat. A deep cut across her throat showed a sickly glint of bone. Her eyes glowed a chilling blue.
The little girl froze at the sight of the Nameless.
"Don't move, Mister." She dropped the bear.
The Nameless zeroed in on the cloud of dust that rose around the bear before returning its gaze to the living girl.
"Don't run. Come play." it stepped toward the girl, nose to nose.
The little girl stayed frozen, although her finger itched to pick up the bear.
The Nameless lifted a bit of the living girl's black hair. Tilting her head, she examined the soft strands.
"Joined." She said simply before she faded to black, her eyes flashing brighter.
"Time to sleep, Mister." the little girl said, minutes after the Nameless left, holding the bear to her chest once again.
She crept back up the stairs and crawled into her canopy-covered bed.
The ruffles on her pillow breezed back and forth with her sleeping breaths.
"Don't run. Come play." it whispered, the bell of her limp hat jingling quietly.
YOU ARE READING
Nameless
Paranormal"Don't run. Come play." If you ever hear this, stay completely still. One move could mean your life when facing the Nameless.
