Internal - Blurryface

Chapter 1

--------- Flashback --------------

"Okay Hayls, you first," Jessica said, her blonde hair spiralled in ringlets falling just around her shoulder.

She was trying to get me to go into our towns 'haunted house'. Superstitious or not, the house was creepy as is. A faded white picket fence with chipped and missing pieces surrounded the large intimidating house, sharing a common look. Off white aluminium siding hung loosely around the structure. Smashed windows were boarded up, the towns attempt at keeping the youth from entering. Of course, within a week they had found a way inside.

It wasn't always like this, though. It actually used to look kind of pretty for its day. Gardens carefully tended by the middle aged couple who had originally built the house. It was usually the wife you would see outside, in a patio chair enjoying the sun and the days fresh breeze. The husband was more to himself, staying inside most of the time and, when night fell, he would always creep around the house in case of intruders, rifle in hand. I wouldn't be surprised if he slept with it under his pillow when he did get the chance to rest.

Since both of them were retired and found their finances weakening, the upper floors were turned into 2 apartment type rooms, each having their own front doors and staircase. It was a beautiful house at the time.

I was just a newborn when the accident happened. The town refuses to speak about what happened in there. Stories are going around saying that the crazy husband eventually snapped and murdered everyone who lived there, and, before he could inflict any harm on the neighbour,s the services came and shot him dead.

At least that's what I've picked up. I've only heard bits and pieces from different tellings because whoever would dare to talk about it would always get in trouble. Apparently ghost stories are frowned upon here.

The town eventually began re-selling the house and, strangely enough, whenever some clueless new homeowners would move in, something would happen to them. Soon, people stopped buying, the town gave up, and it just rotted away to this. Oh, and did I mention I happen to live beside it?

A push from behind made me jump.

"I thought you didn't believe in the stories." That was Matt. He had short brown hair and Ive had the biggest crush on him ever since 3rd grade.

"That doesn't make it any less scary" I justified. "It's past midnight, we're 14 and its an old abandoned house. No way am I going in there." I really didn't like that place. Having to live beside it was torturing enough. And they wanted me to go inside it? Not happening.

"Come on, toughen up. You can hold my hand if you want," I heard him mumble. I looked away, hoping he wouldn't notice the blush that had spread across my face. He chuckled behind me. I Guess I hoped wrong.

After what seemed like an eternity of coaxing and somewhat flirting with Matt, I finally started walking towards the abandoned house. It was even more eerie at night. The only source of light were our flashlights and whichever porch lights were still on from the neighbours homes. I could hear the giggles and swooning of the rest of the group behind me as Matt caught up and held my hand, intertwining our fingers.

"It's just a house, don't sweat it. You only need to be in there for 5 minutes, that's it. The dare will be over before you know it." He spoke just low enough for me to hear. He was sweet when he wanted to be. Our hands separated and he pulled me in for a last hug before I went in. Somehow, he seemed nervous for me. He looked down at me and, before I could register what was happening, his lips were on mine. My first real kiss with the guy I'd been head over heels for ever since I could remember. It was really happening. We pulled apart, staring into each others eyes for a brief moment before I took a deep breath and walked in the house.

It wasn't too tough to get into, since it was an ideal smoke spot for druggies, and there were many loose boards and entrance ways. My hands were shaking as I made my way through the dark abyss, the steady beam of my flashlight my guide.

A rat scooted in front of me, causing me to jump back with an embarrassing squeal. The inside of the house was very musky and humid. Mould was forming around patches of broken drywall, along with swarms of cockroaches. Trying to stay clear of that section, I shone my light on the fridge, which had splotches of brown stuff on it. Blood. I spun around and shone my light on the walls around me. More blood.

Brown and red splotches seemed to surround me, appearing from all over the house. I started to hyperventilate. How could there be fresh blood when it's been abandoned for years? Moving backwards, I tripped over a lump on the floor. Shining my light on that, to my absolute horror, the rotten, decaying remains of a human body lay right beside me. My brain was still processing what I'm seeing when a large shadow crossed into my field of view. I knew it wasn't my mind playing tricks on me because it was looking right into my eyes. Deep red irises and a twisted smile. Razor sharp teeth poking through its lips, covered with flesh. It's limbs were slunk over, long sharp fingers protruding from its hands. I dropped my flashlight. It started to bend down, when a loud noise pierced the air. I realized I was screaming. Not just a scared scream, but the loudest, most blood-curdling, scream one can conjure.

The panicked shuffles of my friends could be heard along with debates on what to do. The figure cocked it's head, noticing the others.

"I don't care! I'm going in, she needs fucking help!" I heard Jessica plead.

"Fuck that, I'm leaving." Matt spat. I could hear his footsteps running off.

I took it that the rest were in shock, as there was no noise coming from them, just sharp breaths. Wood was ripped from the window, and Jessica landed on the ground.

"HAYLEY!!" She screamed, frantically looking around. The figure looked in her direction, then back to me, as a sick smile crossed it's face.

"... Jess... No..." It felt as if a hundred pound weight was on my chest, making it hard to breathe. The figure dashed away, then everything went black.

________________________

I woke up in a different setting. It was pitch black but I could tell from the thicker air and cold cement brushing against my cheek. Many useless attempts at standing up result in me rolling around the ground like an idiot. My senses slowly start come back. I heard a ruffling sound close by. I turned my head, and my eyes slowly adjusted to see another figure, similar to the one earlier, but smaller. As soon as I looked into it's eyes, all my nerves seemed to disappear. Instead of bright red, it's eyes were more like a swirl of amber with specks of brown and green that I could get lost in forever. They adjust slightly, now looking sympathetic, yet reassuring. It's weird how eyes can show so much emotion.

A disgusting slurping noise sends my focus to the corner of the room. Then, with my eyes fully adjusted, I could tell where I was; under a bed, seemingly unnoticed by the terrifying creature just a few feet away from me. It was slunked over... something.

Complete terror overwhelmed me. The shadow was hunched over a lump on the ground, ripping apart whatever is before it and bringing it to its mouth, sharp teeth dripping with flesh and fresh blood. When I realized what the lump was, I almost fainted. Ribs ripped open, organs all over the ground, a slashed throat trailing up to empty looking blue eyes covered by blood soaked hair. Jessica. It was eating Jessica.