The Sanity Thief (Under Major Editing)

01.

Ruby's POV

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"Come one, Ruby. No one has to know," the little girl whispered, reaching out her hand for me to grab.

The sound of their footsteps echoed in the silence, growing louder and louder.

Reaching for her hand, I took the little girl's advice. 

Although squeezing out the small window wasn't as easy as it used to be, I managed.

We weaved through the trees with little more than our memory to guide us. Having not roamed these woodlands in a long time, I tripped over ditches and tree stumps my past self would have remembered. Cresting the hill, we broke free of a dense path of needle leafs and rolled freely down the embankment. The nameless girl followed the Orion constellation with her eyes, allowing it to guide her past the lightly scattered conifer trees that peppered the land along her town; casting a soft shadow along the gray carpet of snow - beckoning her forward. 

The night had always exhilarated me; allowing me a freedom seldom experienced. Behind the cloak of darkness, I could run like the tall-horned stag, waving his white tail in a gesture of peace instead of alarm. 

The girl's laughter, breathless and sporadic, was an even cadence that mingled fluently with the nightly chorus sung by the woodland beasts. 

As the canopy thickened, our steps grew muffled by the pine needles that blanketed the forest floor; the ground no longer cold beneath our soles. The girl paused for a moment, then smiled. 

We had reached a small shelter. 

That was when I smelled it. The acrid smoke, burning in my lungs. A thick scent of melted paint and scorched wood. It was bitter to my nostrils and it choked you with how acid it was. I could hear the terrified screams, floorboards creaking, supports crumbling. 

My head turned to the girl, only to see her smiling. 

I knew what was happening, but refused to believe it. 

~~~~~~~

I jolted up, my eyes filled with teardrops. The dreams were becoming more and more vivid each night. Breaking out in a cold sweat, I was now shaking in fear. 

It's been five years since I've been in this lonely house and yet I haven't managed to have one peaceful night.

I pushed myself out of bed and went to my bathroom, pouring cold water on my face. 

I had to go into town today to meet with Mrs. Griffin's grandson. Her grandson was looking for a place to live and thought I could use his company.

But honestly, I can't imagine someone truly wishes to move in here. He'll undoubtedly leave after his first night spent here.

The sudden hollow echo of knuckles rapping on the door filled the house.

The fact that I don't exactly get visitors made me jump to conclusions. But then again, I'm pretty sure serial killers don't conveniently knock on their next victim's door.

After walking down the ancient stairs I make my way to the adorned, front door, my shoes clicking at the wooden floor. The door was perhaps the only object that didn't appear as ancient as time itself, in this house.