Ray's Lament: A Welcome to Dead House Prequel

Chapter #2 Voices

That night after dinner and a shower, I laid on my mattress throwing and catching my baseball in the air.

The night was warm, so I had my windows open to let in the gentle breeze. Boxes were strewn about my room, waiting to be unpacked in the morning.

"Lights out, sweetheart." Mom spoke, standing in my doorway.

"Ok. Goodnight mom." I responded, setting my baseball back in its mitt next to my mattress.

Mom shut off my bedroom light and I pulled my blanket up to my chest. Rolling onto my side, I faced my front bay window and tried to fall asleep.

A few hours later I awoke to a strange noise. I thought I'd been just dreaming it, but when I gained consciousness I could still hear it.

Whispers....threats....warnings.

"Feed us....sooo hungry....feed usss." They said.

I sat up abruptly and clutched my blanket tightly. Was someone in the house? It sounded like they were downstairs....Hesitating for a few seconds, I got up and grabbed my wooden baseball bat and crept out of my room.

The hallway was pitch black and silent, though I could still faintly hear the violent whispers downstairs. I made it to the top of the staircase and listened hard.

"Feeeedddd uuuussssss......" The whispers begged.

Gripping tightly to my bat, I took the steps one at a time, and as quietly as possible. When I made it down to the last step, I pressed myself against the wall and peered only my head around the corner.

Nobody.

I held my bat in a ready to swing position and made my way towards the living room, it sounded like the voices were coming from in there.

My steps were slow and cautious, but the beating of my heart made up for the lack of speed in my step, it pounded in my chest. My brain was filtering through so many possible outcomes for this....I came to the entrance to the living room and took in a silent breath before running in, bat ready.

But nobody was in there? Confused, I looked all around me, there had to be someone. I listened once more.

The whispers had stopped.

"Hello?" I called. "Is someone here?"

No answer.

"I could hear you, so come out. Show yourself. What do you want?" I questioned.

Still nothing.

I sighed, still confused. Where did the voices go? There was nobody in sight...

"Hello?! I know you're here." I tried again.

No answer once more.

I groaned now and took one last look around the empty living room. A cool breeze filtered in through the open window and made me shiver. Letting down my guard finally, I turned back towards the stairs.

And then I saw it. Standing in the doorway was a shadow! It was staring right at me! I yelled and held up my bat as the shadow moved towards me, into the dim light.

"Ray, what are you doing down here, it's one in the morning!" My dad scolded.

I lowered my bat.

"Dad?! Was that you making those noises?" I wondered.

What are you talking about? I came down because I was woken up by you talking down here. Now what are you doing up?" Dad demanded to know.

"I heard all these voices down here, so I came to see what it was...." I explained.