Attic Monsters

Epilogue

“Mommmyyyy.” The words drag across my ears like nails on a chalk board. Blood pounds at my brain threatening to escape its eternal slumber. Any second longer, and my head is sure to implode.

“Why mommy?” Its voice is raspy. With each syllable, old memories form in the back of my mind. Agonizing memories, but somehow, still, they are better than the moment yet to come.

“Why did you kill me mommy?” A gasp escapes my chest as the words ring through like a knife. A brittle agony shadows my lips.

“Help me mommy.” My eyes dart open and I am immediately blinded from the light which has been isolated from my vision for so long. A scream pleads in my brain, but I'm so tired.

“Mom-” The screams of my ever so innocent daughter stop as a knife gets plunged through her back. The glisten of it's blade can be seen prodding through her front. Her mouth forms a big 'O’ right as her head slumps forward and her eyes go lifeless.

I close my eyes again welcoming the darkness.

“Mommmmmy.” The voice is an endless rasp. My eyes open just in time for me to see her plea for help. The moment right before the knife kabobs her insides. As I close my eyes, it starts over, eternally, and forever.

****

A loud scream scratches at the back of my throat. It vibrates through the house as my eyes flash open. My chest rises up and down rapidly. An unsteady thumping attacks my ribs as my heart is brutally getting beaten upon.

My hands clench around the sheets below me until my knuckles turn white. Flashes of that awful nightmare keep dancing upon my eyelids.

“What's wrong?” Asks the darkened form perched in bed next to me. My head slowly turns and I look at him. All my eyes see is blackness which causes my breath to start even faster. Out of the corner of my vision, the darkness around me ripples.

Light fills the room and a yellow mist covers my corneas.  A pair of warm objects connect with the skin on my shoulders. I flinch back until my spine hits the bed post. My hands grab at the object’s arms as I try to push the fiend away from me.

“MARA!” He yells in my ear. My eyes blink rapidly. With each darkness, his form starts to become light, until I finally see him. His face holds one of a desperate plea.

Immediately, I relax my grip on his arms. I can tell that he is grateful. “What's wrong?” He asks again finally knowing I will respond.

My lips break apart with a crackle, but no sound escapes them. My eyes look into the galaxy of his own in which I have lost myself in multiple times. I desperately try not to blink in an attempt for him to understand. He has to understand. But instead, his face forms into a smile.

Like always it gives me courage. “Mom.” I’m finally  able to whisper.

Shock fills his eyes and his body drops from mine. “But-?” He starts off confused. “Are you ready?”

All he needs is a quick nod before he throws back the sheets. He runs to my side and gently grabs my hand to help me up. At first my legs are weak, but we eventually make it to his car.

The drive is unfamiliar and I find myself questioning if I really am ready to do this. The sun starts to peak over the mountains in the east. I watch as it's light travels farther and farther across the land until it finally reaches my fingertips.

Repeatedly, I clench and unclench my fingers taking it in. I try to keep my breath calm, and my mind occupied.

“We're here.” The car stops and we both move our hands toward the door. Questionably, our eyes meet, but I nod my head once again.  

As we meet at the gate, his fingers clasp with mine and we walk the stretch together. In the thirteenth row is where she rests. Kelly J. Peterson.

My legs grow weak and I collapse to the ground before her. Twenty long years, but I finally understand. It was never her fault. Tears escape down my cheeks, and for once, I acknowledge the void that her death left in my chest. I forgive you mom.

****
“Are you sure you're going to be okay?” He questions. I peck him on the lips and give him a smile.

“Yes babe, it's just for a little bit. You have to go anyways.”

“Yeah, but I know they will understand. You sure you don't want me to take the day off?”

“No.” I demand to my husband. If anything, earlier this morning brought me peace, not hate. I am going to be fine.

His arms wrap around my body before he grabs the keys and rushes out the door. This argument has already made him late.

Not knowing what to do with myself, I look out the window to watch as he leaves. Long after the car disappears, I still stand.

A sigh escapes my body breaking me from the trance. As I turn around, the keys to my truck draw me in. Before I know it, the cold metal reaches my fingertips​ as I put it into the ignition. The truck roars to life, and I start my journey.

***
Old wooden boards look me in the eyes. The grass is long dead and the trees sag. Rocks look to be throw at the windows causing the ripped curtains to sway in the wind. Taking a deep breath, I escape the metal confinement and wonder to the back yard. My fingers reach under a nearby rock until they find the key.

The door opens with a loud creak and my eyes reach the kitchen. A small piece of glass lays near the fridge reflecting in the sunlight. I pick it up and wince as I remember the fright which pumped through her veins. My eyes glance forward and look to where she thought I died. So much sadness and anger.

My body moves forward like a robot, until I see the spot in which my life almost ended. A red stain of blood reminds me of the pain. That night, I thought I was going to die. My hand reaches up and I trace the scar which goes along my chest. She almost killed me, but that's not what she wanted was is?

For the second time today, my legs give in. She didn't want any of this and now she is gone. Red hot tears drag down my cheeks until they meet their finally resting place on the floor. Sobs escape from my chest, until my body can take no more. She doesn't even know that I forgive her.

Weakly, I get up again. My head circles the room finally stopping at the clock. It has already been four hours, my husband will be home soon for lunch. I better go.

I turn to leave, but my eyes reach the stairwell. The unknown calls me even after I take the first step. My fingers reach to the side and I caress the banister. As I reach the top, the darkness still beckons me farther and farther.  In the absence of my mind, my fingers grasp the rope and I tug. Immediately, the air around me is smothered in dust. Coughs escape my lungs, but they don't stop my trail. My legs rise until my feet finally reach level ground. All that greets me is darkness, until slowly the attic door rises behind me and I hear the faint sound of footsteps.