It was the morning of my 17th birthday and I was expecting to be woken with the sounds of three voices singing, "Happy Birthday Christina!" To me. Instead, the sound of my alarm clock punctured my eardrums. I grunted and twisted my achy body towards the flashing numbers displaying themselves in blue, neon writing. 9:38. I was supposed to be up around one hour ago, polishing myself off for when all my family and friends arrive.
Regaining my strength, I slowly made my way across the room to my clutter filled draws. They only held about a quarter of my clothes, as the rest were strewn messily around the room in a last minute attempt to find a suitable outfit for last night. I trampled my way over to the make-up stained mirror in my room. The brown, soft curls that usually decorate my hair now lay in bundles of tight knots and twisted patterns. Thick mascara painted my cheeks black. Lipstick was smudged around the corners of my mouth. I was a mess.
A little while later, after cleaning myself up, I carelessly walked back to my room. Looking out my window, I expected to see my parents, frantically rushing around making last minute alterations. I expected to see my friends, carrying handbags and presents. I expected to see my family, all anxiously awaiting my arrival in the garden. Except, I saw nothing. Not a soul. Pink balloons dotted the garden, waving softly in the minor breeze. Banners flapped and waved like they were the only humans here. Where was everyone? Am I early? I can't be. There was of course the possibility that everyone had gone out, but everyone? It didn't matter to me now anyway. To be honest, it was a great thing. I had a much larger amount of time to get ready. Turning myself back towards the mirror, I began to tremble. I have never experienced this feeling before. My whole body began to shake and almost felt like it was disintegrating. It was as if a knife had entered my chest and was being twisted painfully back and forth, back and forth. Standing behind me was someone - something which I had never, never imagined.
My first instinct was to run, to run as fast as i can until it is no longer possible. Getting away was my first priority, but I knew I couldn't leave the house. "Mum! There is something in the house! It's in my room! What the hell is this?!" I screamed. No reply. "This isn't a surprise party, so come out now please because I am actually very, very worried," I screeched again, this time more softly. Why was I getting no replies? Surely if they had all gone somewhere, I must have been left a note. Sprinting downstairs, I saw that the kitchen was bare, no hurriedly written letters for me. I had nowhere to run to, no one to go to and nothing I could do. Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of something in the garden. A human? No. Just a shadow. With eyes. With eyes! This creature was all black, no details, no nothing. Apart from these eyes. black holes took the place of the pupils, the eyes were misty grey. It was like the universe shrunk down millions of times. In shock, I stepped back causing two kitchen chairs to collide with each other, creating a huge "BANG!" I skidded across the wooden floorboards in an escape from this nightmare. It was following me, watching my every move. Unfortunately, I looked back just long enough to see the wicked grin appear, each pearl white, razor sharp, pin tooth revealed itself to me, extremely slowly.
A noise escaped my throat. I dashed back upstairs, the only place I could go. The air left in my lungs clawed at me. My feet were tangled and I fell, knocking my head onto my cupboard doors. In the blurriness, I saw a shape, drifting towards me as I lay helplessly on the floor. I could feel the warmness of the fresh blood on my cheeks. The only place I could go, to lock myself in and hide, atleast for a little while, was my wardrobe. So I did.
I knew almost right away what a mistake that was. My breathing was fast, like an animals after being chased by its hunter. The darkness covered me like a blanket, but the coldness grew and still reached me. My breathing began to slow. Or was that my breathing? No. Yes. It had to be. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up like soldiers in the army, all in unison. I was not alone. I crunched my eyes together so tightly, and was determined not to open them, for I was so afraid of the horrors I would see. The space in between us closed and tightened, we breathed the same air. Sweat and blood mixed like paint on an artist's palette and I whimpered. Curiosity and fear entwined and took over me. I twisted my head to the right and saw the unimaginable sight of three rows of teeth gawping at me. A screeching sound escaped its throat, almost like a cat's meow. All of a sudden, I was floating. Drifting away. Falling. Sleeping.
Branches scraped along my window panes, causing me to awake. Rubbing my tired eyes, I smiled. It was clearly all in my imagination - everything was fine. It was my birthday, and I was okay! As I laughed to myself, I looked at the time. 9:38. I was reminded of something, but I don't know what."Christina! Get down here! How long do you want to be?!" Announced a voice from downstairs. Mum! I was so relieved to hear her voice, even if she was angry. I leapt out of bed and skipped across the room to my dress prepared for this afternoon. Crystals covered the entire bottom of the pink dress and disappeared on the way to the waist. It was like people climbing a mountain and vanishing on the other side. It was beautiful. Feeling excited, I looked at my reflection again. I swallowed. I turned around. There I was, face to face with razor teeth giving me that grin. Just like my dream. Only it wasn't a dream, it was a nightmare. A real nightmare.
