Anxiety's True Colours

It is pitch black outside, the moon has completely vanished behind the clouds. The occasional star is visible between the cracks of the clouds. The quiet howling of wolves from all around the cabin sends shivers down my spine. "It's just one night." I keep telling myself. I heat up my hot chocolate in the microwave and step back to look around. The cabin is old and made of wood. Cracked windows let the cold night air seep inside. Old paintings are covered in dust and appear to have been scratched by some animal. Four old and half burnt out lanterns are scattered across the house. Cobwebs are in almost every corner and all over the door handle. My anxiety doesn't help much either. I start imagining things like spiders crawling down my back and a flashlight off in the distance coming closer. The microwave makes a loud 'ding' noise shocking me and making me lose track of what I was imagining. I walk back to microwave opening it and grabbing my hot chocolate. "What am I doing here?" I question myself. "How could this have ever been a good idea?" I whine to myself. I take a sip of the hot chocolate. 'Mmm' "at least there is one good thing here." I say to myself. Without thinking I walk directly into a cobweb spilling my drink on the floor. "CRUD!" I shout. Quickly putting the drink down on a bench and wiping my face to get rid of the web, I clear myself of the cobwebs, pick up the drink and proceed to walk forwards into the bedroom. Knocking the suitcase off the bed and chugging the rest of the drink. I place the cup under the bed and jump up collapsing onto it. I blow out the candle and drift off...

I jump up to the sound of footsteps creeping around outside. In fright, I get up and grab a lantern and light it with the last remaining match I have. It's really gloomy inside. The low lighting reveals the spooky looking cobwebs and old furniture. It's a terrifying experience to walk around inside a creepy house which sits alone in the woods. Especially when there is only one light and everything is pitch black. The footsteps stop just as I reach the front door. "It's just my anxiety." I whisper and walk back to my room. This time I slowly lie down on my bed and keep the lantern alight hidden inside a cupboard so the room isn't as dark and because there are no other match sticks.

An eerie old door creaking sound can be heard from the entrance room. 'Thunk' the door sounds as if it were slammed shut. I roll out of the bed and grab the lantern. I crouch down on my knees and roll under the bed holding the lantern in my arms in such a way to conceal the light. I start to freak out shaking and turning in every direction while keeping my noise as quiet as possible. The room ahead starts to light up. 'Clomp!' A boot appears in view. A big boot. Old, worn out, it is a faded black colour with patches of brown mud. 'Grr' The figure makes a sound. I creep further back to the wall to make sure I am perfectly out of sight. The boots come closer towards the bed and stop beside the suitcase laying on the floor next to the cup. The figure bends over and picks up the cup. I manage to see their hand in the very few seconds it was beside the bed. It was... furry? With long pointed brown nails and spotted with patches of blood. Anxiety starts kicking in, giving me a panic attack causing me to jump up and hit the bottom of the bed. In the blink of an eye both lights went out. Instead of wasting time I scurry out from under the bed. I leap up and run to the door. Even though I haven't been here for a full day, I can still navigate my way around, I think to myself, hoping this will come as an advantage. I just pass the window when 'smash' my suitcase is thrown out the window with high velocity. I fling my hand out in order to reach the door handle completely forgetting that from the inside it is covered in spider webs. "Why do I have to fear all these things?" I cry to myself. "Nyctophobia, monophobia, arachnophobia, xenophobia. My four worst nightmares all in one." I sigh, knowing complaining about it won't change anything. I twist the door knob and jump outside, hiding in the bush. Right after me the mysterious stalker runs out with their flashlight. They circle the cabin twice before checking inside again. It starts to lighten outside, revealing the sun, the location of my suitcase, the surrounding woods and worst of all... me. "Am I safe in the light? Do I stay or try and find a better hiding place? What is that thing? Where did it come from and what does it want with me?" My heart is pounding and my head hurts from all these thoughts. "Think! Think!" I've run out of time. The ghostly figure exits the cabin holding an axe in their furry brown hand and takes about five steps forwards before turning in my direction. In an instant it lunges towards me.