A Collection of Short Stories

Dark Things

I was at the art museum yesterday. 

I signed up to see the famous paintings in the museum a few days ago, with my friend. So now here we are, looking at the paintings at awe. 

We walked up casually towards the entrance of the museum, showed the conductor our tickets and then walked up the majestic gold staircase that leads to the museum. My heart was thumping on my chest like a beat of the drum. Finally, an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, finally I could see the famous paintings from the past! 

" Oh my god, is that the Mona Lisa? " my friend gaped in awe. 

I turned where she was looking and I opened my mouth in awe too. The Mona Lisa, finally in front of us. Painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1503, using oil paint, it took him 4 years to finish and another few more years to hide it from the public. 

Bad news, I can't take a picture. I wanted to show my parents, who were artists as well, that I went to see that! But their reactions would be, that's a fake, Alisha. People nowadays are creating more fakes more than you think! We have seen the real one. It's in - 

Ugh. Bad idea. I kept my phone in my left pocket and shove the rest of those negative thoughts to the back of my mind. 

My friend was rushing off to look at other painting, dashing through the crowds. I caught up with her in a few minutes, letting a loud pant to startle her. 

" Seriously, do you have to run fast? " I demanded. 

" Sorry. I was too amazed. It feels like I'm in a dream. " my friend answered. 

I laughed, " I agree. It looks too good to be true. " 

Suddenly, I heard a cackle nearby. 

I turned around and saw no one laughing. We were alone in the room. 

" Did you hear a cackle? " I asked my friend. 

She shook her head and mouthed, What are you talking about? 

I heard it again after she finished her sentence. A soft cackle. 

My friend took my hand and said, " Come on. You must be a bit delirious. Let's go. " 

But then she looked up and backed away quickly. 

" Alisha... " she whispered in terror. 

I looked at her for any clue, before turning my back. 

There was nothing but a painting of a beautiful girl holding a bouquet of flowers. 

I walked to my friend who was staring at the painting with horror. 

" Are you OK? " I asked. 

" Gh..o..s....ttt, " she trembled violently. 

" You're delirious. " 

Suddenly, I heard something crack. 

I turned my head and looked in horror. 

We both screamed as it lunged towards us. 

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The police found the two dead girl bodies in the museum. The curator was waving his hands frantically towards the police, shouting a plea to not shut down the museum. 

The girl in the painting put on her best pose to make sure the painting was innocent. 

But deep inside, it wasn't a girl at all. 

A revenged ghost for over a century had been inside the painting, waiting for a chance to get out. Rumours of a ghost in a painting had faded through the years but now the rumours are true. Once she showed herself to the world, the world shall bow to her rule. She would be the one that would corrupt the minds of humans. 

Humans! They are stupid and idiotic and easier to control. That's why they have slaves, maids and servants. She smiled to herself and had started to dream about what would happen when she unleashed her power, the horror of the century to the world. The world would be unprepared for this. 

They don't understand what ghosts truly feel. 

They make up stupid horror movies that she laughed for the whole night. 

They aren't ready to face her yet. 

Yet she was ready. 

Waiting. 

For that one day. 

When the sun sets down the horizon and darkness came upon the museum, the girl cackled loudly for the first time in years.