Rain slides down Alya's windowpane, gathering in the gutters and sliding off into the streets. Thunder booms in the distance. Alya shivers and pulls her blanket closer around her shoulders. On a stormy night like this, she would usually be curled up with James watching a movie. He liked action movies, while she preferred romantic comedies and silent films. They would always argue about what to watch, but like the gentleman he was, James would always let Alya choose in the end.
Alya flinches as a bolt of lighting lights up the sky. She hates thunderstorms.
A bright screen lights up Alya's face and reflects off her reading glasses as she scrolls through a webpage on her computer. What does it mean if I'm seeing ghosts? One title reads. How can I see ghosts? What does an appearance of a ghost mean? Am I going crazy?
Alya flips through website after website, desperately searching for answers. It's got to be in here somewhere...
Why am I seeing ghosts? Well darling, it might just mean you're a-
The overhead lights flicker. Alya freezes. Alya can hear the wind raging outside, although it's too dark outside to tell how bad the storm really is. The lights flicker again, then go out. Alya hugs the blanket tightly. Her heart threatens to burst out of her chest.
Suddenly, Alya's computer screen goes black.
"No," Alya says, desperately holding the power button down. "Please, no. Please not now." The screen stays dark.
Outside, the wind howls. Alya shivers. Where is James when I need him?
A loud beeping noise makes her jump. She immediately looks at the computer. Still dark.
Beep.
Alya nearly falls backward. She twists around. Where is that noise coming from?
Beep.
Alya's skin crawls. She turns back to her computer and holds the power button.
"Come on," she whispers. "Please work."
The screen flashes to life. Alya breathes a sigh of relief. She lets go of the power button. The screen dies again.
Alya nearly screams. "No!"
Then suddenly, the screen powers on again. Alya holds her breath. A bad feeling snakes inside her stomach, chilling her to the core.
10 hrs.
The words flash on the screen, in simple blood red font.
10 hrs.
10 hrs.
10 hrs.
This time, Alya really does scream.
Beep.
Alya feels as if her head is about to explode.
10 hrs.
10 hrs.
A image of a bloody knife appears, then disappears just as fast.
Find me.
The words send a jolt of panic through Alya.
Or you'll be next.
The screen sizzles, then blacks out. The lights turn back on. The rain stops. And when Alya finally finds the courage to open her eyes, it's morning.
YOU ARE READING
Psycho #OpenNovellaContest
General Fiction"I want to help you," the man next to her says. She shivers as the hand rests on her thigh again. But this time, she doesn't push him away. He lowers his voice to a whisper, so quiet that not even the microphones can pick it up. "People do strange t...
