At Dusk

Chapter One

        “Use your words, Payton. What happened last Saturday night?”

        I was lying in a hospital bed. The room was spinning, I was stricken with fear and my life was turning into a complete horror.

        “I don’t, I don’t remember.” I explained.

        “Think a little deeper.” The doctor pushed. I gulped,

         “There was someone else.”

        “Anything else, Payton? Are you sure that is all you remember?”

        “Yes, I’m sure.” was my only response before the room went dark.

         My eyes fluttered open to a dim glow, I wasn’t sure if I was truly awake or dreaming. Everything around me felt like it was pulling away from me like a small child’s kite in the wind.

         “Let her be, Theodore.” Someone said in a low voice.

         “Mom?” I whispered.

         “Yes, darling. I’m here.” My mother replied sweetly.

         “Dad?” I said a little louder.

         “I’m here, Payton.” He replied in his very heavy New York accent.

         The next thing I hear is “We’re very sorry, visiting hours are over. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” The nurse explained.

         “Please let them stay. It’s, It’s still out there, somewhere.” I begged.

         “If I was allowed to, I would, but-”

         My mother took a side-glance at the nurse, “That’s alright; we’ll come back in the morning. Thank you for your help.”

         A couple waves and a smile, then the light went out and they were gone.

         That fortnight when the clock struck one a shadow crossed the window, then there was a wicked, Earth shattering scream. My blood ran cold and I knew I was done for. I tried to yell for help, but no one was there to hear it. My eyes darted back and forth; my heart was beating against my chest, threatening to break through. I began to shake, violently.        

        Suddenly I felt Artic cold fingers curl around my wrist. I heard no sound, not even the sound of its breath. I was afraid to move. My mind was racing, what was going to happen to me, will I even see tomorrow? What does this creature want with me? Then, a light flickered on in the hall way, and I felt the chilled hand leave my arm. The creature made its ways to the door, and the light shone slightly on its face and I realized that “it” was rather handsome.

         “Payton?” The nurse questioned.

         “NO, NO! WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH ME? LEAVE ME ALONE! PLEASE, NO, NOOOOOOOO!” I screamed.

         “Payton!” She shouted.

         “STOP, PLEASE!” I gasped.

         “Payton!” She hollered.

         I jolted awake, gasping for air. My lungs were ready to burst. I couldn’t remember what happened. Then, it all came back to me at once. Every time I closed my eyes, the rather handsome boy flashed across my eyelids. I couldn’t get him out of my head.

         I heard a sigh, so I looked up. I saw the nurse standing there patiently, when she saw me she immediately said what she came to say, “Payton, gather your things. Today you will be going home.” She was fast to say it but, she was even faster to turn on her heels and walk out. I put my head back down on the pillow and laid there, staring at the ceiling for at least fifteen  more minutes, then finally flipped the covers over and got out of bed. I quickly got changed into my own clothes and packed up my backpack. At last I will be home. At last things will be back to normal.

        Finally after a week I get to see the front of our beautiful stone cottage. I eagerly open the door and run inside and up to my cozy, comforting room. I drop my things by my small wooden desk and spin around taking in the smells and feels of my bedroom. When I stopped spinning was when I noticed the single red rose upon my pillow.