A Past's Hauntings

Chapter 1 - The Presence

I smell the stench of rotting flesh coming from somewhere in my house. Where is it coming from? What could even smell that bad? These questions flashed in my head while I got out of my creaking, old bed. I put my feet to the ground and I feel the freezing floor against my bare feet making me flinch. I immediately plug my nose because the smell is so strong. I could feel my eyes fighting to go back to sleep. But, I know I would not be able to peacefully sleep with the horrendous smell constantly surrounding me. The room is dark and the only light is coming from the dirty window to my left. I can see the dead tree outside in a shadow on my wall. I hear the creaking of the floor as I slowly stand up. A chill goes up and down my spine like a person playing the harp. They play every string in my back and I shiver at the uncomfortable feeling. I grab the blue slippers by my bed and slip them onto my feet. My feet instantly starting to warm up. Putting on the slippers always seemed to calm me because they reminded me of my Dad.   I walk towards my closed door but before I turn the rusted doorknob I heard loud footsteps run past my door.

I feel every hair on my arms stand up. What could it be? It sounded like a person stomping heavily through the hallway. But, all my family was asleep. I can feel my fingers shaking while I slowly turn the doorknob. The screech of the doorknob was the only sound that I could hear. I pull the door open and turn my head to look down the hallway. No one was there. I take shaky steps through the hallway. Every wood board squeaking while I walked. I could feel the walls closing in. The temperature dropped several degrees. Now I couldn't tell if I was shaking because of the cold or being terrified. I walk into my family room and look at the old rocking chair. I can feel a presence in that old rocking chair. That chair had always freaked me out. I couldn't help but feel like something was watching me. It wasn't confirmed until I heard a breath by my ear and felt warmth on the back of my neck. I couldn't move. My feet were glued to the floor and my eyes pulled open. I felt cold and long fingers wrap around my mouth. I still couldn't move.

Beep Beep

My alarm clocked jolted me awake. I opened my eyes quickly and took in all my surroundings. I could feel the weight of my bedspread against my body and my soft pillow against my head. I was back in bed. My whole body began to relax. I closed my eyes and took a couple deep breathes. It was all a bad dream I told myself repeatedly. I grabbed my bedspread and started to pull it off. But that's when I noticed it. I was wearing my blue slippers.