Plagued

SEVEN

The building looked different than I remembered it. Instead of the well-kept rooms and tidy home, I was met with wreckage.

The carpet? Burnt to a crisp. The wooden floors? Riddled with holes. The curtains? Ripped to shreds and pilled to the floor.

It seemed as if the rumours were true of at least one thing, there certainly was a fire at some point.

But why was it so clean before? I remembered it being surprising clean and proper.

But then again, it appeared as if I was wrong.

"Wow, this place sure is a wreck."

Remarked Samantha.

I only shrugged my shoulder in response. I didn't want to speak.

As I walked through the house I noticed a few things out of place.

Just like the living area, the rest of the home was also destroyed. Especially the paintings and pictures.

I remembered the lovely paintings and pictures of the homeowner. But in that moment, they were all melted into grotesque images, of mixing colors and it made me feel uncomfortable just looking at them.

Turning my head, I asked my companions a question.

"Hey, how long do you guys plan on staying here? It's supposed to rain again tonight, and I don't want to be drenched."

Using the rain as an excuse, was a good idea, but Sam wasn't convinced.

"Yeah sure... Why are you so freaked out by this place? Like, come on. You've always loved scary stuff and now you're practically shaking in your shoes."

I only sighed in response. Turning towards I looked for his opinion.

"What do you think? You didn't even want to go here in the first place."

"I don't know. It's kind of cool I guess. But I'm not really scared or anything right now. What has you so spooked? You are usually the one to debunk all of our ghost theories."

I began to get frustrated and just turned around from them, towards the dining room.

Everything was rather fine in that room. The ceiling had a huge hole where I would guess a chandelier had been. The table had a large crack down the center, and... blood.

I found myself in a predicament.

I could have gone to the car right then and there, but I didn't. I chose to stand there in shock, and stare at the table.

The table which I fell on.

"So, it was real."

I said to myself quietly.

Glass was shattered around the table, and a large indent could be seen on the point I fell on.

Chills ran through me, and I found myself unable to speak.

Without making a noise, I quickly turned around and walked to the car.

"I'll be in the car when you guys want to leave. Take your time I will find some way to entertain myself."

I said as I walked passed my two friends.

Just as I walked through the front the door, I felt compelled to stay. I felt as if something was wrong.

But I just summed it up to fear.

The car was unlocked, and I sat myself in the front seat.

I caught myself staring at the house. As if it intrigued me, as if something made me interested in it- and I was, but not so much that I'd want to stare at it.

I had so many questions, and one of them being, what happened?

How could I possibly have a dream about a place, that doesn't resemble my dream at all, but the events still took place? How could something that wasn't even real happen? It's ridiculous. It's impossible.

But it obviously happened.

If I did get there than why did it look like that? How did I even get there? How'd I get back?

I thoughts were interrupted by a scream. But not just any scream, Samantha's.

I had to make a decision.

Do I go back in, or do I trust Michael to handle the situation?

Never mind, he's useless.

I ran back to the house, with a pounding heart and fear throughout my body.

The second I go back through the door I regret it.

The home was much more dark, whatever light which was there had left.

I could barely make out the silhouettes of my partners.

"Hey! Is everything okay? I could hear your scream from the car."

No response.

"Where are you I can barely see you."

Still no answer.

"If this is a joke it isn't funny. You guys already know I'm freaked out."

My voice faltered and my heart sinks.

"Cut it out."

"Please."

I felt a hand on my shoulder.

I whipped myself around, with a gasp.

"Hey, you okay? We went back to the car, but you weren't there."

I looked behind me and the silhouettes were no longer there.

"Uh, yeah I am fine. Can we go now?"

He obviously sensed the nervousness in my voice.

"Are you sure? I Thought you said you were going to stay in the car?"

I only nod my head.

We went back to the car together.

"I... think I am just seeing things, the darkness was playing tricks on me."

I made my way to the back seat and sat down.

I remained silent.

The farther we got, the more antsy I became. I found myself full of anxiety and unable to concentrate.

Staring at the wilderness along the road usually calmed me down but not this time. The woods seemed almost dead, and completely quiet. As if something scared all the animals away. It's almost as unsettling as the that house.

"You sure your fine? Something has you really shaken up."

I gave a nod, unsure I would even be able to speak.

I kept glancing behind us watching us get farther and farther.

"You want me to drive you home instead of the tree?"

I shook my head,

"No thank you. The walk might help me calm down. If my parents saw me like this, they wouldn't let me out of the house for a little while."

We get t the tree and we say our goodbyes.

"Get some rest tonight, it should help you feel better."

"Thanks Sam, I'll text you later, okay?"

Finally, I could go home.