short stories

Mothers House

   I kept on running as I felt my legs go numb. The smell of rotten flesh invading my nose. “You can never escape,” Mother said creepily as she tilted her head to the side. Hair slightly moved over her eye and she had a sinister smile that sent shivers down my spine.
          3 hours earlier…
    “Come on Tim!” my mom groaned and flipped her head back. I grabbed my backpack by its strap and rushed to the door. My smile was so big it was touching the sky. I looked up at my mom and her lazy smile that always rested on her face. She made anyone around her feel comfortable. There's nothing I wouldn't do for my mom, she was the best. Kids made fun of me because I don't have a dad but it doesn't bother me, I only need my mom. 
   “I’m ready mom!” I said excitement evident in my voice, as I put on my backpack. 
   “You look like a goof ball,” my mom spoke and shook her head a little, “Come on kiddo, lets go.”
    The whole ride there I was staring out the window as we passed the tree’s. “I’m going to the fair, I can’t believe it!” I thought as my smile grew bigger. While we pulled up I was staring at gates that were taller than a skyscraper. The entrance to the fair. My eyes drifted down the gate and landed on a women by the bottom left gate leaning on her right leg. She had shaggy long hair and crooked smile that was the definition of creepy. “Remind me to stay away from her,” I thought as I looked away from her and at my mom. She smiled and I opened the car door and ran out to her side of the car.
    She opened her door and I was so happy, I was jumping up and down. I quickly grabbed her hand and was on my way. “Whoa slow down kiddo!” my mom muttered as she ran slightly to catch up. “It feels like your ripping off my arm.” When we passed the gates I could feel the women’s eyes on me. I shivered and clutched my moms hand lightly. 
   “Come on mom! We need to go to the ferris wheel,” I yelled with a pouty face.
  “Alright, alright,” my mom said and rolled her eyes.
    My grin was getting wider by the second. I let go of mom’s hand and started to run to the ferris wheel. It was probably one of the prettiest rides I've seen. It had lights that lit up the entire world. “Tim, slow down!” mom called over all the crowds trying to get through. I turn my head slightly and notice that mom was gone. A huge pit developed in my stomach. I turn my head frantically looking for her. 
    As I was running around I saw that woman again. This time she made direct eye contact with me, grinning with a kind of eerie grin that made me want to vomit. Her hair was covering her shoulders and it looked like she hasn't brushed it in days. The pit in my stomach got bigger by thebu the second. Goosebumps danced across my skin and I felt like crying, like running away, but I was stuck in place. I regained control of my body and felt something hard hit my head. “Oww, my head,” I thought to myself, “I want my mommy.” My body grew heavy and next thing I knew I was lying on the ground.
                      ...
I jolt up and quickly notice I wasn't in my bed. I look around at the dull walls and notice the concrete floor. The bed had gray fleece sheets to match the entire room. I didn't like it here, not one bit. As I look around the room a little more I notice that disturbing woman from the fair. She was staring right at me. It was unsettling. The woman lifts herself off the wall and walks painfully slow toward me. She had brown eyes so dark that they looked black. “Where's my mommy,” I mumble and pull up my knees to my chest.
   “Don't worry, I will keep you safe and protected,” she paused and ruffled my hair, “call me Mother.” I didn't know much but what I did know was that this woman was not my mother. My mother was nice and sweet, she was the light of my world. This woman is dark and disturbing, she was like the villain in a story. I pull my head back and scoot to the other end of the bed. She lifted herself off the bed and looked at me. “Come now,” she started, “let's go meet the other kids.” 
She lifted her hand staring at me, just waiting for me to take it. I felt my hand move involuntarily, and she grabs my hand forcefully. Still staring at her I slowly slide off of the bed, the feeling of my clothes rubbing against the sheets. Mother started walking and I felt like I was being dragged by a cheetah with the force of a gorilla. My tiny little feet barely keeping up. I run into Mother as she comes into a sudden stop. I quickly took my hand out of hers and moved to her side, getting as far away from her as I could. 
   I stare in astonishment as I see little kids running around. They all looked to be my age, around 8 or 9. The walls were the same dull gray color as the floor and everything else in this blasted place. On the wall, I see a bright green exit sign and underneath it a door. “Wait are my eyes working correctly. Is that a door? Maybe I could escape, but I’ll need to be careful and follow what they say,” I thought as my head snapped up to Mother.
   “Go on,” she said with a smile, “ go play.” I look away from her and head over to the kids. 
   I play with all the others as I watch Mother leave, trusting that we won’t escape. I make sure no one is looking as I head to the back of the room by the door. It’s bright green light lulling me in. I put my hands on the door as I look behind me and slowly open it. When i know no ones looking I slip out the door. I use both hands and quietly close the door. CLICK.  I hear clapping behind me. Slow and steady clapping. My heart slowly increasing. The clapping was getting closer and closer. Louder and louder with every step she took. I was found out. She heard me and now I’m never going to get out. The clapping was like booming in my ears. Everytime she did it, it got louder and louder, that was how I knew she was getting closer. I knew it was her behind me who else could it be. She was here, and if I am ever going to make it out, I need to run. 
My heart was beating loudly in my ears as I turn around. I kept my eyes closed not wanting to see her. “Did you think you could escape me love,” Mother said with a slight chuckle. I open my eyes now regretting I ever tried to run.            
   Behind her I see and exit, but it seems to be covered in a very dark red. What did this woman do? Why does she want me here? What is she going to do to me?
As I was looking for a way out, the smell hits me. It smells of rotten flesh. The metallic smell of blood hitting my nose. That’s when I knew I was going to die. There's just no way I would make it out alive. I let my eyes wander to the ground and I’m frozen in my spot. There were bones on the floor. Small skulls  and tiny rib cages. Does she eat children? Just who exactly is she?
   I wish I had my mom. She would know what to do right now. I miss her. She’s probably worried sick about me. I will see you again mom, no matter what it takes. I feel my body working with me again. I wiggle my fingers to confirm I’m going to be able to move. Mother has moved so close I could reach out and touch her. She smelt almost as bad as the room. It was as if she bathed in rotten eggs and blood. 
    I duck down and see the quick look of confusion on Mother’s face. I take a run for it and go in between her legs. I start rushing to the door. She can’t catch me if I don't stop. I keep on running feeling my legs go numb. The smell of rotten flesh invading my nose. I make the mistake of looking behind me while running.“You can never escape,” Mother said creepily as she tilted her head to the side. Hair slightly moved over her eye and she had a sinister smile that sent shivers down my spine. 
   Mother bolted over to me. I was getting short of breath as I look ahead and see I am at the door. I open it quickly and run out. I push my back against the door and close it. Leaving mother there all by herself. She was banging on the door, screaming at me to be let out. I feel a tear slip down my face. “I made it out,” I whisper to myself, “but I’m not done yet.” I see a piece of wood and quickly grab it. I shove the piece of wood in the door hands. The screams started to die down as I notice my surroundings and they look familiar. I walk up to the street and see the fair gates. 
Getting a sudden burst of energy I ran to the gates and see a cop car. My mom standing worriedly by it. It looked as if she had been crying. I was ecstatic. I was crying more now. Waterfalls spilled out of my eyes and  I ran into the fair parking lot. With my legs still burning I sneak up right behind my mom and hug her legs. I was the happiest boy in the world. “Mom,” My cry muffled by her leg. I look up at her face and see that she was so happy that this time the corners of her mouth made contact with the sun. “I promise I’ll never wander off again,” I smile, my eyes blurry with my tears. I gave her a hug so big I thought I was cutting off circulation in her leg.
   When the officer came back, I told him of what happened and about all those kids. He didnt believe me so I had to show him. I get in the car with him and I show him the house. I never noticed this before but it looked all broken down and falling apart. My mind goes blank and all I hear is laughing. Pain shot in the back of my head. "Did the officer just hit me?" I thought to myself as everything went black. I wake up and I’m in the room again, but this time it looks more disturbing. Everything now seems to be all broken and moldy like the outside of the house.“I told you, you can’t escape,” a voice said behind me.