Third day at the casino and he was going bankrupt. What had he done to deserve this? Guy Silverstein slowly turned the key to his supposedly "haunted" condo. Guy had never believed in ghosts or the paranormal. Why should he? They normally left him alone...
Normally.
Tonight was different. Much different. The shadow on the wall began to shift as Guy slumped on the couch. The shadow made a nearly indescribable sound, like a low pitched creaking of floorboards. Guy stood and switched on the lights. Nothing. Damn, he'd have to get that fixed. Guy slumped back into his chair as the shadow shifted again. It wasn't intentionally moving. Like a piece of satin flowing in the wind. Guy sat and stared at it because he had nothing better to do. All the while the shadow didn't stop croaking.
Wait! It moved! It's arm slowly rose above it's head as the shadow of the moon ran across it's face. Wait... What face? Long, straight, silk hair covered it's entire face. A white, blood soaked dress hung from it's nimble body.
Guy tried to call the police, wait... Shit! He bet his phone at the casino. The creature slowly swept toward him as Guy reached for the door. Guy jangled the handle. Locked. Guy bolted past the monster to the window. Bolted shut.
It was a one room condo with a kitchen and living room. The small thing lumbered over towards Guy, and it slowly spread out it's arms. What was it doing? Was it inviting Guy in for a hug. Guy shed a tear. He hadn't been hugged in over twenty years. Nobody cared enough to lend him that sort of comfort.
He took the invitation.
Guy Silverstein wrapped his large, beefy arms around the creature as his beard brushed it's dress. A sharp pain jolted through his back. Like five daggers breaking through his skin. Guy tried to pull away but couldn't. The creatures croaking grew louder and louder as it yanked it's hand away, taking Guys lung with it. Guy found it hard to breathe. This thing was going to kill him. Guy didn't care. He had lost everything to pointless bets. The creature slowly reached up and grasped his neck. With a quick flex of it's fingers it snapped Guys neck and left him as a crumpled marionette on the floor.
The breeze blew in through the window and brushed a few strands from it's eye. When Guy Silverstein ceased breathing, the Grudge was finally silent.
