#TBT

This is a short story I wrote a little while back.
I decided to start the short midway through Johnna's life in her new place, kinda like we were only getting a glimpse of what really was and what would be; a snippet, if you will, of someone's fear.
I hope you enjoy it's creep-appeal.

House For Sale

Nightmare #41:

It wasn’t until the third mortgage payment, that Johnna knew for sure – and that’s when she began to work longer hours, leave the lights on all night, pray a bit more.

After six months in, Johnna knew she had to move.  There was no more denying it.  She realized this when the ceiling cracked and splintered without cause; when the various power outages could no longer be explained; when the shadows started to play peek-a-boo.

She could feel the eminent danger swelling up in that haunted house like hot air in a balloon.  So, she called the realtor and made arrangements; called a friend and packed what she would need for the next couple of weeks.  She went to bed that night, pleased that she would be free of this awful place by morning’s light.

Hours later, Johnna awoke with a jolt.  She sat upright in the bed, surrounded by darkness, unable to focus. 

She fought to slow her heart rate and struggled with the confusion of reality.  Her mind wrestled with a faded dream…or nightmare…or noise?

What was it that got her attention?

She heard it again.   

An odd, gurgling sound filled the dark room, sounding like a bullfrog by its pond. 

The noise stopped.

Another minute of silence passed.  Then, the gurgling again.  This time it was closer to her and the bed.

Johnna’s heart continued to race; beads of sweat trickled down her hairline and before she could grab for the lamp on the nightstand, it grabbed her. 

It took hold of her forearm, just as she reached for the light switch.  Its grasp on her was firm and cold - freezing, in fact - as though someone had placed a frozen slab of meat against her skin.

Her eyes - now one with the darkness - saw it, or rather a reflection of it in the dresser’s mirror.

Johnna shook her head furiously, like a child refusing to eat vegetables, hoping to rid herself from such a hideous nightmare. 

But she was awake now, wide awake, and she was not alone.

Johnna whimpered, the beginnings of a shriek gathering in her voice box, as she watched herself in the mirror - helplessly.  This dark, decrepit figure of the shadows came out of the wall, reached around her shoulder with its other creepy arm and placed its bony hand over her mouth to keep her from releasing her scream...  

written by: 

~Deevious~