Thursday Nightmares
The Grand Re-Opening [Volume 5 Starter Story] By the time I was 10 years-old, I haven’t really been to a theatre. Now when I say this, it doesn’t really make it so outstanding and life-changing, but some of the adults I knew always went to the drama theatre to watch a stage play, and then re-tell it to me or my parents, who didn’t really like those type of events, and ended up making me feel some kind of way about it, because they were explaining everything with such detail, making me want to go and see it. But the thing was, that our small town didn’t have one, or it didn’t then. There was one old building which used to be, but got closed because of something I didn’t know. But as of lately, there have been some construction workers coming to the building and repairing some parts of it, which were in dire need of help. I, as 10 years old boy, didn’t really understand how they were going to fix it up, and make it all shiny like, the way the other adults described it as, but with time, they managed to repair everything, paint the whole building, install new windows and frames. Built in metal doors to the entrance, and light it up with a bright red color, which really stood out of the neighborhood. Now, as I remember correctly, my father was forced by his colleague to buy three tickets for mum, me and him. He was going to get a beer after he survives the whole “drama” taking place in the drama theatre, to which dad agreed and did what he was challenged. Buying three tickets, he told mum to prepare us some good clothes, and that tonight we are going to the theatre. Mom wasn’t really excited, rather than annoyed by the fact, that he wasted his money for such a stupid thing, but dad was dad, always accepting any challenges along the way. And so on, the night came, and we dressed in the fancy clothes, preparing to leave the house. Father drove to the building and parked in the already packed up parking lot, cussing about the idiots who had parked the wrong way. We saw some of our family friends, who joined us and we entered the building together. And just like that, my grade for the theatre went up as I saw the shining lobby. Red carpets were leading to the desk, where the ticket taker was going to place a stamp on it, and allow us to enter. The ceilings were polished with a golden finish, as big chandeliers, filled with real candles, burned and lighted the entire place. -It seems like, we really did go to some sort of soup drama, just by entering this place- said one of the friends and laughed. -Yea, just like the movies, am I right?! – replied dad and also laughed, while mom and her lady friend giggled in the background. I wasn’t really focused on them, rather than the lobby, which was clean and elegant. Our cheap costumes weren’t really matching the sophistically of the place, but my 10-year-old brain didn’t think about that, rather than the flashiness and the coolness of the place. It was time for us to enter the hall, and claim our seats. The ticket taker placed a stamp and opened the doors, leading to the hall. Right after entering I was mesmerized by the many seats around the whole premises. The seats were made out of some weird type of wood, which looked like it was polished for more than 5 years to look so shiny, while the cushions on them were so soft, that you could literally sleep on them. But that still wasn’t the point in this story, just the child noticing the shininess of the painted up horror scene. After some time waiting for somebody to come and speak, we talked about the things we found interesting or just plain unnecessary. But right as dad was complaining about the tightly made seats, a voice resounded the whole hall, and we all looked at the front stage, on which a man wearing a tight black suit with a top hat, that had a white stripe around its cylinder. -Ladies and gentlemen, kids of all ages, I would like to welcome you to the grand re-opening of the Drama Theatre- “Three Smiles”. I hope our program will entertain you, and make you smile or laugh, or even cry…but remember- he said and grinned, exposing perfectly white teeth, - don’t forget to be happy! – the announcer finished and a red curtain covered him up. Slightly after then, there was a stage play of some sort of made up story, which they called “The Mask”, which tells of a boy, having to suffer some sort of demonic mask which makes him murder his family. It was quite much censored for the kids, making it less dark, to what already was a dark start. Then, they followed up with another play, which I forgot about, because I didn’t really remember correctly, but the interesting thing was the last play, which included a person from the audience. The same man who announced the start of everything, asked for volunteers, but none really wanted to join them, so a big projector pointed, of course at me. I was kind of scared to move, but mum pushed me slightly and made me move, as dad started to laugh of the fact that I was going to be on the stage. I climbed the wooden stairs and got on top of the stage, walking closer to the man. He extended his hand and I grabbed it, shaking it a bit awkwardly. His black eyes looked me up from top to bottom, and his smile made it kind of creepier. -Well now, we have a volunteer and now we can proceed in the act, but first I have to inform my friend over here- he pointed at me, as the audience laughed, - how the play will be going to start. He signaled for the curtain to move as we walked inside backstage, where everyone was running around, doing something I didn’t really understand. -Well now my boy, go inside that room- he pointed at some old looking door, with a sign that said “dressing room”, - and take the golden mask…there is only one of those so don’t end up picking something different alright? - alright…- I said quietly and opened the room, which wasn’t lighted by anything. All were rafters and big shelfs full with costumes and masks and all type of clothing suited up for plays of different kind. -Also…don’t scream too much okay?! – he said with an ironic voice and giggled like a little boy. Before I was able to ask him what he meant he slammed the door and all the light that was emitted completely vanished leaving me alone. Fear and tears spread over my face, as strange whispers started calling for my attention. The darkness was overwhelming and the fear was hugging me like a loving mother, which wants to twist my neck and drink my blood, as I heard somebody talking behind my ears, so close to me, that every hair on my body rose up, and my muscles hardened. -hello little friend…I suppose you are lost in here? what is it that you are seeking- he asked and placed his hand on my shoulder. I was already shaking completely and didn’t know what to say than, just try to talk, although I couldn’t brink anything out. -is there an item you require from here…because if it is so…I could help you find it…tell me, little friend! His voice was so clear and close me that I could just die right there and now. There was something behind this completely calmed down voice. There was a…somehow rugged back sound to it. -sooo….do you know why you are here…or HE, brought you up, and shoved you in, because we have a special place for small friends like you…and you might not like it…and speaking of him, did he told you why this room doesn’t need light? -no…- I managed to finally say…-all he said was to look for a golden mask…I can’t see anything…I’m afraid…- I wept and nearly cried. -Well, then…the mask you are looking for is in me, so turn around and take it…his voice was soft and excited all of a sudden. I hesitated for a moment but turned around, only to see a man, a not so tall man crouching on the floor. He was…pale and smelled like old. But his face was covered by the golden mask I was asked to look for. -Take it…- he said and made some strange sound with his mouth. I didn’t wait to be asked twice so I pulled the mask out of him…and…his face was normal, wrinkles around the eyes and forehead, broken teeth, black spots under the eyes…but then he opened his eyes which were for some reason closed, after I removed the mask. There were deer black holes in the cores of them…and nothing but blood was coming from the sockets. The bright light coming from the candle he was holding, quickly extinguished and everything went dark again. -there isn’t light here…because I DON’T NEED IT! – he said and grabbed my neck, gripping his tight choke on me, as the wind in my lungs completely stooped stopped. -You are going with the all little friends! and all those little friends are going to play with you…but first you need to sleep, so sleeeeeeeep! sleeeeep little friend! - he started hysterically screaming as his hands were nearly breaking my neck. In that moment I thought I was going to die, but then the door opened, and the man, quickly screamed at the other one. -Sparky…it’s time for our little friend to come back… His hold on my neck released and the man rose to his feet, then ran in the darkness of the many rafters, and vanished. The suited man picked me up, and took the golden mask from my hands, which were still holding on to it. -Well, you are quite lucky that you didn’t answer his questions right away, because you would end up going onto the collection, now, come on to the stage, and if you do something stupid, you will be visited by Sparky once again, but with a darker end to the twist, alright?! – he said and grinned as his teeth reflected my scared face. After that we got back on the stage, but there were policemen everywhere. The suited man quickly released me and turned back, but the police force was quicker and cough up to him. He was immediately arrested, but his crew was free to go, as they didn’t have any charges on their cases. And now after 9 years after that incident, I learned from my father, who started caring more for both me and mother, that the suited man was charged with intentional murders, rapes and all kind of crimes. I was quite shaking to learn it, but now having to re-live the tale, I remembered “Sparky” the man the suited man referred to. I remember that he hid in the shadows of the rafters, and didn’t see him again, although making the ties to him it was quite possible that both of the man are connoted in a way, because of the words the suited man said to me while leaving that room. It was quite frightening, as my parents listened with shock of my experience, although it was all in the end. But, what was even more interesting to the story, is that the theatre is still running, with a new owner, and its doing quite well, having many people go to watch plays, popular ones, and pay reasonable money for it. Although, by doing a yearly clean-up, they found the remains of children nearly the age I was when that incident happened. They were pushed in some of the puppets on strings. That was all Sparky’s doing, undoubtedly because he mentioned something about a collection, which I also said to the policemen…but after checking every parts of the town, he was never found… Thursday Nightmare [Hide and Seek] -Tag, you’re it! – said little Franky and tagged Bryan. The face of the little kid, getting tagged was full of grief and disappointment; how did he let himself get tagged, when he was running so fast. Franky was grinning like a little kid, which he was, and patted him on the back. -Come on now, don’t be sad, everyone gets tagged eventually- he said and smirked. Bryan nodded, but was still a bit sad. -Let’s play something different, I’m bored from Tag- replied the boy and sat on the pavement on the curb of the street. While doing that, two other kids came by them, it was Jessy and Kenny. -Oh hey guys, what are you up to? – asked Jessy and looked at Bryan who wasn’t up to greeting them. -Oh, we are good, this grumpy little fella, is angry at me, because I beat him in tag. The little guy looked at him with rage, and was about to cuss at him, even though he was till 8, but Jessy quickly switched the subject, and managed to somehow make Bryan calm down for a moment. -Well then, let’s play something different, something which all of us have to do something? The four boys started thinking of different games to play, but none were good for night, because the time was ticking and the sun was settling down. -I can’t think of anything anymore; I think I probably said 50 games – said Kenny and sat down on the curb as well. All of them made a group sigh, and continued to stare at the sun. All of a sudden the mother of Kenny started yelling at him to go home, but he insisted on one more game. Jessy was older enough to stay one hour extra than the others, so he was good. Bryan and Franky continued to think of something but then a bright light in the street lighted itself up, which gave an idea. -HIDE AND SEEK! –said all of them in a resounding yell. Looking at each other, the kids started laughing and finally had a plan. They quickly separated the roles and initiated the game. -Alright, Kenny is going to seek, and we tree are hiding- said Jessy and made a ready position. -Ok, 1,2, 3 ,4 ,5 ,6…- said Kenny and started counting, while the others furiously started running, looking for a hideout, in which they could be safe from the seeker. Franky and Bryan, were together for some reason, while Jessy started climbing a tree, wanting to hide in its crown in leaves. The other two boys, entered the forest behind the street, and hid behind one tree. -Stay quiet and don’t say a word, got it! – commanded the boy and looked at his brother. Bryan nodded, and took a peek, to look for Kenny, who reached his count of 50, and was ready to go. The boys, got closer, so that they can take only one tree. The elder brother was kind of uncomfortable trying to keep himself behind the tree, so he turned back, to look for another one, but there weren’t really thick enough, so he went further. -Where are you goin! Stay here or I will tell mum! – commanded the older brother, but Bryan wasn’t gonna listen to him. He was about to hide behind one big tree, but then he noticed a small wooden building. -Franky, lets hide there! – asked the little kid, but his brother shook his head and grabbed his hand. -We can’t, can’t you see, that this is someone else’s property, if we get in trouble here, it would be bad for our parents, think much? – said the brother and ended the conversation. Bryan got a bit upset because of his brother’s decision, so he pulled his hand out of his sibling’s grip, and ran towards the cabin. -Hey! – he shouted, but remembered about the game and lowered his voice, - Hey…! – he whispered. Bryan wasn’t listening and attempted to open the door. Twisting the handle, it made a screeching noise and revealed a small store room, with plastic mannequin figures, and different boxes filled with all kind of dirty rags. -See, there isn’t anyone, let’s hide here, and wait until he calls out everyone for the 10 count! – energetically said the boy and sat on top of one box. Franky grunted, but agreed and did the same. The light from the moon, was coming from the window above them, which kind of lighted the space, which was limited for a person to live. Now, since they were waiting, they began to look even further in the boxes, but didn’t really find much, except for old masks, clothes, rags, like they found in the start, and some sort of plastic bags filled with bread crusts, that weren’t even eaten. -This is…gross- said Franky and threw the bag in the corner of the cabin. Time went by, and they heard Kenny shouting, that he found Jessy. That meant that he was now able to look for us, but not say where we went. -Be quiet! – whispered Franky and Bryan nod, as he was sitting quietly in a corner of the cabin, not exposing any parts of his body to the eyes of the seeker. But then, as he was looking around, he noticed something strange. There was one mannequin that wasn’t really like the others, meaning that it wasn’t broken, since there were a lot of pieces scattered around the floor. That one in particular, was full, intact, his right hand…wasn’t even plastic, that was a real hand…holding something which shined in his eyes, the head was tilted at them, exposing only two holes…for the eyes, which seem to have nothing in them, the plastic face was like a mask which was staring at the boys the whole time… -Hey, Franky…look at that…- he pointed out the mannequin. His brother did, and suddenly froze on the spot. Now that he had seen what his little brother had pointed out, he started slowly walking towards the door. -What are – asked Bryan but his brother completely ignored him, - Shut it…follow me, and don’t ask anything…look at me…only at me…now- he said and continued to take step after step, before reaching the door. He let his brother out, and then shut it hardly. The boys ran like wild animals. They stopped by the entrance of the forest and looked back, only to see the door opening, and one of the mannequins poking its head out. It was covered with grey hair on top of the mask, and was wearing lipstick, as for the eyes…the holes were empty and the only thing in them were pitch black sockets which were locked on them, as a wide smile greeted their scared faces, and a gurgling yell, echoed in their ears. -SPARKY’S GONNA GET YA! The door then shut with force that knocked the dust out of the cabin. The two brothers breathed deeply and were too scared to even go and win the game. Their parents started calling them out, and they happily obligated, although didn’t say anything about their encounter with the man…mannequin or whatever that “thing” was. But that “thing” wasn’t done with them… Thursday Nightmares [Puppet Master] Their parents were heading out for a couple of hours, leaving the two little brothers alone in the big house. It wasn't the first time they had to stay home alone, but since their accident 1 month ago, or should we call it encounter...they were a bit scared to even play far from their house, rather to staying home alone, that was kind of a chance for them to do whatever the two little boys wanted which was a con, and a big one, although of course their mother was strict about eating more than they had for dinner. -We promise mom, we won't have nothing more! - said Franky and crossed his fingers behind his back. Jenna looked at the younger one, who obeying-ly nodded his head, but saw his brothers hand, and grinned devilishly. -Alright boys listen to what your mother ordered and don't play too much, got it? - asked John and hugged them both. Then the two adults left the house, headed for the old Ford, started the engine and took off to their friend’s house. Now, the brothers were alone, and had the opportunity to cause all kind of havoc. -Listen Bryan, we have 3 hours to finally beat that game of yours, if we can’t, we won't have the opportunity to do it again, since our daily playtime is only 1 hour, and now we have 3, so you go get the console, I will set up the table and bring the snacks-said the elder one and headed for the kitchen, while Bryan for the basement. Their "play" room was located in the basement, and it was only logical for the boy to be kind of frighten to go there alone. Switching all the lights on, he untangled all the wires, then safely unplugged the big switch and took the console itself, with the game already in it. The whole time he did that, a knocking like sound was starting to echo around the premises. Bryan looked around, thinking it was Franky who was pranking him, but it wasn't him. The boy quickly rushed up the stairs and closed the door with a bang. -Hey man, can you be a little more quit, you'll wake up the neighbors! - scouted the elder brother. -Sorry, there was...something like a knock, coming from the door leading to the backyard...-replied the young one and looked behind him, as if expecting to see someone opening the door leading to the basement. Nothing happened and Franky giggled as he began setting the bowl full with potato chips, one big bottle of strawberry soda and a plate with two pieces of bread smoothly covered with peanut butter. Bryan completely forgot about his knocking problem and began installing the set-up for tonight’s game night. When everything was set, the boy handed the second controller to his big brother, and they began slaying down monsters. One hour went on and the kids were enjoying every single bit of their experience. Having to play two additional hours straight was epic, at least for today. Smashing the buttons and yelling when they made silly mistakes the boys continued to beat level after level, until they reached the final stage of the game. -Alright, we are in for the final battle with the Dark Clown Prince of Nightmarish Darkened Dreams, or for short the Final Boss! Are you ready Bryan? - asked the bigger one and looked at his Bro with excitement, - Yes! - he simply replied and they clicked the start button to respond. And so the battle raged on. The soda quickly began to drain, as the chips were nearly eaten. The boys were bashing those buttons, making sure they get the so precious victory, tied in the bag. Franky finished the boss, hitting the attack button. The boss was defeated, and the boys stated cheering in response to the end of the game. -That was quite the hard game, right? - asked Bryan and sipped from his soda. Franky shrugged his shoulders and also sipped. -I wouldn't call it that hard, but we didn't really get the chance to practice, although we did beat it-explained Franky and smirked, proud of their accomplishment. The boys then cleaned everything up, and now, when the living room was all cleaned up, they sat on the sofa and started watching TV, waiting for their parents to come home. -Let's watch a scary movie, when dad and mum come back, we will greet them, and then go to sleep-said the bigger brother and started looking for something. Bryan wasn't really okay with the plan, but if he was going to be with him, there wasn't really anything to do than that. And so they continued watching the TV for 30 minutes, and it was getting late, passing 11pm. Franky was dozing off in the realm of Morpheus, while Bryan was hiding behind a pillow, trying to avoid the scary parts of the movie, he was tuned in for. It was getting time for their parents to come back, but the movie, was both a mixture of curiosity for the little kid, and a frightening scene from his nightmares, but his determination was getting the better of him, making him stay on his seat, glued down like a cat on a toilet. While watching though, he began hearing different noises, apart from the TV, coming once again from the basement. The lights in the living room and kitchen, weren’t off, so he wasn’t really that scared to just open up the door, check if there is some stray cat or rat making some ruckus, and then climb back on the sofa and continue watching his movie. That seemed like a strategy, so he slowly got off from the comfy furniture and headed towards the door. Opening it, he didn’t really see anything in the shadows, but did notice something…moving. Looking a bit more focused, he took a step further, and further, until he was midway through, and then he saw him, standing or, trying to keep himself from falling. It was a man wearing a white piece of rag, he had broken down the wooden door from the backyard, and was now standing in the middle of the room. His features were…distorted from the very start. His hands were made of plastic, like a mannequin, while his body was a human’s although he was missing a leg. And to top it, his face was covered in something like a mask on the right cheek, which was also made out of plastic. His eyes, were widely opened, but there was nothing inside of them, just pure darkness staring at the little boy’s soul. -Well then I have to admit, you really have some nice hearing abilities little friend, but let me tell you, that if you didn’t confront me here and now, you would be dead by the time you even scream, just because I am that…of a heartless bastard- said the man so rapidly, that Bryan didn’t even understood most of it, - But now, as you are standing here, I shall give you a choice, because Sparky, hasn’t eaten in quite the while, and when Sparky is hungry little friend, there is no escaping from his sight…hehe…- he said, this time a bit slower, but giggled at the end like a little child, - You will go upstairs, and tell your brother that I’m coming…and believe me little friend, when I get to you, you’ll regret ever playing hide and seek again…because…SPARKY’S GONNA GET YA! – he screamed with all his air, and launched at the little boy who completely blacked out. The man although wasn’t that fast as he claimed he was, since he attempted to grab the boy’s hand, but he snapped out of the dreadful state he was in, as the tears were rolling down his eyes, and quickly ran upwards, making the man chance him. Bryan entered the living room, slammed the door and locked it using the small key. Franky was wide awake and confused, but Bryan didn’t explain anything, because a big bang on the wooden door, kind of explained the situation. -Come on, let’s go- said the elder one, and leaded him upstairs to their room, locking it. When the two boys were alone for a moment, Bryan bursted in tears, crying out of fear. Franky hugged his little brother and tried calming him down, but that made him worry for their survival, knowing that man was going to come knocking on their door as well. -Listen Bryan, we need to escape somehow, jumping from the windows is too far, but if we can climb up from the attic, and then use the tree from backyard, we could possibly make it possible- explained the brother trying to drive some sense into him. It was possible, because the tree was big enough for them to jump on its branches and then slide down, from that point on, they could call the neighbors or something. The little boy agreed on executing the plan, so they started pulling the ladder, which was located outside of their room, just by the staircase. The banging on the door for the basement was resounding and they could navigate themselves and know where to hurry. Franky was carefully pulling the ladder downwards, while Bryan was looking at the door. One more bang, and the door was broken from the lock, making it swing open, revealing the man who grinned to ears. -children…SPARKY IS HOME! – he manically shouted. Sparky quickly started climbing the stairs, although not having one leg was kind of a burden, although his hands were helping, using them just like a dog, trying to catch some prey. Just then, Franky completely pulled the ladder, and made his brother climb it up. Bryan did as he was said so quickly and agile, that Franky had to catch up to him. They started pulling the ladder up, so the man could not climb it, but he was quicker. Grabbing the final step, he pulled it down with one motion, and the ladder completely fell. Now, after he climbs it, it would collapse, not letting anyone down. -Oh no! – yelled Bryan and again fell in shock, but his brother was awfully calm about their situation, although in the inner parts of his mind, he was straight up terrified from this scenario. -Come now, let’s break down the window and not waste much time! – he ordered and started kicking the wooden hinges, but they were quite strong for their age. -HELP ME OUT! – now yelled the brother, and Bryan, still wiping his tears away, began kicking the hinges. They started to give in, and eventually, after the 7th kick, they broke, making the window fall outside. Bryan got excited for a moment, then a hand grabbed his shoulders, and pulled him to his side, as the fingers grabbed his throat and began choking him. Franky launched himself at Sparky, who dodged him, by swinging his arm, slapping the boy out of this world. He fell on the ground and started crying. -Well then little friend…you weren’t so lucky this time were you…having to see yourself in this kind of moment, what are you thinking…I really wish to know you last thoughts, because this kind of things keep me up at night…trying to figure out what the dying prey wants from its predator…knowing you will dream of this moment and remember me…even in the afterlife…- he said and pushed him to the window, showing him how far it was till the ground,- you see, I don’t do this because I have a motive, or a certain task in mind…I do it because I simply love the feeling of chewing the fresh flesh out of the decaying body of a small human bag…who’s life hasn’t even started yet…So…little friend, I guess this is goodbye…- he said and tighten the already tight grip, and began tossing the body of the boy, whose lips were turning blue from the absence of air in his lungs. Bryans feet were about to fly, but his savior came just in the moment. Franky, using an old wooden chair, smashed the head of the psycho. He fell on the ground, and the plastic part on his face fell, exposing a huge hole in his cheek, revealing his perfectly black teeth. The man was angry, because he growled furiously and barked viciously like a dog sick from rabies. Trying to get up on his feet, the man grabbed Franky’s foot, while the boy himself was helping his brother reach the branch on the tree. -Go on Bryan, you got this, think of it as a mission, get on the frickin tree! – he shouted and pushed him, making him jump. Just then the man pulled him towards him, but Franky kicked his face. Then he himself attempted to climb on the windows parapet, but the man twisted his hands over his spine and started bear hugging him to death. Bryan on the other hand, grabbed his brother’s hands, and started pulling towards the thick branches, which were hanging on the little boy’s weight. -Let me go, save yourself Bryan! – screamed the boy, and tears fell from his eyes out of pain. Bryan wasn’t letting go, trying to pull his only and best friend, although his little hands weren’t quite strong enough to pull his brother in. -This is my mission, I am strong enough to save you…PULL! – he screamed, and pulled stronger than ever. His courage had kicked in, lending him additional strength. The boy pulled and pulled, but Franky was getting beaten down, torn apart by that strong grip of Sparky, but just in that moment when his brother attempted to pull him one more time, he took the chance to land a massive elbow right in the eyeless hole of the man. The grip loosened and he jumped off the parapet, and with his brothers help, landed at the branch, while Sparky lost his balance and fell to the ground, completely breaking his body. The boys looked down, and saw the bloody mess of the man. His head had broken some of its plastic parts, smashing the brain to bits, as his other parts were totaled. -You did well, said Franky and hugged his brother, who again started crying out of relief. That pest of a man is gone…and gone for good, though Franky and again looked down, seeing his reflection from the street lamp, right in the red-ish blood, flowing out of his twisted body. Sometime later the police arrived, along with their parents. The neighbors were already there, since the screaming of the boy woke them up. According to the police, that man wasn’t nowhere in the records of the town’s residents book, but they had known him for quite some time now, although the only thing they could possibly say about him, was that he was a human experiment of a serial killer, who wanted him to act like a dog. That was enough for the family of the two boys to move out, the following week, and go to a different part of the country. Which was better for the kids, who would forever dream of the day, they played Hide and Seek and met the Puppet known as Sparky. Thursday Nightmare [Change of Hearts] It was a dream of his to go camping in the woods with his parents, but due to having a lot of school work, along with their work, it was quite hard for them to camp out for more than a night. Jared wanted to stay a week or at least 3 days in the wild, which was enough, but his father didn’t have the time to take him and his mother there, so what did he do? I will tell you. The final bell for the day ranged and the students furiously left the class room and headed for the main gates. The young man waited for his best friend Karl to come by, so he can share his idea. The other youngster didn’t really look like one, more or so, he had the resemblance of a 50-year old man, who just escaped the retirement home. His face was wrinkled, and his eyes got dark spots under them, along with the fragile body of his, which looked like it was gonna fall apart any moment, while in difference with his friend, Jared looked like a professional football player, having a strong and tight body, and well kept up face, no visible pimple or wrinkle, despite Karl, who didn’t have a free spot on his cheeks. -What’s up, you have something in mind for the weekend? – asked Jared and curiously looked at Karl who slowly walked towards the front gates of the school. The man didn’t response for a moment, contemplating what to say, but then looked up at his friend and shook his head. -Nah, my schedule is clear…do you have a plan? – said Karl and again looked forward. -Heh, well since your “schedule is clear” I suggest we gather some provisions and head to the woods, what do you say? – asked Jared and pleaded. -No! – replied Karl and completely dropped the subject leaving Jared hanging. He felt a bit disappointed, but wasn’t gonna give up just yet. After he came back home, he started texting him about all the exiting stuff that might happen while they are out in the forest, although Karl still wasn’t interested. The young boys exchanged text after text, and 3 hours later, Jared had finally succeeded in making his friend join him in the trip. Karl had to give up on the idea to sleep in his comfy bed, and lay on the rocky wand, but if that was needed for stopping Jared, then it was kind of an easy task. The next morning the young boys headed to the woods, and found one of the best camping spots in the whole area. It was located deep in the woods, but it didn’t really matter, since Jared was using the Jeep his father loaned for this time. The friends entered the fields at early 8:00 o’clock. Parking the car they started preparing their tents, in which they were gonna sleep. Jared had suggested to bring the bigger tent so they can fit in one, but Karl had insisted in bringing his own. -Well, what do you have in mind now, we are here? – asked Karl and placed one of the metal sticks on the ground and harshly nailed it down with a mallet. Jared took two fish rods and hanged one to his friend. -Well, for starters we will secure the food for lunch and dinner, and then we will see, there are a lot of things we can do here- replied Jared, already done with his tent. -As you say, now help me out! – He ordered and laughed. After they finished setting up everything, the two students quickly headed down on the small cliff on which the camp was located. The little river crossed between the two camping sights, which were owned by the same person. On the other side, there was something like a big rock with a hole in which an animal could fit. -Do you think there might be something in the cave? – asked Karl and focused on the small hole. Jared also looked at it, but waved his hand with a “never mind” gesture. -I don’t really know if there is even something inside of it, but don’t really care either way…- replied Jared and sat on the ground. -Yea…-said Karl and sat beside his friend, while continuing to stare at the small hole of the rock. They threw the bait in the waters and waited for a bite. The fishing continued for hours, until they filled the two buckets with small fish, they were gonna fry and later on eat. The boys were relaxing from all the unnecessary stress the school had placed on their shoulders, and having this weekend at the woods was a good spot. Relaxing indeed, until we reach the point in this story where it becomes a nightmare… Hours had passed, and the sky had already turn dark. The boys had started a camp-fire nearby the tents and were roasting the fish they caught. The fire was burning happily and brightly, while the two boys were sitting on fallen logs from the past. It was really calm and chilling, to stare at the dancing flame and see the images that it paints, awhile eating the food you caught yourself. Jared pointed at the fires and started telling what he was seeing, but Karl wasn’t even paying attention to anything. -Hey, are you even listening?! – asked Jared and fiery looked at his friend. Karl again didn’t say anything, but was staring at the hole of the big rock, at the other camp sight. His mind was stuck on it, like glue on fingers. Something about it, was giving him ideas…horrific ideas, which if heard, would lock him up and paint his image as a murderer. -HEY?! – shouted Jared and pushed Karl, who looked at him with fear and shock. He spat under his shirt and shouted back. -What the heck man, you scared me? What’s your problem? – asked Karl and kind of sat on the log, ready to head off somewhere. -You weren’t responding to my questions, and I felt ignored, that’s why…-replied Jared and felt a bit ashamed of himself. -Of course you will feel ignored when people don’t give their attention to you- said Karl and looked the other way… -Excuse me? -Don’t play dumb, you only talk with me, because we grew up together, but let’s be clear Jared, you aren’t really my friend, you are trying to get the attention of the whole class, no, the whole school, and you expect everyone to like you, despite the attention hungry prick you are…-explained Karl with a blaming voice, full of pain. There was a lump stuck in the throat of the young man, who felt hurt from the words of the other. -So you really think this way, huh? –asked Jared and felt his voice becoming cold and annoyed all of a sudden. Karl didn’t look at him, but stood, and so did Jared. His eyes were piercing him from top to bottom, but his friend was giving him the cold shoulder. The better-looking boy felt an aggressive wave of words coming out of his mouth. -You know what…you are a fucking loser Karl, a piece of garbage which doesn’t even understand the word “depressed” because you are so hideously given up from life, that you don’t even see the things that are clear and shining, you always call the white, black, and that won’t change, because that wound you suffered from the news that your parents were killed won’t heal anytime, unless you figure out the way you look at life itself…so don’t give me the bullshit of me wanting attention, because I was always there for you in every-single dark moment of your childhood, but you never acknowledged it. In other words, you are a depressed complainer…- said Jared in one breathe and saw how his friend’s eyes expand from hatred. -SHUT UP! – yelled Karl and launched himself at him. Jared was faster and stronger, so he quickly leaned to the right and tripped his friend. Karl dropped on his face, and a bruise appeared on his forehead. That wasn’t gonna stop him, so he quickly stood up, and attempted to land another punch, but Jared ducked, and landed a knee in his stomach, followed by a uppercut to the chin, which completely stunned his friend turned enemy. Karl wasn’t getting up, so Jared kneed to see if he was alright, and just then he quickly rose and head-butted Jared, who fell back, but quickly stood up, holding his forehead with one hand. Karl reached up to the back of his boot and took a small pocket knife, which shined from the fire, exposing it to the soft air of the forest. -Don’t do anything stupid! - warned Jared and pointed at the knife. -DON’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO! –shouted the enraged teenager and launched himself, knife forward. Jared grabbed his wrist, right before the knife reached him, and twisted it, making him drop it, then pulled his arm to him, spinning him in place, then punching him in the jaw as hard as he can. Karl fell and didn’t get up anymore…Jared, checked his pulse and felt that he was alive. -So long, bitch…-he whispered and started unwrapping the tent. After a 10-minute struggle he brought everything inside the Jeep, and drove off in the night, leaving Karl alone. The other boy was laying on the grass-y ground and wasn’t even trying to get up, fighting with the need to start screaming with all his lungs. What have he done? His best friend now hated him, all because he went on and said that stupid thing he heard one person saying about him...he really was a sore-loser…but then again…Jared did insult him, calling him a complainer and a bitch, also mentioning the fact that he can’t even think about anything positive, just because the memory of his parent’s loss was hunting him to the point of exhaustion. He was angry…quite angry in fact…tears out of rage started falling on his cheeks, and the sound of the small river kind of made him relax…and just as he was listening to the song of the nature, a hand picked him up, making him freeze out of shock. -Hey…! – he said but looked at the huge person that was holding him. The man had a really massive figure, and looked quite young, with long brown hair and piercing green eyes. -if you wish to kill me, do it…-said Karl and completely gave up on life. -I’m looking for food, if you can find me food, I will let you go…if not, then I will kill you, then eat your heart for dinner…-replied the man, holding Karl hostage, while keeping a straight un-blinking face. Karl furiously started thinking, and then grinned for ear to ear. -If you help me, in return I shall bring you food from this day forward, until I die- said the man and looked into the eyes of the unknown person. -I will do as you wish- replied the person and dropped Karl on the ground. -Well then…there is this one person that I wish to die… 2 Weeks later. -Hey Karl, have you seen Jared lately, he hasn’t come to school for 2 weeks now? – asked a girl friend of Jared’s. For a moment the boy was stunned, but then kind of managed to keep a straight face, trying to fight the need to grin, and said: -Ah…I really don’t know…maybe he is still lost in the woods? – he mumbled and continued to his desk while giggling quietly. The current night, the news of the small town reported that the police had found the dismembered body of a 19-years old male, scattered across the whole forest. The first victim of many to come after him. Thursday Nightmare [The Ritual in the Forest] Walking among the bushes and its thorns, I was aiming to finally escape this thick and endless forest I was trapped in without my agreement. "Go and gather mushrooms" - said mother, giving me a huge basket to eventually fill. That at first was kind of interesting, but after gathering a few shrooms, they seemed to vanish out of the blue. The whole area around our house was usually stacked. -Go inside of the forest then, try not to pick poisonous, alright! - she commanded and send me back at the forest. And now as I try to avoid getting pierced by the small little Devils, I finally reached one area which I knew for certain that a large portion of mushrooms grew. My legs were quite tired though, so I decided to sit on the comfy grass and relax for a moment or two. Bending my knees, I laid on the tree which was near the little horny road, from which I came from, and closed my eyes, enjoying the piece of the calm and beautiful nature, which was the Forest. Seconds passed quickly and when I opened my eyes, the sky was already dark, and the basket with mushrooms was still half full. And when I thought that I was in trouble i saw that there was a little wild cat, eating the mushrooms. -Hey you, get away buddy! -i said and gently pushed the little guy away. And just when I did, his to be mother emerged from the bush on my left, quickly captured the basket with its mouth and both mother and child, took off. I got up and launched myself after them. It still wasn't that dark enough to not see, and the little guy wasn't really keeping up with his mother, which gave me the advantage of running behind it, so I can catch the basket. The kitten stopped by a bush and entered it without any hesitation. That showed me where I had to search so I tried to sneak to it, without causing any noises. -Aha! - I pushed the bush enough for me to grab the basket from the unsuspecting cat and got away to a safe distance. Smiling victorious I looked at the remaining mushrooms and with utmost disappointment saw that all of them were bitten from. I took a big breath, then a sigh and handed them back to the cats. Now, without any mushrooms, my mission was to collect as much as possible in the remaining 30 minutes, since I calculated the remaining time left for dinner. I had to be quick... as a cat. And so, I went and tried my best to look for mushrooms, but there weren’t any of them around that spot, which led to me going in even further in the forest, and that was going to cost me quite the showdown with mother, but I was going to complete my mission, even if it meant not eating for dinner. And just then, I saw a bunch of them, simply shaking from the weak breeze. Quickly falling on my knees I started gathering them carefully, trying to recognize the ones that were alright. During my speedy collecting, I was hearing a strange humming like noise coming from the distance. I focused on it, not to say that I didn’t, and forgot about checking the mushrooms, seeing as they all looked alright. The noise, or should I say, voice was a girl’s, and it was getting louder the more I started to realize that it was coming from behind the small log, from whom I was collecting the shrooms. Taking a small peak, I saw something to hunt me, or so I though. At first I was kind of shocked, but then the image of a woman, wearing all white, with pitch black hair which was mixing with the darkness surrounding her sitting on the ground. Her skin was purely white, and even kind of shined, from the rays of the moon, which had suddenly appeared in the cloudy sky. She was singing some song which I didn’t really understand, but for a fact I knew, that it was really pretty, coming from her mouth. And just when I was about to approach her, something caught my eye. There was a slight silhouette of a man, or person laying on the ground. There wasn’t anything more to it, because it was too dark to see, but just as I thought about it, 7 candles lighted up instantly, as the woman stopped singing, and finally opened her eyes, as they were closed all this time. They were…white, nothing but white. Her face was beautiful, but her eyes were kind of creepy to be honest, although, now that there was light illuminating the scene, I managed to see the man, now confirmed, laying on the ground, with his…torso cut open. A large gaping hope was revealing his organs, intestines and all kind of messy things inside of our bodies. The woman looked pleased to see that, and happily started eating a bit of his ribs, ripping the meat out of the man, like a hungry lion wanting to devour its prey. She was vicious and was happy about it. Her face and dress were covered in the metallic smelling blood, perfectly red. For what seemed to be 10 minutes she was eating the man, who was previously killed someway. Then after finishing she lifted her hands up, and started saying some kind of indescribable words. The lights from the candles started burning even brighter, causing a black fog to arise and mix with the remains of the dead person. The gap in his stomach was filled, and it started spreading around in his body, eventually covering it in smoke. The thing inside of the man was alive, and was trying to take over the body, and claim it as his. The being was synched with the man, and it looked like…a black monster, with two white circles as eyes, and a huge mouth. It rose up and made a resounding, gargling growl, that shook me up to the bone, making me snap from the confusion and shock I was stuck in. My body was pulsating, from fear? Maybe, but I was too afraid to just take off, I wasn’t gonna give myself up to that monster, no way I was about to just do it. But then, as I was about to slowly turn around, somebody whispered in my ears something, which send a chill down my spine. -Do you want to join us? My mommy will kill you quickly, with no pain… Now I turned with the most horrific thoughts in my head, and they were correct. A little child, looking exactly as the woman, was standing in front of me, smiling innocent-ly. I completely booked it, and took off in the forest. I had gathered my mushrooms, and wasn’t going to plan on staying there and be a part of any of their plans. While running, my heart was beating faster than ever, and as I realized that I was being chased down by that monster it started running as fast, as me. Jumping over logs and bushes, I made my way through the thorny path and finally managed to escape the forest. The smoke monster was right in the exit, but wasn’t leaving it. I looked back, and saw my mother approaching me from the house, then back at the monster, but it was gone. She stopped and immediately placed her hands on her hips. -Where were you?! – she asked, but I ignored her, - do we have holy water? - I asked and handed her the basket. She was stunned for a second, but then went pale, seeing me with frighten face. -How further did you go in the forest… - I didn’t- How further!?- she screamed. I didn’t really want to tell her, but then she just closed her eyes and started saying a prayer. -Did you meet her? The witch? – she asked. I managed to gulp and slowly nod my head to her horror. Now she was really pale, and I had to take her hands so she doesn’t fall over. -Do you know who she is or, what she was doing? – I asked, looking as afraid, as her. It was her turn to nod, and she slowly, but shakenly explained. -That is the “Dead Witch from the Forest”, known around this village. She died more than 120 years ago, and has something like a ritual. Whenever someone enters her territory, she kills him, and turns him into a monster, which monster hunts the last person to ever anger her. I was taking a big breath, and then I relaxed, because I didn’t really do much to anger her, but then again, that thing was chasing after me. -How can I protect myself? – I asked a bit relieved. Mother didn’t answer, just hugged me and again began praying. Fear continued to unleash itself within me, because…now I was the one who last saw her, and enter her territory. The monster was after me. -And the monster is going to catch you! – said mother, and slowly looked at me. Her perfectly white eyes were staring into mine, which never saw anything again. Thursday Nightmare -HotEL(L)- Cutting the power of the engine the vehicle stopped, perfectly parked on the parking lot. The old car had traveled quite a lot of km/s. to get to the objective, which was to deliver a package. Although, it wasn't the car that delivered it, but the man behind the wheel, Ken. The young and ambitious man crossed cities to deliver a secret package with unknown substance. His boss gave him that task, which the man gladly took, hoping to finally get promoted after it ends. But the thing was, he got pretty tired looking for the said spot he had to meet with a man, a friend of his boss. Giving him the wanted delivery, the receiver just vanished, the way he had arrived, Out of nowhere. And during all those things, time had passed quickly, stopping at 9:30 pm. -Sigh... Ken didn't want to travel for another 5 hours, on top of that, during the late hours of the night, which made him park by a small local hotel, located... literally on the road. Looking back at the direction he came from, he was in a really small village, that didn't offer much excitement, then the old bowling center, which was in fact closed for 10 years due to very low percentage of civilians living in the village. And at this point, going to rest until the morning was the best, and probably only option for him, but it wasn't gonna turn out the way he was imagining it to be. Leaving the old Mercedes that his boss landed him, Ken approached the small hotel, and noticed the letters that were shining on top of building, like every hotel on the planet. Although, some of the letters weren't even on, spelling only "H", "E" and "L". -HEL, eh? Why not he mumbled to himself and entered the building, waiting to hear the bell or some sort of ring to announce his arrival, but none of that happened. There was nobody at the reception either, just an empty lobby, hugging the tired Ken. The man got closer to the front desk, and noticed a pile of keys stacked in a basket. Just by it there was a message written with a tired pen craft: "If you want a room, take a key" Reading it, he smiled out of his luck. He touched the basket, but then noticed the small lock, which was preventing him from opening the lid and taking a key. On top of it, there was a small metal plate covering the keyhole. -Nice...couldn’t you have at least left a key...-he said and rolled his eyes. Looking back at the note, he turned it around and saw the P.S "Single Room - 40 dollars per day Double or Triple - 30 dollars per day. Leave the money inside of the cash desk and you will understand" Ken followed he instructions and found the button to open the case. It was empty, but there was a small key inside of the rows. Picking it up, he left the money in and closed it. The lock on the basket made an unlocking sound. The lock had opened the metal plate, and revealed the keyhole. -Such a puzzle... - he said and pushed the small key, turning it and unlocking the basket. Now, which key was he to pick? Fortunately, there was at least a board behind the desk, which showed all the rooms and the keys. The ones in the basket were the spare ones. -Okay now, 102, 103, 104, 105 and 106 are taken, which leaves me only room 206 on the second and final floor. He searched and found a blue key, whit a white sticker on top of the rubber. "206". -Well, to room 206 and beyond! - he said and laughed quietly walking towards the elevator which was for some reason there, and was out of order. Even more frustrated with the shape of the hotel, he turned left and started climbing the staircase leading to the second floor. -What a day-said the man and stopped in front of the door to his room. What a day indeed. Ken entered the small room which smelled like an old wooden wardrobe. There was a small bed in the center of the room with two small nightstands. Beside the left stand was a lamp, that was most-likely broken by the years. On the left of the bed, beside the wall was a fauteuil, placed looking towards the little coffee table which a little to the left of the bed. The man placed his backpack with computer equipment and switched on the lights, which didn't really emit light, just a faint shining without the illuminating ray. Taking off his coat, and hanging it on the hangers, Ken headed towards the bathroom, located to the right of the bed. The light there didn't even work, so the man was limited with light, but that wasn't really needed, since washing your hands didn't require much. While doing that, he noticed by the reflection of the mirror, that the bathtub was filled with water. "Such a welcoming gift" he thought to himself, and stopped the sink. And just then, that noise that changed everything happened. Ken popped his head a little bit and didn't really see much. The lamp had collapsed from its own weight, which was what caused the noise. The man started undressing himself, when another noise, this time louder, echoed through the room, followed up by a screeching sound. Now this was annoying, though Ken and again looked, and again...nothing. Was his mind playing silly tricks on him, or was he hearing those strange sounds? He was tired too, which could possibly contribute to his paranoia. But another final noise caught his attention, and when he furiously entered the bedroom, he was caught off guard...by another man, standing there, in the very middle of the room, staring, staring I his soul...staring, with pure black eyes. The imposter was dressed oddly, actually he wasn't really dressed. His feet were bare, and his toes were bleeding, as his upper body was naked. The lower body was hopefully covered with some ageless dirty and torn jeans. His face was more...interesting than the rest of the descriptions. Having a clean buzz cut, his eyes popped out easily. Ken was looking at him, while the man was staring directly into his mind. -Who are you, do you need something? - finally asked the tired man, and instinctively strengthen up his body. The other man didn’t reply, he reached for something in his back pockets, and when his hand grabbed it, the man revealed a long machete like blade. -Kill...eat...repeat...you are in the hotel, known as HELL. KILL... EAT... REPEAT... YOU ARE FRESH MEAT! - replied the man, with a loud and beastly voice, which resounded in the room. Then the man accelerated towards Ken, who was fixated on the machete and saw him coming just as the blade was about to pierce him. He attempted to move away but tripped himself and fell in the bathroom, with the blade only cutting his hand, with which he managed to push the weapon away. -Oh my God! - screamed Ken and attempted to stand back up. Placing a hand on the bathtub he lifted himself and then saw what he didn't before. The 'water' he saw earlier, wasn't water...it was blood, from the dismembered body of a female, although he couldn’t really know as the head was missing. -Jesus frickin Christ- again screamed Ken, looking up the murdered who was watching him widely. -You are next! - said the man and licked his lips, while staring into the man. As he said that, the maniac launched himself at him, but Ken managed to move away just in time, grabbing the old man’s shoulder and pushing him in the hard ceramic bathtub. Standing up the man crossed the room in a minute managing to see the large whole behind the wallpaper of the very wall from which the man perhaps entered the room, and left without grabbing his coat or shoes. Ken marched out the room, holding his bag with equipment and ran down the stairs. As he was passing the staircase, a door in between floors opened, and an old looking lady grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer. -Get inside quickly, you will be safe here! – she ordered, and Ken didn’t really get the chance to reply, because she literally shoved him in the room, which was only illuminated by one barely handing bulb on the ceiling. The young man was breathing heavily and his arm was kind of itching for a scratch. -Are you okay, that man surely attacked you?! –asked the woman and grabbed his wounded hand. -I’m alright, but…who are you, or who’s that person that tried to kill me?! – asked Ken looking hysterically at the old woman, who’s features were barely visible. She shook her head and looked in his eyes, with her seemingly brown pair of irises. -That man is the owner of this hell, and I don’t really know what he wants from the people that are sleeping here…I mean I can guess why he kills them, but I am not sure why he like’s doing it… -He mentioned something about meat- said Ken, still looking shocked. The old lady smiled, or so it seemed and looked at the wound of the hand. Her pupils expanded, just like a cat looking at something tasty to eat. The lady got closer to the wound, which had bled for a solid minute, and dry blood had stained his fingers. That seemed appetizing for her, which was why she licked them. -Hey, please answer my question?! – said Ken and disgustingly pulled his hand away from her. By doing that, he enraged the good twin of the duo. She pushed him with all the force in her, power which no old pensioner possesses. Now her features were visible by the light, which was illuminating the room, but she smiled and switched on another switch, which triggered a blinding light, until it calmed down, and started shining normally. Ken was holding his hands up to the head, and when he finally looked at her, he was kind of terrified. Her eyes were…black and grey at the same time, she was blind, although was moving like she knew where she was going. The white gust of hair was casually hanging on her sides, as a dirty and matted strand of hair flapped around her eyes. Her clothes were normal, appearing to be like grandma’s clothes, but her look, and the grin she had pierced every sense of Ken and told him to get the fuck out there. Then, the grandma reached to get something, and pulled the same looking machete from bellow her skirt. -You…are one unlucky young man…from all the places…you chose HELL…and you know what happens when you join hell? – she asked and pointed the blade at the sitting Ken, whose bear feet were stone cold, and his mind was filled with fear, starting to move backwards with his muscles, but something stopped him. Another doze of dread quickly spread through him, as a cold hand grabbed his neck and pulled it towards the ceiling, as an even colder steel touched his throat. His eyes saw the bodies of men and woman, hanging from hook chains. They were so well gutted; not even god could know who that person was. They were like meat for sale…or, meat for food, for the…people in the hotel. That was the last thing he ever saw, as the hand of the crazy old man moved viciously, painting the floor with a lovely type of red. -They die…they all die…and we eat…their…meat…-said the crazy man and answered the question of his sister. Thursday Nightmare- [The Sweet Sound of Death] The weather was once again purely turned against me. Water was falling out of the sky, as if little gods were throwing water balloons from the clouds. The rain was falling on the umbrella, taping sometimes gently, sometimes harshly, but still it was kind of a mixed emotional feeling. On one side, I was coming back from an exhausting day of work, suffered some hours locked inside an office, forced to listened to someone talking about different subjects all day long. It was really frustrating, although, on the other hand, it was relaxing and peaceful at the same time. The sound of water clashing with the soft material was making me somewhat exited to go home and rest a bit. Turning left I saw a person I knew, buying a hotdog from the street seller. He had moved the cart filled with snacks bellow an edge of a building, and had placed one of those big umbrellas in front. My friend noticed me and waved for me to join him. I walked under the big water absorbing cloth and sat beside him, on the only remaining small bench. -What's up? - he asked while chewing and didn't quite make sense, but it was understandable. -I'm good, you, hungry or what? - I asked seeing how he was devouring the hot dog. He finally emptied his mouth, greeting me with a smile. -I heard this week is gonna be a nerve wrecker at the company, you know? -Yea, the head director fired some of the managers and hired new ones, which thought about some more additions to the rules, and some of them made people quit, because basically they were locking us inside the floor we were working on, and didn't allow us to leave until the shift is finished. -That's quite Fucked up if you ask me. Good thing I'm just a regular "carry man" otherwise I would leave too.. I nodded and looked at the small puddle which was beginning to form under the small cart of hotdogs. Remembering I had to go, I got up and left my friend eating on the bench, who waved for goodbye and continued munching on his food. Now that I was closer to my block, I quickened the pace and entered the building quickly without getting myself wet from the pouring rain, which was making an even more intense noise on the metal front door. I brought the umbrella down and tied it with the lace, then headed to the elevator and pushed the button. The whole time i was hearing the sweet tapping of the rain, although I wasn't quite sure where It was coming from. Either way, the doors opened and I left it without wasting any more time. Leaving it, my apartment was right in front so I quickly unlocked the door and entered the room, and then locked it. Ahhh home sweet home, am I right? Undressing and the putting on my casual house clothes, I sat on the table and switched on the TV, waiting for the microwave to heat up my meal, which was previously stored in the fridge. When it was done, I enjoyed it while watching one of my favorite shows. When done, I took a bath and freshened up myself, as the water was cleansing me, the small drops of liquid were softly touching and engulfing my body in pure mess I loved to feel after work. There was a window inside the cabin, which I opened for the stream of the hot water to go out. The gentle sound of raindrops was once again hearable, and my senses were getting tensed up because of the joy I was experiencing. After 2 hours my shower was finished and I was clean and ready to go and chill in the bed. Putting on a clean pair of pajamas I laid on the bed, bringing one book towards me. Engaged in reading the intriguing story I forgot about the sound coming from behind the windows. It was when I finally closed the book and laid on my side, giving up from the heaviness of the weight to get back up. Once asleep though, the rain got closer to my heart and it was pure happiness for me. I was one with the water, and it felt good. How was this transcendence happening? I was fusing with the liquid and wasn't becoming one. This dream I was having wasn't real of course. It was just a fragment of the mixed reality I was living in. No other routes no different paths. Only a place on which you are forced to work and work, until you are dead. No plain living and staying in home. No, that was considered as an act against humanity and its hard working people. But honestly, nobody enjoyed this kind of work. No one wanted to sign on to the papers of the contract and establish a life ending job forever. Many did though, and many paid the price. Some tried to escape but were slaughtered before reaching the main exit. Some did escape, but eventually vanished. Now it's my turn. Getting up I placed my feet on the soft carpet and opened the door heading out of the balcony. It was morning, and it was raining like always, in this simulation of a weather. It was nice though. That was the reality of our time. Everyone was working with bad moods, no one wanted to die, which was the best example of the weather. Nature was against us, for quite some time now. My thoughts had drifted away, but the tapping of the rain brought me back. My clothes were soaked and it felt nice to get washed away by the rain. But my time was now, and I didn’t want to waste this chance. Stepping onto the big parapet I looked down and saw the little ants walking calmly without caring for anything. Those ants were humans of course, human rushing to get to their jobs quickly so that they don’t get punished. I wasn't to worry about that anymore... Leaping from the edge I spread my arms and started floating in the air descending into the waters. Everything was happening slowly, just the way I liked it. The raindrops were still tapping on me, the Joy of ending something like my life was purely out of bounds. There weren’t any more restrains in my life, no more rules, just plain emotional happiness that was filling me up. I wouldn’t have to wake up after only 15 minutes of sleep, that was the limit you had, 1 hour per day. Stress was just an addition to the exhaustion, and mixing those two together with depression, was what brought many people, like myself to end their miserable lives. Although, in the end, I always wanted to swim forever in the eternal waters of time, and now I was allowed to do it, as the speed of my body started increasing…falling down to the ground. The rain was playing a melody, and my ears were the consumers. And even then, I was happy...having to understand the sweet sound of death. Thursday Nightmare [Chess to Live] The Afterlife is a strange place. Clouds of thick mist surrounding the whole place, hiding the pretty memories of the existence that was once you. Yes…I believe I am dead, not actually sane as well, but dead. How did it happen, well I don't remember that far into my recent memories, but I do know I planned on traveling and meet my parents so we could celebrate Christmas together, but after that it was all foggy? And with that said, we are back at the place we started. The Afterlife. After some time; although i couldn't really tell the time, because time didn't exist in this parallel universe, the fog was suddenly erased, and a bright table appeared right in front of me. Looking around the place I was located in, the room itself looked like a doctor’s office, without all the posters and the desks, just plain white ceramic walls, emitting a strange white glow. The table in the center was glowing too, and just when it stopped shining, a board with black and white squares appeared on top of the table. Curious to see what it was, I got closer, by...walking? It wasn't quite walking; i was levitating towards it. As I got closer, two wooden chairs also appeared, from both sides of the table. Maybe I was to sit on one of them, as I did. The glow in the walls stopped, and as it did, a man appeared just like a blink. Faster than a mile second. Wearing a black cloak, he looked up to me, but his face wasn't visible thanks to the hood that was pulled fully downwards. Under the cloak was a gray robe with a black and white crest, with wings engraved in its back. -You've come to challenge me to a match huh? - asked the strange looking stranger and smiled, as a part of his lip moved upward. -I don't know where exactly I am, to be honest, or who am I talking with, that is, but most certainly I didn't come to challenge you- I said and moved back seeing his strong features. The head of the man lifted a bit and I could see the glowing eyes in the shadows of the hood. -You are dead my friend, and you do have a right to fight for your life... Do you think that wasting the opportunity to win it back is golden or at least worth enough for a chess match? - he said and pointed at the chess board, which I didn't even figure out in the start. As he did, two sets of Black and white figurines appeared, taking the places of their corresponding square. I was playing with the white ones and the stranger was playing with the black ones. -Well then my friend, are you willing to give it a try, you might find it quite entertaining, as for me, it's my job to guide people from the Afterlife to their place, if you wish, you may pass, and head to the "Passing" where everything ends for you, and you rest until your soul reincarnates, or, you can win this chess match, and continue living your life, what will it be? The man looked at me with his piercing blue eyes and continued staring until I gave him an answer. -Alright, I will play! - i said and sat comfortably on the comfortable chair which now had armrests and pillows for the back and bottom. -Then, let's start the game, he said and tapped the clock which appeared right when his hand pointed there. The game had started, and the man moved one of the pawns two moves forward. -Pawn to B5. I looked at the position of the other pawns and saw that I could make an offensive play right at the start. Reaching towards the pawn I grabbed it and placed it where I though the attack should begin from. -Pawn to B3. The man smirked and moved another piece. -Pawn to E6. The piece was moved and he tapped the clock signaling that the move was done. Looking at the position I was quite ready for it. -Bishop to A3- I said and tapped the clock. The man was confused for a moment and I was glad that I had a plan, but then he moved his own bishop to the place where I had placed mine and he took it. -Bishop to A3. Thinking quickly, I launched a second attack. -Knight to A3. His bishop was taken away, just like he took mine. Now he was smiling and nodded. -Good thinking, but that won’t be enough to beat me. -Well, I will try my best- I replied and looked at the board, trying to think of another strategy. After some rounds, I had taken one of his pawns but lost one of mine, but successfully defended my knight. Then after trying to bring out my Queen, I tried attacking his front pawns which still weren't used, but saw the trap he was setting up, and didn't waste my Queen. -You are quite good at the game... - I said and looked the man. He smiled, this time genuinely and nodded. -I don't really have anything to do so I can entertain myself, except chess, so I only have this, and if I do actually win, it might be cause of pure luck. -How so? -I'm not very experienced, so you can clearly win, but remember if you lose more than 10 figurines, you will lose something in your life, like a loved one, or a leg or an arm. -So, basically I have to win this flawlessly in order to have my old life back? -Yes and no, you will get to live, but will never have the same life as before. I thought about his words and nodded and looked back at the board. -Knight at A3. The man also looked back at the board and started examining the situation. The game got quite interesting as we went on. After approximately 30 minutes we were locked in with only 5 remaining figures each, going back and forth the whole entire game. His Queen and the more important pieces were gone, leaving his King and a few pawns, along with a Knight, while I had my two Rooks, two pawns and the king. His King was located at B8, and his pawns were trying to get to my zone, so that he could use them to switch one piece which I took with it. -Knight to B7- he placed the figure on the block. Looking at its position he was trying to get my Rook, but I quickly moved it forward. -Rook to E7-i said and quickly waited for him to make a move. -King to A8- he moved, but then saw what he did. -Rook to A3. The man's eyes got a bit frustrated as I did it, but now he had to move it back at B8, because I was locking him in MP (match point). -You are this close, don't mess it up! - he said and looked at me with a cheerful smile. I was kind of shocked to see him this exited over a game, but then I felt my heart pound quickly. The game was about to end with my next move, so I had to observe my actions perfectly. -Rook to D7- I said and tapped the clock, taking away his Knight, leaving him with one pawn in the defense. -King to C8- said the man and moved the King behind his pawn. Perfect, now was the chance for me to finally do something. -Rook to A7. -King to …nowhere, I skip. -Rook to C7, pawn down, mate. -King to B8- said the man and I felt the panic in his voice. -Rook to D8… I said and tapped the clock- Oh, and by the way, checkmate. The stranger looked quite shocked and amazed at the way I managed to defeat him not letting the king escape, locking him with the rooks, in an always mate position…I had only 5 figures left, which meant I wasn't going back without giving away something from me. The man got up and the table along with the chairs disappeared the way they appeared. He got closer, and now I could see a young face behind the hood, but he was still hiding it. -Well my friend, you defeated me, and you regained the ability to live, but you did lose 11 pieces, which means you will lose something, so I have the idea of taking it right now. Taking a step back from him, I borough my fists up and was ready for an actual fight with this man. -Don't worry, just stay put! He extended his hand and a ray of light pierced me, and I felt a relief, until I opened my eyes and saw the many flashing lights of police cars and ambulances, trying to keep everything calm and perfectly in tack. The man above me saw that I had opened my eyes and smiled. -The driver of the Nissan is alive! Bring the medics quickly! Closing my eyes, and exposing myself to the slight pain above my shoulder, I realized what had happened. I was driving home, when a drunk truck driver flashed his lights against my eyes. That trigger the car crash, killing the truck driver who apparently had flew out of the windshield and crashed in another car, causing a chain accident, at least that's what I was told later. And now as I was laying on the hospitals bed, not feeling anything from my left shoulder and hand I remembered the man who I played a set of chess with. He was young and looked quite powerful for his age, but then again, would anyone believe his crazy story about how he faced…god? And win at a chess game, probably no one, but he knew he fought bravely…and won, a chess game to save himself. Thursday Nightmare [Karma’s Curse] For the time I've spend living in this world, I haven't got to meet with the so called Karma. True, that you experience it, not physically meet her, and yet I haven't had any of the emotions used to describe it, until now. My entire life twisted in a 360 degree and it just stopped working entirely. All the fragrance and beauty in it, faded away and withered into a disgusting existence that stabbed me every time I felt the slight happiness passing in my veins and brain. How did it happen? This is how. 1 month before the downfall. Walking back from school I was listening to some music on the way back, cheerfully walking on a Friday afternoon, not caring about anything because it was the end of the school week and my mind was already focused on the games installed on my pc, on the food mum was going to make and on the comfortable bed on which I was about to lay in mere minutes. There were just a couple blocks and I was going to be back home, but fate wasn't gonna let me be free this day, oh no. Life always wants to tests people who don't care about anything, and my test came so suddenly, that I didn't have the time to even react to the problem. The thing was that, while walking and passing by their neighbor hood's grocery store, a man emerged from the slight gap between store and house, where people usually kept the garbage bins. He looked old and skinny, wearing tore pants and a muddy brown shirt that looked like it was thrown up on. His eyes looked sleepy, and black circles appeared under them, making his white, greasy and mated hair look like it was washed in the towns sewers. His smell was sickening and I didn't want to talk or even look at him, but he stood in front of my way, making me stop in my track. -Wait young one! - he said and extended his hand like a stopping sign. Taking of my headphones I looked at him with disgust and he saw it. -Can you share your time and help an old man buy some food for his grandkids? - asked the man and crossed his fingers, pleading. I, standing there, not knowing what to do, acted all high and mighty and completely cutted the man off. -Sorry but, I don't have the time nor money to spend on you, so if you can please leave me I would appreciate it. The man's eyes watered as my words stabbed him directly in the heart. -But, I have my own money, I can pay myself, I need someone to help me carry them, can you please do it? - asked the man and took out a 20$ bill and showed me. Getting irritated I pushed his hand out of my face, and he dropped the bill, which fell on the road. -I told you to not waste my time, I have a lot of things I need to do, my time is precious, unlike yours... - I said, but the man was already running for his 20$. Just then, he kneed on the ground and managed to pick them up, although, everything happened in a second. As the man kneed a car passed right around the corner and didn't have the time to respond, as the vehicle drove above the man breaking his neck and spine in 5 different places. The driver quickly left the car, but the man was dead on the spot. I was staring at the old man's body and couldn't believe the outcome of my actions, because rightfully, I was the one who knocked his hand, forcing him to drop the bill, which led to his eventual death. Stunned was the perfect word to describe my situation. It was like the car hit me...and with that started all. The life task has been completely ruined, and my entire world was going to be massively and utterly disgusting, fucked. While thinking about it, some noise came from my back, as I turned to see two children talking slowly towards the street. The boy saw the body of his grandpa and ran towards it, falling on the ground and sobbing sadly. The girl was still walking slowly and just when I thought I was Invincible for her, she turned and looked me directly in my eyes. -Curse…You... - she said, as her eyes showed much more than normal hatred, it was pure detest, mixed with the agony of her lost grandfather. She then looked back at the street and joined her brother. My feet were now completely frozen, and I wanted to run, fast, like there wasn’t a road that could satisfy my needs to run, but my brain had suddenly collapsed and didn't answer to any commands, as much as I pleaded. But after the fifth restart of the functions I began to run like my life depended on it, but to no avail. My tag was already glued to my forehead. I was cursed, with the curse of death. Moments after I arrived at home, I entered the bath room and sat there for 40 minutes trying to calm myself down. -Jacob, are you taking a bath, if so, you are taking way to long! - said mum, as her voice was coming from behind the door, - I want you to help me place the wine glasses on the top shelf in the kitchen! - she said again and I heard her walking towards the said kitchen. -Sigh...- I looked up and saw the reflection of my face, staring back at the eyes that once started the old man's eyes. How could a good Friday, turn into a nightmare, so frickin fast? My mind was going to erupt from all the thoughts spreading inside my head, so I splashed some water in my face and went to help mum. Although, as I began to wash my face with a towel, I heard a sound of breaking glass, then a huge thumb, that caused a small quake. My heart tightened up again, when I left the bathroom and turned left for the kitchen, only to feel the most heart wrenching gut punch I ever felt. My mother was laying on the ground, bleeding from the throat. The dishwasher was wide opened, and four big chunks of glass were laying on its surface, with the fifth being stuck in mother’s throat. Her eyes were filled with shock and panic, that she had taken of the piece, letting the wound free and spilling all the blood which was being stopped from it. The red looking metallic liquid started quickly pouring from the vein which had been pierced. She was vanishing right in front of me, and I couldn't do anything than stop the blood from spilling. Kneeling quickly, I placed my cold hands on the throat and felt the hot blood gushing from beneath my fingers. Mum was crying, screaming and pleading for help at the same time, and I was hopeless. She died 5 minutes later, as I was trying to tie a cloth around the wound. That was strike one. Life changing moment from the curse, and it was just the start. 1 week later, I was forced to move in with my grandparents, who lived close to my old house. Mom was buried and my school was informed that I will not be attending school for a week. The old me would scream from joy, but now, I was filled with grief and exhausting pain, which was wrecking my body. I've heard people say that they've experienced pain which psychically hurts, which was unbelievable, but it was the exact same thing I was feeling now. I guess the old saying of: "You start to cherish someone, when they are gone" is true. But...my curse didn't stop. Grandpa used to be a mechanical worker, fixing cars and building cars and a lot of different repairs. He was quite young for an adult when he had his first heart attack, at least 12 years, before the second one, which was yesterday. He and I were feeding the pigs, in the back garden, when he fell on the ground and started crying to call the medics. The whole night, the doctors were fighting to save his life, but exactly at 13:45 (the time I was walking back home from school), his heart stopped. From the shock of the terrible news, grandma also fell ill, but took 3 days for her heart to also pass away, leaving me completely alone with nobody to go to. My father was buried a long time ago, now I was burying my other loved ones. It felt like everywhere I would go, death would follow me, and strike those who I found dearest. That single thought was tearing me apart from inside, turning me into a lifeless scrap of existence with nothing to feel, do or even breathe. Hopeless. Present time. 25.12.2017 Now that I've shared my past, I will inform you, that I was moved into an orphanage. 2 days has passed, and it seems all the children there were fine. Some looked skinny and sick-ish but were good. I still don’t know what my future will be, so tomorrow I will talk with the Headmaster of the facility. Closing the diary, I was given to store my thoughts I looked up, at the ceiling and, stared at the white latex wall. I was laying on the upper end of a double decker bed, and began exploring my mind and its tangled webs of thoughts. Everything was so enormously twisted up, that I struggled to stop my tears, remembering the faces of my mother, grandfather and grandmother. It took me five minutes to finally calm down and notice the sobbing behind me. Then the voice I recognized to be that of the little girl echoed in my ears. -Karma...always finds a way...-she said softly, and dropped her raised hand, exposing the sharp knife from the kitchen in the eating room, to my skin. It fell and pierced me, letting me feel the pain of the steel slashing through the muscles and entering my insides, letting the already built up blood to gush out. I looked at the girl, who began to climb down the little stairs which lead to the upper bed. She was wearing a cute green dress, and her long blond hair was waving freely. "So this is how Death actually looks like? A cute little girl, with cold eyes?" - I managed to think before smiling and closing my eyes, submitting to Karma’s Curse. Thursday Nightmare [The Curse of the Library] Volume V Final "It was once again winter and the temperature was below the zero. The weather was awfully cold outside, taking in action the people who acted like the Winter Armageddon had suddenly covered the entire city. Some were so cold that stopped in front of taxi cabs, in the middle of the road, and begged for the drivers to take them home. To me that was amazingly entertaining, knowing I was inside a moderately warm place, and not lost outside in the snowy hell. Although, even if I was inside of the building I still felt rather annoyed. It was because of my work. You see, I work in a library, that is open nearly every day of the year. I was annoyed because Christmas was coming in less than 2 days, and I was stuck at work, instead of calmly watching movies at home. Knowing people were going shopping for presents while I was listing all the "Taken" books of the day, frustrated me. What was the most enraging thing about the library, was that it was quite small for a normal sized one, having only two columns, that had four rows each, with each row having 4 shelfs with 3 dividers. So that meant you could place 3 types of literature in one shelf, which wasn't completely bad, but my manager wanted me to move all the books of a single author in one side of a shelf, although, we never had all the books of a single author, making me place a book not even written by the man who wrote the ones next to it, which angered my managed, who always had a solution for that given problem. It was frustrating because either I didn't know what to do, which wasn't the case or I was simply too stubborn and bored to follow everything she asked me to do... Yea that was the thing. But let's face it, having a job that involves listing the people who rented the books from us, and then sort the entire row by alphabetical order is quite boring and sort of forgotten, knowing people these days buy books from their phones. I personally don’t like it, I’m all about reading the story from the book, feeling the hard cover and just enjoying the moment when I place it in my own shelf in my own library. But either way, I am tired. Sigh, I could be at home right now, but i wouldn’t get payed a full wage if I don't stay an entire shift. Yea, it's boring to work here. " Peter looked at the post he was about to send to his social media, when the manager entered the main hall of the library and looked at the young man suspiciously. -Were you slacking off again, huh Pete? - asked the old woman, who was quite energetic for her age. -No Meg, I was...looking at the people and their days left to return their rented books- said the young man and laughed it off. -Alright dear, make sure to turn all the lights off, and lock all the locks, alright? you can go after you are done cleaning! - she said and opened the door to leave, but looked back at Peter who was sending her away with his gaze. -Have a Merry Christmas! - said the lady and waved for goodbye before leaving the building. -You too! - said Peter and looked at the monitor's screen and continued browsing the web for 5 more minutes before deciding to call it a day. He stood from the spinning chair and headed to the bathroom, from where he got a cleaning mop and some cleaning products. Every time, after his end of the shift, he was obligated to clean the entire premises. 15 minutes later, he placed the mop and the dirty water in the bathroom and decided to check if there are books, that haven’t been brought back in the given time span. -Column 1, row 3, shelf 2, divider 1, Handy books, A-A Solution to 20 problems- here, A Way to start a Problem- here and A Problem with no Solution- here…- this will take longer than expected…I still have like, 3 shelfs, with different letters, my god…- said Peter and looked at his list with “Taken” books. John R. Mallkovih- “Arts of the fighting ways of a Samurai” Kolin J. Standoni- “How to treat your Horse better!” Jenifer L. Michelle- “Gardening for experts” Klara J. Lusiela- “Spells for novice” Peter stopped at the last book, and re-read the title of the book to make sure he wasn’t tripping. It was really saying “Spells for Novice”. Strange, in his 5 months of working in the library, he hadn’t seen a book with that sort of name, neither had he given it to someone. His shift had started in the afternoon at 2, so his colleague, must’ve given it to this mysterious girl named Klara. He looked at the shelf where the book was taken from, but there it was…at first though it looked like a black spot in the dark wood, used to build the entire column, but after taking a second glance, he noticed the edges of the cover. There really was a book. Peter extended his hand to grab it, but his attention was then brought up from the noise, behind the column. His hairs on the back straightened, but he was quick. The young man quickly ran around, and stopped in front of his desk, where no visible thing was making a single sound, except for the spinning chair, which was silently spinning. -My mind is playing tricks on me…- said Peter, and attempted to stop the rotating chair, when another sound echoed around the library. It came from the row that he had just left. Placing his hand on the backrest, he again walked towards the row, around it, and stopped right where he was just a minute ago. Now, that black spot was on the floor, and had opened somehow, like a person knocked it out of the shelf and turned the pages, so the book was split right in the middle, with both pages showing a picture of…Peter? The boy looked closely, but there was no mistaking it, it was like the author knew of his existence and had drawn him with chalk, perfectly, not missing a single detail. The worker was stunned for a moment, but then decided to turn to the next page. On the next page, there was something like a black fog, floating above the illustrated character. Peter looked above himself, but didn’t see anything, just the old lamps and the webs of the spiders from forgotten ages. The next page was different. It showed a specific row, shelf, and above all, book. Peter looked around, and headed to the second column, then entered the 1st row, shelf 2, divider 3, book starting with…C. He browsed the book to see if there were more drawings, but the rest of the pages were plain white, so he started looking around trying to see a book starting with the letter “c”. It was just in his eye sight, when he found it. A book, with a dark green material covering it. On the front cover there were golden letters spelling. C.U.R.S.E Peter looked for more details but found none. The green book started pulsating when he approached the material. The boy didn’t really know if he was scared or too much curious about knowing what was going to happen if he opens the book, but the curiosity got the better of him, turning to the first page. There wasn’t anything on the first page at the start, but after a moment, black inked words appeared on the old parchment. “If you are reading this, then I am sorry to tell you, that you’ve been cursed. And to polish this bad statement, I shall inform you, that you will never be able to witness true reality from this point on, all the things you knew, are now just a fragment of your never ending imagination, that will never cease to expand, causing your entire brain to fully operate as one thinking machine. In other words, your mind will be consumed by this library, because it was meant to happen at some point. You ask yourself, why me? Why wasn’t my colleague cursed with this, well you were chosen to be the vessel of myself. I, am you, and you are just a slight drawing, that I will finish in a bit, so don’t worry, you will still be alive, but will never die, but will be trapped in this…Curse of a world.” Peter was reading all of the text, but didn’t comprehend anything of the meaning behind the words. It was like someone had written them and left for him, as a prank, what could it be? He stood there, and decided to close the book, and leave as soon as possible, but that wasn’t going to be happening like he wanted to. As he was putting on his coat, he ran by the mirror, beside the front door, and locked himself in position, looking at his reflection, which didn’t look exactly like him. His hair, which was brown, looked blond, and his eyes, blue, looked red, along with his clothes. He was wearing a mantle, and was covered in some sort of horns around the arms. That wasn’t him, nor was he a different person. -Hello Peter- said the man behind the mirror. He was stunned, in fact so stunned, he fell on the ground and screamed out of shock. -Why now, you don’t need to be afraid of yourself now, do you? I’m just a different look, in your true self. Now that you’ve read the book, you are obligated to play my game, until you either win to live another day, or fail, and enter my position. -Who are you, and why am I talking with you?!- asked Peter, and looked the look-alike in the eyes. He smiled and nodded. -Well, I am the Devil, Lucifer, whatever you wanna call me, soon to be you. To answer why I am talking with you, well it isn’t that hard. In the past, a long time ago, this was a little church, used by non-believers of Heaven, my children. They performed rituals, and successfully exchanged their very own vessel, in order to please me. But one day, they were found out, and slaughter by the higher power, or to you, the police. It happened today, 20 years ago. And, just 3 years ago, another of my never ending children revived the tradition in exchanging a vessel in order to please me, by giving away her soul. You might know her, she drew all the illustrations on the black book, while the next vessel a year ago wrote those words of the green book. And now, on the third year of my ritual revival, I shall claim you, as my vessel…if you manage to lose that is – said the reflection, and grinned to the horrified face of Peter, who wasn’t even imagining the things that happened here, so many years ago. -So you are saying, that if I pass, I will be able to go…and you will never appear to me again? – asked the worker and stared at the glowing eyes of the beast. -If you win, I won’t, but will appear the next year, on the same day, and claim the next vessel, so…Peter, are you going to play? -What do I have to do? – asked the man, and felt the sweat on his back. -Answer my questions, honestly, I will understand if you are lying to me, if you answer all my questions WITHOUT looking behind you, I will spare you. He nodded and felt the lump stuck in his throat. -Very well then…Question 1: Have you ever, wanted to truly murder someone, and if yes, who? The reflection started looking at him with intensity, while the man was trying to start his brain. There was something behind his back, he knew it. It was crawling on the floor, and was whispering something he wasn’t able to hear, but it was giving him the motivation, to turn around so that the thing could say it to him. -Yes…I wanted to murder my father! – replied the man and felt the pain in his chest, having to admit that shameful thought. -Who hasn’t boy, who hasn’t…very well, Question 2: When did you first experience true love? Another wave of intensity slapped Peter in the face, and he tried remembering all the correct facts. The whispers behind him started getting louder, now they were just behind him, so closely, he could…slightly turn around to hear them, when the answer popped up. -When I was 17, I fell in love with a girl, her name was Daniele- answered Peter and wiped the sweat in his forehead. -Very well...-said the reflection and grinned- Question 3: Who did you hate the most in your family, beside your father! – asked the Devil and felt the unstable beating of the boy’s hearth, when he heard the question. Peter started thinking, although he already knew the answer, it was on his tongue, but he didn’t want to say it, because it meant that he was looking away from his parents, stabbing them in the backs, and giving himself to the devil, without even losing the game. The whispers behind him, were tapping him on the back, trying to pull him away from his reflection so that he can look at them, and hear the answer to the not so complicated question. They were like a storm of flies, not letting you calm down for a second. Their voices were entering his mind like little pieces of information, trying to pierce the mind. His emotions were torn between betraying his beloved, or surviving…and his answer was based on himself…just like he always has, always wanted everything for himself, not listening to others people advices, stubbornly failing in classes he could ace, just to anger his parents…it was always about him, and now he was proving him…with that very though. -I’ve always hated… my… mo-ther…- he replied, with already tearful eyes, which burned from the tears stacking up, not letting themselves to fall. -Your…mother…the woman that always loved you, and you never realized that…to that my friend, I could only kneel, because even I have a mother…even I know to respect my elders, even if they are wrong, you Peter are the true cheeky devil…and now I ask myself…Why am I portrait as a demon, when the people living in this world, are the true demons? Can you answer me this? – asked the reflection one more time, looking him, not with demonic thoughts, not with sarcastic looks, but with humanity…whatever humanity could look in those eyes. Peter was staring at his feet, and felt the tears dripping hardly from his eyes, as the words of the devil stroke hardly, piercing his heart to many pieces, because he knew that the answer was the most fucked up possible answer he could give, but he did…he did. -Why Peter? – he heard a familiar voice from behind his shoulder and couldn’t keep himself away from turning around, only to see him mother. Her eyes were glowing from the tears, and her mouth was opened, echoing the cry from the painful realization that her son never loved her. -Mom I didn’t mean it! – said Peter, as his hand approached her, but right when he touched her shoulder, his mother turned to a black fog, which went right through him. Then, his body tighten up…he turned around. That was the only thing he was forbidden to do, but in the end he did…and now, the fog that passed by him, was pulling him inside the mirror. His skin was tearing apart, pulling away was painful, but he wasn’t going to die. A chunk of meat tore apart, exposing the naked muscle to the cold air of the library. The blood started dripping, and his eyes were now bleeding from the pain. Peter was getting chopped between words, as the fog pulled with extreme power, while he himself tried to pull away from it. One of his ribs broke, making an awful sound, echoing around in the place. More pain arrived in the room, as Peter screamed from the agony. Was that the only thing he could do…die here, like a pathetic human being? What more? End his life…yes, that was the outcome, according to Peter, who had brought up the key from his pocket, the key to the library. The young man, brought it up to his throat and quickly without wasting anymore time, stabbed the key in it, and split it open. A wave of black-ish blood fell on his chest, leaving him to dry out, and fall on the floor. The fog continued to pull, gathering another body to its collection. On the other side of the mirror, the reflection of Peter was still there and looked cheerful. -You still lost Peter…- he said and vanished. When the fog completely swallowed the body of the man, all what was left of him, was the key soaked with blood, and the green book that spelled C.U.R.S.E with now new “last owner”: Peter the Sinful.
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AuthorHello, this is Nedyalko Delchev, or Black Wing. I’m a writer and currently 25-years old. One of my dreams is to publish a book and impact the world! Until then, I will be posting all kind of contend on my Story Book! Archives
September 2023
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