Haunted Closet (short story/short film)

Day 1

(Boom!!!)

Whoa, dude, watch out! You almost broke it.

I almost broke it! Your family’s weird idea for a family heirloom nearly killed me, Jordan.

You know what? Why don’t we take a short break from moving this, okay? Jordan suggested to his new roommate as they both sat in the back of the truck, resting.

So, what’s the deal with your family passing down this “ancient closet” to you? Jacob asked, pulling out two ice-cold beers from his cooler for them to enjoy.

Okay, the closet isn’t “ancient’ but it has been in my family for a long time. And, when I was younger, my family used to tell me stories of the closet and the curse it carries.

Curse? Jacob wondered.

Well, to make a long story short, the eldest child of every new generation is set inherit the closet once they can support themselves and upon recieving it they will have to show graditude, respect, and praise to the closet to be granted a wish of their hearts greatest desire in their first week of obtaining it, but if the closet it’s granted graditude, respect, and praise it deserves then it will open a portal to the underworld releasing a demon to punish them for their misdeeds, Jordan said nonchalantly.

Now that we got that out of the way, are you ready to haul the baby up a short three flights of stairs? Jordan asked.

Hearing the response, Jacob spits out his drink and says, “Three flights of stairs?” Jordan! Are you serious? Why the hell can’t we use the elevator? Jacob says, jumping to his feet and setting his drink aside.

Yeah, this complex doesn’t really have an elevator we can use to move our stuff.

And, this is precisely what happens when I leave you in charge of finding us housing! And now we have to haul this stupid ancient relic of a “closet” up three fucking flights of stairs. Jacob screams in frustration as he flares his arms and legs out in anger, knocking the closet over.

A sudden roar of dark thunderous clouds covers the skies, sending spine-chilling fear down Jordan and Jacob’s backs.

Umm, Jacob, what did you do? Jordan asked.

N-Nothing, I didn’t do anything, it was an accident!!!

Whatever, hurry and help me pick this closet up, so we can bring it inside.

Okay, Jacob said, scrabbling to help Jordan to pick up the closet and carry it upstairs to the apartment.

Dude! Whatever happened out there had to be a coincidence because there’s no way your family’s heirloom is actually cursed.

What happened out there? You did, you asshole! How could you nearly destroy something that’s been in my family for generations!!! Jordan yelled at Jacob, shoving him away.

You’re going to try to blame me, the closet being knocked over was an accident which only occurred because you decided to bring your family’s cursed closet to a place with no elevator to bring it up, you dumbass! Jacob retaliated, shoving Jordan back.

Oh, you wanna go? ” Let’s go,” Jordan said as Jacob, and he grabbed each other by the shirts and wrestled to the ground, eventually bumping into the closet, causing the lights in the house to flicker simultaneously, catching their attention.

Whoa, stop! Did you see that? Jacob asked.

Yeah, I did.

You know what, how about we give the closet some alone time to get acquainted with the apartment, and tonight we go sleep in my truck, for safety reasons, Jacob said, while Jordan and he let go of each other and slowly stood up.

Yeah, I agree, let’s go do that. Jordan spoke, wishing the closet goodnight as he left the apartment with Jacob.

Day 2

And there, finally done moving all of our boxes in, and by the way, Jordan, how is it doing? Jacob asked.

Other than your pretty vague question, the closet is doing fine, other than some minor scratches from yesterday’s fall. Everything should be fine now.

Okay then, wanna grab something to eat? I saw an IHOP a couple of blocks away from here, and I’m dying to try their new special.

For sure, man, let me kiss the closet goodbye first.

“Kiss the closet goodbye’ Jacob questioned.

Yeah, as a sign of respect to the closet, remember?

Whatever, dude, just hurry up so we can go, Jacob said, grabbing his car keys with Jordan soon leaving behind him and locking the door just as the closet door cracked open.

Three hours later...

Dude, for an IHOP, that place was busy.

I know, right-What the? Jacob said, observing the apartment.

I must be coming down with a case of dementia because I don’t remember unpacking all of our things and putting them in the exact place that we discussed the night before, Jacob said in awe.

Okay, when I left, I distinctly remember locking the door before leaving, so no one could have broken in and done this.

Jordan, quick, come look at this, all of the things we use to clean with, they been used, but by whom?

Right now, that seems to be the least of our problems. Look over there! Jordan spoke, pointing at the closet.

It’s cracked open!!!.

No, no, no, we are not doing this, I will not go down the rabbit hole of being terrified by “cursed closet’ all because of some mere coincidences, Jacob said, putting his foot down.

And, yes, I know I sound like a hypocrite after we slept in the truck yesterday, but today is a new day, and after all, it’s just a plain closet, and to prove it, I’m going to close the closet door, Jacob said, reassuring himself as he hessentaly approached the closet and slowly closed its door, until.

Without warning, a loud boom was heard, abruptly causing the lights to go out.

Oh my God! My parents were right; we disrespected the closet, and now a demon from the underworld is coming to punish us.

Shut up, Jordan, there’s no demon coming for us, it’s another coincidence we can’t explain yet.

Unexpectedly, three heavy knocks loomed at the door, startling Jacob and Jordan.