Nightfall

In class nearing the end of the day. It's 2:54 P.M. and he is talking to one of friends named Astrid. She had the same name as his cat and they joked about it. They couldn't wait for the end of class.

"Damn, English is boring."

Carl said with a yawn. It's been a quiet day.

"Yeah, how much longer of the class is left?"

Astrid asked Carl. looking down at his watch

"2:56"

His watch is only a few minutes fast. The teacher looked over at them, suddenly slapping the ruler against the board at the front of the room.

"No talking!"

Most of the class was startled. But then after a moment of silence. She goes back to writing on the whiteboard. Carl's focus shifts towards the clock. Watching the time go by out of boredom. It didn't seem to do anything.

As the clock ticked closer to 3 P.M. The class became louder. It was Friday evening and everyone was erratic. The teacher wanted to just quit right then and there. It was chaotic. Like a herd of animals running around. It was impossible to get anything done and the teacher just gave up trying to calm things down.

"Carl! How much longer!"

Astrid tried to yell over everyone else.

"3:03"

Carl responded looking back up from his watch. His heart fluttered when he spoke to her. He wanted to make a move but was always too scared to. Though he enjoyed talking to her in small conversations. Like how their week has been, or what they both are going to do this weekend. Right before he could get another word out the bell rang. Standing up Carl bumps into a kid spilling some juice over the other person's shirt.

"Hey watch it man!"

The kid said. His voice was threatening. Carl didn't say anything, instead just nodded his head and walked away. He walked with Astrid through the halls of the school trying to make it to the front door.

After getting to the front doors of the school they both took a right heading towards the sidewalk. It was kinda run down as the vines were growing on the stone walls, and the concrete tiles of the sidewalk were cracked.

"It's terrible trying to get out of there."

Carl finally says after walking in silence.

"Yeah I know, so many people bump into me."

"Oh same here. Just get shoved around."

"I'm so glad it's the weekend."

Carl doesn't say anything after that but just nods. Looking over he sees that Astrid is coming up to her road.

"Alright bye."

Carl says as Astrid waves and runs across the street. Narrowly missing a car. Continuing to walk straight he has to turn a corner as well to get back to his house. Carl hated walking; his bike broke months ago and never got it fixed or replaced. And it's at least a half hour walk back home.

As he turns the corner someone grabs onto his shirt.

"Woah?"

He says as he is swung into the stone wall. Looking up he sees that it's the kid that he spilled a drink over in class.

"Remember me?"

The kid said with a crooked and evil smile before throwing his fist into Carl's gut. He gets winded and curls over in pain. Not able to do anything, Carl gets hit again in the side of his face, cutting his eyebrow. Falling to his knees he sees someone walking across the street. They yelled at the kids that were attacking Carl. For some reason they went away.

"Are you ok?"

The old man asked, looking down at Carl.

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

He said trying to sound like he wasn't hurt too bad. Standing up he leans against the wall.

"Ok then, get home safe."

The old man said before turning around, and heading back to his house across the street. Putting a hand on the wall he starts to make his way back home.

Reaching his house safely Carl opens the door and walks in. His mother was the first to realize his wounds.

"Oh my, what happened?"

His mother asked to examine his face.

"It's nothing, I just got into a small fight."

Carl said, trying to make it sound better than it really was.

"A fight?!"

She exclaimed.

"What do you mean a fight?"

Rachel was worried.

"Really mom it was nothing. I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I am."

"Ok, go to the bathroom and get yourself fixed up."

"Fine I will."

Carl says heading towards the bathroom. It was a little dark in the house, the blinds were shut and almost none of the indoor lights were on.

The bathroom light let a soft glow of light into the hall. The light shining onto him was comforting, letting him know that nothing could hurt him there. Walking in the room was lit by a single buzzing light above the mirror. The Bathroom felt warm and cozy. Turning back to the sink he starts to put a wet rag on his face, as everyone else is getting ready to go to sleep. Walking by, Rachel peaks in.

"Don't forget to take your pills, I just thought I would remind you."

She said with a bright smile. To Carl sometimes the world appeared so vibrant and bloomy and others it seemed washed out and dull. Like if it was permanently overcast or raining. Today it seemed to be the ladder.

"Thanks ma, I won't forget."

He said in a mumble as he kept dabbing his eyebrow. Once she left Carl looked back at the mirror. Something was off yet he didn't know what. Maybe it was just him being tired, he thought to himself. Opening up the medicine cabinet he reached for the antipsychotics. There were only a few tablets left.

Opening the bottle whispers started. Voices without bodies. They kept getting louder and louder until Carl swallowed one of the pills. Then they started to become quieter and then it was silent. The voices were gone for now and nothing else felt out of the ordinary. Leaving the bathroom he shut the light off. The setting sun let just enough light in to be comfortable. Heading to the kitchen Carl gets a glass from the cupboard, the door on the cupboard looks like it could fall down any second. Filling his glass up at the sink he was still, he felt like he was being watched. Yet the curtains were closed. There couldn't be a way that anyone could see him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Turning the tap off Carl took a drink of his glass before setting it down. Heading to his bedroom it was on the third floor. He felt drowsier every step. Like he could fall asleep standing up.

Opening his bedroom door he flipped the lights on. Unlike the bathroom lights they didn't buzz like a fly. Instead was quiet.Grabbing a book from his shelf he sat down on his bed. It was now almost completely dark outside. Turning the lamp on to read Carl sees Astrid, his cat that just turned 11 now. It's funny how his cat had the same name as his friend. She is resting on the chair at his desk, watching him read. Flipping the page a knock comes from the window. Looking over he sees a shadow peer from the side of the window. It was the shape of a hand. Feeling creeped out Carl closes his book and stands up, going towards the window. Pulling the curtains apart he looks out into the night. Nothing is there. It was confusing as the knocking had to come from the window. Until he heard a voice. It was low but audible.

"Hello..."

Carl freezes and just stands there.

"I can help you..."

The voice keeps trailing off. Astrid jumps off the chair and runs out of the room.

"Who are you?"

He finally managed to say. His voice trembles as he searches the room for where the voice is originating.

"Stop looking and just listen to me..."

"W-why?"

Carl was all confused. Yet he listened. Not looking around he remained still. Listening to the voice.

"Can you hear that... Carl..."

This time it said his name.

"Hear what?"

Saying that his little brother walked into his room.

"Why are you talking?"

Aiden said, Carl's little brother.

"I'm not."

"But I heard you."

"No! I-I wasn't."

Carl let out loudly, startling Aiden.

Leaving the room Aiden looks back.

"Ok."

He says before leaving and quietly closing the door. Carl stands there in Silence just going over in his head what just happened.

"Ignore him..."

The voice had gotten stronger and less ghostly. Astrid is sitting on the sill of the window. This time a blue glow radiated from it.

"You should rest..."

The voice said as Carl felt a strong attraction to the bed. His body felt heavy and like bricks strapped to his eyelids. As he lay on his bed he looked towards his closet. The door slowly slid open. The sound of the pivots moving across were loud. Like it was up to his ear. Astrid started to meow at the closet door. As a hand crept out from the jar of the door. its hand was boney and skinny. Carl sat up, it felt like his bones had turned to lead. His eyes opened wide, like he saw a ghost. Astrid kept getting louder and more consistent. The closet door continues opening revealing a tall lanky creature. its spine protrudes outside of its back. And its grin stretched across his face. Stepping out of the closet, its bones creak and crack like old stairs or floors. It was at least 8 feet tall standing.

Looking at Carl with empty and lost eyes it finally spoke. It had a ghostly and broken voice.

"It's me Carl..."

"Who a-are you?"

His voice was nervous and unsure. A sense of dread washed over him. With a cold sweat he stood up out of bed not letting the creature out of his sight.

"You're hurt... you have to listen to me. I can help you."

A tar like liquid was left behind every step it took.

"Stop there."

It was hard to make out a sentence now. Everything was racing through his mind at once.

"Don't come closer."

Carl pleaded as it wasn't listening.

"No. You must leave now... before they find you."

"Who's they!?"

"There is no time... go now. Before it's too late..."

Walking closer, stopping only inches away from Carl. hunched over staring at him.

"Wh-where do I go?"

There was no answer, just a blank, unsettling stare. Trying to step around the creature, its skin is tight around its skeleton. It's like there was no muscle. One he got past Carl made his way to the front door. Astrid jumped down from the window sill with a thud and raced towards the door. Turning back at Carl the cat shook its head almost like a human. Too much like a human.

The bedroom door opened.

"What are you talking to?"

Carl's father said.

"N-nothing, just the cat."

"Cat?"

His father Tom asked in confusion.

"Yeah you know, Astrid?"

"No. No Carl, we have never owned a cat."

"Yeah she's right..."

Carl points to the floor to where the cat once was.

"Have you been taking your pills?"

Tom asked, tilting his head at Cris.

"Yes, of course I have."

He said in confusion as they weren't working. Turning around, the creature was gone. Was it a hallucination he thought? He took the pills, but then again they weren't working. Or were they. He didn't know.

"Carl?"

"Yeah, I'll take some more."

"Ok, yes do that."

Tom says as he walks back to his room. The room felt darker. He felt a cold hand wrap around the back of his neck.

Scared Carl isn't sure what to do.

"Don't do it..."

It was back. Haunting him in the shadows. This time sounding more malicious.

"Ok."

Carl said, closing the door. Astrid was nowhere to be seen. Turning around there it was, the same tall creature.

"Do what I say, I can help..."

it's voice was almost ghastly, demonic in some ways. All Carl did was nod. He felt frozen. Paralyzed from the neck down.

"Follow me."

It demanded, pointing towards the window. Going there it was dark, almost no light at all. Looking around he could barely see the walls, it was consumed by the darkness. He was terrified like it was closing in on him.

"What are you?"

Carl asked looking at the thing that stood in front of him, it's back hunched.

"I'm you Carl..."

"M-me?"

"Open the window and look out."

His mind races wondering how something like that could be him. But he opens the window anyway.

"Look outside, tell me what you see."

It said to Carl with a more focused voice. As Carl looks out the window the creature has a low and twisted giggle.

"I see nothing?"

Spinning around he sees the cat, Astrid running towards him. Hissing as she does.

"What?"

He said in wonder before having his arm gripped. The creature's fingers and nails dig into his arm, drawing blood and crushing the bone. Carl winces in pain. Being lifted off the floor of his room the cat latches onto its leg. Scratching on it did nothing. Looking down the monster kicks the cat away hitting the door.

"No!"

He tried to scream but all that came out was a choke. Whipping back around the monster stares at Carl with an evil expression.

"Help!"

Carl croaked. The door swung open again letting light shine in. Falling he caught himself on the window frame.

"What are you doing up there? Get down!"

The creature was gone again, it hated light. Carl looked at Tom, terror in both of their eyes.

"I don't know"

Carl said in total shock. As he was about to step down Carl slips and falls backwards.

Tom runs over hoping he could make it fast enough to catch him.

"No!"

He yelled as he watched his son fall from the third floor. Looking down from the window he could see his body. A pool of blood forming under him. Rushing down the stairs It woke Rachel up. Once Tom got outside the grass was dewy and his socks were wet. That didn't even cross his mind. He had a tunnel, single minded focus on Carl. Kneeling down Tom saw that he was still alive, but the side of his face was cut and wide open. Bits of bone were shattered in his face. He landed on the gravel pathway next to the house. Rachel got out of the house and saw Tom.

"What are you doing?"

She asked, still tired. But as Tom stood up with Carl in his arms she fell into fear.

"What happened!"

"Start the car!"

He yelled running to the back seat, where Tom sat with him. Getting in the front seat Rachel starts the car and Speeds down the road.

"You're going to be ok."

Tom started saying to Carl with tears forming in his eyes.

"Get to the hospital!"

"I am!"

They yelled in a panic. Carl couldn't speak and only made groans and cries. The seat of the car was stained red from the blood.

"Hey don't close your eyes now, we are almost there."

He said to Carl as his eyes were closing.

He felt so cold. Looking at his father he couldn't see out of his right eye.

"Yes keep them open"

Tom kept encouraging Carl. Though it wasn't enough. His eyes felt heavy again.

"No..."

His begging became sobs.

"Hurry faster!"

He yelled at Rachel. The hospital was right there.

"We are at the hospital Carl, You're going to be ok!"

He cried. Parking at the front doors he takes Carl out of the back. A trail of blood being left behind.

"Help us!"

Tom yelled as he entered. A few people who looked like doctors ran up to him. One of them had bandages.

"My name is doctor Marlin. What happened?"

One of them said to Tom. His stomach was sinking.

"I-I-I..."

He was in shock and unable to speak. The doctor looked at him with concerned eyes.

"He fell."

Tom finally managed to scrummage up.

"From where?"

Doctor Marlin asked not to acknowledge Tom's anger."

"The third floor of our house. Are you going to help him or not!"

Tom snaps.

Doctor Marlin takes a step back.

"Sir, please calm down, I und-"

"Are you going to fix him or not!"

Tom grew angrier and more furious. Stepping closer to the doctor Tom clenched his fist.

"Backup or I will call security."

Doctor Marlin said to try and save himself. He felt threatened by Tom.

"Will you help my son."

He huffed.

"Sir, we will try."

Tom hated that answer, his breathing became heavy and rough. Lifting his fist Tom punches the doctor out of frustration.

"Security!"

He yells as he falls to the ground. The security comes running and restrains Tom. They drag him into a different room and put cuffs on him.

"Don't let them hurt him!"

He yells with tears rolling down his cheeks. He sits there anxious. Rachel is still in the room with the doctors. She was talking to them about what happened and where it was. A few minutes go by and a different doctor walks in. by his side is a guard.

"Tom..."

"Where's Carl! Is he ok!?"

"I-I'm sorry but-"

"Is he ok!?"

"No. he uh... he didn't make it."

Tom breaks out in tears. Completely breaking down. The doctor stands there for a moment before leaving him alone to process the news. Rachel walks in.

"Get out of here! He would have been fine if you were just a bit faster!"

Tom yelled in a trauma induced rage.

Rachel was shocked. Feeling depressed by what he said.

"I don't want to talk to you right now."

He sobbed. Feeling overwhelmed by emotions Rachel leaves the hospital and sits down outside. The night air was cooler and fresher than inside. She felt like her sweater was on fire. And she was utterly confused. A doctor came out and sat next to her.

"I'm sorry for your loss."

He said to her with empathetic meaning.

"Thank you."

Rachel said barely able to think of anything to say. After two and a half hours Tom walks out the front door. Looking at Rachel with red puffy eyes he goes to the car and enters the driver seat. Standing up Rachel goes to the passenger side and sits. Looking in the rearview mirror the seats stained red was all Tom could focus on. Starting the engine he drove off. The drive was silent. It's a pain that will loom over them forever. Yet all they could think of was what it will be like now that he is gone.