Chapter 1
It’s getting hard to breathe. My body is numb and drenched in sweat. I can’t move my limbs, nor can I open my eyes. The pressure on top of my body is painfully heavy. My ears are ringing non-stop, and a chill runs down my spine. Is this a dream?
The lights of my bedroom are off. The door slightly cracked open for some light to pass through. I can’t see anything, but I’m aware of my surroundings, And the surrounding seems unsettling.
The pressure surrounding my body is getting worse. I try to move a little, but my body refuses to obey. There is nothing I can do except lie helplessly in bed and wait it out, whatever it is.
As I try to wrap my head around the whole situation, I realize something that sends a shiver down my spine.
I’m not alone.
I can sense the presence of someone in my room. I force my eyes open, and the sight I see will forever haunt me.
A tall, black figure, standing at about 7 feet of height, staring menacingly in my direction. Its eyes shine bright red in the dull room. The aura surrounding it is sickening. Although I can’t see its face, I can still tell that it wants nothing more than to consume my soul.
Panic starts to overtake my mind, and my vision becomes blurry. My ears ring louder and louder with every passing second. It has to be a dream. it has to be-
My thoughts get cut off when that creature shakes its head slowly, puts its index finger on its lips, and smiles.
It’s like that thing is telling me that I’m not dreaming and that it’s here, standing just a few feet away from me.
I want to run, I want to scream, but any effort in moving my body is in vain.
I open my mouth to call out for help, but all that comes out is muffled mumbling. The creature’s smile widens, and the dark aura surrounding its body becomes thicker as it slowly starts to approach me. Then all of a sudden, It’s gone.
I’m scared.
The sound of low whispers and the soft cracking of bones make me peek to my left. As I do, a hand from the shadows slowly reaches forward and hovers over my face making me close my eyes again. I feel pressure on my chest, and something comes closer to my face. I hear my name getting called. It starts with a whisper and turns into a loud shout until it becomes a bloodcurdling scream. The aura is getting thicker and darker.
I’m scared.
The hand over my face disappears, and the screams stop. When I’m about to open my eyes, I feel it reappearing beside my right ear, it keeps moving up towards my eyes. I’m too distracted and frightened to notice its other hand grazing my neck. I only realize when the air gets cut off, and my lungs start to suffocate from the lack of oxygen. Panic engulfs my consciousness, and my body begins to tremble. I shoot my eyes open and try my best to break free out of its hold but fail. Tears pool my eyes, and my sight begins to blur. Only one thought races my mind before black spots start to appear on the corner of my vision,
I’m going to die.
When I’m about to give up, the hand disappears from my neck, and I start coughing. The action makes my body jerk, and I sit up, immediately looking around my room but seeing no signs of that thing.
I can move my body now, and my ears have stopped ringing. I quickly get off my bed and stand up, only to fall on the ground. My breath is ragged and heavy. Unable to move for a few minutes, I discover my legs are numb, and my entire body is violently shaking. I hold the bedside for aid to stand up and work on my breathing. A sense of terror creeps into my skin, and all I think about is getting out of the room. I limp towards the door. Holding the doorframe for support, I step out.
The light strikes my eyes, causing me to lose my balance and collapse again. I crawl to the staircase and gather enough strength to carry myself down the stairs.
Upon reaching the ground floor, I see a figure in the dark calmly sitting on a chair, drinking what I assume is water. A wave of emotions flashes through my mind. Alarm, rage, denial, panic, You name it.
My head starts spinning, and my stomach turns. Everything becomes blurry. The voices in my head are so loud that they give me a headache. My heart races and my hands tremble.
I think I’m going to puke.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
An immediate, overpowering sense of relief takes shape within me. All madness, terror, and despair are gone. The beautiful melody of that call of concern comforts my soul. I take a step forward, my eyes adjusting on the figure. Is that who I think it is?
“Mom?” I ask.
“Yes, darling. What happened?” She replies with the softest voice imaginable. The concern is noticeable in her tone.
“Some- Something happened. I- I don’t know what it was, I couldn’t breathe, I- I couldn’t move. Someone tried to kill me, and I...... I was so scared.....” I break out into soft sobs, and she gets up from her seat.
“Shhh...Come here,” She says while holding my hand and pulling me in for an embrace.
“It’s okay,” She whispers into my ear and caresses my head. The touch feels warm and safe.
Safe.
I’m safe now. I sigh and release the breath I didn’t know I was holding. She keeps stroking my hair and hums softly. It calms me down and makes me forget everything. I want to stay in her arms and feel safe. I never want to experience that horrific episode ever again.
I close my eyes and let my head fall onto her chest. I hear her heartbeat, and it’s in sync with her humming. The mixture of the two is soothing, and I soon find myself relaxing in her grip.
I’m safe.
~~~~
“Do you know where the root of terror comes from?
It starts with fear. You cultivate it, watch it spread. And then, you got terror.”
(Based on a true event)
~DareDevil_wtaken
