Snake Eyes

Curiosity killed the cat.

          With the sound of a whisper, Kate turned her head, her long red-brown hair flowing around her.

          “Who’s there?” She called. Silence. She took a step towards the sound, but the only sound breaking the silence was the creek of the old wooden floorboards.

          Kate gulped and crossed her pale arms across her chest. Why had she even come into this old house? It was going to be torn down in the morning anyway.

          Damn her curiosity. Damn her need to see it in the dark before it was gone.

          She sighed and clicked on her flashlight, then started down a hall, her black sneakers causing the floorboards to creek. Kate approached an old wooden door, and reached out for the handle. It let out a creek, then a low groan as she pushed it open.

          She stepped inside and shone her flashlight around the room. Across the room was a large bed, with old worn-out silk acting as a canopy. To the other side was a large stand covered in jewelry boxes and what could have once been make-up. Directly behind that on the wall was a huge mirror.

          Kate stepped towards the stand, and reached out. She lifted the top off one of the jewelry boxes, and peered inside.

          Empty.

          Kate laughed. What did she think? That she’d find gold in there?

          She turned and walked over to the bed. She parted the old silk, which had turned from a once lively red to a now dull rust color. She sat down on it, then laid back. She let her hand release her flashlight, and it lay idle next to her.

          Kate sighed. The bed was still soft, and aside of the dust, quite nice. Kate smiled and closed her eyes.

          She felt a breeze blow by, and heard the faint ruffle of the rust colored silk, but paid it no heed. She lacked to notice the shadow move onto the bed.

          “Hello, child.”

          Kate’s eyes shot open and she sat up. She stared foreword, and her mouth fell open in shock. 

          Kneeling on the bed was a woman, with pale, glowing youthful skin. Her hair was a pale blonde, almost white. It tumbled around her, well past her waist. Her eyes were a bright, mesmerizing green.

          She was clothed in a flowing white, the cloth clinging to her breasts and waist, but flowing loosely around her arms and lower body.

          “Who are you?” Kate stammered.

          “Who are you, child?” The woman whispered, looking into Kate’s hazel eyes. “Who are you that lies in my bed?”

          “T-this is your bed?” Kate asked. “B-but this is an abandoned house, you can’t live here!”

          The woman was quiet.

          “What is your name?” She asked, pressing her question once again.

          “…K-Kate,” Kate whispered.

          “Kate,” she repeated. She moved closer to her. Kate felt the soft cloth of the woman’s dress drape over her legs.

          “W-who are you!” Kate said again, her heart pounding in her throat.

          “Angela,” the woman whispered soothingly. Kate felt a pair of soft lips touch her cheek. She blinked, but before she could say anymore, the woman, Angela, had her lips on hers.

          Kate felt a soft tongue trace over her lips, and she opened her mouth without even thinking, thought having abandoned her, turning to nothing but dust within her skull.

          She looked up into those green eyes, and she suddenly felt light headed.

          Kate felt almost numb until a pair of soft hands trailed under her shirt and cupped her bra-clad breasts softly. That was when Kate noticed Angela’s lips had left her own.

          “W-why?” Kate asked, suddenly. “Why are you-“

          “You’re so young,” Angela whispered. “So beautiful, how old are you, child?”

          “I-I’m sixteen,” Kate said.

          “Sixteen. So…youthful…” Angela’s eyes seemed to glow more.

          It was then that Kate became aware of Angel’s hands still on her breasts. Angela smiled and let her hands run down Kate’s smooth stomach. Her green eyes locked with Kate’s hazel.

          Then she kissed her again. Kate sighed. Angela’s lips were so soft, so smooth. They made Kate forget where she was.

          But then her light-headedness returned, stronger now. She closed her eyes in vain, trying to ignore it.

          But it only grew worse. Kate tried to pull away, but Angela’s lips seemed glued to her own.

          Finally she was freed, and Kate’s head tipped back roughly, a bright white light prying her mouth open. She was unable to clamp her jaw shut, and could only watch as it extended into Angela’s waiting mouth.

          It was gone within seconds, and Kate was left gasping for breath.

          “W-wha…” Angel chuckled.

          “Foolish child,” she hissed.

          “What…did you…do to me!” Kate desperately spat, feeling her skin painfully drying out.

          “I’ve stolen your freedom, your youth,” Angela said, her eyes gleaming. “And soon your body will be dust!” She cackled and Kate groaned pitifully as her hair turned into lifeless strings of a rusty shade. “For too long I’ve waited in this decrepit house for a child, just like you, to wonder in and be naïve enough to fall for my ministrations.”

          “But…why?”

          “To regain my youth, and my freedom! I have been bound to this house for centuries…”

          Kate groaned again as flakes of dead skin began to fall to the bed.

          “What will…happen…to me?”

          “You? Why, you my dear, will be bound to this house until you can catch yourself a replacement.” And with one final cackle, Angela glared with her green snake eyes into Kate’s hazel orbs. Then she was gone, leaving Kate screaming.

          By morning two men were standing outside the house.

          “Shame,” one said. “Damn shame. This old house is rumored to be haunted.”

          “All the better reason to knock is down,” the other said as he lifted his radio. “We’re ready, hit it boys.”     

          With the command given, a wrecking ball swung into the house, crushing its walls. They caved in, crushing down into the bedroom. The bed collapsed, and an old, dried skeleton, lying on the bed, crushed.

          Kate cried as her soul caved in with the ancient house.

Author's Note

Five years old, possible more.