The Woman By The WindowA Story by steve A horror story.  A strange noise from outside caused the boy to wake up. Opening his eyes he wiped them with his hand. He yawned, realising he had school in the morning. He needed a pee, but he didn't want to wake up his mum because since his dad had left, supposedly moving in with another woman, his mother's personality had changed dramatically. He remembered her being such a happy person, always a smile on her face, but now she was different, especially to him. He fought back tears wishing his father would come back home so things could get back to normal. "Please come back," Nathan said sadly while placing his hands together like he was praying. It was chilly in the room which he didn't like one bit. He got out of bed and put his stripy dressing gown on. Then reluctantly proceeded towards the bathroom that was just down the hall. As he passed his mum's bedroom he could hear her talking to herself, which wasn't abnormal these days. In the last week she'd begun drinking heavily which explained her bad moods. Her behaviour scared him very much. Once he'd made it to the toilet he urinated as quietly as he could, then flushed it. With great care he tiptoed back to his room shutting the door. Five minutes later and Nathan was back in his bed trying to get back to sleep. Because he was scared of the dark he always had a lamp turned on which caused a pleasant glow. He was becoming a little annoyed now. He heard a smash coming from his mum's room as she must of knocked over a glass while asleep. All of a sudden a figure was seen at the window. But before he could react his eyes became heavy with sleep. Within moments he had drifted off. ................................................................................................................................................................ She stormed in with an angry look on her face. "You're late for school," she screamed at the top of her voice. Nathan looked up startled as he clutched the quilt. "I'm sorry, mother," he pleaded. "That's not bloody good enough. I can tell you're that b*****d's son. Now get ready quick," she replied. She looked a mess, her hair  was all over the place. She threw some clothes onto the bed. Nathan wanted to cry. "Why, mummy?" She stormed out without saying a word. He grabbed the clothes and taking his pyjamas off first, started putting his school uniform on. Why be so horrible to me? he thought. He hated it. From the hallway he could hear his younger sister crying. Lately she'd been quite ill . But because mum had been so consumed with her own thoughts she hadn't bothered taking her to the doctors. And if the truth be told, this worried the young boy of twelve. Once he was ready he proceeded quickly to the front door still bleary eyed from lack of sleep. "You kids will be the death of me," said his mother while she rushed to the car with some keys in her mouth. Behind Nathan stood his little sister as she wiped her eyes. "Are you feeling better?" he asked, brushing a hand through her thick unwashed hair. She didn't answer and decided to suck her thumb instead. "I'll see you later," was all he said pecking her on the cheek. Then he headed towards the car where his mother stared at him with disgust as she sat behind the wheel. Once he got in he decided to ask her something, "Mummy, why leave Natalie all alone while you take me to school? She could hurt herself." Suddenly she turned round and slapped him hard in the face. Her breath stunk like sewage. "Well if your father wasn't living with some s**t then maybe things would be different. Now put your seatbelt on and shut up." He placed his bag onto his legs not looking forward to school that much, as lately the bully in his year was now picking on him. I wish things could be different, he thought. Looking back through the window he could see Natalie standing in the open doorway of their home. Then he realised things needed to change. And somewhere faraway someone was listening. ................................................................................................................................................................ It was about the same time as last night when he awoke with a start. There was a chill in the room. His face still ached from the smack he'd gotten at school from Thomas. With his mother and now the thug in his class giving him grief, he'd just about had enough if the truth be told. All of a sudden there was a tap at the window which made him peer up reluctantly. With great horror he saw a figure standing a few inches behind the glass. It was a woman with the palest of skin , and the blackest eyes he'd ever witnessed. She wore a black dress which stopped a couple of inches from her bare feet. Her hair was dark and long while it moved slightly in the breeze. He didn't know what to say, but stared with a strange fascination. Finally he said, "If you're here to frighten me, it's not going to work. So just go, will you." Her finger nails were extremely long, with one hand she scratched the side of her face and from the wound poured blood. Then she answered softly, "I can feel your pain, child. The anxieties which run through your tiny soul worries me. I'm here to help if you wish me." Nathan didn't know what to think. "Are you evil?" he asked, mesmerised by her. "I'm only evil to the people which deserve it, but to you, sweet child, I'm an angel sent from heaven to rid you of your demons." Nathan had a bad feeling come into the pit of his stomach. "I don't trust you, because you're a nasty witch, and I know too many of them in this life already." Sorrow covered her strange looking face. Her eyes were soulless, but held hope which the boy couldn't comprehend. "Will you help me then?" he asked putting his hands together, hoping someone would. She neared the window. A slight smile on her face, then she replied, "Of course I will, child. That's why I'm here, to rid you of your troubles. I could hear you calling out to me from where I lay amongst the fire." "Fire means hell, or that's what it says in the bible," the boy cried. "You're a demon from hell. Leave me be." Within moments the woman had vanished. ................................................................................................................................................................ Another terrible night with hardly any sleep. Nathan could hear his mum arguing with someone in the hallway. Wiping his eyes he made his way over to the wardrobe where his school uniform was. Five minutes later and the boy was fully dressed. On the cabinet sat his bag. He picked it up then proceeded out of the room hoping his mum would be in a better mood than the last few days, even though she could still be heard on the phone ranting about something. The moment she saw him, she handed him the phone aggressively. "Your dad wants to speak to you." With that she walked off to the kitchen while muttering something under her breath. ................................................................................................................................................................ Mum's mood hadn't improved on the journey to school. She braked hard causing the bag to fly from his legs and hit the dashboard. "Sorry, mother," was all he could think of saying, not looking forward to being slapped again. For a second she smiled at him. "You know I don't mean to be nasty at times, because you're my special little boy, I love you very much. You do know that, don't you." This was weird, but he replied not expecting that, "Yes, I know you do." Her tone changed a little, now sounding more serious, "What did your father want?" Her eyes had also changed as they stared at him intensely, wanting an answer. "He was just seeing if I was okay," he answered, while he placed his bag back on his legs. He watched her with unease as an odd silence filled the car. Finally he asked, "Are you okay, mother?" Then she yelled, "No I'm bloody not." With force she opened his door from the inside and pushed him out of the vehicle causing him to land hard on the pavement. The car flew up the road vanishing behind a church and some trees. Nathan heard laughing, opening his eyes he saw some pupils from his year standing a short distance away giggling at him. He felt so ashamed. He wanted to cry. "Even your mother hates you," said one of them, enjoying every minute. Nathan knew what he had to do, and getting up slowly he all of a sudden charged at the kid before smacking him hard in the face. That felt good. Then the headmaster's voice was heard shouting, "I saw that, boy. Come here right now." Before Nathan could do anything another kid jumped on his back. He punched him in the side of the neck making the boy scream out in pain. Once the brute had landed on the hard concrete he kicked him in the ribs. Nathan was now enjoying himself as he put his hands around the boy's throat. From somewhere, someone grabbed him hard around the shoulders and took him to the office. For the first time in ages Nathan didn't care, and it was the best feeling in the world................................................................................................................................................................. His mother came to the school an hour after the fight not seeming too pleased by the whole affair. "Get in the bloody car," she said quietly. Once both were in, she turned to him with guilt on her face. "I had a chat with the headmaster. What were you thinking?" He peered at her in disgust. But staying calm lied out of his teeth. "I messed up, mum. I'm so sorry." She seemed relieved by this. "Since your father has left we're all dealing with a lot. Let's go home like nothing has happened. I begged the headmaster to forgive you, and I told him about my b*****d husband leaving and how it has left us in a predicament. For the rest of the week you can stay at home. Think of it as a holiday." Nathan for a few seconds saw his old mum back. A smile came over his little face. "Thank you," was all he answered. Then both made the short trip home. ................................................................................................................................................................ That afternoon she drank whisky and staggering all over the place embarrassed the boy immensely. When she was finally in the bedroom sleeping it off Nathan looked in on his sister. She didn't seem too good. He neared the bed. "Are you okay?" he asked her. Her skin was pale. Her eyes dazed. With her little hand she grabbed his, worry in her eyes. "I feel bad," was all she replied. Nathan knew what he needed to do. ................................................................................................................................................................ That night he waited for the witch to show up. By 2.13am he had given up all hope and headed back to his bed, when all of a sudden a tap could be heard. Excitedly the boy looked back to the window. "What do you want?" the woman asked abruptly, not looking too happy. The boy felt bad about their last encounter, and answered, "I need your help. Please help her." Nerves now overtook him as he could tell she was in a bad mood. With her long thin hands she covered her dark eyes. "Do you know what it feels like when no one wants to see you. And when you finally have the courage all they do is call you an evil old woman with hatred in her soul." The lady took a step towards the window. A chill entered the room as it made the boy shudder. After a few moments she removed her hands. "Why should I help your sister?" "Because I love her. It breaks my heart seeing her like this," Nathan begged. A leer came across her face, before saying, "So if I help your sister will you show me the respect which I deserve." "Yes. I'll do anything," he immediately answered, not really thinking it through what he'd just said. He cared for her very much. She closed her eyes muttering something under her breath. Suddenly she started screaming and blood ran down her legs to her feet. From her body appeared a faint light that floated through the glass before disappearing within seconds. The witch fell to the grass below looking exhausted. After a minute she stared at him with her black soulless eyes. "The spell is done, but she needs sleep to recover properly. Go to bed, child." With that she vanished. Without warning lightening streaked across the night sky. A second later thunder cracked noisily above causing the boy to run to his bed and hide under the sheets. Then like magic he was sound asleep almost instantly. ................................................................................................................................................................ He couldn't believe the change in her as she danced in the hallway early the next morning. She sang a song still dressed in her blue and red pyjamas. Even his mother seemed shocked by this as she crawled from her pit holding her head. "For God sake shut up," she yelled at the girl of six. The boy had his door slightly ajar watching, disgusted at his mother for being so horrid. But the smile on his sister's face filled his heart with joy. Peering at the clock it was dead on 7. He made his way from his room to the kitchen where his mum was puking in the sink while saying under her breath, "Why do I feel so lousy." "Let me get breakfast," the boy said. "As no school means I have more time on my hands." Once she'd stopped being sick she wiped her mouth on a tea towel which sat on the worktop. "Would you do that for me?" she asked in a really pleasant way, before adding, "Get you and your sister something and I'll head back to bed for a little while. Thank you, Nathan. You're a good kid really." She roughly ran her hand through his hair before disappearing from view. "You are a good kid," cried his sister as she ran into the kitchen putting two arms around him as she giggled. For the rest of the day both played games while mother slept off her hangover. By five in the afternoon she cooked them a mediocre dinner which they ate reluctantly. Dead on eight both were sent to bed while mother poured herself another glass of wine. Such happy days. ................................................................................................................................................................ The first thing he saw once he'd opened his eyes was her, standing behind the glass. "Thank you for what you did," he said, meaning every word. In her eyes was a little sparkle which he'd never witnessed before. "A life for a life, child. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Nathan's heart began to beat quicker. What did the witch mean? "I don't understand?" he replied hesitantly clutching the top of the quilt with both hands as they shook through fear. Using her long sharp fingernails she ran them down the window causing a horrible screeching noise, before saying coldly, "I saved your sister. Now you owe me." The boy got out of bed not knowing what to do. When finally he had enough courage, he said nervously, "But you said you was here to help me. So you lied to me all along." "I can do whatever I like, child. With a few words of dark magic I could kill your darling sister from where I stand." Nathan screamed out, "Leave me alone you witch." He fell to the floor onto his knees, desperate and petrified beyond belief. All of a sudden the door flew open and his mother staggered in hurling abuse. In her hand she held a glass of white wine. She was drunk. The moment she saw the stranger looking in she yelled, "Who the hell are you?" Nathan needed to warn her. "No, mother. Please don't make her angry." It was too late. An unseen force dragged the screaming lady to the window. The witch then frantically waved her arms about in the air. Suddenly deep gashes appeared over the terrified woman's face and arms. Blood splashed to the carpet covering the boy while he stared with utter dread. "No, mummy," he shrieked trying to grab her. By accident he tripped hitting his head hard on the side of the cabinet. Then everything went black. ................................................................................................................................................................ The first thing he saw was the body of his mother, blood everywhere. "No, no," he yelled scared out of his little mind. The witch had vanished like a bad dream. Then an awful feeling came over him. I must check on my sister. With as much speed as he could he proceeded out of his bedroom and down the hall. At the entrance he stopped. Complete shock entering his brain. How could everything turn out so bad? The young boy wanted to cry, but he needed to be strong for his sibling. With utter relief he saw his sister in her bed. Walking in he noticed something which sent a chill through him. Her eyes were wide open. Around her throat was bruising. Nathan touched her hand. Her skin felt cold. Please, God, he thought, how could anyone hurt my darling sister? Out of desperation he shook her, hoping she'd wake up. From the back of her head appeared a piece of paper as it fell to the floor. He picked it up, then noticed writing on it. With utter horror he read it. Dear, Nathan. We are more alike than you think. All your wishes have been granted. You don't need to thank me, as on your own you wouldn't have accomplished what we both set out to do. Your beautiful sister will not feel any more pain, and your terrible mother is thankfully dead. Good luck with the future. Love from your special friend, the witch. The boy started crying. He banged the bed with his fist, before yelling at the top of his voice, "How could you? This isn't what I wanted at all." Suddenly the front door was kicked open. At the entrance of his sister's bedroom two policemen peered in with concerned looks on their faces. They grabbed the boy, then put handcuffs on him while pinning him against the wall. "Why did you do it, sonny?" said one of them. Nathan didn't know what they were talking about. "Do what?" he shrieked, realising he was in big trouble. One of the policemen who was in his forties stared at him with utter disgust, before replying, "How could you do it, kid. One of your neighbours saw you attacking your mother. How could you do something so evil. You disgust me." The boy was shocked beyond belief. "But it was the witch who did it," he yelled, not believing the accusations. They dragged him outside, while he screamed his innocence at the top of his voice. Halfway down the stony drive he realised something which sent terror in his very soul. Maybe the woman at the window didn't exist at all, and it was all in his mind? At this point the boy began to weep, knowing his father would never forgive him for what he'd done. "Please, I didn't mean to do it. Please have mercy," he shouted as they pushed him into the vehicle. All the neighbours stood in the street staring at him with horrified faces. As the car made its way up the road the boy saw her for one last time while she stood amongst the crowd with a smirk on her face. A second later she'd vanished. The End
© 2015 steveFeatured Review
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1 Review Added on February 19, 2015 Last Updated on February 20, 2015 Author
steveNorwichAboutHi, I hope you enjoy my short stories. I've been writing for sometime now, and thoroughly enjoy it. To be honest, I find it quite addictive. Even when I'm at work I am thinking about the next story.. more..Writing
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