Prologue

{ many years ago }

November 3: 11 pm

-no change in subject.

12 am:

-acceleration in breaths.

12:30 am:

-slight spasms. 4 in the last 30 minutes. but this was expected.

1 am:

-no change.

2 am:

-heart acceleration.

3 am: 

-not good. full on body spasms. subject is struggling to breathe.

4 am:

-subject #3. FAILED.

{ present day }

I can only hear screams. They are deep and guttural with a dark edge to them, echoing off the walls, making their way through the house. I stand motionless in a threshold leading into a great hall. The doors are tall and open as if they’re begging me to enter. At the far end of the hall I can just make out another pair of doors, just the same except these are closed. Shut off protecting what lies behind them. Or protecting those who aren’t behind them. In another life I can see this hall as a great thing. Lanterns would line the walls, flickering with their warm inviting light, red velvet curtains would frame the windows that line the wall to my right, and portraits of family and friends would hang on the wall opposite. I can almost hear the laughter now, see the ball gowns and ties… but if that ever was, it certainly holds no likeness now. There are no lights, no curtains, no laughter. No one is here but me. And I know what I have to do. I’ve been here before. 

Never-ending darkness is all that lies behind me. There is no escape but to go forward. Forward… I close my eyes. Curl my fingers into fists. 

Inhale. Hold. Exhale. 

I open my eyes, and step one foot over the threshold. 

Inhale. Exhale. 

My left foot follows. Then my right. 

Left, right, left right. 

I’m doing well, almost there. 

Left, right, left, right, left. 

Halfway there. A creak from behind. I refuse to stop. I will not stop. Another creak. Closer this time. My footsteps quicken. Do not panic. Keep going. Almost there. I’m almost to the doors. 

Clip, Clack, Clip, Clack. 

Footsteps. They echo off the bare walls making them sound numerous. My heart’s pounding erratically. I can’t do this. Inhale. Hold. Exhale. I have to do this. So close. Two more windows to pass. 

Clip, Clack! Clip, Clack! 

Louder. Closer. 

“Saraaaaaaa.” 

I break out into a dead run, heaving breaths as I push myself to reach the doors. The footsteps have begun to run as well. Of course they have. They always do. I throw myself against the closed barriers. I pound upon them, jiggle the doorknobs but they refuse to open. I want to scream. I want to tear the doors down with my bare hands. But I can’t. I lean my forehead against the cool wood and close my eyes. Inhale. Exhale. 

Slowly but steadily I turn around so my back is pushed against my escape. I don’t open my eyes. The footsteps are walking again. Louder and louder they become. They stop. Breath that smells of garlic licks my face. I try not to gag. A satisfied chuckle. 

“Where were you going Sara dear?” 

I will not scream, I will not scream. I will not give it what it wants.

At this point I awake. 

I am screaming.