She's coming closer…! SHE'S COMING CLOSER! Oh, my God she's approaching faster! What should I do? WHAT SHOULD I DO? Why am I not able to move my hands? Is this sleep paralysis? Help! Why can't I even call for help? I–I can't even move my finger! I–I AM SCARED! I thought laying in my bed, staring unblinking at her… She was getting closer and closer. No matter how hard I tried, my body stopped obeying me like I am a foreign object.
Oh, my God she's reached my bed! I can literally see her bruised face! This scene is horrible! Her long nails are the size of keys… That plain white dress with grey hair strayed over her face? Oh I wish I could sprint as fast as I could…
Tears began rolling down my eyes, drenching my pillow… But I couldn't do anything about it! I lay with my gaze fixed on her. My body is trembling out of fear but not moving to get out of bed.
SHE IS CLIMBING MY BED! OH NO! SHE'S LITERALLY CLIMBING OVER MY LEGS…! HELP ME! SHE IS CRAWLING ON ME! PLEASE HELP ME! PLEASE! I PROMISE I WON'T WATCH ANY HORROR FILMS! I PROMISE I WON'T TALK ABOUT HORROR STORIES! PLEASE JUST THIS ONCE, HELP ME GET RID OF HER!!!
I struggled hard trying to get rid of her. But it makes no difference! There is just an inch distance between her nose and mine! Oh, please! I don't want to die this soon! Please… please…
Oh no she opened her mouth! Oh my God her teeth are sharp and pointed! Is she gonna bite me? Eat me? No! NO!!!
I suddenly sat upright with a quick jolt like thunder had struck me… Huh…! It was just a dream! What a great sigh of relief! I released by breath I didn't know I held for so long! This all felt so real!
It's 3 and I sat on bed gasping and panting, crying vehemently, my body still shivering…
Since the events I encountered That Night, nightmares like this have become common. But they're so scary, that I'm nowhere near getting used to it!
There was a time I loved horror stories… Watching horror movies was my hobby, more likely my passion… But after That Night, tables have turned over.
Yes, I loved listening and sharing horror stories. But they are part of others' lives… Usually not scared but still astonished, I never really believed I would be a part of one! I've had an uncanny encounter, this happened on That Night…
Whenever I remind myself of it , it gives macabre vibes, sleepless nights and terrible nightmares. I think it to be eldritch for a 13 year old, that was my age when it happened That Night. My esoteric encounter started with a phone call.
Being an entrepreneur, my father had to attend symposiums held at foreign cities. He always managed to attend all via solo travel. But one time, the case was different.
He had a stay with discussions held on consecutive days. For a period longer than usual, he couldn't imagine that. Be it fortunate or add prefix u n, it was a city where one of our relatives lived. Sleepy, remote yet of fame, this town gave me eerie vibes since the beginning. But to encourage me and my mother, he extended his stay and brought tickets for us. I don't know why he didn't feel like going there alone! Upon hearing this news, I was as excited as a sparkling short circuited electrical fuse. Little did I know that my trip to Danniville would change my life forever.
The reason for my excitement besides being able to travel so far was to meet my long distance cousin. We've been like Instagram friends, never being able to really meet each other. Our parents though, weren't as close. I have a vague memory of how we became this close. But since I shared about my arrival, the eagerness on both sides reached the peak of mountains. We started making plans on the phone, saying we'd do this, we'd do that.
It was just a matter of time till we finally met each other. The tour was good but I have no memories as I've been told that I've been asleep all the way long. All I remember was the place where we parked our car and met the Finx family. They were all dressed in black, holding flowers and bouquets. I realised that it was actually a grave yard. They were mourning the death anniversary of Edith's grandfather. It was 22 September… yeah, I recalled that Edith once wrote to me a letter on this date telling about the death of her grandfather… But was this necessary? We went to enjoy, not to mourn over an old man that already expired years ago!
But this didn't disappoint me! All I wanted was to meet my cousin. After that, we were taken to a hotel where the meetings would be held. During that time, my mom and I would go to the local market and shop. We got to know the culture of that place. Dad however was busy in and with his meetings. This didn't bother us. Though my cousin, Edith Finx lived in the city, we were more wanting to live in a hotel. A luxury, 5 star hotel… but just for a day. Not bad! I was already going to her house the next day…
They had 2 houses. Their house is on the industrial side and a farmhouse on the outskirts. It was decided that 3 days would be spent in this house and 1 day in that. I nonchalantly agreed as I wanted to have more of my time spent there! It was comparatively bigger, had a swimming pool and a theatre room.
Elders are elders and we had to obey them. We finally reached the house. We had fun for 3 days. We saw movies, ate delicious food, had lots of gossip and played real games. The house was duplex and we had a floor to ourselves. We even had night outs. All the way there, I was excited to go to the farmhouse. It was just a matter of time.
3 days were over.
We were supposed to go there. To tell you, at first I thought that neither Edith nor her parents were as excited as us. But I consoled myself thinking who wouldn't be! All the way I kept yapping "we would this, we would do that!" She ignorantly kept nodding her head.
When we reached there, at first they showed us the house. It was very dusty and old. It seems to appear as if it is not frequently visited by them.
I could tell why. The moment the main door opened, it felt like entering a prison. The air felt heavy, almost suffocating. The interior was nice and should have given aesthetics but it did the opposite. Every corner felt like it had eyes, every wall felt like it had ears… The endless sense of you being watched and heard…
The furniture looked like something from the time of Alexander the great. The paint and ceiling had cracks and webs stronger than the cement wall and older than me.
Edith explained to me how they inherited that from her grandparents. I was like "leave the history of the house and take me to the swimming pool!" Unfortunately, a confusion had befallen upon my parents when they heard me talking about the pool. This confusion led to a statement of denial. The winter atmosphere on top, standing a firm support to it.
What could I do? I catch colds easily! My beatified face suddenly changed into a gloomy one upon hearing that. But I couldn't do anything! This house was duplex too but the problem was, they had only 1 guest room. To fill in the space, Edith had her room shared with me. A thing more heartbreaking than that was the guest room was right next to Edith's room where my parents were supposed to spend their night! I know my dad very well! He's awake even by the slightest noise made!
Another thing, after dinner me and Edith went upstairs to get our beddings. It was in the store room. Suddenly, my mom appeared out of nowhere and looked at us. She seemed angry. "You kids shouldn't be alone." She said, tilting her head. It was strange because my mom never spoke that way! But then she smiled. "Go to sleep early! Don't stay awake for longer!" She said as she turned and walked out. "Yeah– yeah! We'd obey you!" I said, not really meaning it…
Nevermind, we had to cope up. I made really big plans. To sneak at night to the swimming pool and the theatre room which we were disallowed during the daytime. I had to sneak in as we were leaving the next morning. We were told to go to bed at 8 and the elders were supposed to stay awake till they wished. Pretty unfair! I pretended to agree as I already had plans.
My great plans burnt in ashes when I saw Edith fast asleep. It took me only a while to change my dress and brush my teeth. I said no word and gently sat beside her. I wanted to do so many things and even had planned them too but in vain. I layed with my hands behind my head.
Suddenly I thought of the phone. Why not dry the hay while the sun shines! Mom and dad were strict enough to not let me use the phone at night. Instead of being a good girl, why not break a rule once in a while? I took out my phone and started scrolling reels. I even played games.
Dad was very specific and strict regarding discipline and timings. So much so that every night exactly at 12 , he comes for inspection . And I'll be serious in informing that he does it so much in a detective way . First he peeps his head from behind the curtain . After standing motionless for a while , he enters . He stands still staring at me as if I had really slept . If not yet satisfied , he stands behind the curtain for another couple of minutes . Finally when all of his nerves and complete senses convince him that I'm asleep , he goes . The duration of this process lasts up to 15 mins .
Don't ask how I know ! I'm his daughter ! No matter how detective he is with numerous tricks under his sleeve , I am always triumphant to outsmart him ! To tell you staying at another's house doesn't prevent him at all ! Being an only child I do undergo over protectiveness by my parents .
So I was sure that night too he would come . I had time as we went to bed at 8 . At first I thought of watching a horror movie . As a starter , I opened Instagram and didn't realise that I've spent 2 hours merely scrolling ! I had all night and wanted to not be disturbed at any cost so I opened games and started playing them . Though I was completely into it , I didn't let my mind off the time . I had to be extra careful as my father doesn't hold himself from scolding in front of others ! 11:30 , and I started getting goosebumps .
I didn't know why I got that because it wasn't the first time I was breaching protocols . Anyway this didn't prevent me either .
11:45 more 15 mins . I decided to put the phone away at least 5 mins before .
11:50 and I put my phone away . I didn't know why fear surrounded me ! I could feel the air scary as I breathed . This night was silent . Just like silence before storm . I had that malaise feeling that something wrong was going to happen to me .
Thinking about it, I checked the time at 11:55 . More 5 mins . I prepared myself . I closed my eyes yet prevented it from falling asleep . I wanted to use this opportunity so badly . I kept thinking of a horror movie which I wanted to watch since a while . Its trailer was wonderful .
Thinking about it , I realised that those 5 minutes had passed and dad didn't come . He is real strict regarding time and management . I checked the time thinking maybe 5 mins hadn't passed .
To my surprise it was 12:02 ! Dad's never that late . I waited as to prevent getting exposed . I waited and waited . Dad didn't come . It's 12:15 and dad cannot be this late ! So I decided to check on dad .
You know why not just switch roles for a day ?
I slowly got up taking gentle steps towards the room . The door was open and I peeped through the curtain . It was pitch dark and my parents never slept that way . When I sensed that dad was finally asleep , I ran back to my room and hid myself in a blanket .
Excitement was filled all over in me . I was just thinking that I could actually spend time on the phone till 8 and sleep during travel . I removed the blanket and turned away from the door and sat . I started fixing my pillow and was just about to take my phone from below the pillow .
Suddenly I felt a cold and heavy hand on my shoulder .