STORIES

Halloween Fright

    It was the Halloween night, probably about fifteen years ago. I was still a teenager at that time and I was spending Halloween in my grandmother's house in the village. In my country we celebrate Halloween a little bit different then here. No trick and treat, pumpkins or anything like that. People go to the cemeteries to burn the candles, pray and think of they lost relatives. Time starts to go slower then usually. In the pagan times people used to believe that this was the only night a year when the dead souls can come back to earth and contact the living people.

    My nanny and me, we were preparing ourselves to go out, but unfortunately I twisted my ancle on the stairs and granny decided that I shouldn't go out. Her friend came just before the down to pick her up. I stayed home alone. Just me, tea and the old house.

   That was a beautiful building, my family had lived there for last three ages. It was all surrounded by amazing park full of old oak trees. I spent there all summer holidays. I knew all the corners there or I thought I knew…

    I grabbed my book and with some small difficulties I climbed up the stairs to my room. I put myself comfortably on the bed squeezing two pillows behind my back. I started to read Leo Tolstoy's short stories, after twenty pages I heard some sound. Didn't bother myself too much and kept reading. Then I heard the some sound again. I closed the book and started to listen carefully. Scratching sound repeated, so I woke up and slowly went to the hallway. Then I heard it again. This time it was louder. Something was scratching at the window. I went along the corridor to localize where it comes from. It definitely was the room at the end of the stairway. I moved myself toward it and opened the door - the room was empty. Spent two minutes standing in there, but nothing happened. I closed the door and came back to my bedroom.

Then I heard knocking on the door downstairs, I got up from the bed and walked down the stairs with my painful ancle. I approached the door and someone on the other side kept banging it. Thought at the beginning that it could have been our neighbour, but when I put my hand on the handle and the sound stopped. I opened the door slowly there was nobody behind. When I was about to close the door light in the house went off. I looked outside - everything there was dark.

    I quickly closed the door and went to the kitchen to find the candles. I started to search in the drawers gropingly. Wind started to blow strongly outside. I found two large candles and         I took them to my room. After I had ignited them I sneaked under a blanket. Wind was whistling in the windows. Then suddenly I heard squeeking noise in the attic above. I pulled my blanked over my head. Shivers were running along my back. I pulled blanket a little bit down and looked around. I saw hands- like shadows everywhere. Cold sweat came up on my forehead.           
I heard  a horrible noise, it was a clock that fall down from the wall. I jumped out of the bed and run to another room. I locked the door behind. Oh no! I forgot the candles. 
-What will I do now? –rapid mind came through my head . I started to think what to do. I realized that in the corner was standing a tall candle in the solid, metal candlestick. I checked my pockets and found there a box of matches with last match in it. I held my breath and ignite the match. The flame was week, so I covered it with my hand and burned a wick. Gentle light uncovered an interior of the room. All the furniture seemed to be darker and bigger . Suddenly I heard the footsteps outside the door, somebody pulled handle and tried to open the door. I turned back and I saw huge wardrobe in front of me. That was the only place I could hide. I run forward to get in there still holding the candle, opened the door with one move.Bright light flashed on me immediately, I felt like my blood is frizzing in my veins. In the same second I realized that there is something else there!!! Pair of wide open eyes staring at me. My legs started to feel soft and spongy. I closed my eyes and tried swallow saliva through my numb throat I was about to fall down. Last mind came to me - Before I die, I must see the face of my fear.

    I opened my eyes again and…. The light was back!!! Right in front of me I saw my own reflection in the mirror which was hidden inside of the wardrobe.

    From that moment I have learnt that all the monsters are living only in my head.