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Can't Sleep

What's in the dark must stay.

By Ryan MorettiPublished 5 years ago 7 min read
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(Photo by Tertia van Rensburg) 

I don't know what it is... but I can't sleep. Let me explain.

I've been living alone for awhile, but I haven't felt alone. My house is in a strange part of town, further from civilization than I'd like to be, but I can't afford anything better right now, and I can't make more money because there is no such thing as getting sleep. Not for weeks. I just don't know what it is.

The house is old and creaky. It was built in the early 1930s and renovated enough to meet today's standards, but still has the feel of a dated house. There is one room I have discovered to be boarded up that leads under the house which gives me anxiety every time I walk past. I feel that I am better off not knowing what is, or what was down there. Maybe I live in a former funeral home? I don't know. I don't want to.

Even the neighborhood has me on edge. I live near a very strange lady. Her hair thinning slowly every day. New wrinkles forming all over her face. She was quiet, and nobody talked to her or about her. Everyone really keeps to themselves.

And here I am, sitting in bed awake in the night once again. Intrusive thoughts bombarding my head telling me to panic at every little squeak in the house. Maybe I should. Maybe I... what was that...?

Something... something in my room moved. Where I sit in bed is next to a closet door on the left, on the right is a window. In front of me is a bathroom and a lot of my personal belongings. I can't tell where the noise came from, but it was more than likely in front of me. Chills travel throughout my body. The silence more terrifying than sound. I sit. And sit. Silent. Searching. Watching.

What's in the dark must stay. It must. It won't show. It's not real. It's not...

I'm losing my sanity. I will try to sleep.

I scavenged the room the next morning to see if anything was out of place. Nothing. Eerie. Very, very eerie. I can't stand being up at night wondering if my death is upon me, but am I gonna call the cops on strange noises in a dated house? I just have to teach myself not to fear them. After all, nothing has come of them?

My day went as bland and tiresome as usual. Every night, I dreaded my return home. Pulling into the driveway knowing I had no way out. Wait.

There's a handprint on the window. I can just barely see it from below. That's my room. It had to be fresh. I ran to the neighbor's house next door and told them to follow me.

"Look! Up there!" I said pointing at where I saw the hand print.

It was gone. Vanished into thin air. Now my credibility was fading. I shrugged it off and apologized for wasting their time, and went inside.

I investigated the whole house thoroughly to make sure there was absolutely nothing. Upon passing by the dreaded hidden room, I feel... something. The presence of someone or something. Looking at me with evil eyes through the thin cracks on the wood. I could almost make out something and then...

*KNOCK KNOCK*

What the hell? Did that come from...?

Yes, it did. It came from the dreaded hidden room. My heart pounding against my chest, I decide to take a closer look. I know, I know. I'm asking for death. I have to know. I need to confirm my suspicions.

Creeping towards the sealed door, I feel myself getting dizzy, sweaty, and achy. A feeling of despair and hatred taking over my body. My eye inches closer to the crack and I see... darkness. However, I can hear a faint sound. It appears to be someone... bawling? I couldn't make it out completely.

I stood there for a while trying to see in better, growing more tense. Now the crying was inching closer. Still searching for an answer I decided to shine something into the room.

The crying stopped. I heard whatever was in there rush towards the door and start pounding on it. I made a run for it to my room where I was hoping I'd be safe. I called the police and impatiently waited for them to arrive.

They covered the house, inside and out. They even busted open the hidden room door. Nothing. I couldn't believe it. Only now I felt even more discomfort knowing that the door would be sitting wide open now.

Whatever was in that room, it was gonna come after me. I wasn't even able to catch a glimpse.

...

The lady passed away. Her house sits empty now, looking more dreary than before. If you're wondering if I've slept since what happened the answer is no. Every night I sit awake wondering if I would wake up the next morning had I slept.

There's definitely something here, and I don't want to stick around to meet it.

Within the last few days I explored the room when there was light out. It was empty. No signs of anything ever being in there. It honestly blew my mind. I know there was something there. I felt it.

I hate having these thoughts every damn night. I'm gonna try to just stop thinking and go to sleep.

Go to sleep. Go to sleep. Go to sleep.

*thump*

Oh no. Not again. I pop one eye open and see... this.

(Photo by BSD)

Standing in the doorway of the bathroom, (which I keep the light on for now) is the silhouette of a person. Standing there. From what I assume watching me. I pretend to be asleep as hard as I can. Hoping that it will just leave. Thirty minutes go by and it's still there. Only it feels that it got closer. What do I do? I can't do this. I'm moving out tomorrow.

I kept my eyes shut the rest of the night and eventually the figure disappeared. I contacted a real estate agent to help me find a new place. I knew I'd have to stay at least one more night in that place. I didn't want to, but I have to. I can't afford a hotel. I can barely afford to move.

I went to work and tried to get it all off my mind. One more night and it will all be over. It will be someone else's problem. I kept telling myself that.

I met with the real estate agent after work and we got everything done and approved quicker than I could have ever hoped. I was certain that meant I'd finally have a normal night.

Getting home, things felt quiet and peaceful. I shut the hidden room door to calm my anxiety and went upstairs to get things together so I was ready to leave as soon as possible.

After packing for several hours, I decided to call it a night. I laid in bed and finally went to sleep.

*buzz buzz buzz*

My phone. What time is it? Three in the morning?! Who's calling me?

"Hello?" I answered casually.

"Hi, am I speaking to the resident of 4890 Bard Street?" the voice asked hurriedly.

"Yes, may I ask why you're calling me?"

"A neighbor of yours said that they thought they saw someone in your room through a window. We've sent some officers your way, but you should get out of there now!" The operator sounded deeply concerned for my safety.

I jumped up and grabbed what I could, rushing out. I passed by the hidden door and saw it was open. I saw something... watching me. Just the eyes staring back at me. They started to move closer and I booked it out the front door. My timing couldn't have been more perfect as the police had arrived.

They got me to safety and once again investigated the whole house.

...

A few days later, I received a call from the police department. They wanted me to make a statement.

The officer went on to tell me that the man I kept seeing was living in the boarded up room and had killed the lady across the street. He was planning to kill me next, but I never slept.

I am so grateful for my neighbor having looked into my house at the right time. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here to tell this story.

He was indeed a serial killer as similar instances had been reported throughout the city.

I'm never ignoring signs like that again.

Never.

fiction
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About the Creator

Ryan Moretti

An aspiring author looking to spread his ideas and information throughout the world for everyone to enjoy!

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