The House

The house. There I was, standing very nervously at the house that I was dared to explore. This derelict house was the center of all stories at my new school. All the stories had something in common, a girl, a girl who was beaten by her abusive dad, and eventually died. I knew that being the new kid, it was only a matter of time before I would be dared to enter. No one would enter such a house, not even thrill seekers, but I had one motivation that led me to this point in time; popularity – every child’s dream. Being able to complete this dare would end me up in the top flight of kids, away from bullies, and away from the hell of being the new kid. As a result, before I had even finished surveying the house, I felt my arm reach for the rusting doorknob.

“Creek.” The sound obligatory for every derelict house to have. “derelict”, the word I kept repeating in my mind, telling myself that despite the rumours and stories around the school, that was all this house was. Not the H-word, not haunted. Upon entering this house I could see through the eyes of a blind man, with darkness submerging the building, despite it being daytime. Slowly and cautiously I walked around the front room, feeling for a light switch, a switch to heaven. Light makes a derelict house that much less scary, right? There it goes again. Derelict. Not haunted. Whilst in the house my concept of time vanished, meaning I may have been searching for the light switch for anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. Either way, I had found it thanks to my now adjusting eyes. Quickly I turned on the switch expecting an array of light, however all I received was a single dimly lit light bulb, hanging loosely from the unlooked after ceiling, swinging ferociously as if someone had pushed it. Was someone else here?

Intriguingly and with the weapon of light on my side, I made progress travelling through this house, turning on every light I saw on the way. I can do this I thought, this will be easy, even though I had the slight suspicion I was not alone. Then I stopped. Strangely amongst the empty and lifeless rooms, I could hear and make out the faint yet familiarly creepy tune of “ring a ring a roses.” Confusion flew through my body, followed by the realisation that this house followed every aspect of a haunted house; the emptiness, the strange and creepy music, and the feeling of having unwanted company. I couldn’t leave though, it would damage my already small reputation, something unspeakable for me. Reluctantly I continued, growing closer to the source of the now loud and creepy slow music. “Ring a ring a roses...”

A door. A large white door with a speck of blood on it then stood in my way. No way around it, only through it. I knew the music was coming from behind it, it was obvious. Something else was obvious at this time aswell. TO NOT GO THROUGH THE BLOODSTAINED DOOR. Sadly, curiosity is a common trait in humans, a deadly trait that can lead to one’s death. I reached for the handle, hoping this was all a joke, and that behind the door the people who dared me would be laughing at me. I hoped. Deep down I knew this was not the case. Deep down I was as scared as a soldier fighting in Normandy. However, unlike the soldier in Normandy, I had a way out, but I didn’t choose it, and so I opened the door.

I stood at the now open entrance to the room, confused, and utterly scared. In front of me, amidst this abandoned and empty house lay a perfectly clean and un abandoned old fashioned girl’s bedroom. This is something from a horror film I thought, the house has been abandoned for decades, the girl died decades ago. However, a warm, child sized crease was present on the mattress, confirming my belief that I was not alone. The room, which had a collection of creepy dolls sitting perfectly arranged on the windowsill, lay home to a small table. The table reached out to me as directly upon it sat a music box, but instead of the expected reoccurring tune of ring a ring a roses, I was now presented with something different. Silence. Eerie silence.

At least someone could hear me scream. No. Why was I thinking like this? I had done it, I had explored the house. I knew I could leave now. I couldn’t though. I felt glued to floor for enough time to reflect on my situation. This made me scared. Fearful, and as a result panic ensued. A fatal error. As I was panicking, I ran, I ran and did not look back. I ran so fast that the silence was rudely interrupted. The person in this house could now hear me and know of my position. They could trap me and end my nightmare. Gladly, and with a sigh of relief, I reached the door alive. This relief was short lived though, as the door would not open, I was panicking too much. No. Not now. Not to me. Frantically I tried to budge the door open, before a strong smell filled my nostrils. Oh god. Urine. The worst thing to happen now. Even if I did get out alive, this endeavour would be worthless as I would be known in school for wetting myself, and any respect would be lost.

I tried to wipe it away, forgetting the ordeal I was in. The ordeal in which I was trapped in an abandoned house, almost certainly not alone. I was only reminded of this when it was too late, when a creek was heard from the old fashioned spiral staircase 30cm from me. I diverted my Attention from washing the pee stain from my trousers, and back to trying to escape. Whilst doing so, I caught a glimpse of the source of the noise. An extremely pale faced girl, in a blood stained floral dress; emotionless and lifeless, yet intent, slowly humming the tune to ring a ring a roses. She was similar in appearance to the identical twins in The Shining, and sent a shiver down my spine. She slowly walked down the stairs toward me, producing a loud “creek” every time. She wanted me dead. I just knew it. I faced away from the stairs, not wanting to look any longer at my likely murderer. Open, Come on, open. PLEASE. I knew it would not be long before my soul was whisked off to heaven, as every creek on the stairs was a creek closer to death.

“Creek,” Ring a ring a roses....

“Creek,” A pocket full of poses....

“Creek.” A Tissue, A Tissue....

“Creek.” You all fall...

“Creeeeekkkk.” DOWN....