"Why should we even raise this child? This kid is nothing but a burden!"
"You're the one who murdered my parents, you witch!"
"I wish a truck would run you over! Everyone is gone because of you!"
"BEGONE, YOU WRETCHED MONSTER!"
"Why were you even born?"
"You don't deserve love, Percy."
I covered my ears as the voices relentlessly echoed in my mind.
"No... no... please, just be quiet..." I pleaded, tears streaming down my face.
"Why are you still alive, Percy?"
"I don't know you. You're a monster."
"Monster!"
"Monster!"
"MONSTER!!!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, gripping my hair tightly as I knelt in despair, rocking back and forth in search of comfort.
Suddenly, everything went silent. The voices vanished. I let out a sigh of relief and slowly released my grip on my hair. But when I glanced downward, I noticed that darkness was steadily enveloping me, creeping over my skin, and I screamed in fear.
"What?! No! No!" I frantically attempted to wipe away the darkness, but it continued to swallow me, covering my face as I raised my hand, desperate for rescue.
"Save... me..." I stammered, hoping for someone to come. The darkness was nearly consuming me entirely, with my outstretched hand being the last part visible.
Then, someone grasped my hand, pulling me upward, but I shot awake, sitting up in bed, gasping for air. I looked around and realized I was in my bedroom.
It had all been a dream.
"Oh my..." I murmured to myself, noticing the sweat on my skin. I sighed and decided to change my t-shirt. While doing so, I recalled the grip of that person's hand. It had been larger than mine and felt cold, like that of a corpse.
After changing, I glanced at the hand that the mysterious figure had held. The lingering sensation from my dream was still present. It felt so vivid. I closed my eyes to calm myself and remind myself that it was merely a dream and dreams aren't real.
Once I had gathered myself, I picked up my phone from the desk to check the time.
"8:10 PM," I whispered, placing my phone back down before heading downstairs to watch some movies. First, I grabbed some chips from the kitchen shelves and settled onto the couch. I picked up the remote, turned on the TV, and enjoyed some Netflix while snacking.
Thud.
The sound of something falling made me perk up. I turned slowly to see that a few books had tumbled from the shelf. But there was no wind in the house; I had closed the windows.
Confused, I was about to get up to arrange the books when I froze. A pale hand reached down to pick them up, returning them unsteadily to their rightful place, only for them to fall again.
My breath caught in my throat as the pale hand persisted in trying to fix what had been knocked over. Was it trying to help me?
What most people don't realize about me is that I can see things others cannot. They say those who can perceive the paranormal possess a third eye. Perhaps I have one. Since I was a baby, I have seen spirits and gotten used to it, though sometimes their frightening appearances still terrify me. Even so, they usually mean no harm-well, that depends on the spirit.
And this particular ghost felt benevolent. Taking a deep breath, I cautiously approached the entity, noticing that it seemed to be lying on the ground and appeared to be a child. Their long white hair obscured their face.
"Um, do you need help?" I asked softly. The pale hand twitched and froze mid-motion. The figure turned its head toward me with a disturbing crack.
"Ahhhhhh..." A gaping mouth now faced me, sending shivers down my spine. Its eyes were hollow, and its mouth was so wide that even its eyes seemed overwhelmed.
The ghost remained silent but continued to stare at me. "Ahhhhh..." it uttered in a raspy, tiny voice. Was that a yes?
"I'll interpret that offer as a yes." I smiled slightly, then carefully took the book from their hands and placed it back in its rightful spot. The ghost then stood up and began to clap their hands.
"Ahhhhh..." The voice seemed to express joy. I couldn't help but chuckle at their adorableness; it was surprising to find this ghost child so charming.
"Ahhhh?" Another voice joined in, prompting me to turn my head and see a different version of the ghost. Could they be twins? The new ghost approached the first, and they began conversing. It seemed to be a unique ghost language because I couldn't understand a word.
Suddenly, they both paused and turned to look at me in silence. Their mouths were wide open, dark like the depths of the abyss. I blinked in confusion but then an idea came to me.
"What if I gave you two names? What do you think?" I proposed. The two ghosts exchanged glances but ultimately nodded in agreement.
I pointed to the first ghost I'd encountered. "You'll be called Friday." Then I gestured toward the newcomer. "And you'll be Thursday."
The two ghosts clapped their hands once more and resumed their chatter in ghostly tones. I watched them with a smile, then returned to the couch to continue the movie.
Friday and Thursday floated around the house, playing and speaking in their unintelligible language. As I watched the film, I felt a yawn coming on, my eyelids growing heavy. Despite the interesting scenes on screen, I struggled to stay awake.
Eventually, I couldn't resist any longer. My eyes slowly closed, and I drifted off to sleep, my mouth slightly open, accompanied by a soft snore.
I was jolted awake, glancing left and right to find myself back in the familiar darkness. Am I dreaming again? It crossed my mind before I spotted a light in the distance. Hope surged through me. Finally! An escape!
I began to sprint towards the light, my footsteps reverberating through the void. It felt as though the light kept slipping further away, even though I was getting closer, which started to irritate me, yet I pressed on.
"I will never give up!" I assured myself, feeling the light drawing nearer. That's when I realized I was closer than I thought.
The more I advanced, the more the light illuminated my path. A smile broke across my face.
"Yes!" I exclaimed joyfully as I leapt toward the light, but suddenly, I was yanked backward, causing me to frown and gasp in surprise.
"What the hell?!" I turned to find two ghostly children behind me. "Let go of me! I knew this was a dream! I want to escape!" I yelled at them, but they tightened their grip. I struggled against their hold.
The first ghost shook their head, signaling me not to approach the light. Confusion washed over me. Why would they warn me away from something that seemed so promising?
"I said let go!" I finally broke free from Friday's grasp and stretched my hand toward the light, but to my horror, it transformed into a sinister red glow accompanied by anguished screams. A swarm of bloodied hands reached out to grab me, pulling me toward what I had thought was the exit.
"AHHHHHH!!!!" I screamed in terror, desperately trying to escape their grasp. Thursday and Friday used their powers to pry the blood-soaked hands away from me, but they persisted in their attempts to grasp me again, and I recoiled in fear.
"What's happening?!" I demanded from the two ghosts, but they remained silent. I noticed Thursday trying to seal the portal while Friday took my hand, dragging me away. "Explain what's going on!" I pleaded, but without a word, Friday shoved me hard into another dark void.
I gasped as I fell deeper and deeper, their figures shrinking away as I descended. I reached out as I fell, my hair streaming through the air.
Tears streaked down my face, worried that I might die in this dream-or if this was even a dream at all, as it felt too real. I closed my eyes, resigned to my fate.
Suddenly, I felt something brush against my hand, prompting me to open my eyes. A dark silhouette of a man loomed before me, his features obscured. My skin turned cold as his fingers intertwined with mine in a firm grip.
"Wha-" I started to speak, but before I could finish, the shadow drew me closer, his other hand resting against my back. As I caught a glimpse of his twisted smile, blood dripped from his mouth. I could see him mouthing words, but the sound was lost in the descent.
"Huh?" I managed to ask before I jolted awake, frantically scanning my surroundings and realizing I was curled up on the couch. My heart raced as I tried to catch my breath.
I exhaled deeply to steady myself as I glanced down and noticed the two ghostly figures gazing up at me with concern. Their appearance startled me enough to leap off the couch.
"Ah!" I gasped, then took another deep breath. "It's you..." I whispered as I settled back onto the couch.
"Ahhhh...." they both chimed, playfully teasing me for being so easily frightened.
"Did you save me?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued, and they both nodded. I paused for a moment, then hummed in acknowledgment of their response. I understood now.
"Do you know a male shadow figure?" I asked once more, but they exchanged confused looks before returning their attention to me. The two shook their heads, indicating no.
"I see..." I said, directing my gaze to the ceiling.
Just who was that man?