The Endless Night

by Natalie
(USA)

I slowly crept through the hall, holding my breath at each step I took. "If I could only make it to the stairs," I thought to myself with an unbearable desire. I sped my slow tip-toeing up to silent leaps; hoping to reach the stairwell before someone caught me. Candlesticks in hand, I flew down the steps in a fluid motion, gracefully advancing from stair to stair; and I had soon reached the first floor of the building. Suddenly I felt cold hands grasp my neck, dragging me backwards in silence. My legs flailing and my arms tensed, I tried to scream. The plan failed horribly and my pursuer let out a low and menacing laugh. I gave up my hope of screaming and continued with physically trying to release my neck of this man's grip. He stopped moving and spun me around, abruptly sitting me down in an ancient chair. I gasped at the sight of the man- recognizing him immediately.

"Hello darling," he spoke quietly, showing me the smile that perfectly matched his devilish laugh.

"Mr. Thompson?" I whispered, frightened and shocked at the same time. "But, but how?" I continued, still amazed that my seventh grade history teacher could have attacked me.

"Aaaahhh, you remember me," he concluded, giving me the smile again. His attention was suddenly drawn away with the sound of a clock (which I discovered to be an elderly looking grandfather clock) that chimed 13 times. I was quickly puzzled with the number of chimes, assuming that there were only twelve numbers on the face of the clock. My former teacher slowly turned his head back to me again; this time fear disguising it.

"No, it can't be, it's impossible," he whispered solemnly and also in astonishment.

"Can't be what? What? What can't it be?!" I asked him, my question getting louder and louder each time.

"You're the one, the reincarnation," he whispered, his eyes wide and his pupils jet black. "You must die," he finished while snatching me out of the seat and pulling my limp arm behind him out the front door and into the dark yard. I was thrown down onto a tree stump, his rough hands quickly tying me down to the rotting wood. I drew in a shaky breath and whipped my head side to side, my bangs brushing my face. I let the air out as I prepared for what was coming.

A shiny object in his hands produced glint after glint, shimmering in the moonlight now streaming through the shadowy trees. He stepped back looking me over and I quickly shut my eyes; I knew what part was coming next...