Night of One Hundred Horrors (Night 4) - The Path Most Followed [#37]

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            The last time I saw Bobby was the week after Halloween two years ago. We had a minor fight the day prior so we were both a little on edge. He went out at night to get cigarettes, or beer, or both, I don't remember exactly. Regardless, he was only supposed to go up to the corner store up the road, a ten-minute walk at the most. No one ever heard him again.

            I learned later that he never even made it to the corner store, or maybe he did. The employees all told a different version of that night. I didn't know what to think. Maybe he was kidnapped? Murdered? Skipped town? Nobody knew and the police were at a loss. I don't blame them, there was nothing to go on, for all we knew he simply vanished into thin air. That would have been preferable.

            About a month later someone found Bobby's wallet, about two miles past the corner store. It still had all his money, cards and identification in it. Although, it was caked with dirt and mud. As though it had laid there for the past month. It was a lead after all this time, but it did little to help the investigation.

            Two weeks after that, another random person found Bobby's watch three miles past our house. Specifically, in the opposite direction of the corner store. The watch was cracked and broken, but it had his initials carved into the base. I was more than a little unsettled by this. I was afraid some madman had kidnapped Bobby and started sprinkling his possessions around the town as part of some sick game. I honestly believed it wouldn't be long before limbs would be found. The truth was much worse.

            The pattern continued from week to week, month to month. Some possession of Bobby's would appear in the proximity of the corner store or our home. The police would investigate and the trail would go cold immediately. The media started to pick up on the story at this point. They threw out all sorts of wild theories about serial killers or that Bobby' faked his death. It stirred up the town and earned me some stares that ranged from pity to suspicious. At that point I was sick of the ordeal, I wanted to know for certain what happened to Bobby. I regret that decision with all of my being now.

            I walked the path to the corner store Bobby supposedly took the night he disappeared. In the morning, at night, midday, forward and backward. I moved along that road in every way I could think of, and it all amounted to nothing at first. That's when I realized something. Not one of Bobby's possessions was actually found between the corner store and home. Only past them.

            I began to extend those walks to an extra few miles past the corner store and home. It was after that I noticed a disturbing pattern. Every item of Bobby's was always discovered in the same straight line. One that ran through both the corner store and home. They were always found in the dirt or underneath something, but not as though they were hidden. It's more likely they were carelessly discarded. I took some time to think, and I came to a conclusion. If I wanted to know what happened to Bobby I'd need a guinea pig. I decided to watch this area and see if anyone else disappears as Bobby did. That was my last mistake.

            I put in some research and found that Bobby was only the most recent and most publicized disappearance. A few others in the past decade or so also vanished in the same area, but much less of them was found. I studied the findings and determined that most of the disappearances were a little past the corner store. I set myself up, not too far from where Bobby's wallet was found, but on the opposite side of the road. I spent more than a few days and nights in that place, doing my best not to look creepy. Eventually, I got my answer or at least part of it.

            It was late one night, I'd been camped in place for hours and was on the verge of sleep. Then I spotted an unfortunate soul out for a late jog. I didn't see what happened next, it was too fast. All I know is they passed a certain point on the road and vanished. Not as though they disappeared before my very eyes. More like I could hear their footsteps clearly one moment. Then in the next, the sound was abruptly cut off. The same way a radio goes dead if the power is cut off.

            I searched high and low for any sign of the disappeared person but turned up nothing. Some days later a missing person's report appeared on tv with the joggers face front and center. I foolishly decided to try again to catch whatever caused this phenomenon in the act. I bought an expensive camera and tripod. Set it up in my camping spot and told the neighborhood it was for an art project.

            A few nights later it happened again. Another unfortunate soul, a ragged man who had a little too much to drink passed by the same spot the jogger did. Just like before he vanished faster than I could see, but this time I had the camera set to automatic. It managed to take multiple pictures of the moment. I should never have looked at those pictures.

            I won't tell you what I saw, because I honestly have no idea what it was. All I will tell you is that it was not earthly. Whatever that thing was, it's not worth it to search for it. I saw what it did to that poor man, it was actually to the man's advantage he was drunk. He probably didn't even have a chance to realize what happened to him. The photos are gone now and the camera is buried in my closet. I ask that you don't pursue this any further, I don't want to imagine what'll happen to you if you do.

            There is one thing that bugs me though. The only place I observed the disappearances was two miles past the corner store. My only question is why was Bobby there? Could it mean that...? No, I promised myself I wouldn't investigate this further. I don't need any more nightmares.

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I don't have anything to say today except to look forward to night five this Thursday. I've got something special planned...
Until then Read, Comment and Enjoy.

Night of One Hundred Horrors (Night 3) - After Hours [#36]

Welcome to night three, prepared to be scared stiff down to your very bones,

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            'I'm such an idiot,' I thought as I pulled on the locked door. I glanced through the small window in the door. I could still see my car in the empty parking lot, illuminated by the full moon. 'So close yet so far,' I lamented as I accepted my fate. I was trapped inside the office and nobody will answer my phone calls. It'll be another six to eight hours before someone comes back to unlock the doors. I'm stuck and that's the end of it. I sighed and headed back up the second floor. I can at least crash on one of the couches in the employee lounge until morning, it beats the alternative.

            As I entered the second floor a strange sensation came over me. The familiar office space I spent almost every day in felt bizarre and alien. It wasn't the lack of light or people, although that was a factor, something felt wrong. Actually, wrong isn't the correct word, the room felt altered in some way, but I couldn't place my finger on it exactly. I tried to dispel the sensation, but it lingered even as I entered the lounge and closed the door.

            I spent a long time propped up on the tiny couch in the lounge, but I couldn't get to sleep. That creepy impression I got from the office earlier had crept deeper into me and formed a knot in my stomach. I felt queasy, but I didn't feel like trying to find the bathroom. I remained as a motionless lump on the couch for a good hour or so. Right as I was about to sink into half-sleep I heard a small crash out in the office.

            I knew better than to investigate, it was likely a burglar or vandal. Then I heard another crash, and another and another. It wasn't like the sound of breaking glass or the like. It was more akin to something falling, like a thin wall. I didn't know what to think, but I certainly wasn't going to check. Then the crashes began to come closer and closer until they sounded like they were just outside the lounge's door.

            I held my breath, afraid some lunatic was about to knock over the wall and attack me with a baseball bat. Then came a crash inside the lounge, on the other end of the room outside my direct field of vision. I glanced over and saw the wall had fallen down flat and on top of it was "something." I couldn't make out the details in the dark, but it had a jet black silhouette, an overall slender body, and long arms. Topped off with three red eyes in the center of its body.

            I held perfectly still as it lumbered past me. I heard the click of its feet as it moved over a hard piece of floor. As quickly as it appeared it vanished out the lounge's door. With the door open I could hear some kind of chatter that emerged from the main office space. There was more than one of this thing, and they were talking. They "talked" with these constant chittering sounds, like a colony of insects.

            It was maddening to listen to. It sounded like wood and metal that was scraped together in uneven patterns, then echoed a dozen times over. It made my skin crawl. I wanted to leave, to make a mad dash for my car, but I knew I was still trapped in here. I don't want to know what'll happen to me if these things see me. My only option is to remain motionless here and hope they don't find me.

            Those cursed chitters started to come closer. I could see a handful of thin silhouettes which stood in the door frame. Again I held my breath and hoped against hope that they couldn't see in the dark. I could see a trio of red eyes turn in my general direction and scan the room. They locked onto my position, almost staring directly into my own eyes. I seized up, held still and silently prayed.

~--~

            The next morning the janitor arrived to unlock the building and to perform a little maintenance. He was surprised to see a car in the employee parking lot, which should have been barren at this time of day. He wondered if it had broken down, but otherwise didn't think too much of it.

            It wasn't too long into his morning routine that he came up to the second floor. He wanted to make himself some coffee in the employee lounge. He noted that the door to the lounge was left open. Which was strange as he remembered someone on the night staff was very particular about keeping it closed.

            As he entered into the room things proceeded as normal. He started the coffee maker, pulled out a mug and put aside some cream. It wasn't until he turned around and leaned on the counter that he noticed he was not alone in the room. There was an office employee, still in business clothes, asleep on the couch.

            "Hey long night buddy," the janitor chuckled as he walked up to the employee. The janitor noted the person on the couch was quite pale in complexion, and seemed short of breath in their sleep. They also didn't respond to his comment, so he tried to shake them awake to no avail. Finally, the janitor placed his hand on their neck. It felt stone cold and their pulse was almost nonexistent. The janitor ran for a phone to dial 911. 

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That's all for this week, see you Tuesday for night four.
Until then, Read, Comment and Enjoy.

Night of One Hundred Horrors (Night 2) - Don't Walk In The Woods At Night [#35]

Welcome to Night Two, today's horror story is on the shorter side. A tale of caution to those who walk in the woods at night.

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            When you walk the dark road in the Forest of the Free at night you must never stray from the path. Even if you do remain on the path you must never wander, neither within the forest nor your mind. The Forest of the Free is not a place for idle curiosity, it is a convenient and dangerous path. If you do not heed these warnings, you will not be blessed with a chance to regret it.

            If you hear the rustle of leaves and the air is still, you must run. If a twig or branch is broken and it is not under your foot, you must flee. If a chitter echoes from an unknown source, you must escape. Do not try to locate the sounds, do not look in the direction of the sounds and do not attempt to stand your grand. The creatures of the forest are not mere animals. A pack of ferocious wolves or a bloodthirsty grizzly bear would be preferable to what you might see in those woods.

            In the unfortunate instance, you find yourself unable to flee the area, there is only one thing you can do. Close your eyes and pray to whatever higher power you believe in. No matter how confident you are in your strength. Regardless of what weapon you carry with you and in spite of the number of allies you bring with you. It will end all the same.

            When you see them your first instinct may be to hold still and stay low. You might think they won't see you, they will. You might try to strike first and target their eyes or legs, you will not have the chance. If you have allies, perhaps you'll try a diversion, sacrifice another so you may live to see another day. You won't.

            There is a saying used by all peoples who live around the Forest of the Free. Whenever someone goes missing within the forest it is said they are "lost." To call this wishful thinking would be false. It is merely easier to say than the alternative.

            I know you think these are exaggerations or nonsense. After all, why would we live near such a dangerous place? I will not refute your accusations, it is your funeral. However, as long as you respect the forest, and watch your back, you should have no issue. Trust me, even this endless fear can be tolerable given enough time.

~~~~
Hope you enjoyed tonight's story, remember I've got a story coming out on Saturday as well.
Until then, Read, Comment and Enjoy.

Night of One Hundred Horrors (Night 1) - Sleeples [#34]

Welcome to the first Night of One Hundred Horrors! For maximum enjoyment read this story in the dead of night with all the lights turned off.

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            It was another failure, like last night and every night before that. No matter how long they chanted, no matter how much they sacrificed, the results were always nil. They were the Cult of the Night's Eye. They were supposed to strike terror into the hearts of all who would oppose them. Yet, they had no means to support this assertion. Abraham wanted to believe they had such power. Yet, even after all this time, they have achieved so very little.

            Abraham was a long-term member of the cult, he joined around ten years ago when he was fresh out of school. He had lived among the cult ever since. He looked to his leader, the cult's founder Lysander, and felt a pang of guilt. He entrusted his life to this man, yet he had begun to doubt Lysander's words. Abraham shook his head, he refused to let doubt claim him now.

            "Let us continue tomorrow," Lysander announced. The group disbanded as ordered and broke their tight circle. Abraham could now see in full detail the mysterious symbol inscribed in the floor. It certainly appeared demonic and evil, with intermixed swirls and sharp edges. It felt as though some dark creature would emerge from it at any moment. However, nothing of the sort occurred, not even after a decade of attempts.

            "Is something troubling you Abraham?" Lysander approached him.

            "Nothing," Abraham answered, "I just thought tonight would be the night..." He trailed off, unable to complete his thought.

            "There is always next time," Lysander stated, "failure is merely a stepping stone to success."

            'You always say that though,' Abraham thought. "You're right," he agreed. Lysander nodded and left him. Abraham remained behind a little longer, even as all the others left the room.

            Sometime later, Abraham emerged from the basement where they conducted their ritual. He entered into the apartment complex which stood above. It was an older and isolated building out in the suburbs that creaked with age. On one side it was surrounded by a small grassy field and a forest, on the other was a parking lot and the road. Most of the nearby buildings and businesses were boarded up and abandoned. The nearest active business was at least a ten-minute drive away. It was well past midnight, the full moon hung high in the sky, and Abraham desired nothing but sleep.

            He returned to his apartment, a small single room with little furnishings. A bed, a desk, a dresser, a small bookshelf, a couple of chairs and a nightstand with a lamp. Abraham passed by everything and slumped right onto the bed. He didn't even bother to change out of his clothes. Within minutes he drifted off to sleep and put the previous day behind him.

~--~

            It was another night of summoning and again the Cult of the Night's Eye gathered in their basement. Again they failed to summon anything and yet again Abraham felt the same pangs of guilt as he sunk deeper into doubt. Except for this time, the others were not silent about the failure.

            "We have failed again?" "Have we done something wrong?" "We have done nothing wrong!" Their voices filled the room.

            "Perhaps someone doubts the process?" A random member declared.

            "Who could possibly be filled with so much doubt as to ruin the ritual?" Another member asked. The crowd of cultists discussed the possibility amongst themselves. Meanwhile, Abraham broke out into a cold sweat.

            "I know who it is," a larger member revealed, "It is Abraham!" The whole room turned toward Abraham. He wished to defend himself, but he could not find his voice.

            "Doubter!" "Non-believer!" "Fool!" "Failure!" The room chanted in unison as they fell upon Abraham. He wanted to flee, but his feet refused to move. The other cultists crashed upon him in a wave and Abraham finally woke up.

            "No!" Abraham nearly screamed as he shot up in bed. 'What a horrible nightmare,' he thought as he sweated bullets. 'I knew I should have changed. That must have caused the nightmare,' he quickly removed some of his clothing and laid back down. He tried to return to sleep, but the rapture of insomnia kept him pinned to the waking world.

            'I need to clear my head,' he decided as he got out of bed, but as he stood up he realized, he was not in his room. The area was black, his bed was now gone and he could barely tell which way was up. 'Am I still dreaming?' He realized, but despite the revelation, he could not will himself awake.

            He wandered the darkness for a long time, he wasn't sure how long. Eventually, he emerged into another room. It was a small apartment, different from his own. It reminded him of his old college dorm room. The floor was littered with papers and books on a variety of subjects. Everything from history, to math, computers and so on.

            'I don't like this,' Abraham thought, 'is this even a dream?' He felt sick in his stomach. The hair stood on the back of his neck and the room made him uncomfortable in a way he couldn't describe. He wanted to be away from this place, but a sensation nagged the back of his mind. It felt like he had forgotten something. Something important that he should not have forgotten. Abraham shook his head, 'This is just a dream, I think?'

            The room melted away and now he was near the apartment complex again, except it was morning and he was outside. The complex appeared surprisingly great now, in fact, it looked shy of brand new. The surrounding businesses were no longer boarded up, and the grassy field appeared lush and full of life. There was a summery, nostalgic smell in the air and the sun was warm and pleasant. The only problem was the area was devoid of people, there wasn't a soul in the area.

            'I still want to say I'm dreaming,' Abraham considered, 'but I don't know what to think.' He didn't want to move, he actually liked the feeling here. Although, he couldn't shake the strange sensation from the previous room off completely. 'Wait now I remember,' he realized, 'this reminds me of the day I joined the cult. I moved right from my dorm to the complex.' Abraham at first felt pride at his realization, but the sensation was still not dispelled. He had thought whatever he had forgotten had been the source of his the sickness in the pit of his stomach. Yet, that feeling continued, and the hairs on his neck still tingled.

            The once perfect atmosphere faded as morning gave way to night. Abraham watched the sun sink into the horizon at an incredible speed. As the night consumed the world the building in front of him began to succumb to age. By the time the full moon reached the top of the sky, the apartment complex deteriorated to its present appearance.

            Abraham rushed inside, he wasn't sure why, but he wanted to get out of the open. The sensation continued to consume him and he felt sicker and sicker by the moment. The only thought in his mind was, 'get home and lock the door.' As he rounded through a labyrinth of hallways, none of which matched reality it slowly dawned on him. As Abraham finally reached what he hoped was his door the reality of his situation finally hit him like a sack of bricks. He was being watched.

            This whole time he had faced forward and never dared to look back. He knew he shouldn't, he knew he should walk inside and shut the door, but he couldn't help it, he had to check. He looked back slowly, and out of the corner of his eye, he could see it. This thing, this monster, this demon. It was like a wooden doll if it had been carved by a lunatic. Thin arms and legs, sharp teeth and illogically placed eyes. It was perched on the railing behind him. It crawled along like a salamander but was twisted like a poorly managed marionette. It's head tilted and rotated as it noticed his gaze, and then it let out a mangled cackle.

            "SwwEEEEEeeeetttt....dRRReeeeAAAmmmmssss..." the creature chuckled before it leaped towards him. Abraham woke up screaming.

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Twelve nights remain, don't be quaking in your boots just yet.
Until then, Read, Comment and Enjoy.