There's a Man in My House (Part 1)

This story is a little blast from the past that I've edited a little bit. I wrote it for school when I was fifteen. I tried to keep my fifteen year old me in it to keep it's originality. Enjoy!

Part One:

It was a dark and stormy night, and I was home alone, watching T.V. The rain was pounding heavily on the roof. I stared out the window as it drizzled down making designs on the glass. The night was dark and the wind made a slight whistling noise as it blew through the trees, making them sway back and forth.

I flipped through the channels on the television but there was nothing on worth watching. I decided to turn it off and go do some homework. It was spring break, my homework wasn't due for a week but, to make time pass by faster, I decided to do it.

As I sat at the kitchen table, I pulled out my school books and opened the first one, calculus. I sighed as I pulled a piece of paper out and began the lesson. My mind wandered everywhere but where it should be, making my head pound and my thoughts foggy. I tapped my pencil on the table as I tried to focus.

I jumped when I heard a loud vibrating sound coming from behind me. I quickly turned around. It was coming from on the coffee table, in the living room that is connected to our kitchen. I grabbed my chest, slowly breathing in and out as I tried to slow the pounding in my ribcage.

I walked over into the living room and grabbed my cell phone from the coffee table. It was my best friend, Stacy. I flipped the phone open to discover a text message. It said, “HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!”. The message had little bats and ghost flying around my screen. I closed my phone and set it down on the coffee table.

Time passed by slowly and the rain got heavier. The fridge in the kitchen made a sound and I glanced up. Something out the window caught my eye; a figure darted passed the window. My heart began to beat heavily again. I looked over to our front door hoping that I had remembered to lock it. I began to sweat when I realized it was unlocked, completely free for an intruder to come inside.

Slowly got on my hands and knees and crept towards the door. I could hear my heart pounding with every breath I took. Sweat began to drizzle down my face, dripping off my chin and nose. I played scenarios in my head of what I might do if I ever came face to face with an intruder. Finally, I got to the door. I backed up against it, grabbed the handle and locked the door quietly, and then I reached up and turned the deadbolt. I sighed in relief and slumped toward the ground.

Bright lights came through the window, reflecting on the wall. I turned and looked through the corner of my eye through the thin, vertical window that accented the front door, a car had pulled into my driveway.

I jumped to my feet as a loud knocking came at my door. Again I peeked through the corner of the window to see who it was. I sighed in relief and my heart slowed down again as I opened the door and met a familiar face.

“Hey, Stacy.” Feeling the relief melt away. She was soaking wet from the rain.

“Hi, Jessica.” She smiled but it quickly faded. “Are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost.”

“Oh. No. Everything is fine. Your knocking just made me jump. I'm okay.” I smiled.

“Are you doing anything tonight?”

“No.”

“Is it alright if I chill here for a while?”

“Sure. You saved me from doing my calculus homework.” I faked a laugh but it sounded more nervous than a genuine laugh.

I gestured inside and she walked in. We walked into the living room and sat on my black, leather couch.

“Why don't you do anything on Halloween anymore? We used to have so much fun.”

“I think I grew out of it. It's just not fun anymore.” I shrugged.

“Why don't you come party with James, Carlos and I?”

“Nah. You guys go have fun. I've got homework to do.”

“James really wants to see you.” Her voice lowered and her expression more serious.

I rolled my eyes. “I know. I've been avoiding his phone calls.”

James was my boyfriend, the cute, blond and blue eyed, football player type. I broke up with him a few weeks ago after someone saw him kissing this other girl and took a picture of it to show me. The girl was my arch enemy, Carlie. She always does whatever she can to make me miserable. It didn't work until she hit my soft spot, my boyfriend. I was crushed when I saw it. Tears formed and I blinked them away.

“It wasn't his fault. You know that right? You should really talk to him.” She put her arm around me.

“I've got homework to do.” I shook her arm off and stood up.

“Alright I've got to meet up with them anyway.” She said as she stood. “Have fun doing homework. Goodnight.” She played it cool as she walked through my kitchen and out the front door, but I could tell she was annoyed. For a moment, I felt guilty but, it quickly faded away as I remembered the picture that would forever be seared into my mind of James and Carlie.

I locked the door behind her, walked over to the couch and sank into the cushions. I picked up the remote again and turned the T.V. on.

I was watching a bunch of commercials until a warning popped up on the screen saying, “WARNING! A SERIAL KILLER HAS ESCAPED PRISON! LAST SEEN NEAR PLEASANT GROVE HIGH SCHOOL! LOCK DOORS! DON'T GO OUTSIDE! KILLER HAS DARK BROWN HAIR BLUE EYES IS ABOUT 6' 2”! WARNING!” Then it would repeat itself over and over.

Shit. I thought. My house was close enough to the high school. It was down the road, you could see it from my front lawn, once you get passed the trees that hid the house from view. The property was big and had a lot of places to hide.

My house was big enough that there would be several places for an evil murderer to be lurking. I rolled my eyes. I’m so paranoid... What were the chances that a killer would come to my house? It's an obvious spot. The cops would look here first. They would suspect that. Wait... maybe that's why he would choose my house, because they wouldn't think he'd be so smart to hide here. I sighed. All I'm doing is scaring myself.

I got up and walked over to the window. Rain drizzled down the glass, I could barely see outside. Suddenly through the blur of the rain, I saw a figure. I rubbed my eyes and looked closer. It suddenly vanished. Great. My fear is getting to me.

I walked back to the couch and sat down, changing the channel; the warning played on all channels. I gave up and turned the T.V. Off. I picked up my cell phone from the coffee table, slipped it into my back pocket and walked over to the table to finish my “Fun” homework.

I felt my phone vibrate again and pulled it out; it was James. I quickly opened and closed it, hanging up on him. I sighed and put the phone on the table.

I started again on my homework. I was on problem twenty when the lights started flickering, breaking my concentration. Soon they flickered into darkness. The power went out. Frustrated, I slammed the pencil on the table. Now I will have to go to the basement and turn on the generator.

I got up, walked passed the kitchen and into the dark basement. I felt my way around trying to find the case that held our flashlights and took one out turning it on. I walked over to the generator and flipped the switch. Nothing happened.

I Jumped as I heard a creaking coming from upstairs. It almost sounded like someone was walking around. I shook my head. I've got to stop thinking. I looked around for the plugs and shone the light on them.

I froze. My heart began to thunder, I could feel it in the veins of my head. Someone had cut the cords.

A crash came from upstairs. It sounded like glass shattering, then footsteps. The footsteps walked right past the door to the basement, which was wide open. I turned the flashlight off. The footsteps paused. I looked up toward the stairs. Lightning flashed and the shadow of a man appeared on the basement wall.

I grabbed my face as I gasped trying to hold in my scream. He saw me.

I stood up and ran towards the bedroom in our basement and dove under the bed, hitting my head on the bed frame. The pain was excruciating. I held my forehead and tried to shake it off. I wiped my forehead and looked at my hand, blood. The metallic scent added to my dizziness.

I heard footsteps coming down the hall and held my breath, trying to hold the scream in. I've got to get out of here! He came into the room and paused by the bed.

“Little girl, I know you're here.” He said in a deep voice. “Come out, come out wherever you are.”

I struggled to keep myself calm and scooted to the end of the bed against the wall.

He knelt down and looked under the bed. Lightning flashed and I closed my eyes ready to accept my fate.

He got up and walked to the next room. He didn't see me. How did he not see me?? I sighed in relief and looked up, through the doorway. A straight shot to the upstairs. If I'm quiet I can make it up the stairs and call the police.

Quietly, I crawled out from under the bed, out the door and made a run for it up the stairs, slamming the basement door behind me and locking it. Tears were streaming out of my eyes and blood gushed from my forehead.

I ran to the phone in the kitchen and picked it up, no dial tone. I looked at the cord, it had been cut too.

Where's my cell phone?
I looked over to the coffee table. There it was in the middle of the glass.

Banging came from the basement door. It sounded like he was throwing things at it. The door was cracking and I could hear it. It wasn't much longer until he got out.

I ran to the coffee table, jumping over the couch. I grabbed it and ran past the basement door and into my parents room.

The basement door slammed open.

I ran to my parents’ closet and curled up in a ball in the back corner, behind a lot of boxes and a full rod of clothes, hiding myself. The cut on my forehead stung from the sweat that began to create little droplets. My heart was pounding so hard I could barely hear anything. I was surprised he couldn't hear it.

Suddenly a buzzing came from my back pocket. I pulled out my phone. It was James again. This time I answered.

“Hello?” I whispered, out of breath.

“Jessica? Thank you for answering the phone.” He paused. “Babe, we need to talk.” He said in a nervous voice.

“James, I don't have time.”

“What? Why?” He stuttered.

“There is a man in my house.” My voice trembled.

Silence filled the line.

“I'm coming to get you.” A sense of urgency in his voice. “Do whatever it takes to stay hidden. If you get the chance, run to the neighbors.”

“I love you.” I blurted, just before he hung up.

He paused. “I love you too. I'll see you soon.” He hung up.

I was not so sure he would get here in time. I had to let him know my true feelings. I really did love him no matter what happened.

I have to get out of the house. Run to the neighbors if I could. I have to act quickly, and quietly. I have to run.

I watched the man walk past the door to my parents’ room and down the hall. He was making a lot of noise and throwing things around. He started mumbling. I couldn’t tell what he was saying. Why is he making so much noise? It didn’t matter. I couldn’t think about that now.

Tears streamed out of my eyes. I closed my eyes. This was it. Goodbye, James. I love you.

After a few moments, I opened my eyes got out of the closet and ran for the front door. I ran through the trees in my front yard, trying to find the road through my dizziness and blurred vision. I searched for a place to hide.

As I ran, I tripped and fell. My lungs were ready to burst, but I couldn’t give up. Pain ran through every part of my body, it was agonizing. I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t see, I was soaking wet, covered in mud, blood oozed from my forehead, and it was pitch black. I pushed myself harder.

I fell down again, cutting myself on rocks and tree branches. I got back up, not looking where I was going. I slammed into what seemed like a brick wall and then I felt hands grab me.

“No!” I screamed, pounding my fists on the man. “Let go of me!”

Strong hands grabbed my face, smothering the sound of my screams.

“Be still.” He said quietly. The voice sounded familiar. It was beautiful. I stared in awe at those beautiful big blue eyes, gave him a great big hug and buried my face in his shoulder. For once this whole night, I felt safe and secure. He put his hand gently on the back of my head. I couldn’t help but cry harder. My heart burst with happiness as James held me in his firm grip.

“I thought I lost you.” He whispered.

“I love you.” I said softly.

“We’ve got to get you out of here.”

Holding my hand, we snuck past the trees and to his shiny, black Silverado. He opened the passenger door and helped me inside. Then he ran around to the driver side and climbed in. He put the key in the ignition and the engine roared to life. He put it in drive and pulled away from the curb.

I rested my head against the window and looked toward the dark house, hidden by tall trees. There, parked in my driveway was a familiar vehicle. I felt the color drain from my face.

“Did you and Carlos ever meet up with Stacy?” I asked.

“No. I called and canceled. I didn’t want to go without you.”

“Stop the car.” I commanded.

“What?” He said confused.

Suddenly my cell phone rang; It was Stacy. Trembling, I flipped the phone open.

“Hello?” My voice shook.

“Jess?” It was Stacy. Her voice trembled.

“Stacy, are you alright?”

She started sobbing. “He’s going to kill me.”

To be continued...