It was night again, a dreaded time of your day. You've repeatedly been having the same dream, a horrific dream. And everytime it ended the same. You'd wake up screaming! Then you would sit, shaking, drenched in sweat, trying to remember your nightmare's content. But it was always elusive. And now it was time to face another night of terror.
Sitting down on the sofa, you decided to watch some sitcoms. They always made you laugh and forget the inevitable, bedtime. You looked around. The old farmhouse you bought was kind of spooky itself. But if you had known the dreams you would have, you never would've bought it. But now it was yours, and you were stuck with it. After all, its qualities were the reason you bought it. It's gothic trim work, spiral staircase, and turret were, what did you call it? "Cool". It was a real "work of art".
The grandfather clock in the hallway struck midnight, sending a chill down your spine. You were so tired, eyes barely able to be kept open. But you didn't really want to go to sleep. Well, there was no fighting it. You had to get some sleep. Besides the nightmare had been cutting into what little sleep you got.
Getting up, you switched off the TV. The house was eeriely quiet, except for the tick tock of the grandfather clock. You quietly walk up the stairs, trying not to make them creak anymore than they already did. Once you got to the top of the stairs, the master bedroom was off to the right. Reaching around the corner, you flick on the light. The rooms setup was beautiful. It had a fireplace, a large walk in closet, and the turret, with its big gothic windows. That was where you put your bed, so you could have the cool air blow on you with its fresh country smell filling your room.
Once changed, you climb into bed. The air is especially cool tonight, but no matter. You just cuddle into your blanket, and stare out the window. The ancient trees sway in the wind. You can see the stars shining brightly behind them. Slowly you drift off to sleep.
The closet door creaked open. You get up, trembling, and walk over to it. Inside you see that a false wall has been slid to the side. Beyond lies blackness. Something inside you is drawn to explore its depths. Reaching up on a shelf, you grab your flashlight. It works! A big sigh of relief breaks the silence of the night. Slowly you edge to the black opening. Shining the light into the darkness, you see a set of narrow stairs plunging downward. Its sides are lined with wall studs and lap board. With plaster, once oozing through the boards, now dry. And there is no lack of cobwebs. The passage hasn't been used in years.
Hesitently, heart racing in excitement and fear, you start down the stairs. Its seems an eternity of steps and pulling cobwebs from your face, but you reach what seems to be the bottom of the stairs. The smell is a heavy musty smell. The thickness of it pulls at your stomach, making you gag. The walls are stone and mortar, and trickle with water here and there. The floor is dirt and very uneven. You're no expert but they appear to be older than the house. You shine the light down corridor, it seems never ending. You continue on.
There are no rooms that you can tell. But the stone corridor winds around like a labyrinth. And soon you're afraid you'll get lost. Or is it too late! You look around, which way did you come from? You choose a direction and trudge on. Soon you come across something white buried in the dirt. Curiousity draws you to it. Reaching down you dig it out with your hands. "No! No it can't be!" What lies before you is a human skull. But more frightening is the fact that across the right temple is what appears to be a gouge. A gouge caused by large teeth. You stand up quickly and look around. You listen like you never listened before. All you can hear is the trickling sound of the water on the walls.
Slowly, still listening, you crouch down to see if theres more of the skeleton. Thinking maybe its a fluke. You dig a little deeper and wider. To your horror, you find no skeleton, but what appears to be a pile of skulls. All with the same teeth-like gouges in them, and all buried together.
Thats it! Enough exploring! Your heart feels like its going to pound out of your chest. Time to get out of here. Then you hear it! A screech and growl combined that almost makes you wet yourself. Petrified, you stand there trying to discern what direction to run. Adrenaline kicks in and you break into a run. The horrific screech is getting closer. Panicked you push your body to its limit. All the sudden you come to a dead end. You claw and pound on the wall, screaming. Not knowing whether to run back the way you came. A moment of sanity hits you. Curling into a ball in the corner, you shut your light off. Holding your breath, you listen.
You hear heavy steps hit the ground, and they're coming closer. The screeching has tempered down to a growl. You can hear it breathe, labored and gurgling. Then it sounded like it was in front of you. A few meters away, but in front of you. Curiosity and common sense hit you at the same time. This is the nightmare after all. And you have to see what it is thats tormenting your sleep. You turn on your flashlight. Before you, a few feet away, stands a creature that defies sense and sensibility.
Humanoid in structure, but larger. An almost reptilian-like head. Grey rotting flesh, barely clinging to its body. Producing a pungent smell that permeates the air. Your eyes water as you choke back the vomit. In its jaws lie the largest teeth you can ever remember seeing. And it stands before you , eyes black and lifeless. Wrenching its head back, it screeches. It slowly lumbers toward you, drooling and snapping its teeth. You can't help but be afraid, even though its a dream. Or is it! In moments time you feel your spine snap. You feel the large razor teeth dig into the side of your skull. As a large chunk of your skull is ripped away, you blackout, all the while screaming its a dream.
Morning arrives with the rooster crowing. Your brother pulls up into the drive. He's been worried about you because of the lack of sleep you been getting. He knocks at the door, but you don't hear or answer it. Letting himself in, he calls your name. You still don't hear or answer. After searching all the 1st floor, your brother heads up the stairs. Turning into your bedroom, he finds you. You're curled into a ball, all covered up. Walking over he says, "hey bro, time to rise and shine!" Pulling back the covers, he stumbles back screaming. There you lie, but your head is missing. Unmistakably gnawed off!
© copyright By Scott L. McPherson 1/15/2002
(Based upon a reoccuring nightmare I had as a child, living in an old farmhouse. It would strike a primal fear in me everytime I saw it. The family after us didn't stay long either. And it would remain empty until its destruction. To this day, the land is barren, no one wanting it. To this day, you won't catch me there,...especially at night!)
