The House

Prologue

I stood in the clearing, panting from the sprint that saved my life. I decided to slow down in the hopes that by now I had lost the beast. I looked over my shoulder as I walked the tree line. All seemed peaceful as if my screams hadn't just ripped through the air. The gentle breeze left my skin cool as goosebumps appeared. The leaves were silently falling from the trees. The only sound left in the world was the earth under my feet as I walked. All seemed to be well until my heart stopped at the sound of a twig cracking behind my back.
I stopped dead as a shiver crawled up my spine. I heard a rustle of leaves as I slowly turned. As my eyes turned to view the scene behind me, they set upon nothing but the trees lining the path and the dirt that filled the space between them. I stood still as a board as my eyes scanned the trees, as if the creature was waiting behind one to attack. There was another crack and I whirled around to see the dark creature lurking only feet from me. I stared at the horrible being as it stared me down. I felt fear as well as anger creep up into the pit of my stomach. The words came out before I could think and I was surprised how strong they sounded despite the shaking of my body, "What do you want?" The words smoothly flowed out as my eyes burned a hole in the mouth of whatever was standing in front of me. Scared to meet its eyes, I saw the terrible, mocking smile that crept onto its face. "You." The word hit me like a ton of bricks as I started to stumble back. My upper body was too much for my feet to handle, all of the sudden, and I fell to the ground. The last thing I saw was the creature lurking toward me with the same terrible smirk. Then it all went black.