“You’re really starting to piss me off, boy!”
One step…
His pause tells me that he’s reached the landing. I train my gaze on the door and hold my breath.
I’m safe, I’m okay.
His shadow eclipses the light creeping under the door– he’s not the bringer of darkness, heisthe darkness. The sound of his vicious laugh isn’t dampened by the barrier. If anything, it’s excruciatingly loud; I can almost smell the sour beer and rotten teeth. Something feels off; he doesn’t normally linger for so long.
A buzzing noise snags my attention, and in the same split second, the door explodes inwards, a large figure engulfing the space.
“What the fuck was that?” He seethes. I swear his eyes are glowing red, matching his demonic presence.
“W-what?”
“Don’t be a smart arse with me,” his voice is a low grumble, a warning. The phone buzzes again, and a nasty smile spreads across his face. “Sounds a lot like a phone to me…”
“It’s– It’s just the pipes…” He takes a slow and calculated step forward, tilting his head to the side.
“Get it.”
“Dad–”
“I said, get. it.” The realisation that he’s fully inside my room hits me.
“You were meant to ask for help.”My chest aches, and my eyes water at my own stubbornness. I used to seek comfort in the memory of Jules, but now all I want to do is hide in shame. I turn slowly to the drawer and pull it open. My hand wraps around the phone as I rummage with the other, buying myself time as I quickly hit dial. I’m not too proud to admit that in this moment, I’m scared.
“Hurry the fuck up!” He snaps. I release the breath I’ve been holding when I notice the faint dialling tone has stopped.
“...Zander?”A sudden rush of calmness envelops me, cradling my weary mind. For a moment, everything falls away; the air that was so heavy only seconds ago clears. For the first time all night, I take a steady and unhurried breath. My shoulders drop and my eyes close as I tip my head toward the ceiling.
Head up, be strong, ask.
“Zander, what’s wrong?”
“I need help–”
The phone is rippedfrom my hand.
I don’t realise I’m falling until my body lands against the wall opposite the bed. My head is spinning, and my vision is blurred and hazy. Noise fills the small space; the sound is pained, like that of a wounded animal.
The first impact steals my breath as his foot connects with my ribs.
The second sends my limp body sliding across the floor.
The third is a searing pain to the side of my face.
The fourth… Well, I think the fourth knocks me out.
Chapter Nine
Jules
Age 16
“Jules, I don’t want you going in there, okay?” I hear her say above the roaring in my ears. There isn’t space in my mind to think of the words that will ease her concerns. The only thing on my mind is Zander.
“Baby, look at me.” She clicks her fingers in front of my face, and I turn my head.We’re here.
