Midnight drew close over my neighbourhood. I brushed my teeth, got into my pajamas and prepared for bed. Rain poured outside. I heard it through the gap of my window that was ajar, only by a little, enough for the wind to come in as well. A cold breeze brushed my vulnerable cheek — I laid on my side. It was Winter and I forgot to close the window fully. I could not bother to do it, nor could I ask my Mum or Dad. Instead, I laid there, under my duvet and bathed in the warmth it provided.
For a time my eyes were open. I listened to the noises that came through the night. A creak in the floorboards, a tapping inside the walls, a water drop from a tap inside the bathroom; which was only a few steps away from my room. As well as the muffled noises that came from the TV, downstairs. My parents were watching there usual programmes.
Then I heard a footstep that came from the direction of my room’s doorway. I faced the wall so I couldn’t see if it was anyone, or just another sound. Although my eyes glared, to scared to turn around and look. My mind brushed it aside, and I decided to close my eyes in order to get some sleep — perhaps I simply imagined it. However, that was not the case. There was a second step, then a third, and a fourth…It felt so close. I drew the duvet over me to the point I was completely submerged. Out of sight. This did not deter it though, as more steps were taken. I froze at the sound of breathing…it was right behind me.
—
The urge to run grew stronger, yet, at the same time, I didn’t want to. My seven-year old self just wanted to hide and begged for it to go away. I screamed in my mind.
“GO AWAY!”
But it didn’t, the breathing became heavier. I couldn’t take it anymore. My hands pulled down the duvet, enough for me to peek out and look. It was hard to tell as it was dark, though fortunately I had a slice of moonlight to alleviate that, even if it was a tiny bit.
A figure stood there, over me, and watched. The first thing I noticed was its horns; Black, long and curved. Then its face, similar to a man, except it wasn’t a man at all. It was a darker being, imbued with evil.
His features were, defined. He had a sharp nose, a pointed chin and a strong jawline. His torso was bare, muscular- exactly as his arms were. The man wore dark trousers of some kind, I could not tell. The skin was red, even if it did not appear that way, I knew it was. A red-skinned demon had entered my room, for what purpose? That was beyond my comprehension.
That was it, the urge forced me into action. I ran, as hard and fast as I could. But everything became slow. As if a greater force held me back. The demon was in no hurry.
I managed to get downstairs. My hand reached for the door handle, and I went to open it as I would do. It was locked. I tried again but it would not budge. I started to bang on the door and called out for my parents. The TV was still on, I could hear it. No one came to help. I began to smash the door at this point. Dread filled my very being. That was when he stood at the top of the staircase. His eyes glistened at my struggle. I bashed and bashed against the door. Still, it did not move. The red-skinned demon took his first step down. Adrenaline shot through my veins at the sight of his descent. It made push harder and harder. I looked again — he was already half-way down the stairs.
“MUUUUM, DAAAAD!!!”
Whoosh
The door flew open and I bolted straight into the living room, and slammed the door behind me.
—
My parents paid no notice to my entry, or my distraught state. They were bewitched by whatever was on the TV. This did not stop me from snuggling in between them. Even if it was for a brief moment, I felt safe. Then the door crept open, and everything had changed. My parents were no longer transfixed to the TV screen. There heads turn, robotically, and faced me. Cold, emotionless — they grabbed me by the arms.
“Mum, Dad??”
The demon poured its presence into the room with us. My Mum and Dad lifted me, and offered me to the demon. I wiggled to be free.
“NOOO, NOOO, LET ME GOOOOO!!!”
They did not listen to my demand. Soon enough, I laid in the demon’s arms. What happened next, was certainly strange. You would expect a sacrifice, so would I. Yet there was no sudden kill. No going down to Hell. Strangely, he carried me back up the stairs, to my room — and laid me down upon my bed.
The red-skinned demon, smiled. He smiled at me. I turned away, not in disgust, but in hope. For him to not be there anymore. I then looked and found no one. My prayer was answered. With that, also came morning. Time had been moved forward. Maybe, all that never happened. I laid there, and wondered.
—
My parents had no recollection of the event I described to them later on in that day. This memory, is profound for me, even today. I have not seen him since. Although, an occurrence with him did happen when I was fourteen. I wasn’t able to see him. However, I was able to feel him. His very presence attempted to crush me, inside my mind? I believe. As if I angered him for not doing his bidding. For whatever plans he may of had for me, were destroyed. Perhaps the red-skinned demon did have a far more, sinister plan for me after he laid me upon my bed?
I expected it to be a seven year cycle kind of thing. Naturally, I thought I would see him once I had reached twenty-one. It has been eleven years since — he never returned. Somewhere, in the shadows, and on one day whilst in bed, when I least expect it. He’ll be standing there.
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