Board Thread:Writer's Workshop/@comment-30229327-20170219222130

I'm sorry that this story is a little long, but bare with me. I'd like anyone's opinion on this pasta I wrote, and I'll be the first to say that I'm not the best writer. If you could read it all the way through, then that's great. If not that's fine too. I just want some advice on how I could make it better.

Before I start, just note that I’m not an insane man. I state this because the tale I’m about to tell you may seem imposturous to you. So bizarre that if you didn’t know better, you would think you were reading the words of a mad man. But I assure you that everything I write is no doubt the undeniable truth about what happened to me. How my life soon brought me into writing this. Though, due to the limited time I have, I’m forced to abbreviate my tale to you. That thing is coming for me, and I’ll be damned if it gets me before I finish writing this. That’s why I’m apologizing in advance for not including some details of my experience due to the situation that I’m in. An insane man wouldn’t feel remorse for such a little thing. It all started around a month ago, where my life was at the pinnacle of being what most people would call a “blessed life”. We just bought a house in Albany, New York, I worked as a reporter for the newspaper in. I was always passionate about writing. I craved for it like an unhealthy addiction. It was a way to create a world in my image: all by the swift movements of my pen. It was a way to escape reality, and focus all my time and energy in manifesting many wondrous things on a sheet of paper. And I loved it even more when it gives prosperity to my family and me. My wife and daughter were the pride and joy of my very being of existence, and I would do anything for them. But right now, I just wish that I would have the chance to hug them one last time and tell them how much they mean to me. My wife, Selena, how should I put this? She is just so special to me that I can’t think up words to describe her. All I can say is that she is amazing, perfect even. From the slim, erotic curves of her body to the small, breathtaking features of her beautiful face. Her luscious brown hair that shined vibrantly everywhere she went. The first time I met her, I fell head over heels for her, and I was astonished once I found out that she had the same feelings for me. As I write this, I wonder how I even pull such a fine woman in my life. And because of her our daughter, Faith, was brought into this world. She’s an angel, my little angel. I would wake up almost every morning pondering to myself, “What special surprise that little will bring to us?” She doesn’t talk all too much, but she is blessed with the gift to manifest her emotions on a canvas of her own. She paints. I was so amazed the first time I found out about her talent. Faith’s work was extraordinary, original, inspiring. She was only seven years, yet an enthusiast magazine did a feature on one of her pieces. It wasn’t on the front page or anything, but just being in it was amazing. It was an honor for not only Faith, but for Selena and me as her parents. Sorry, I got off topic. I just… miss them. I honestly thought that I had what most people would call “a blessed life”. Like nothing can possibly go wrong in our perfect life. If only I knew what was about to happen next. I would give anything, just to see them one more time. Even if it is just for five seconds; I would gladly die knowing that they were okay. But I can’t die just yet. Having idealistic fantasies like that in my situation will waste time. Like I said before, it all happened a month ago, I started to have sleep problems. At the time, I never really thought too much of it. It was a new house, and I thought I just needed to get adjusted to it. I brushed it off, convincing myself that I just worked too hard that day. Yet, ever since that night, it was only getting worse. At first, I would wake up, and go back to sleep with ease. Then it escalated to where I’d wake up and not be able to sleep through the rest of the night. After a while, I found myself not getting any sleep at all at night. This kind of thing never happened to me, and I had no idea why. I’d stay up for hours in bed just watching my wife sound asleep beside me. Even though I love her, at that moment I felt a slight feeling of envy towards her. Her gentle breaths were barely audible as she was in a peaceful slumber. I sat there silently looking over her fragile body every night. It wasn’t until the second week of this insomnia that I went to get help. I couldn’t work properly with the heavy drowsiness that was bestowed upon me. I remembered my boss came up to me and asked if everything was okay. I turned to talk to him, but I could tell from the expression on his face that he knew I was tired. “Listen, I get what you mean,” he said, “The bags underneath your eyes says it all. Just go home and relax for a bit. Please, come back when you are feeling yourself again, okay.” I didn’t argue with him, and went home early that day. I told Selena about everything that happened up till that point, and I wasn’t surprised that she fussed at me for not telling her beforehand. I let her have her moment with me, and we eventually went off to the hospital. I talked to my doctor, got prescription medicine, and went back home. Sorry for the vague description, but that is how I remembered that day. The doctor said to take it once a day before I go to bed. Like any human being, I listened to the doctor’s instructions. After I tucked Faith into bed and got ready for the night, I felt a sudden drowsiness hit me. I immediately knew it was the drug’s effect, yet it seemed a little too intense. I felt the need to stop what I was doing and I found myself underneath my covers. My wife kissed me goodnight, as she lay in bed beside me. For the first time in those two weeks I felt comfortable. The warmth of the blanket nurtures me, as if I was small child in the protective arms of a loving mother. I felt a warm sensation in my belly, and I could feel my eyelids slowly close. I thought I was finally drifting to a deep, relaxing slumber. But I wasn’t prepared for what was about to happen next. In the middle of the night, I awoke from my slumber once again, but there was something different this time. I couldn’t move. Never in my life have I had sleep paralysis, but that night was the first. And it deemed far more terrifying than I thought it would be. I stood there motionless on the bed. I waited for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, and once it did I anxiously scanned the room. I was facing the door out to the hallway and the bathroom. Though I wasn’t facing Selena. I tried to call out to her, but my voice was barely audible. All that came out was a pitiful whimper. Even though I can’t see her, I could feel her gentle breathing beside me. At least I knew she was fine at that moment, but I was still worried. I closed my eyes, praying that I would go back to sleep, as if I was scared little boy hiding in the comforts of his bed. I found peace in the newfound darkness, and I waited patiently to drift back to sleep. The sense of drowsiness didn’t fall upon me. Instead my eyes opened wide, as I felt something crushing my chest. I puffed and wheezed violently. I couldn’t even turn to see what was pushing against my chest. My eyes adjusted once again, and I was still facing towards the door to the hallway and the bathroom. But there was something different this time. As the unknown force continues to put pressure on me, I saw a dark figure in the hallway. It stood tall; almost touching the ceiling. A black hazy mist surrounded it, yet the figure itself didn’t have a define shape to it. And the most eerie feature about this thing was its large, cartoon-like eyes. Its white, empty eyes contrasted with its entire body, and it was staring right at my paralyzed body. It kept into my room, and as it did the pressure on my chest intensified. The metallic taste of blood was present inside of my mouth. In my mind, I knew I wasn’t lucid dreaming. This was too vivid to be a figment of my imagination. This was happening for real, and God knows what would happen if that thing gets to me. With all the strength and will power I could muster, I tried my very best to move, even if it is just an inch. That thing was moving closer to me, and the pressure on my chest was becoming unbearable. At that moment, I felt as if my body would give in at any moment and get crushed by this unseen force. Before I knew it, this thing was only just a few inches away from me, then it stopped. It just stood there looking down on me with those empty white eyes. I felt my consciousness beginning to drift off. My eyes were barely open, and I felt the blood from my mouth run across my cheek, as if I was drooling. I couldn’t bare the pain much longer. I was on the brink of passing out, and I feared that moment would be my last seconds of life. That was, until I heard the ominous creature spoke. Its words echoed sharply, and its voice seemed as if it is not from this world. My eyes grew wide as I heard what that thing had said to me. Faith… It wasn’t fear that took over me at that moment. No, this time, I felt anger. A boiling sensation of rage bubbled up in my belly, and I suddenly had the freedom to move once again. I was prepared to die moments ago, but I would be damned if that monster gets a hold of Faith before I die. My Faith! She was the pride and joy of my life that I brought into this world. I blacked out. I didn’t remember what happened next at that moment. Though, I remembered coming back to my senses. That thing wasn’t in sight, and I felt Selena’s arms wrapped around my waist, and she clung onto me. I looked around, and I realized I was standing in the middle of a huge mess in my room. Stuff was knocked down on the ground, the bed covers scattered all around the room. I felt the tears of my wife soaking from the back of my shirt. I then heard her muffled cries. “Please, stop it,” Selena cried out, “calm down, it was only a dream!” I was confused. I didn’t know what that experience was, but it wasn’t a dream. It seemed too real to be something imagined in my head. Then I heard footsteps from the hallway, and I literally jumped. I was prepared to fend off whatever is racing down that hall into our room. To my surprise, it was Faith. Her hair was messy, and her eyes were barely open from exhaustion. She held a teddy bear tightly in her left arm as she spoke. “Mommy, daddy? What is with all that noise?” she asked quietly. She looked so innocent that moment. Defenseless even. All I saw in front of me was a confused little girl. The thought of what that thing said to me popped up inside my head, and I couldn’t help but to cry. Ignoring Selena’s grip, I ran toward Faith and hugged her tight. I continue to sob, and I felt Selena wrapped her arms around us. I cried out saying that I was sorry repeatedly. At that moment, I didn’t know if what just happened was a dream or not, but there was no way I was leaving Faith’s side. The same went with my wife, Selena. But just like that night, I wasn’t prepared for what happened next. After that God, awful night, everything in my life changed for the worse. I wasn’t surprised that I couldn’t get any sleep after that, and by then I was getting used to it. But the weird thing is that I never felt the need to sleep at all. I’d stay up for days, and never feel the sensation of drowsiness. Not only that, but every time I was alone, I felt as if I was being watched. The hair on the back of neck rose in caution, and I found myself looking over my shoulder way too often. Every time I enter a room, I felt the need to have a view of the door at all times, so I could have the slightest feeling of safety. I tried going back to work, but I was sent home again. Even at my own job I couldn’t focus correctly. I was desperate at that point. I used depressants, sleep-aid, I even went through therapy. Yet, none of that made a change to my condition. But that wasn’t all that happened. After that night, my daughter wasn’t the same anymore. She became more distant around people. Most of the day she would lock herself inside of her room; isolated from the outside world. Even at school she quickly became an outcast. Surprisingly, Faith continued to paint, but this time she desperately tried her best not to let anyone see. Not even Selena and me. None of this made any sense to me. One moment I was the happiest man I could be, then the next I was in the middle of something that I had no intention of being in. It wasn’t long until I started seeing that monster again. Occasionally at night that shapeless void would watch me. I would lie in the bed, paralyzed just like that dreadful night. The pressure on my chest would come again, and again. For hours I was forced to stare right back at that thing’s lifeless eyes. And it is as if the thing was inching closer to my bedside every night. I knew that this monster wasn’t some figment of my imagination. All of this seemed so unreal to me, yet I was experiencing them so vividly. It was as if my deepest nightmares suddenly immerged from my consciousness and appeared in the living world to torture me. I couldn’t tell my family, or my psychiatrist about this. The first thing they would think of me was that I was insane. Brush off my story as a wild tale I imagined from lack of sleep. I didn’t want to put my family at risk, nor did I want to sit still and wait for that creature to eventually get me. My wife was always nagging at me, asking what the hell was wrong with me. She was worried about me, and it killed me not tell her the truth. This little charade of mine ended three days ago; when I entered my daughter’s room for the first time since all of this started. Like I mentioned before, Faith acted strange ever since that night I first encountered that monster. She became so adamant about us being inside her room. She never wanted us to bother her. Not even to tuck her in at night. She would even get up early, so that we wouldn’t come inside her room to wake her up. It seemed strange to us, but Selena stated that Faith was probably going through a phase, or she was painting something so amazing that she wouldn’t let us see. She brushed it off that easily, as if it was nothing to worry about. For me, I couldn’t ignore this. My wife didn’t know my side of the story. One night, when that thing wasn’t around to be seen, I went to check up on Faith’s room. As expected the door was locked, but for some reason I felt another presence in there. Call it sixth sense maybe, but I didn’t understand it at first. Yet, I didn’t want to ignore it either. I pressed my ear on the cold wood of the door and waited. At first it seemed a little odd for me to be ease dropping. For all I know Faith could be sleeping, and I would just be a paranoid father listening for something that’s not there. I stayed there for a while, and eventually I grew tired. Not physically, but I felt as if I was worrying too much. Though I was foolish to even think that my daughter was safe for a second. Before I was about to leave and go back to my sleepless night, I heard something from the other side of her room. If I were another inch off the door I probably wouldn’t heard it. It was an inaudible whisper; too quiet and ominous to understand. It scared me. It scared me so much. It was the same god damn whispers that monster did that night. I didn’t want to admit it, but I knew my daughter was acting the way she was because of that thing. That void like creature wanted her for some odd reason, and I wasn’t going to sit and wait for something to happen. Like any rational father would do, I wanted to protect my child. I wasn’t going to let this monster win. Only an insane man would allow something like that to harm his child. I reached my hand on the top of the door, and grabbed the key that was resting on the overhead. Quickly, yet cautiously I inserted the key inside of the doorknob. I heard the whispers become louder and more understandable by the second. Whatever was in there was spouting my daughter’s name repeatedly, like a broken record. It continued until it was basically screaming out her name. Faith! Faith! Faith! I finally heard a click from the knob, and I swung the door open. Though I only found myself breathing heavily in a dark, ordinary room. The monster was nowhere in sight, and my daughter was sleeping peacefully in her bed. I sighed in relief, knowing that my daughter was safe now. Yet I was worried about my own being. “Was it really all in my head?” I thought. Maybe the lack of sleep and the sudden change in my life was messing with my head at that time. I didn’t know. But what I did know was that thing was still out there. It’s not something inside my head that’s fucking with me. It was as real and vivid as my breathing daughter in front of me. I stood there in that empty room, quietly looking upon my daughter as she slept. I wanted to rub my hand across her baby-like face, but didn’t want to wake her in doing so. I stood there in that silent room, and I realized something. It was the first time in weeks I was inside Faith’s room. It seemed a bit messier than I remembered it, but it was her room. Her room defined her personality so well. Pure innocence and carelessness to the world. As I looked around, I saw one of her canvases laying on the floor. I was finally going to see one of Faith’s paintings. I picked up the canvas and examined every curve and detail of it. When I first picked it up, I felt a since of excitement course through me. I’ve forgotten that feeling, and I was going to enjoy every second of evaluating my daughter’s painting. But that feeling didn’t last long. The moment I glanced at the painting, my excitement twisted and transformed into a feeling of dread. Faith was in the painting, and she was crying on her bed. Every detail of the painting seemed too real, as if the entire thing was a photograph. But the thing that disturbed me the most was the black, void like creature standing next to her bed with those damn eyes. And this time… it was smiling. Its wide cartoon like smile stretched from one outline of the creature to the other. I could see the drool dripping from its razor-sharp teeth, as if it was leaking out of the canvas itself. I stood there like a statue, hypnotized by the painted white eyes of that demon. I never broke eye contact of that painting. The sun eventually came up, and it filled the room with light. I paid no attention to it. I was still in the trance of the painting. That was, until I felt the hair of the back of my neck rise. “What are you doing in my room daddy?” Faith said in a flat voice. Faith was right behind me, but I felt the presence of another being. Also, she sounded different from her usual self. It wasn’t just her drowsiness kicking in from just waking up. I could tell that much. It was as if another voice was stacked on top of Scarlet’s voice. Like two people were saying the same thing at the same exact time. I turned around, but only to see Faith by herself. I showed her the painting. “Why did you paint this? Do you know what this thing is?” I asked in a worried tone. Faith’s blank expression on her face changed. I saw anger in her eyes. She screamed and stomped around, like a child would when they don’t get what they want. She ripped the sheets off her own bed, and wildly making a bigger mess than before. Paintings were knocked down on the floor, photo frames were shattered, and pages from books were torn from their spines. I’ve never seen Faith act like that, nor any child for that matter. I dropped the painting and I went over to stop the rampaging child. I grabbed on to her tightly, and she squirmed and yelled. Then she hit me. Not just once, but a full throttle of punches. Blow after blow, she hit me in the gut, and I tried my very best to keep my composure. “What’s the matter, Faith? Talk to me!” I exclaimed. She acted as if she didn’t hear a word I said. She continued to yell at the top of her lungs and squirm out of my arms. Though, it was a matter of time until Selena finally came into the room. I saw confusion and fear in her eyes. Her face contorted in a way I’ve never seen before; an expression filled with a mix of emotions that I couldn’t figure out at that moment. “What the hell is going on here?” Selena said in a shrieking voice. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out!” Without saying anything else, Selena went by my side to help me. We didn’t want to hurt Faith, but her screams were only getting louder and louder. My ears were at the verge of bursting, and staining the floor with blood. I felt my ears ringing violently from the excruciating screams of this child. I didn’t know what to do, nor my wife. Surprisingly, Faith’s screams soon faded to an unexpected silence. I felt the weight of her body suddenly dropped into my arms. She passed out due to exhaustion. With her body, still unconscious in my arms, I fell on my back and gave out a huge sigh. I’ve never experienced anything like that before, neither have Selena. I looked up to see her face, and I could tell she was scared. She was worried about Faith; I could tell that much. But her face showed more than just anxiety. I saw guilt. From the bright rays of the sun dazzling through the window, I could see tears protrude from her eyes. “I’m sorry,” Selena cried. “I knew something was wrong with Faith, but I didn’t want to believe it. I saw all the signs, but I ignored them. I didn’t think it would get this bad, honestly.” I couldn’t take the pressure any longer. I’ve endured this living hell for far too long, and I wasn’t going to let this thing win. Right there at that moment, I told Selena everything I was keeping secret from her. I’ve told her about that night I first saw the creature. I’ve told her about the countless days of medication; trying to get myself to feel at least a bit drowse. And I’ve told her how every day I stress for Faith’s safety. Despite everything I told her, it seemed as if she wasn’t understanding a single word I was saying. The expression on her face changed to a more confused look. She stared at me with blank eyes; not even trying to process what I had just said. “What are you talking about?” She replied. “I know you saw the signs too, but I didn’t expect that you would blame Faith’s condition on some made-up monster.” I lay there speechless; looking up at my wife who obviously didn’t understand the weight of the situation. I gently lay Faith on the rugged carpet beside me, and I stood up from my comfort so that Selena and I would be facing each other on equal grounds. Our eyes didn’t yield from each other’s challenging glares. We stood there in silence, waiting for which of us would say something first. It was Selena who finally broke the tension. “I can’t believe this,” she spouted. “I don’t know what’s going on inside your head, but you got to focus on the real word here. I’ve didn’t want to believe it, but I think our daughter has autism. This is your child for Christ sake. This isn’t one of your made-up stories.” “Autism? I know that Faith has always been to herself, but I know damn well she doesn’t have autism. This thing that’s been terrorizing me for the past weeks is not from this world, and for some reason it wants Faith. Why can’t you get that in your head?” “Well it’s kind of hard to believe that some boogeyman is the cause of all of this. Plus, you haven’t been sleeping well either. You’re tired, honey. The stress you may have might be the reason why you’re out of it. It’s normal.” “Normal? I’ve stayed up for days, not even feeling a bit tired. Do you call that normal? I purposely overdose on sleep meds, but I felt as if I never took them at all. Do you call that normal?” I turned around to pick up the painting that was lay face down of the ground. I put the painted right in front of Selena’s face, so she could examine every detail of it, just like I did. “Faith didn’t want me to see this painting. You said that the creature was made-up, right? Then tell me why the exact same monster is in Faith’s painting! Do you call that normal?” Selena immediately swatted the canvas out of my hand as soon as I put it in her face. She coursed her hands through her brown hair, and made it into an unpleasant mess. She looked at me with tears in her eyes. “Do you expect me to believe you when you show me a blank canvas?” she cried. I looked down to see the canvas, and I was stunned at what I saw. She was right. The canvas was blank. I kneeled and viciously scavenged through the mess on the floor. It made no sense to me. I remembered where I dropped that painting when Faith started screaming. I was hoping that I might’ve picked up the wrong painting, but I remembered that it was the only one on the ground at the time. To my displeasure, I couldn’t find it. I didn’t just imagine it. That blank canvas on the floor had the painting on it, I’m certain of it. I knew that monster was fucking with me again. I got up from the floor and I put both of my hands-on Selena’s shoulders. I looked straight into her tear-running eyes. “Selena, I know that none of this make any sense to you, but I beg of you to believe me. I’ve never been so scared in my life, and all I need is your support right now. I’m asking you as your husband, your best friend, Selena. Please…” There was a long silence between us. After the longest minute of my life, Selena started to shake her head in nonbelief. Her cries were louder than before, and I wasn’t prepared for what she said to me. “I want to believe you, honestly I do. But are you even listening to yourself right now? It’s hard to believe the words of a mad man. I’m sorry, I had to say it. I can’t believe you, but I think I would be able to help you. You and Faith for that matter. If you-” “What did you call me?” I interrupted. Selena stood there in silence, trying to hold back the tears. “Selena, I’m not going to ask you again. What did you call me?” I said in a flat tone. I could tell that it was hard for her to even call me a “mad man”, and it was certain that she didn’t want to say it again. It pained her too much to even think about it. She took my hands off her shoulders, and went over to Faith, who was still unconscious. Selena picked her up, as if Faith was a baby all over again. “What are you going?” I asked. Selena ignored me, and left Faith’s bedroom. I followed her out, and saw that she was putting on her slippers while Faith was still in her arms. “Where are you going?” I asked again, but with a more worried tone. “I’m going to get help,” She replied with a wispy voice. “There is something wrong with both you and Faith, and it is hard me to see you guys like that. If I stayed one more minute in that room, I swear I might go crazy too.” I was paralyzed. It was as if my story didn’t go through her at all. I cried. I cried even louder than she did, yet she didn’t have enough courage to even look back at me. She went out the front door, closing it behind her. I looked out the window, and saw that Selena was already in her car. She didn’t acknowledge my presence as she backed out from the driveway. I stood there and watched until her car finally disappeared from my sight, but little did I knew it would be the last time I ever see Selena. Hours past, and as I was silently cursing myself, I heard a knock on the door. Without even looking to see who it was, I reluctantly swung open the door. It was Faith who was on the other side. She stared at me with those blank eyes, and I couldn’t help but to stare back. I stepped outside to see if Selena was nearby, but her car was nowhere to be found. A feeling of dread coursed through my body, and I turned to look at Faith again. She was still staring at me, but with a smile this time. A smile that was too wide for her small mouth. A smile that was similar to that monster’s snarling grin. Every cell and bone in my body wanted to run far away from her, but I was too frozen in fear to even breathe. “F-Faith,” I stuttered. “Where’s mommy?” Almost immediately when I asked that question she giggled mischievously. She then closed her eyes and started to laugh uncontrollably. It wasn’t my angel’s cute laugh I’d always adored. No, it was evil. But, that wasn’t the disturbing part. After she had her laugh, she opened her eyes. I swear to God, for a split second I thought her eyes were completely white. As if the pupils in her eyes suddenly vanished; leaving them looking like empty bulbs. But just as quickly as I noticed it, her eyes turned back to normal. “Mommy told me to tell you that you were right,” she said in a flat voice. “And that she was sorry for all the things she said to you.” To be honest, I was kind of relieved to hear that, but that wasn’t the answer I was looking for. I was worried for my wife’s safety, not her opinion on me. “Faith, can you tell me where your mom is at? Please.” I pleaded. Without another word, Faith went inside the house. She left me with unanswered questions racing inside my head. That feeling of dread inside of me mutated into something I’ve never felt before. Loneliness. Because I knew whatever it was who walked inside my house wasn’t Faith. It was something sinister. Days went by, and I never looked at Faith the same way as I used to. I filed a missing report on Selena, but the officers found no leads. It was as if she vanished without a trace. They tried to question Faith, who seemed to be the only person who might have any information on Selena’s whereabouts. It turned out to be a waste of time. They said that it was useless to question a scared little girl. The only thing she said was that Selena dropped her off near the house and drove off. There was no actual proof if she was telling the truth, but on the contrary, there wasn’t any proof if she was lying either. They let her off easy, but they didn’t know how well Faith could act. She got home that day, and all she did was laugh. She laughed at how ignorant the police were, and their insignificance in all of this. After that, my house became a prison. I tried to leave, but she would never let me. I tried calling for help, but the lines were all dead. I waited for Faith to sleep, so I could make an escape, but she never did. The thought of dying in this house alone crept inside my head many times, but I never gave in. That was, until last night. I was laying in my bed, wide awake as usual. I suddenly felt an unseen force weighing down on my chest, but it was different from my past experiences. It was pushing all the air out from my lungs, and I couldn’t breathe. I panicked, but not a single muscle in my body wanted to move. I was looking up at the ceiling, and I saw Faith from the corner of my eye. She was walking around my bed, as if she was examining me. I didn’t see it, but I knew that monster was in the room with us. I was gasping for air, as if I was a fish being pulled out of water, and at that moment I really thought I was about to die. But to me surprise, I heard Faith’s demonic voice echoed through the room. “One more day…” she said. I saw the figure of that monster slowly rose behind Faith. Faith turned around to face the monster and repeated herself, “One more day.” I wanted to know what that mean, but my mind was in too much shock to even think. I squinted at the monster, and saw that something was emerging from its void body. I soon to discover that it was a smile. It stretched from one side of its body to the other, and I could clearly see the rows of razor sharp teeth embedded in it. It was the same exact smile from that painting. There was no hope for me. For the first time, ever since all of this happened, I embraced death. To me, it was inevitable. I didn’t want to admit it, but deep inside of me I knew I wasn’t going to last long in the first place. I closed my eyes, and waited. I waited for the thing to lunge at me and tear me apart limb from limb. It never happened. Instead, air filled my lungs once again, and I could finally breathe. The pressure on my chest subsided, and I was rejuvenated with oxygen once again. I sat upward with eyes wide, and heavy breathing. I scanned my room, and I was all alone. Then I realized that Faith persuaded that thing to let me live another day. I sat there in my bed in a daze. It felt like the whole thing was a dream, but I knew it was far from it. Questions began to swell up inside of my head, but most of them were left with no answer. I sat there for hours, trying to figure out what to do next. I felt the warmth of the sun dazzling through my window. The thought of having one last day to live was terrifying. I started to think back on my life. Many of my valuable childhood memories played as if it was a movie. Each regret I made in my life flashed back to me; reminding me of the many times I’ve missed out on something, or decisions I shouldn’t have made. And the thought of the happiest aspect of my life hit me like a brick, because I knew I could never get it back. And it was living a “blessed” life with my family. I broke down in tears. I wanted to know what I did wrong. What was it I did that brought me to this? Why the people I love disappear from me? Why me? It made no sense to me, and after a long moment of me coping with my feelings; I decided to do something about it. I looked my bedroom door, sat at my desk, and started to write this journal entry you’re reading right now. It was the only productive thing I could do in my reaming hours of life.; the only thing to keep me afloat from this madness. I write this not just as a journal entry, but a warning. I write this to whoever who is reading this to get as far away as possible from this house. All of this happened when we moved here, and I have my reasons to believe that something evil dwells inside this house. I don’t know its exact purpose in being, but I know damn well its nothing pleasant. I don’t care what you do to this house, destroy it even. Just get the hell away from here. I haven’t mentioned this earlier, but as I wrote this, I began to feel something I’ve forgotten about completely. Sleepiness. Even now as I write this; it is hard to even focus my eyes on the page. The weight of my eyelids is too great to fight any longer, but I know as soon as I give in I’m dead. But I got my message out, and that’s all that matters. I feel its presence behind me, but for some reason I’m not scared. It’s funny now I think about it. The being that toyed with my life is here to kill me, and I’m not scared a single bit. Is it because all my pain and suffering will end? Or is it because I could see Selena again? To be honest, I’m not entirely sure anymore. I started to hear laughter, but it wasn’t from the monster behind me. It was from a man who gave up on both his life and sanity. That man… is me… 