Board Thread:Writer's Workshop/@comment-30741304-20170513163321

I would like some feedback. Halfway through the story I know I have spots where it sounds like I am just wanting to know what your initial thoughts are on the flow/story. Does it flow well? Too much POV? (I intend to rewrite some of the middle/end parts to sound/read easier.)

____________________________________________________________________________

''It is silly thinking that we are playing a game such as hide-and-seek as high schoolers fixing to graduate. We flee in different directions scouring the house for hiding places. Jason is the seeker first and counts out loud to twenty-five before leaving the master bathroom and beginning his search for us. ''

''“Fifteen, sixteen, seventeen…” He shouts. ''

''I dash upstairs and dive into the first bedroom on the right, the only room with an open door, leaving the light off and door ajar for a small amount of light to trickle in from the hall. I scurry into the closet silencing my footsteps the best I can knowing Jason must be almost done counting by now. I pull out my phone to use for light after bumping into a picture leaning against a shelf to my left and then decide hiding behind it would make for a creative spot. I squirm into the space between the painting and wall as I hear Jason shout out “Ready or not”. ''

The silence is a deafening ringing in my ears at first. After a few minutes, however, I hear the first sounds of Jason rummaging through the room below me. Then I hear him climbing the stairs, and I begin to get nervous as I hear him searching through the rooms adjacent to me.

I remember playing hide-and-seek as a kid. The thrill of the hunt as I search, a lone warrior, seeking out my prey. The only part I didn’t like is that when I hid I always remembered my need to pee while I am hiding. There for a moment in that dark closet, I smiled re-experiencing my refusal to reveal myself just to use the restroom.

Footsteps pitter-patter into the room I am in.

No. Wait, is that –? “Crawling?” I think to myself.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I feel every hair on my body stand at attention as the air in the dark closet becomes cold. It chills my blood, and my muscles stiffen. My senses sharpen as I hear what sounds like crunching and sloshing accompanying the footsteps as it enters the room. The sounds are nauseating, and I place my left hand over my mouth, using my sleeve to muffle my breathing as I struggle to stay quiet.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">Then as the sounds are the clearest, and I am sure it is in the doorway of the closet, it stops. Silence stabs at my ears, and my heart is racing as I imagine what could be there. It sounds bizarre and hideous.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">My breaths become heavier when it begins moving closer. With every rhythmic motion, I hear a popping and crackling of what I can only describe as the sound of joints grinding together. As I feel the weight of a heavy presence closing in on me I realize it knows I am here. The stench of rot fills the closet space, and I grip my face harder attempting to filter out the putrid smell. ‘Please go.’ I think to myself ‘please stop and go away’.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“One, Two. I’m coming for, –” It speaks to me in a muddled throaty voice.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">My instinct is screaming to me telling me to get away as fast as I possibly can.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“—you.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">With all my courage, I push the artwork over and jump up darting out of the closet. I throw open the bedroom door and turn my head to glance into the room as I make my escape out into the hall.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">‘I didn’t see anything abnormal, but there is no way that it had been my imagination.’ I determine as I continue backing up, distancing myself from the room.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I jump down the stairs in huge leaps meeting Jason who just happens to be walking into the main entry followed by Cynthia, and Liam.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Where were you?! We called out that you won like a billion times” Jason congratulates me with a smile.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“D-Did you all hear the noise? The thing that was crawling upstairs?” I question shakily, trying desperately to catch my breath.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal">''<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">My girlfriend, Cynthia, and her brother, Mark, are into spooky stuff, and so it is no surprise that they would spook themselves while playing hide-and-go-seek in my new home. We just moved in and my parents are not home for the weekend so I had invited a lot of friends over. Only Cynthia, Mark, and Mark’s friend Liam showed up though. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal">''<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">Mark just won our second game of hide-and-seek, but he didn’t hear me when I was calling “Olly Olly Oxen-free”. He almost seems convincing the way he is huffing and puffing acting frightened after having scurried down the stairs trembling like a little kid. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“What?” I reply obviously unaware.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“I heard it too” Liam exclaimed. “It said Mark’s a big baby.” Liam eventually added in a playful tone.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Oh-my-gosh. Quit trying to spook up my house” I smile profusely. “I have a hard enough time being here in a new house by my lonesome as it is! I don’t even like this place it creeps me out. That’s why I invited you all over!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“There was someone in the room I was hiding in. Wasn’t it one of you all?” Mark questioned still stuck on the subject of the thing he had heard. Everybody looks at one another as if expecting someone to speak up, but when nobody did Liam broke the silence.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Well, we should probably stay together now. Two vs Two will still be fun in this huge house” he remarked. “Plus, we can’t let ourselves be as dumb as people in horror films”.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“We need to be careful. Everyone use your phone as a flashlight and get a weapon!” Mark interrupts hysterically.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Woah, no weapons! We’re fine.” I urge the group. “Liam, I found you first. Mark and you are the seekers this round.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">Now Cynthia and I can go hide. I know the perfect secluded spot. Maybe Cynthia and I will make out, or get frisky while we hide. My mind wanders as we watch Liam and Mark make their way to the master bathroom to count. We wait for them to be at a far enough distance before plotting.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Where would you like to hide?” Cynthia begins, a menacing smile curls from the corners of her lips. “We can scare them if we hide in two separate spots, and if they find one of us the other can sneak up from behind to scare them.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Or we can go make out beside the hot tub. You can’t see it from the glass door, and I can almost guarantee we will never be found.” I offer with a suggestive smirk.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Twenty-five” Liam and Mark chant in the distant bathroom, “twenty-four, twenty-three”.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Let’s go” Cynthia agrees, a small coy smile adorning her lips.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal">''<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">Mark and I stand in the master bathroom counting down from twenty-five. I can tell that he is still petrified from whatever had startled him. I slowed my counting before stopping to interrogate him. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“What is it that you think you heard up there?” I ask.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“It was real,” Mark pauses almost avoiding my question entirely. “As real as anything I have ever heard”. His skin began to drain of color as he becomes engrossed in the memory. “It was the most disgusting sound of bones shifting and grinding inside of a corpse. I am sure of that now thinking back on it. It smelled of decay, but I am glad that I didn’t see it. I was hiding behind a piece of artwork upstairs in a closet when I -- ”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Slow down," I begin "we should search the first floor, and work our way upstairs.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I confidently continue, “Let’s go find Cynthia and Jason.” Mark shifts his posture and fixes his gaze upon me uncomfortably after hearing me blatantly ignore his statement.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Ten, nine, eight…” I call out ignoring the missed numbers between “four, three…”. Mark stares at me intently studying my face for an answer as I count down.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Two, One. Ready or not we’re gonna find you!” I shout out.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“What if we find it Liam? What do we do if, --” Mark chokes out. “That thing is not a person, it’s nightmare fuel man. I think we would be putting ourselves in danger if we keep up this façade. You are contradicting what you said earlier about not being the victim like in horror movies.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“There is no real danger here, and this isn’t a horror movie,” I angrily disagree “we are playing a simple game of Hide-and-Seek. Please get a grip man.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Liam, you don’t want this” Mark disagrees, “you don’t want this. Trust me when I say that you don’t want this. Please!” Mark begs. “We have to call this off. We need to go home!” Mark pleads as he starts hyperventilating.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I ignore his plea, walk out of the bathroom and into the bedroom to initiate my search. “We need to search each room thoroughly and carefully,” I state knowing full and well that I heard something when we were hiding earlier. I just don’t want to admit that Mark might be right.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal">''<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">Between every deep breath, the seconds seemed to linger. The flashlight being held by Liam is now being carried away further down the corridor, and I attempt to focus my concentration as I struggle to move my feet forwards. We found nothing on the first floor, and so now we make our way to continue our search upstairs. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal">''<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">Liam begins to creep up the stairs cautiously. One step at a time I watch him ascend the stairway before I remind myself to keep up with him. I then start climbing the stairs myself. I begin to feel queasy, and unwell. Each step conjures more anxiety to well up within me, each pulse of my heart struggles to keep up with my rapid breathing, and as we reach the summit of our climb I sense the ambient temperature drop. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I scan over the hallway and other doors in a sweeping motion to survey the layout. The hallway lights are on, but now a door on the left is the only door open. One which I know I didn’t go into before.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“This room” I pointed to the room on the right. The very same in which I had heard the creature in last. “I hid in here except I didn’t close the door” I whisper as Liam opens the door slowly and quietly. As soon as the door was opened to a large enough degree a dank smell of rot bellows forth from the opening assaulting my nose.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Did something die in here?” Liam questions aloud.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“We need to get out of here. This is exactly the smell I experienced. Come on Liam we need to go.” I complain doing my best to keep my shaking voice quiet.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Are you sure it wasn’t smelling like this when you first hid here?” Liam observes humorously as he gently nudges the door open. He flicks the light on, but stops immediately mid-stride into the room as we both examine the black trail of stained carpet leading from the closet to the bathroom. Both doors are now shut, which I know is not how I left them. A black liquid is strewn across the bathroom door like a stroke of wet paint from the brush of a careless artist. The black liquid drools down the door drawing lines towards the ground as gravity pulls the fresh substance towards the carpet. Even the door handle was slathered with the stuff.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“I see,” Liam begins “you’re right. I didn’t think that you were right. I didn’t want to think that what I heard was right.” Liam said as he furrows his brow with worry and concern. His words falling into a whisper as he retraced his steps backing out of the room into the hallway. He motions to the stairs, and I begin rushing to them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">My mind is racing as my ungraceful feet slam into the ground, and panic constricts my throat. I feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins as doubt and worry begin to plague my mind faster than a nerve agent kills.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">Just as we near the stairs I hear the familiar click of a door closing behind us. We flinch and turn our heads at a break neck speed to see the first door on the left, the one that was open when we arrived, is now shut. Liam puts a finger to his lips to shush me, and creeps towards the door. “Don’t do it man, please don’t” I begin as I take note of the ink that is layered on the handle. Liam hushes me again. My body quakes in opposition as Liam places his hand on the door knob preparing to open it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">A banging against the glass window downstairs makes me jump so bad I twist my ankle terribly as I trip over myself down three steps. I was down the stairs before Liam even took his first step down.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I see Cynthia as she turns to lock the glass patio door. She is sobbing as she backs away from it while still intently staring. Liam flies down the stairs, past me, and past the blood smear that her hand left on the tall floor-to-ceiling windows adjoining the patio door. Liam led Cynthia to the couch trying to calm her down enough to ask what happened and if she is hurt. I limp to the kitchen not wanting to admit that the thing I heard is real. That all of this is actually happening right now.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I faintly hear “Jason was”, followed by “I didn’t even see it” between my heavy footsteps, and the clatter of forks and spoons on the cold kitchen floor. After emptying the silverware drawer, I spot the cutlery atop the counter near the stove-top. Cynthia’s words are chokes between ragged breaths and frightened tears “He just changed. When did things become so fucked up?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I am just a few feet away. My eyes are welling with tears as the pain in my ankle becomes more unbearable. It is in this very moment, I hear it again and I writhe as every sound resonates through my ear canal.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">A slimy crackle-pop sounds out through the hallway behind me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal">''<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">Our lips lock and tongues dance in a flurry of trades that make my heart flutter. Even as we pulled away from the kiss I could feel Jason’s heart beat through his palms. “I am really glad that you came over. I really don’t like this house. There is something about,” – His words are left hanging as his jaw breaks and becomes unhinged. His eyes widen, and become wild as pain instantly floods his senses. His attempts to shout out for help are drowned out by the blood that begins pooling in his mouth. Bones violent warp and break, and flesh begins to stretch as his body begins transforming. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal">''<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">My awestruck horror and hope to save Jason is replaced with a most basic survival instinct as I see the color fade from his eyes. His gurgles now silent beyond the orchestra of maddening crunching of bone, and ripping of flesh. I sprint over to the patio door, and begin striking the door several times. My fists color it bloody crimson with Jason’s blood upon each strike, before realizing the door isn’t locked. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal">''<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Three Four, Lock the, —” a treacherous voice resembling Jason’s cracks, and gurgles. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“What happened to Jason? I have to know Cynthia, because,” the words fall out of Liam’s mouth as we are both startled by a blood-curdling scream ringing out from the kitchen.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">My eyes dart up as the scuffle in the kitchen steals the air from my lungs, and I hop to my feet looking across the living room into the kitchen. Liam was faster, and already running towards the kitchen though. My joints lock up as I witness the fleshy broken figure. Bones, splintered and broken unnaturally, protrude from the riven flesh of its back. It is only visible for a fraction of a second as it effortlessly hauls Mark into the bedroom nearest to the kitchen.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">   “Mark!” Liam’s demanding voice shakes me from my rigidity as he begins to beat down the bedroom door with his fist. He then steps back to kick the door, “Cynthia, you have to get out of here! It’s not safe here. Mark would want me to make sure you are safe.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">The wooden door brakes and gives way to the force of his foot. The crunching and breaking of bones ceases in that instant, as well as the whimpering.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">Silence.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I see Liam walk into the room checking the lights to see if they work, but to no avail. Not wanting to be so far away I rapidly take several large steps to the kitchen just outside of the doorway. It feels cold, like the refrigerator was left open, but it’s doors are shut. Hateful tears crawl down my nose and cling to my cheeks not wanting to let go of my assumingly dead brother as I struggle to accept what is happening.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">As I move into the doorway a stench invades my nostrils that reminds me of a landfill. Liam, using his phone as a flashlight, is just inside the doorway staring down at the trail of blood leading into the closet. Clouds of his warm breath expand from his mouth when he speaks. “What the fuck It leads into the closet, but doesn’t go anywhere.” Liam shines his light on the trail of crimson, highlighted by a separate trail of black, leading into the closet showing me that it fades away after having entered the closet.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“We need to get the police involved, and get far away from this place.” Liam implores.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“What should I say happened?” I ask. My heads are shaking violently and unsteadily as I pull my phone from my pocket.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“You tell them exactly what happened we just need to get going!” Liam booms as he grabs my wrist. He begins dragging me into the living room towards the back door where our car is parked just outside the garage.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal">''<span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I begin stepping into small pools of blood that spot the kitchen floor as I drag Cynthia towards the rear entrance of the house. Right through that door, and out back behind the house is where our car is parked. If we can get to the car we can get out of this nightmare. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">As I make my way to the back entrance of the house I begin to slow my pace. Eventually pausing at the doorway for a brief second.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">Cynthia drops her phone, and my heart skips a beat.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Damn it,” She sighs as she brushes off some of the glass. “Come on.” She continues as she continually presses on the ‘emergency dial’ button on the screen.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I flip on the garage light. Overhead the light flickers as a fly buzzes around it illuminating the mountains and valleys of boxes. I reach up to try car door clicker, but stop myself just before remembering that Jason was outside when it happened. Just above the boxes I see solid wooden door across the room with a window next to it near car entry door. That is how I will see if the coast it clear.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“I don’t even know what happened to Jason,” Cynthia whimpered “but when I got inside and locked the door I made the mistake of looking. I saw him, and you saw him there in the kitchen.” Upon hearing such a claim, I instantly turn to question what she meant by this.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">Squish. Crack. Pop-grind, shuffle.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">The color drains from my face as I hear the sounds resonating from inside the house, and I feel Cynthia push her way in front of me into the garage. I follow right behind her leaping over boxes urging her to keep moving across the room as she fruitlessly attempts to dial out. “We just have to get to our car, and it is right outside.”   I speak weakly re-assuring her as much as myself.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Come on!” Cynthia cries as blood from her fingers seep into the spider web of glass and blur the phone interface. “Got it!” she whispers as she bumps into a box. Even at my distance, the glorious ringing of a phone dialing out sings to me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Yes, I have an emergency at 185 Misty Grove! Please hurry people are hurt, and—,” Cynthia pauses.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Why did you stop?” I whisper as I lean over from behind her peering around the box between me and the door next to the window.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Hello? Are you still there?” I hear the police dispatcher call out over the phone as Cynthia drops the phone to her side. “We found your address, and help is on the way. Stay calm, and get to safety.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">It’s on the hood of our car. It sits perched like a vulture or other bird of prey. It begins to stand upright, one leg bending and breaking backwards as it rises. It stands a little taller than half my height. It has no shirt, despite that Jason’s black, skinny jeans continue to cling to the monster.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">The skin is stretched tight over its back, and its chest looks to be caved in I notice as it turns sideways in my direction. All its wounds bled the black liquid, and it continues to flow as it moves. It adjusts its head that is loosely dangling from strands of flesh and muscle as the dark fluid outlines the horrified expression still plastered on his face.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">It's eyes then look right at us, Jason’s head swinging back and forth, as it begins to stumble forward. The slow stumble quickly becomes a full speed sprint towards the door.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Oh my god” Cynthia screams jumping back from the door.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Go!” I order as I brace the door. “Get to the front of the house, the cops will find you!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">Its bones brake again, and a squish accents the impact as it almost knocks me from my feet. The glass window broke above me and shattered over my hair. The thing slams its limbs into the door violently and relentlessly as Cynthia vaults back through the maze and hurries back into the house. Just as she walks through the door the assault ceases.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I peek through the broken window as I hear her footsteps growing fainter. Then I hear a distant squelch outside the window, and my stomach turns over on its self. I race through the maze and door at the back of the house.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">No, I don’t want to believe that I sent Cynthia away to her death I think as my eyes unwillingly take note of the black trail of liquids. Not one, or two, but hundreds of black trails. Up the walls, on the ceilings, and decorating the floors. The sight makes my stomach tumble over on its-self countless times as I sprint through the living room.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I have failed my best friend and his sister.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">Another moist snapping echoes through the house between my frantic footsteps as I round the kitchen corner sprinting towards the front door. A blood trail in the doorway catches my eye almost immediately, and upon reaching the doorway I follow it. It only leads a few feet out the door, and that’s when I turn to see where it came from.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I have failed a stranger, no friend that I just met today.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">The sound of distant sirens coaxes me into a numb comfort. The cool October breeze rustles the trees and carries a smell of a campfire. Perhaps also the smell of decay and decomposition.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I hear a gentle wet dripping sound, and a snap of a bone.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I lean into the door just enough to look in the direction of the noise. Off to the left, underneath the dining room table is what used to be Cynthia. I back up quietly as to not disturb it while it writhes and breaks. As I retreat towards the street I suddenly feel a presence behind me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">Most importantly, I failed myself.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">An aura of ominous evil, towers above me, icy and cold in its instantaneous advance. I turn to lay my eyes on the tall lanky broken figure with Mark’s face hanging upside down from a broken neck. Flesh still dripping with the contaminated black blood.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Found you.” It speaks in Mark’s voice between raspy gurgles of blood.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Since I was found first I will be it and seek you all.” Mark continues in his normal voice as if nothing had happened. I blink and my eyes readjust to Mark staring with concern on the walkway just in front of me. “Are you okay bro? You seem really distraught.” He comments, as I look him over for wounds.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">I feel my face flush of color as confusion washes over, and my sense of fear and feeling compile into a train-wreck of emotion. Goose bumps form on my back, and up my legs.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Let’s go hide,” Cynthia speaks gleefully from behind me, causing me to recoil defensively as I turn to see her in one piece standing in the front doorway. She reaches out grabbing my arm and gently leads me inside as Mark begins to count.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin">“Nine, Ten. Never sleep again.” <ac_metadata title="Squish. Crack. Pop-Grind. (Unreviewed. Experimenting with POV&#039;s.)"> </ac_metadata>