Room Number: 36 Resident: Ali Lauderdale Certified SS Member Since: Aug 20, 2022 Ali Lauderdale writes fantasy, sci-fi, and horror that has been known to traumatize adult men. Discover more from Ali here: https://www.sanguislibris.net/ |
“The Nightmare"
by Ali Lauderdale
by Ali Lauderdale
In the somber solitude of the night, I found myself entrusted with the emergency care of a child, a cherub of innocence, in a house as old as the hills. Her mother, with a heavy heart, found herself obliged to attend a gathering of the townsfolk, summoned by some unidentified pressure, rendering her unable to be absent from the event.
I engaged in playful diversions with the small girl for a span of time, yet presently I consigned her to sleep. I found no peculiarity in the child's predilection for slumbering within the mother's bed. I speculated that she merely yearned for her sole living parent.
The ticking of an ancient clock echoed through the silence, a lullaby to my weary senses. Once the little girl had succumbed to unconsciousness, I cast my gaze upon the timeworn abode. A modest edifice, it possessed a dual-tiered arrangement, united by a wrought-iron spiral staircase. The top level manifested as an improved attic, with a pair of chambers. Every grown person was compelled to bow beneath the oppressive weight of the abysmally inclined, cathedral-like canopy. In the domicile, scarcely any furnishings adorned each room, yet in the loft, a dearth of such articles prevailed. The chamber stretched forth, its length seemingly endless, and within its confines resided naught but a decrepit, weathered pallet. In my specific musings, I deemed it most peculiar to repose upon the dusty couch below, thusly I endeavored to procure a modest coverlet and nestled myself to dormancy within the vacant chamber, whereupon that solitary mattress lay.
As I ascended the winding steps, a recollection seized my mind, like a specter haunting the corridors of my thoughts. It was the tale of my dear companion, who dwelt within this abode, and spoke in that room nestled in the highest echelon of this dwelling. She'd confessed, with a tremor in her voice, that an unspoken dread had taken root within her heart, rendering her fearful of dozing in that very chamber. I had chuckled softly unto myself, as she had been unable to expound upon the reason wherefore, which was the very cause for my dismissal of her trepidation as naught but folly.
The pallid glow of the external streetlamp permeated the undulating panes of age-worn glass. The gloomy hue of the infantile azure pigment of the walls commingled with the morbid luminescence, casting a crushing weight upon the atmosphere. Yet, I deemed it necessary to surrender to somnolence, thus I shut my weary eyes and fell to the abyss.
In the depths of an indeterminate hour, I found myself bound in a desperate battle for breath. Simultaneously, I perceived myself endeavoring to ascend from slumber's clutches akin to one struggling amidst the treacherous grip of quicksand. A ponderous burden lay upon my bosom, and with each labored exhalation, the inhalation of breath grew more arduous. When roused from my slumber, I mustered all my might to partake in the laborious task of unveiling my weary eyes, an exhausting effort that consumed both my vigor and an inescapable span of time.
The chamber was enveloped in a ghastly moonbeam, which bestowed upon it an otherworldly discoloration. A lengthy, grotesque silhouette capered upon the walls with a macabre grace. That somber shadow was cast by a towering specter that loomed over my trembling body. It possessed an undeniably masculine essence, yet there existed naught of humanity within its being. My solitary thought did naught but ascertain the presence of a malevolent spirit. 'Twas the figure of a man, yet the semblance ceased to exist beyond that. The corporeal form, shrouded in ethereal obscurity, bore an essence of pure, inky darkness. Countless wormy tendrils, sinuous and sharp, adorned its visage, while jagged ebony horns protruded from the entirety. Though my sight beheld no eyes on the creature, I sensed a spectral gaze fixated upon me. Though it did not strive to touch me, I realized it to be the very cause of my labored respiration.
In a flash, I perceived I was ensnared by an icy grip that penetrated the very depths of my being. Quivering tremors traversed the length of my spine, sending a chill through my core. How was I to elude the clutches of this malevolent thing? When I endeavored to shift my body (whose mortality I was increasingly becoming aware), I identified a most harrowing revelation: I was ensnared in the clutches of a merciless paralysis, utterly bereft of volition. This did naught but augment my trepidation. The noxious scent of petroleum jelly and sulfur enveloped me, its corrosive tendrils constricting my lungs, rendering each breath a more exhausting endeavor than before. In the depths of despair, I beheld my sole glimmer of salvation, a flickering ember amidst the encroaching darkness. It lay in the distant recesses of my consciousness, which was whispering a frantic cry for deliverance. A door, previously concealed within the opposing wall, beckoned me with its siren song, enticing an escape to the world beyond. An external staircase possibly awaited my fleeting footsteps. A grave anguish befell me as I exerted every fiber of my muscles, yet alas, I remained immobilized, with the malevolent specter leering over me.
I struggled 'gainst the unseen fetters, my heart throbbing within my chest. That ominous shadow form was gazing upon me, and a tormenting ache seized hold of my skull. I could sense the frigid exhalation and perceive the putrid and strangely sweet odor of decomposition. I found myself ensnared within the confines of my own corporeal vessel, compelled to endure this ghastly torment that plagued my every waking moment.
I was drenched in a frigid perspiration, as I exerted every ounce of my strength against the intangible shackles, under the undeniable dominion of the demonic creature. The very notion that it remained motionless did naught but instill within me a profound dread. Its hushed stillness reflected the entirety of my existence on that ancient mattress. Then I recollected the tiny child slumbering in her mother's chamber beneath me. Whate'er this creature's vile intent, I knew full well its cruel design would not cease with me alone, but extend its wicked grasp upon the tender frame of the innocent girl once its designs had been sated upon my wretched soul. The notion of the child enduring the same affliction as I did imbued me with an urgency to exert myself amidst the agony, and, by sheer force of will, I succeeded in painstakingly turning my body over.
I tumbled from the drab mattress, landing at the horrific creature's feet, its visage mirroring the grim consistency that pervaded its entire presence. In an instant, it stirred. Without the slightest shake of its limbs, it translocated mere paces from me, yet obstinately obstructed the threshold to the winding staircase. I resolved that the far exit to the outside world was but a distant prospect, and moreover, an air of foreboding clung to that very threshold. I noticed that it throbbed in the eerie luminosity, nearly alive in a spectral glow.
Alighting upon the floor appeared to invigorate my muscles, and albeit akin to grudgingly traversing a quagmire, I gradually mustered the strength to propel my arms forth. I clutched the cold, unyielding floor, my fingers dug into its unforgiving surface. With every ounce of strength I possessed, I endeavored to drag my weary body across the desolate expanse toward the staircase. It seemed eternally did the infernal entity bear witness, whilst a somber reverberation swelled within my ears, and my skull yet pulsated. Never before had I known such a chilling fright, as if the very distillate of dread had seeped into the marrow of my bones, leaving an indelible mark upon my soul.
Quivering, I persisted in an ungainly and whimpering army crawl along the cold surface beneath the vigilant stare of the abomination. I anticipated its imminent assault upon me, yet the nature of its nefarious designs upon my prone form remained shrouded in enigmatic obscurity. Might I, perchance, be ensnared within the clutches of an infernal abyss? Might it, likely, engulf and torment my poor body? The possibilities knocked upon my very bones.
The sole source of fortitude bestowed upon my fatigued spirit was the contemplation of the innocent girl sleeping below, cocooned within her blissful reveries, oblivious to the imminent danger lurking in the room above her. I dragged myself past the foul creature, and I discovered my movements improved upon reaching the staircase of wrought-iron. I made an effort to elevate myself, so that I might scoot down the steps. As I ventured forth, distancing myself from the chamber, the resounding clamor and repugnant odor gradually waned. I was consumed by an apprehension so grave that I dared not cast my gaze upon the haunted chamber behind me.
Upon reaching the ground level, a lingering anxiety clung to my core, yet the realm before me appeared to have returned to its mundane state. The fetor and the resonance had dissipated, and though my malaise persisted, I regained the ability to mobilize, respire, and traverse with customary ease. My heart brimming with gratitude, I traversed the somber chamber, until I found solace upon the moth-eaten couch. The hush within the dwelling was void, and once more I perceived the consoling constancy of the ticking timepiece.
Alas, I did not give in to restful sleep for the remainder of that eve. Instead, I kept a vigilant watch over the slumbering child, lest the fiendish entity should dare to ensnare her in its wicked grasp. I was ignorant of the means by which I might vanquish it, should it dare to assail her, yet I was resolute in my determination to make the attempt. I fixated upon the blessed act of respiration, and held dear every single breath.
Never had I felt such profound thankfulness for the warm and radiant orb in the sky as I did on that defining morning, when the mother of the girl at last made her long-awaited return. I bade farewell and departed from that accursed abode, vowing nevermore to cross its threshold. Later, upon beholding my companion, who had confessed she trembled at the thought of falling asleep within that very chamber where I had encountered that evil, I simply inclined my head in solemn acquiescence. We had no need for discourse; for within our hearts lay the mournful verity that eludes the grasp of ordinary souls. Whether dream or wakefulness, forever I shall be haunted by the recollection of that fateful eve. In the ethereal realm betwixt slumber and consciousness, we are at the mercy of our own nightmares.
©2024 Ali Lauderdale, presented by Live Free Live Rich Entertainment
I engaged in playful diversions with the small girl for a span of time, yet presently I consigned her to sleep. I found no peculiarity in the child's predilection for slumbering within the mother's bed. I speculated that she merely yearned for her sole living parent.
The ticking of an ancient clock echoed through the silence, a lullaby to my weary senses. Once the little girl had succumbed to unconsciousness, I cast my gaze upon the timeworn abode. A modest edifice, it possessed a dual-tiered arrangement, united by a wrought-iron spiral staircase. The top level manifested as an improved attic, with a pair of chambers. Every grown person was compelled to bow beneath the oppressive weight of the abysmally inclined, cathedral-like canopy. In the domicile, scarcely any furnishings adorned each room, yet in the loft, a dearth of such articles prevailed. The chamber stretched forth, its length seemingly endless, and within its confines resided naught but a decrepit, weathered pallet. In my specific musings, I deemed it most peculiar to repose upon the dusty couch below, thusly I endeavored to procure a modest coverlet and nestled myself to dormancy within the vacant chamber, whereupon that solitary mattress lay.
As I ascended the winding steps, a recollection seized my mind, like a specter haunting the corridors of my thoughts. It was the tale of my dear companion, who dwelt within this abode, and spoke in that room nestled in the highest echelon of this dwelling. She'd confessed, with a tremor in her voice, that an unspoken dread had taken root within her heart, rendering her fearful of dozing in that very chamber. I had chuckled softly unto myself, as she had been unable to expound upon the reason wherefore, which was the very cause for my dismissal of her trepidation as naught but folly.
The pallid glow of the external streetlamp permeated the undulating panes of age-worn glass. The gloomy hue of the infantile azure pigment of the walls commingled with the morbid luminescence, casting a crushing weight upon the atmosphere. Yet, I deemed it necessary to surrender to somnolence, thus I shut my weary eyes and fell to the abyss.
In the depths of an indeterminate hour, I found myself bound in a desperate battle for breath. Simultaneously, I perceived myself endeavoring to ascend from slumber's clutches akin to one struggling amidst the treacherous grip of quicksand. A ponderous burden lay upon my bosom, and with each labored exhalation, the inhalation of breath grew more arduous. When roused from my slumber, I mustered all my might to partake in the laborious task of unveiling my weary eyes, an exhausting effort that consumed both my vigor and an inescapable span of time.
The chamber was enveloped in a ghastly moonbeam, which bestowed upon it an otherworldly discoloration. A lengthy, grotesque silhouette capered upon the walls with a macabre grace. That somber shadow was cast by a towering specter that loomed over my trembling body. It possessed an undeniably masculine essence, yet there existed naught of humanity within its being. My solitary thought did naught but ascertain the presence of a malevolent spirit. 'Twas the figure of a man, yet the semblance ceased to exist beyond that. The corporeal form, shrouded in ethereal obscurity, bore an essence of pure, inky darkness. Countless wormy tendrils, sinuous and sharp, adorned its visage, while jagged ebony horns protruded from the entirety. Though my sight beheld no eyes on the creature, I sensed a spectral gaze fixated upon me. Though it did not strive to touch me, I realized it to be the very cause of my labored respiration.
In a flash, I perceived I was ensnared by an icy grip that penetrated the very depths of my being. Quivering tremors traversed the length of my spine, sending a chill through my core. How was I to elude the clutches of this malevolent thing? When I endeavored to shift my body (whose mortality I was increasingly becoming aware), I identified a most harrowing revelation: I was ensnared in the clutches of a merciless paralysis, utterly bereft of volition. This did naught but augment my trepidation. The noxious scent of petroleum jelly and sulfur enveloped me, its corrosive tendrils constricting my lungs, rendering each breath a more exhausting endeavor than before. In the depths of despair, I beheld my sole glimmer of salvation, a flickering ember amidst the encroaching darkness. It lay in the distant recesses of my consciousness, which was whispering a frantic cry for deliverance. A door, previously concealed within the opposing wall, beckoned me with its siren song, enticing an escape to the world beyond. An external staircase possibly awaited my fleeting footsteps. A grave anguish befell me as I exerted every fiber of my muscles, yet alas, I remained immobilized, with the malevolent specter leering over me.
I struggled 'gainst the unseen fetters, my heart throbbing within my chest. That ominous shadow form was gazing upon me, and a tormenting ache seized hold of my skull. I could sense the frigid exhalation and perceive the putrid and strangely sweet odor of decomposition. I found myself ensnared within the confines of my own corporeal vessel, compelled to endure this ghastly torment that plagued my every waking moment.
I was drenched in a frigid perspiration, as I exerted every ounce of my strength against the intangible shackles, under the undeniable dominion of the demonic creature. The very notion that it remained motionless did naught but instill within me a profound dread. Its hushed stillness reflected the entirety of my existence on that ancient mattress. Then I recollected the tiny child slumbering in her mother's chamber beneath me. Whate'er this creature's vile intent, I knew full well its cruel design would not cease with me alone, but extend its wicked grasp upon the tender frame of the innocent girl once its designs had been sated upon my wretched soul. The notion of the child enduring the same affliction as I did imbued me with an urgency to exert myself amidst the agony, and, by sheer force of will, I succeeded in painstakingly turning my body over.
I tumbled from the drab mattress, landing at the horrific creature's feet, its visage mirroring the grim consistency that pervaded its entire presence. In an instant, it stirred. Without the slightest shake of its limbs, it translocated mere paces from me, yet obstinately obstructed the threshold to the winding staircase. I resolved that the far exit to the outside world was but a distant prospect, and moreover, an air of foreboding clung to that very threshold. I noticed that it throbbed in the eerie luminosity, nearly alive in a spectral glow.
Alighting upon the floor appeared to invigorate my muscles, and albeit akin to grudgingly traversing a quagmire, I gradually mustered the strength to propel my arms forth. I clutched the cold, unyielding floor, my fingers dug into its unforgiving surface. With every ounce of strength I possessed, I endeavored to drag my weary body across the desolate expanse toward the staircase. It seemed eternally did the infernal entity bear witness, whilst a somber reverberation swelled within my ears, and my skull yet pulsated. Never before had I known such a chilling fright, as if the very distillate of dread had seeped into the marrow of my bones, leaving an indelible mark upon my soul.
Quivering, I persisted in an ungainly and whimpering army crawl along the cold surface beneath the vigilant stare of the abomination. I anticipated its imminent assault upon me, yet the nature of its nefarious designs upon my prone form remained shrouded in enigmatic obscurity. Might I, perchance, be ensnared within the clutches of an infernal abyss? Might it, likely, engulf and torment my poor body? The possibilities knocked upon my very bones.
The sole source of fortitude bestowed upon my fatigued spirit was the contemplation of the innocent girl sleeping below, cocooned within her blissful reveries, oblivious to the imminent danger lurking in the room above her. I dragged myself past the foul creature, and I discovered my movements improved upon reaching the staircase of wrought-iron. I made an effort to elevate myself, so that I might scoot down the steps. As I ventured forth, distancing myself from the chamber, the resounding clamor and repugnant odor gradually waned. I was consumed by an apprehension so grave that I dared not cast my gaze upon the haunted chamber behind me.
Upon reaching the ground level, a lingering anxiety clung to my core, yet the realm before me appeared to have returned to its mundane state. The fetor and the resonance had dissipated, and though my malaise persisted, I regained the ability to mobilize, respire, and traverse with customary ease. My heart brimming with gratitude, I traversed the somber chamber, until I found solace upon the moth-eaten couch. The hush within the dwelling was void, and once more I perceived the consoling constancy of the ticking timepiece.
Alas, I did not give in to restful sleep for the remainder of that eve. Instead, I kept a vigilant watch over the slumbering child, lest the fiendish entity should dare to ensnare her in its wicked grasp. I was ignorant of the means by which I might vanquish it, should it dare to assail her, yet I was resolute in my determination to make the attempt. I fixated upon the blessed act of respiration, and held dear every single breath.
Never had I felt such profound thankfulness for the warm and radiant orb in the sky as I did on that defining morning, when the mother of the girl at last made her long-awaited return. I bade farewell and departed from that accursed abode, vowing nevermore to cross its threshold. Later, upon beholding my companion, who had confessed she trembled at the thought of falling asleep within that very chamber where I had encountered that evil, I simply inclined my head in solemn acquiescence. We had no need for discourse; for within our hearts lay the mournful verity that eludes the grasp of ordinary souls. Whether dream or wakefulness, forever I shall be haunted by the recollection of that fateful eve. In the ethereal realm betwixt slumber and consciousness, we are at the mercy of our own nightmares.
©2024 Ali Lauderdale, presented by Live Free Live Rich Entertainment
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