You lie still in your bed not able to sleep. How could you when you kept seeing Them everywhere. Turning your head trying to sleep there was a knock at your bedroom door, but you were home alone. Sitting up you remember They could do that, They're trying to lure you out. Laying back down the knocking became louder and louder till it sounded like pounding. You kept telling yourself to ignore it don't let Them in. After a while the knocking dulled soft thumps going down the hall as you let a shaky breath out sighing. You seemed to relax till you remembered your curtains are open and one of Them was there peeking in. Frantically getting out of bed you kept your head down racing to the window closing the curtains in a hurry never making eye contact. Don't look at Them that will let Them in. You hear ringing in your ears being quiet at first till it grew louder. Soon enough the sound was unbearable making your head pound in pain while you collapse from your knees giving out. 'Here we go again another sleepless night' You thought to yourself slowly getting up stumbling to a desk. You open the drawer pulling out a few things. Your medicine it helps with the headache you will endure through the night. A knife sadly you would most likely need to give your hand a good poke with the point when your body acts up it's like a shock to bring your body in control. A video camera some things you can't see in the dark makes it easier with the night vision built into it. A flashlight something to ward Them off if They're too close be careful you don't have many spare batteries also be quick while changing them out. Then just a few other objects of little importance. This all started when your parents left, well it already started long ago They are just able to get in now. Your parents they were supposed to come back days ago when you called all you got was the traffic is bad for a response, but the traffic is never bad. Sometimes during the night you think their doing this on purpose letting you suffer through the nights that passed. You knew they didn't exactly care about your condition it doesn't exactly have a name either. This all started around age 8 now your 15 this has gone on for seven years only getting worse with no cure. None of the medicines prescribed would work the doctors say They're hallucinations They aren't. You always knew They weren't it was always too real to be fake you know because one got too close leaving a gash on your arm which is now a scar. Breathing in you braced yourself putting the things in your small bag walking to the door. You froze in your steps hand merely inches from the knob your eyes had went to the floor fixed on a shadow just looming on the other side. It was there you weren't sure if it really did leave and just come back or stayed there making the sound of leaving. Wanting to pull your hand from the door it went out of your control latching onto the knob. Frantic and silent you tried prying your hand from the knob only for the knocking to start your eyes filling with dread. 'Maybe this was a bad idea' You think trembling in fear your hand responding to the soft knocks. One after the other It knocked. One knock your hand slowly turns your face going pale. Then two knocks in a row hand turning slowly with no way of stopping it. Three knocks in a row your hand completed the circle a soft click of the door unlatching could be heard. You tremble body shaking badly keeping your eyes to the floor you gripped your flashlight tight. The soft creak from the hinges soon filled the silence a low growl being heard when you step back opening the door fully hand finally letting the knob go. There was a thump you back up growling continuing. Another thump It was getting closer with another step back. The thumps continued along with the soft footsteps in response to each heart pounding thump. You listen closely for the sound that comes when It's ready to lunge. You shiver in disgust hearing a soft spine chilling crack as if bones were breaking. That was it you'd have to time it perfectly otherwise the result might not be good. You count as the cracks, thumping, and footsteps continued. One crack, it's started. Two cracks, your body begins to tremble. Three cracks, the thumping is softer you will have to rely on the cracking. Four cracks, there's no longer a shadow on the ground. Five cracks, get ready now. Six cracks, it's almost time. Seven cracks, you grip the flashlight finger on the button. Eight cracks, despite your body shaking you are filled with determination to get away. Nine cracks, this is it. Ten cracks, you snap your head up turning the flashlight on shining the bright light at It. There was a loud ear piercing screech as It falls to the ground nows your chance. You bolt out the door slamming it shut behind you running down the hall the silent serene halls soon being filled with chaos. You knew it was bad to run it would create too much noise, but there was no choice. Running you skid to a stop a little ways before the staircase loud thumping and growls being heard behind you. This is bad you'd have to take the risk. Hearing the cracks begin you wasted no time running at the staircase jumping and barrel rolling down the steps. You were glad you had made them very cushiony for this exact situation landing on a soft mattress at the bottom. You were relieved the thumping and cracking coming to an abrupt stop. They can't see well at least not all of Them can the ones that can't see rely on sound. Those ones stayed in the halls upstairs the ones that could see were downstairs you won't want to use your flashlight unless necessary. Coming to your feet it's pitch black in the living room 'don't use it… be silent' you thought to yourself hearing the soft creaks from the wooden floor. Slowly you look around this is what you need the camera for. You slip your hand in the bag feeling around before pulling it out. Facing the camera at the floor you carefully pull open the side screen clicking it to night vision. You almost let out a yelp seeing a shadow of one of Them right in front of you. Slowly bringing the camera up you look at It through the screen knowing that will do nothing. You see It was staring right at you, but couldn't see in the dark. After a moment It walked away looking around you find your destination at the time being the kitchen. Silently stepping onto the floor carefully shifting your weight while walking to keep the boards from creaking you make your way to the kitchen dodging Them. Once there looking around you see the glass sliding door walking close unconsciously moving your hand to the door staring at one of Them… It looked like someone you knew. Finally realizing the fact you're slightly opening the door an ear piercing screech could be heard the loud ringing starting. You stumble back falling over making a thud. Your eyes widen as the cracking started 'no this isn't where I need to get caught' you think to yourself. The ringing showing no signs of stopping only getting worse you scramble to your feet 'have to get out have to get out of here!' you think slamming open the sliding door running out. The cracking it's worse now the ones in the house couldn't get out, but the ones outside Their fast. 'Keep running it's the only way' you think 'it's the only freedom'. You kept running falling over on your stomach from a firm grip on your ankle being so close to the tree line. It was one of Them the cracking continuing becoming louder as there was soon something warm coming from your ankle… blood. Being frantic you grab your flashlight shining the bright light at It, but it wasn't enough. Soon grabbing the knife you lean up stabbing It a blood curdling scream was let out when It disappeared in a cloud of fog. Breathing hard you immediately got up running into the forest. Darkness it continued to get darker and darker from the blood you lost 'keep running you need to or you won't…' Your thought was cut off the ringing got too loud you couldn't think anymore. Static it was getting blurry you knew your close just a bit more stay awake a little longer. As you kept running the static got worse there was a light, but you felt one of Them grab your shirt. Becoming very frantic you were slowly being dragged back to the darkness. 'No no no no! I can't I won't lose I don't want another one!' You scream in your mind slamming the flashlight hard on It's head yelling out. Once free you kept running finally getting to the light and ran through before being dragged back into the darkness. There was no escape as you were dragged back to the house not able to struggle screaming and scratching at the ground. You were dragged into the house your eyes wide while you were dragged to your room. 'No no not again' You think screaming as your were yanked under your bed darkness filling your sight as there was a gravely voice.
"You know there is no escape… This will never end… This is an endless loop… You knew this would happen when you took the deal… There's no going back… You will suffer from Them forever…" The voice says and you knew this was true, but you didn't want to believe it you just couldn't. 'Wake up wake up please wake up' You think to yourself a soft beeping sound being heard.
