Nicky dragged himself across the street. He practically crawled up the stairs to Mr. Peterson's porch. He leaned against the door, he felt dizzy. His mind was spinning as he tried to gather his thoughts, but before he could, the door behind him flew open and he fell backwards onto the floor. He scrambled to his feet and looked around, nothing was there, literally. Where the inside of the house should've been was replaced with darkness, like place holder houses in video games. He felt the floor below his feet, he slowly walked forward. He noticed hundreds of glowing eyes staring at him. Nicky stared at them while he walked. A red carpet appeared on the ground, it was a path. Mannequins started pouring out of the shadows and following the path. They ignored Nicky and kept pushing him to the ground. He crawled his way around them, trying to not get hit. He saw a separate path where no mannequins where going. Nicky jumped up and ran over to the separate path. The path was red, but some parts were ripped off and replaced with darkness, just like everything else. Nicky walked down the path wearily. He stepped into the darkness. Everything fell silent, the squeaking of the mannequins wheels stopped, the whispers were gone and eyes appeared everywhere. Nicky turned around and stared at the mannequins. The red carpet vanished and the mannequins all turned to look at him. Nicky just stood there, motionless. The mannequins rushed towards him, Nicky ran. They chased him through the darkness, their wheels squeaked loudly. Nicky felt a hand on his shoulder, he got yanked backwards. The mannequins held his wrists and dragged him through the darkness. "No, no, no, no." Nicky whispered to himself. The mannequins threw him forward. Nicky scrambled to his feet. The mannequins blocked the path back. Nicky turned around to face darkness. 2 eyes opened and filled the room with light, it was blinding, like the sun.
Nicky blinked a few times and looked around. There was a puddle of drool on the floor. He stood up and scratched his head, it ached. Just like last time, he felt like he didnt get any sleep. Nicky shoved the chair over to the desk and walked out of his room. He slowly walked down the hallway. He slowly stepped down the stairs, he kept dozing off. He tumbled down the stairs and whacked his head off the railing. His parents came rushing in. "Oh my god! Are you ok?" His mom knelt down next to him. "Nicky?" His dad shook Nicky. Nicky shot up screaming. "HE'S HERE!" He crawled up against a wall, hyperventilating. "Who's here?" His mom backed away a little. Nicky calmed down and stood up. "Nothing." Nicky started to walk away, but his parents stopped him. "How about we go down to Dr Fern and have him talk with you." His mom placed a hand on his shoulder. Nicky grunted. "No." Nicky crossed his arms. Mom looked over at dad. "Lets go." His mom pulled Nicky to the car. She opened the back seat door and pushed Nicky in. She got in the drivers seat. "Come on, dont you think this might be a little over kill, he might of just had a nightmare." His dad tried to reason. "No, it wasnt a nightmare, hes going a little..." She leaned closer to the dad. "Crazy." She whispered. "Oh, come on, lets just g-" Mom put her hand out. "No." Mom kept driving.
They pulled into the parking lot and Nicky's mom pulled him out of the car. They walked into the office. "Hey, how are you doing?" The secretary leaned forward. Nicky and his parents walked up to the desk. "What do you need?" The secretary asked. "This morning Nicky was freaking out about something being in the house." Nicky's mom explained. "Oh! I see." Dawn stood up and walked to Dr. Fern's office. There was some faint talking and then Dawn walked out. "He'll see you now." She waved for Nicky to come over to her. Nicky walked over to her and into the office. "good morning Nicky, how are you?" Dr. Fern asked. Nicky sat down on the red couch. He stared at the fern plant next to Dr. Fern. "Fine." Nicky said. "Ok, well, I heard that you were freaking out this morning, what was it about." Dr. Fern picked up his clipboard. Nicky just sat there, staring at the floor. Dr. Fern sat there for a few minutes, keeping a smile. "So?" Dr. Fern was struggling to keep the smile. Nicky looked up and out the window. The shadow man stood there, leaning on the window sill, his hand on his chin. Nicky's face went pale and he looked terrified. He slowly raised his hand and pointed at the window. "Th-th-there. He's right there." Nicky's hand shook violently. Dr. Fern turned to look out the window. "I dont see anyone." Dr. Fern had a concerned look on his face. "There! Tall, shadowy, glowing eyes." Nicky curled into a ball on the couch. Dr. Fern stood up. He handed Nicky a piece of paper. "How about you draw what you see." Dr Fern sat back down in his chair. Nicky started scratching the pencil onto the paper. When he was finished, he turned the paper around and showed Dr. Fern the picture of the shadow man. Dr. Fern's face became seriously worried. "Ok, well, how about we continue this during our next meeting." Dr. Fern was shaking a little. Nicky stood up and followed Dr. Fern out of the room. Nicky sat in the waiting room, Dr. Fern pulled the parents aside and quietly talked to them. Nicky couldnt hear what they were saying. Nicky slowly stood up and walked over to the door. He quietly pushed the door open. Dawn was reading a comic book, so she didnt notice. Nicky stared outside. He shoved the door fully open and ran. His parents turned and looked at the door. "Oh no!" His mom ran outside and chased after Nicky, but Nicky was too fast. Nicky ran down the street, he knew where he was going.
Nicky slowed down and panted. He walked up the stairs and knocked on the door. The car wasnt in the drive way, so he was safe. Maritza opened the door. "Hel- Oh, hey Nicky!" Maritza blushed. Nicky looked at her for a second, she was wearing pink teddy bear pajamas. "Hi." Maritza said, akwardly. Nicky stepped forward and kissed her. Maritza stepped backwards into the house, but Nicky followed. Maritza closed the door. and pushed Nicky back a bit. "What are you doing here?" Maritza asked. Nicky looked around. "I just ran away, and I kind of need a place to stay." Nicky scratched his neck. Maritza opened and closed her mouth a few times. "You...ran away?" Maritza leaned forward. Nicky nodded. Maritza threw her arms up and chuckled. "You know what?" Maritza smiled. "Sure, you can stay here." She walked into the living room and sat on the couch. Nicky followed her. "Really?" Nicky smiled. "Yes." Maritza picked up the remote.
(you might notice the templating change)
Nicky sat down on the couch next to Maritza. Nicky fell asleep a little while later, Maritza left him on the couch when she went to take a shower.
Nicky stood up and stumbled a little. He stretched and yawned, he walked into the kitchen and got some ice cream. He turned to walk back to the living room, but the room looked different. Doors were everywhere, including the ceiling, the whole layout was different. Nicky placed his bowl of ice cream down and heard footsteps approaching from one of the doors. They stopped at the door next to him. Something started repeatedly banging on the door. Nicky jumped back. The person banged louder, the knob wiggled and the cabinets slammed open and closed. Nicky fell to the ground and curled up into a ball. Static played on the radio, but the the sound of a choir played. Then someone started singing.
"Smile. Till your heart is aching." Nicky looked up.
Everything stopped, except the radio.
"Even though its breaking." Nicky stood up.
"When there are clouds in the sky." Nicky walked to the door that lead to the hallway.
He opened it and walked out.
"You'll get by, if you smile!" The song seemed to follow him around.
Nicky spun around and started dancing, kind of.
"Through your fear and sorrow." Nicky smiled.
"Smile! and maybe tommorow, you'll see the sun come shining through." Nicky started shaking.
He looked around, but there was nothing.
"Nicky!" Maritza's voice echoed.
Nicky woke up and looked around. He looked at the TV and saw a movie playing. He sat up.
"You slept for a while, I was getting a little worried. You ok?" She asked.
Nicky stared at her for a second.
"I've never felt better!" Nicky smiled widely.
Maritza patted him on the head. "Good, good." she smiled.