I sat in the dimly-lit room, my back to the wall and my eyes shut tight.
"Alyssa...Alyssaaa..." the voices were getting louder. I pulled my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them, burying my face in the darkness. I squeezed my eyes shut tighter as I felt the hot tears begin to fall. My body shook with fear as the whispers drew closer.
"Don't look, don't look," I whispered to myself through my sobs. I forced myself against the wall, digging my nails into my arm, feeling the tiny goosebumps that covered my clammy body.
The voices got louder and louder until finally I couldn't take it anymore. "Stop! Please! Please, I'm begging you! I can't take it, please," I screamed, reaching the climax of my fear, releasing the tight grip on my arm.
I opened my eyes and slowly looked up, my breathing heavy. I lifted my arm and slowly wiped the salty tears from my face as I took a deep breath. The voices had finally stopped. I stared at the deep red blood that ran down my arm and the nail marks from which it came. I ran my long pale fingers through my thick brown hair and begin to sob again. I felt my body tremble with each inhale as I tried to calm down and pull myself together.
I took a deep breath and slowly stood up, walking towards my bathroom. I flicked on the light and pulled my hair back, turning on the cold water, splashing it onto my face. I stood there for a moment, hovering over the sink, the cold water dripping from my nose and lips. I closed my eyes and took long, deep breaths, enjoying the oxygen that slowly filled my lungs.
Finally, I opened my eyes and looked up, avoiding contact with the mirror. After a moment, my curiosity got the best of me and I cautiously looked to the mirror. I let out a sigh of relief when all that stared back at me was my soft pale face and my bright green eyes. I closed my eyes lightly as a small smile formed on my lips: the first smile in months. My smile fled as soon as I opened my eyes and saw the mirror again. He was watching me.
"Come here, Alyssa..." His cheeky grin turned into a soft chuckle that grew louder and louder with each passing second until finally his laughter completely engulfed me and rang in my ears. His long arms reached out toward me as I stared vacantly at his blood-splattered face.
I let a sly smile work it's way onto my lips as I looked up at him, his pointy teeth exposed. "I'm don't with this torture," I whispered, emotionless. His smile widened sheepishly and he grabbed my arm, squeezing tight and pulling me towards him until I was close enough. He leaned forward and whispered in my ear, his hot breath sending chills down my spine.
"Is that so?"
I giggled and shut my eyes calmly. "Yes."
The laughter began one last time until it echoed throughout the house, filling every last crevice with madness. I listened to his laughter as he held me close until finally--darkness.
