When we arrived at our new house, I immediately disliked it. It was dark and cold, looming over the bright grass. Shuddering, I followed my parents into the house. As I walked through the door, I thought I heard a faint chorus of “hellos” from around me. My heart thudded in my chest.
At night, as I closed my eyes to sleep, I heard singing that rolled over me gently. I sleepily half-opened my eyes and looked up at mum. My eyes snapped open and I bolted upright. There was no one there! I huddled tighter in my bed and told myself it was just my imagination.
After a few months, settling into the house, I ventured up to the dark attic on the top floor. I had always been scared of it, but the heat and the boredom overrode my fear.
I tiptoed up the creaky stairs. When I stepped onto the first step, I thought I heard wailing voices crying Step down! Don’t go further! But I also felt something pulling me to the attic. I shook my head to dispel the voices and continued climbing.
Reaching the top, the attic door cast a shadow in the sliver of sunlight from a small glass window. I started to back away, but I heard voices laughing and beckoning me to go through the door. I narrowed my eyes, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
It was pitch black. The door slammed behind me with a bang. Something hit my head and I fell to the floor, stars colouring my vision. Falling into unconsciousness, I heard a distant scream.
Packing up the kitchen, Mary sighed. Spending only 5 months in the house, her husband had bought an apartment in the city which was small enough for both of them.
As she started on the knives, she noticed a picture of a smiling boy with her and John standing on either side. She recognised the place but she didn’t know the boy.
Studying it, she heard a voice saying Mother! Mother!
Shocked, she dropped the picture, the glass shattering. Perturbed, she swept up the glass and dismissed the voice as wishful thinking that she had a child. She packed everything away as quickly as possible.
One week later, they were ready to leave. Making sure everything was clear, John stepped out the door. As he passed under the doorway, he thought her heard Father! Don’t leave…
He shut the door hurriedly. He strode to the car, shooting a quick glance at the house. Driving off, he was glad to leave the house behind.
Welcome to the TMC 