Owls hooted and bats awoke from their slumber. The full moon shone brightly, casting shadows on the ground.
I gulped, staring at the dark, dank house in front of me. It was located at the peak of Lavender Hill, just a slight slope that towered over the other houses, the only house there. It used to be a light lavender, hence the name “Lavender House on Lavender Hill”. The family that stayed there was a happy and close-knitted one. The father and mother, along with their twins, Cedric and Celeste were very well-known and liked in their neighbourhood. Unfortunately, Cedric and Celeste passed away suddenly one day. The parents of the twins secluded themselves and no longer met with their neighbours; there had not even been a funeral for the twins. It was weeks later when the townsfolk finally realised that the parents had abandoned the house. No one ventured near the house ever again, saying that it was haunted.
I suddenly felt light-headed, and for the hundredth time that night, I wondered what I was doing here. I forced myself to take a deep breath, overcoming my vertigo, remembering the dare my archenemy had challenged me to.
“I dare you to take an excursion to Lavender House! I bet you’d chicken out.”
“Hah! I accept the dare; you’ll be bowing before me this time tomorrow.”
“You’re on, girl.”
At that time, it was all just bravado. As I regarded the dilapidated house before me, I shivered. It was creepy even in broad daylight. Why did I choose to visit it at night? I groaned. All the confidence and courage I had was vanishing by the second. I contemplated on turning back, back to the safety and warmth of my house, but my pride kept me from turning tail. There was no way I would admit defeat to my rival, I decided grimly. She’d have me grovelling at her feet if I backed out now.
I swung open the little gate, wincing as it grated against its rusty joints and hurriedly stepped onto the unkempt grass before my courage deserted me completely. I forced myself through the long grass and intertwined weeds and finally reached the rotting door. With trembling hands, I grasped the doorknob, praying that it was locked.
I turned it. It didn’t budge; it was locked. I let out a breath I had not realised I was holding, feeling relieved. Letting out a short bark of laughter, I stuffed my hands into my pockets. I’m such an idiot, I thought to myself, of course it’d be locked! I grinned and took a step forward, heading for the gate.
Suddenly, I heard a soft ‘click’. I froze and my grin slid off my face faster than water sliding off a duck’s back. Willing myself to not give in to my instincts to run, I turned around.
The door slowly creaked open, as if beckoning me in. A soft giggle reached my ears. I whipped around, my eyes narrowing. I saw nothing.
“Weird.” I scratched at my ears, wondering whether my over-imaginative mind was working on an overdrive again. This is what I get for reading too many horror stories, I admonished myself. With a little hesitation, I stepped into the house. The air was stale and so very, very cold. I pulled my sweater around me tighter and breathed out. It was getting hard to breathe. I blinked when my breath fogged up in front of me. Was it that cold? I glanced down and was surprised to find mist steadily enveloping me. I felt the goose bumps rise and my skin prickled uncomfortably. Quickly, I spun around to exit the house when the door slammed shut on its own accord.
“Must have been the wind,” I laughed uneasily, my laughter sounding foreign and shaky.
I steadied my quivering self and placed a clammy hand on the doorknob. I was about to turn it when I heard another giggle, coming from behind me. For the second time that night, I froze. I squeezed my eyes shut, but it was no use. I had definitely heard a giggle. Never leave your back exposed, the wise words from so many Crime and Investigation stories came to my mind. I twisted around and screamed.
In front of me stood a pale, ghastly figure of a little boy. Where its eyes should have been were just empty sockets. He was smiling a mischievous smile, but it looked just malicious to me. I stood rooted to the spot, terrified beyond my wits. The spectre opened its mouth and in a slow, almost musical voice, said, “Why did you scream? No one can hear you. It’s just me and Celeste. And you.”
A drop of sweat slid down my temple. Sweat? A part of my mind registered the thought. In this temperature?
I heard another giggle and another figure emerged from the mist. It was a girl. Her hair was frizzled and her eyes were just empty sockets too.
“See, Celeste? I told you another would come,” the boy turned to the girl.
Celeste smiled, and the air around me grew suddenly colder. “Cedric is right. Celeste is so very happy. Celeste wants to be friends with the pretty girl.” She started approaching me.
The sudden fear of death jerked me from my paralysis. I wrenched the door opened and flew out of the compound, adrenaline making me run like never before. I cast a glance back and saw the twins standing in the doorway, their smiles causing the hair on my skin to stand on edge. They soon faded into the darkness, and the door slammed shut once more.
I continued running and only when I could see the house no longer did I slow down to catch my breath. I was panting heavily, shaking ever so slightly. Being rather down-to-earth, I managed to calm myself down. Yet this odd feeling welled up in me and I shuddered involuntarily.
I looked up, and immediately leapt back. I bit back a scream. The twins were in front of me! I broke into another sprint, but only got two metres before I collapsed onto the ground, exhausted. I turned, facing the spectres.
Cedric’s smile sent shivers up and down my spine. “I still do not know why they flee. We just want to play, that’s all.”
“No matter. Celeste likes this pretty girl. Can Celeste keep her?” Celeste tugged at her brother’s sleeve.
“Sure, Celeste. Whatever makes you happy. Though she’s rather ugly when she screams…”
Celeste clapped her hands in glee, a hollow sound that echoed despite the objects surrounding them. She reached out her arms and they came towards me. I scampered backwards until my back hit a tree. I pressed myself against the bark of the tree as they neared me. Celeste and Cedric were so close now; I could make out a mole under Celeste’s right eye socket. They came nearer and nearer… I shut my eyes tightly.
A scream pierced thought the night, scaring birds into flight.
--My scream.