Horror and Thriller Fiction posted November 12, 2024 |
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Primal awakening in the still of the night
In the Grip of Night
by Peter Jarvis
![](https://www.fanartreview.com/farusr/110939/w-954119-504997.jpg)
The Delaney household was wrapped in the tranquility of night, the world outside was peaceful and silent. Mr. and Mrs. Delaney lay in their comfortable bed, oblivious to the sinister presence that was creeping ever closer. At approximately 2am, a jarring noise shattered the stillness a faint but unmistakable sound that sent a chill down Jack Delaney's spine. He stirred, his heart racing, his senses sharpening as he strained to listen. He was still half awake.
Footsteps. No, not footstep, but deliberate movements. Someone was in the house. His wife, Emma, lay peacefully beside him, completely unaware of the danger that lurked just beyond the bedroom door. Two of their children slept soundly in their adjoining rooms, blissfully ignorant of the threat that was inching closer.
Jack's breath caught in his throat as he focused intently on the sounds emanating from downstairs. He could hear the creak of floorboards, the unmistakable sound of someone exploring his home and poking around. Then, as if sensing his panic, the noise change as someone was beginning to climb the stairs. The third step, the one Jack had promised himself he'd fix a hundred times over, creaked ominously under the weight of the intruder. There was no doubt that someone or something was going to explore upstairs.
Panic enveloped him. What should he do? Should he pretend to be asleep? The thought of alerting Emma, of risking her safety, paralysed him. The children were so close, their innocent young dreams a fragile barrier between them and the horror that was slowly approaching. He couldn't bear the idea of waking them; their screams would only invite more danger. In any event he had no way of alerting them, without alerting the unknown presence that had entered his house.
His mind raced through possibilities, but time was slipping away. The intruder was now at the top of the landing. Jack held his breath, straining to hear the slightest sound. Had the intruder stopped? What was he doing? He could feel the dread coiling in his stomach, a tight knot of fear that threatened to suffocate him. He could hear the creeping silence.
Then, the door creaked open. Jack's heart stopped as the shadowy tall figure peered into the darkness. Shadows danced along the wall, twisting grotesquely as the thing stepped further into the room. Jack could hear it now the shallow, laboured breathing, the sound of malevolence personified.
A surge of adrenaline coursed through Jack, and suddenly, a flicker of hope ignited within him. Ten years ago, he had installed a state-of-the-art alarm system, a decision made in the name of safety. Among its features were discreet panic alarms placed by each bed, a last resort for moments like this. The alarm had never been used in panic. Tested only once 10years ago, but nothing since. Dear Lord, do not forsake me now. Keep my family safe.
With trembling fingers, Jack silently slid his hand under the pillow, searching for the small device. The intruder shifted, the sound of movement growing closer, and Jack's heart pounded in his ears. He could almost feel the cold breath of danger lurching toward him.
Finally, his fingers closed around the panic alarm. He took a deep breath, steeling himself, and turning the tiny key. The piercing shriek of the alarm echoed through the house, a cacophony that shattered the silence. Lights flashed, illuminating the dark corners of the room in a strobe of chaos.
The intruder recoiled, a shadowy figure momentarily frozen in surprise. Jack seized the moment, adrenaline surging through his veins like fire. The intruder turned and sprinted down the stairs, the sound of his hurried exit a cacophonous retreat. Jack could hear the door slam shut, the finality of it ringing in his ears.
The alarm continued to wail, a siren of safety that brought with it the assurance of release. Emma stirred beside him, her eyes wide with confusion. Jack felt a wave of relief wash over him, but it was quickly overshadowed by the realization of what had just transpired.
Then fear and panic gripped him again. Oh God, the children - my two little ones. Had the intruder visited them first No! No, not them. He raced towards their bedroom along the landing stumbled into their room and was greeted with " Hi daddy what is all the racket " What a heartwarming sight.
"Jack? What's happening?" Emma's voice quivered, and he rushed to calm her, his heart still racing.
"Just a false alarm, my dear" he confidently lied, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. But deep down, he knew this was no false alarm. The shadows had come too close, and they would always remember the night the Delaneys faced the darkness lurking at their door. The night they were reminded that safety was a fragile illusion, and sometimes, the real terror lay just a heartbeat away.
He gently kissed his dear wife,
Footsteps. No, not footstep, but deliberate movements. Someone was in the house. His wife, Emma, lay peacefully beside him, completely unaware of the danger that lurked just beyond the bedroom door. Two of their children slept soundly in their adjoining rooms, blissfully ignorant of the threat that was inching closer.
Jack's breath caught in his throat as he focused intently on the sounds emanating from downstairs. He could hear the creak of floorboards, the unmistakable sound of someone exploring his home and poking around. Then, as if sensing his panic, the noise change as someone was beginning to climb the stairs. The third step, the one Jack had promised himself he'd fix a hundred times over, creaked ominously under the weight of the intruder. There was no doubt that someone or something was going to explore upstairs.
Panic enveloped him. What should he do? Should he pretend to be asleep? The thought of alerting Emma, of risking her safety, paralysed him. The children were so close, their innocent young dreams a fragile barrier between them and the horror that was slowly approaching. He couldn't bear the idea of waking them; their screams would only invite more danger. In any event he had no way of alerting them, without alerting the unknown presence that had entered his house.
His mind raced through possibilities, but time was slipping away. The intruder was now at the top of the landing. Jack held his breath, straining to hear the slightest sound. Had the intruder stopped? What was he doing? He could feel the dread coiling in his stomach, a tight knot of fear that threatened to suffocate him. He could hear the creeping silence.
Then, the door creaked open. Jack's heart stopped as the shadowy tall figure peered into the darkness. Shadows danced along the wall, twisting grotesquely as the thing stepped further into the room. Jack could hear it now the shallow, laboured breathing, the sound of malevolence personified.
A surge of adrenaline coursed through Jack, and suddenly, a flicker of hope ignited within him. Ten years ago, he had installed a state-of-the-art alarm system, a decision made in the name of safety. Among its features were discreet panic alarms placed by each bed, a last resort for moments like this. The alarm had never been used in panic. Tested only once 10years ago, but nothing since. Dear Lord, do not forsake me now. Keep my family safe.
With trembling fingers, Jack silently slid his hand under the pillow, searching for the small device. The intruder shifted, the sound of movement growing closer, and Jack's heart pounded in his ears. He could almost feel the cold breath of danger lurching toward him.
Finally, his fingers closed around the panic alarm. He took a deep breath, steeling himself, and turning the tiny key. The piercing shriek of the alarm echoed through the house, a cacophony that shattered the silence. Lights flashed, illuminating the dark corners of the room in a strobe of chaos.
The intruder recoiled, a shadowy figure momentarily frozen in surprise. Jack seized the moment, adrenaline surging through his veins like fire. The intruder turned and sprinted down the stairs, the sound of his hurried exit a cacophonous retreat. Jack could hear the door slam shut, the finality of it ringing in his ears.
The alarm continued to wail, a siren of safety that brought with it the assurance of release. Emma stirred beside him, her eyes wide with confusion. Jack felt a wave of relief wash over him, but it was quickly overshadowed by the realization of what had just transpired.
Then fear and panic gripped him again. Oh God, the children - my two little ones. Had the intruder visited them first No! No, not them. He raced towards their bedroom along the landing stumbled into their room and was greeted with " Hi daddy what is all the racket " What a heartwarming sight.
"Jack? What's happening?" Emma's voice quivered, and he rushed to calm her, his heart still racing.
"Just a false alarm, my dear" he confidently lied, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. But deep down, he knew this was no false alarm. The shadows had come too close, and they would always remember the night the Delaneys faced the darkness lurking at their door. The night they were reminded that safety was a fragile illusion, and sometimes, the real terror lay just a heartbeat away.
He gently kissed his dear wife,
Horror Writing Contest contest entry
Surely something that we all dread. The uninvited guest of the night
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Artwork by cleo85 at FanArtReview.com
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