485

Ever feel like you’re trapped? Like you can’t move and you’re shit out of luck? That’s how my friends and I feel right now. We came across an abandoned house out in the forest near the city. We thought it was safe enough. We were wrong. Here’s how it started.

“Hey Babe, guess what I found while I was walking my dogs.” I said into the phone. I was on the phone with my friend Barbara; no, she’s not my girlfriend. We’re just friends.

“What?” Her girly voice asked through the phone. She’s more or less a ‘girly girl’. You know all the usual stuff, being scared of spiders, rats, dust, and bad cheese. But one thing she can’t resist is an adventure into the forest. Well, nobody my age can resist that around here. We’re locked up at school all the time, life is boring inside.

“I found an old abandoned house deep in the woods, I was thinking we get some peeps and go check it out.” I replied while packing for the expedition into the unknown. I was going to go there, with or without her.

“Sure! I’ll bring bird feed for the cute little birdies that we’ll find!” She said excitedly then hung up, leaving the task of calling the others to me. It was probably best considering how she is actually. She’d probably say we were off to find the Wizard of Oz.

I thought about inviting Kerem, but he was bugging me at the time. He’s a cocky kind of guy, not really my sort of guy. Besides, if he was here, we would probably get in more trouble then we’re in. I don’t think we would have survived with him here. I couldn’t figure out who to invite, there was too many possibilities. I didn’t want too many people knowing about it, I wanted it to be a sanctuary of a sort. Suddenly, the perfect person came to mind and I immediately dialed the number.

“Fry? That you?” The voice on the other line said immediately before I even had a chance to say hello. That’s my friend Larry for you, always rushing things. They say it’s a curse that he carries, but I think it’s perfect for the house. He won’t hesitate to break in. He’s also a fairly big guy. He used to be the star quarter back of the school football team before his grades got so bad his parents forced him to quit. The team hasn’t won a game since.

“Chill dude, Babe and I are going to go check out some abandoned house I found while walking my dog. You in?” I asked, knowing the answer already. He could never turn down a little bit of fun after school, the teachers chased after him like hound dogs.

“Do you even have to ask? I’ll meet you two at the usual meeting place asap.” He said right before hanging up on me like Babe did. Babe and Larry both live right around me so it wasn’t a far walk to the meeting place. Back when we were kids we decided to make a place we could meet at that would never change. We decided on the rocky area inside of the woods, not too deep, but deep enough in to avoid most other people. It hasn’t changed since.

I finished packing and I put my shoes on. I didn’t want to bring anyone else. They do say that three’s a crowd. Besides that, we were going so far deep into the woods that we wouldn’t have time to wait for people who live farther away from us and we’re experienced explorers of the woods. It’s actually surprising that we didn’t find it before today. The only issue I saw back then was that we would be returning through the woods in the dark. I only hoped that we would leave the house before dark. With my shoes on I took off out the door.

“About time you got here!” Babe screamed at me. “I was getting so worried that you were stuck eating bad cheese!” Fun fact: She shivered when she said ‘bad cheese’. Larry started laughing a little, mostly at her. They went out about a year ago and things still haven’t really settled between them, but I figured it wouldn’t be a problem. We were just going into an abandoned house that nobody knows about and if something were to happen to us, they would never find us. Yes, I am failing common sense class.

“Let’s bounce bro. I don’t want to sit around much longer.” Larry said as he motioned to the path leaving our meeting area. “Also, I’ve got to be home by eleven, let’s hurry.” I gave a slight chuckle and motioned for them to follow me. I had hoped we would be home by ten, but we’d be lucky if we left at all at this point.

They followed me through the forest like a pack of coyotes. Occasionally Babe would complain, but we were used to it so it didn’t bug us. It took us about an hour to get here, crossing dangerous territory when the sun was setting. By the time we got here it was nearly black outside. Thank god I packed flashlights.

We got to the clearing the house is in tired and a little beaten. It was a very old path we were following. The house stood there motionless with yellow paint peeling off the fifty to a hundred year old siding. It looked like all the entrances had been boarded up and someone, or something, broke all of the boards off. It was two stories high, with what seemed to be wooden shingles. I didn’t even know they ever had wooden shingles. The windows on the second floor had been boarded up too but only one board remained. The board had red writing or something on it. We got closer to read it, but stepped back when we did.

“Does that say ‘Run now, while you still can’? Oh my god! What if it’s written in blood? I bet it is!” Babe started freaking out. It made me question whether or not we should go in, but I didn’t want to have walked all the way here for nothing. I looked at Larry and he did not seem amused by the message, nor did he look scared of it.

“Let’s see if the front door works.” He said, walking over to what we believed to be the front door. On the plus side, we were finally right about something. I turned my head to look at Babe who had started praying on her knees. Suddenly, I heard a loud bang that sounded like someone running into a wall of wood followed by Babe screaming again. I turned around to find the front door wide open. Okay, more like on the floor inside. Larry knocked it right out. There’s a reason he was a football star.

“Hey guys, check this out!” He yelled from inside the house. I took another look at the house and realized how massive it is. It looked like a small little two story house at first, but I could see the rest of it stretching out into the woods. This house was worth a lot when it was in good condition. I could feel the sun setting on us as we wandered through the door. The sun was down but there was light from a fire coming from another room. Babe looked at me and I took her hand and led her to the room thinking that it was Larry.

He was in the room, but he didn’t start the fire. Someone, something, was using the fireplace. He was just staring at it like he’d seen a ghost. “Quit playing around, Larry!” I yelled at him, hoping to knock him out of his trance. No luck, he stayed frozen in place. I got the urge to look around the room and noticed that it didn’t seem abandoned at all, actually, it looked more taken care of then my parents house. My parents are neat freaks. Something was wrong, I could feel it.

“Come on guys; let’s get out of here before we get in trouble!” Babe commanded us, but we hardly heard her. What we did hear was the slamming of a door. Both Larry and I jumped out of our trances and looked at the door that he knocked to the floor. It was back up, like it never happened. Then, like an earthquake, more slamming followed the first, like hammers hitting nails simultaneously. We were being boarded in.

Now you’re pretty much up to speed. The house became our prison. Larry tried breaking down some boards, but they seemed indestructible almost like they weren’t really real. Babe broke down and is now huddled up in the corner, hardly recognizable with all her makeup running. Larry is sitting in a lounge chair staring at the fire as if he’ll somehow understand this place by watching the fire. I, Fried Fry, haven’t moved an inch since the door slammed back into place. I can’t move.

Ever feel like you’re trapped? Like you can’t move and you’re shit out of luck? That’s how my friends and I feel right now. We don’t know how things can get any worse, or if they even can. A face forms in the fire. It’s a man with horns. Satan? I just had to open my big mouth.

“Welcome my children to my humble estate. I know what you’re thinking, and no I’m not Satan. I go by many names, but you may call me Dad.” The fires say more or less just confusing us more. Why does he call us his children? Is it some sick fantasy of his to have children? Also, why is fire talking to us? I’m only a little worried.

“Uh…Okay. Hi Dad.” I say to him, hoping that it’ll please him and he won’t kill us. That would be nice. School is looking really good right now. At least there they don’t trap you inside the building with no possible way out. Larry looks at me like I’m insane and Babe just gives me a cold stare. For the record, they don’t think of these things very much. I tend to play situations in my head all the time; I’ve seen something like this a thousand times before. Just do what it says and everything will be fine, I think.

“That’s a good boy.” It says to me and smiles, showing rows and rows of sharp teeth. “I’ll leave you and your siblings to your games now.” It says then the fire dies, leaving us in total darkness and in total silence. See? Everything worked out just fine, he didn’t kill us. I hope the other two keep their mouths shut and don’t get us all killed just because they decided to be stupid.

“It’s okay guys, he’s gone.” I tell them in the darkness. I can’t see their eyes, nor can they even see me but I can feel their cold stares on me. “What? I did what I had to so we don’t run into more trouble.” They stay silent, which is starting to creep the hell out of me.

Knock. Knock. Knock. The three of us freeze in the darkness. The knocking came from the front door. What now another Satan like guy talking to us? That sounds like a blast. Yay, it’s exactly what I wanted. You there, reader, if you could shoot me I’d get you to do it right now. I am terrified of being trapped and powerless. This place gives me the feeling that what ever is knocking will make my nightmares come to life.

“What the fuck Fry? What kind of sick joke are you playing on us?” Larry yells angrily. This isn’t good. He could beat me to a living pulp in seconds. I’m not a big guy, and I can’t fight. Thank god it’s dark in here. He can’t see me so I’m safe as long as he can’t see.

This just happens to be when the flaming face comes back, lighting up the room. “It wasn’t me! I swear!” I yell, trying to protect my innocence from his fists. The face just looks at me and starts laughing. It has such an eerie laugh it sends chills down my back. I’m positive it’s Satan. I look at Larry and realize he’s back in his trance. Something about the fire just traps him inside, poor guy.

“Oh, I’m sorry about that my children. I forgot to tell you that I was having guests over.” It says, spitting fire all over the floor. I notice that Babe is oddly quiet, but right before I go to look at her the knocking starts again. “Well aren’t you going to let our guests in, my child?”

I nod at the fire, terrified as I can be. Seeing him, I really do not want to see his friends. They’re probably demons with hats for fucks sake. I slowly walk over to the front door and turn the knob that wouldn’t budge before and it turns without any resistance. I pull the door open and see who was knocking. Correction: what was knocking.

The lights in the house all turn on at once and for a moment I’m blinded, but I know what stands in front of me. They’re monsters, like something out of the nightmares of the world’s most evil people. They are fear itself. They have to be at least eight feet tall with arched backs. You know what they are. Werewolves.

“Well invite them in, silly child! They’ll catch a cold out there in the moonlight!” The flame face yells across the room at me. I catch a glimpse of the full moon outside. I have the most wonderful timing ever don’t I? Kill me, please. I motion them inside and they take off the top hats they were wearing. Apparently I’m going blind if I manage not to notice their top hats. Then again, I was more focusing on their large teeth and claws that could rip a human apart in mere seconds.

“Thank you.” One of them mutters. His voice sounds rough, but still mostly human. All four of them seem to be males, and I start to wonder what a female werewolf looks like. I’m surprised they can talk, yet alone say thank you to a human without tearing them to pieces first.

The largest of the four enters the room with the fireplace first and I think I can see him looking at Larry and Babe. Those two probably haven’t moved an inch. “I’ve noticed you’ve taken in three more under your wing Father.” He says. Is he seriously one of his children? The other three walk in and look at the others too. Two of them start to laugh lightly at the condition of them both.

“Indeed I have, why don’t you formally meet them? Child! Come back here! Come meet your siblings.” The face yells to me. They are his children. Does that mean we’ll become that as well? I’d much rather die than become an abomination of nature. I’d much rather die than become a monster.

I do as I am told, but start planning my escape. There’s got to be a way out of here. I’m sure I can find a way out, but not with the other two. They seem glued in place, trapped here for eternity. Their fates are sealed; I have to ensure my own survival. I have to protect my innocence. The werewolves stare at me as if sizing me up. I wonder if they’re thinking if I’ll make a good werewolf. I hope they never find out.

The largest comes up to me and offers his hand, or paw, for a handshake. “My name is Dargen Swiftclaw. It’s a pleasure to meet you, brother.” I reach out and shake his hand expecting pain, but none comes. His handshake is safe, maybe he means no harm. He smiles at me and shows a little bit of his teeth, making me doubt the whole him meaning no harm thing.

I hesitantly smile back and say, “My name is Fry Dargen. What a coincidence! My last name is the same as your first name! What are the chances?” I laugh lightly, pretending that I actually don’t mind the coincidence, that I think it’s cool. It actually just scares the crap out of me. Dargen is a name that comes from a tiny tribe of natives in the Rockies; my family is the only line left.

“Another Dargen?” The face starts laughing. “Curiosity must run in the family.” The face thinks we’re related. If it was just some guy, I’d think he’s crazy, but it’s a face that comes out of a fire. I don’t know about you, but that’s some pretty freaky shit around here. The closest thing to magic we have around here is electricity.

“Anyways,” The face says, “it’s about time they join your ranks General Swiftclaw. Him first.” The first thing that comes to mind is running. It sounds like some sort of army he’s building. I am not a fighter. I need to go. Now.

“Very well Father. Come my brother, it’s about time you learn what this family is all about.” He puts his massive hand on my shoulder and starts to guide me to the stairs in the room next to ours. I think I understand why my dog was barking at this place earlier. I know you can’t do anything but please, save me.

“Actually,” I start saying, “I’ve got to get home. Maybe tomorrow?” I duck, getting his hand off my shoulder and bolt for the door. I hear him and the others start laughing, Babe and Larry included. I turn the doorknob and open the door. I’m about to get out when something grabs me on the shoulder and I feel claws dig into me. I scream in pain.

“Show me what you can do, brother.” The werewolf says. I know what he wants. I know what they all want. I feel the rage build up inside of me and my blood rushing through my body. My vision blurs and my muscles tense up.

“Let go of me.” I order the werewolf to do. He doesn’t listen. He just laughs, but not for long because in seconds my arm collides with his stomach with enough force to kill a small village. He collapses to the ground, not dead, but almost dead. I feel the fur sprout from me and spread like wildfire. I roar, shaking the house. Suddenly, I’m hungry.

“That’s a good child.” The face says. “I bet you’re hungry, don’t worry. We have snacks for you.” A trail of flame forms towards Babe and Larry. I feel myself try to pull away, but I’ve lost control.

I stand over the lounge chair and bring one of my claws to Larry’s hypnotized body, specifically the neck. I haven’t killed in so long; I thought I’d start off simple. I slit his throat and drink the blood that comes seeping out. Babe starts screaming and it immediately annoys me to the point that Larry’s blood just isn’t enough. I take a bite out of his neck and swallow it. He’s just the appetizer, she’s the main course.

-Zero