Home—A horror story about returning home

It’s been a long time since I have driven in these roads. Roughly a decade has passed since the last time I went back home.

The car stops in front of the old, rusted gate; not even a speck of that old black paint is left. Now all I can see is the oxidation covering the gate. The brown and orange chaos of it all. I’m not even sure if it’s a good idea touching the gate; feels as though it might become powder in my hands. But alas I get out of the car push the gate open and it shrieks like a ghoul trying to make you piss your pants with fear.

I get back into the car and gradually make my way up the long driveway. Back when my parents lived here, my mother would keep the place pristine. It seemed like a heavenly garden in my youth. The driveway flanked on both sides with beautiful bushes, orange trees, and an army of flowers. Now it seems old and forgotten. The nature has taken over. The driveway has been overcome by weeds and crawlers; you can hardly even tell that there is a driveway underneath all of it. The sides which were my mother’s pride and joy have become unkempt and hover over you menacingly. I cannot for the life of me see anything behind the wild trees and bushes that have grown in place of my mothers famed garden. If I’m honest with myself, there is a growing anxiety that I am not welcome in the place that I used to call home.

I finally reach the old mansion, and I’m dismayed to say the least. I was a fool to think that I would find the same old brick red house that took care of my family and I for decades. Now the colors have faded, the windows shattered, cracks on the wall like spiderwebs. I have tears in my eyes. “We abandoned you old friend… I’m so sorry for leaving you like this.” I say to myself.

I try to look inside the broken windows, and I find it odd that even though it’s noon, I can’t for the life of me see a damn thing in there. The insides of the house have been covered by an oppressive goo of darkness. All of it is covered by eldritch shadows. My heart is sinking, and my legs are shaking. That bravado I walk around with in my everyday life is nowhere to be found today.

I steel my nerves and walk towards the main door. The doors are slightly ajar. The mansion seems to be inviting me inside. I’m feeling a bit of sweat slide down my face. I can feel every tingle as it makes its way towards my chin. I know deep down that I should not venture inside, however, I shut that voice up and walk in briskly as a way to overcome this dread.

When I step inside, my eyes are blinded by flash of light. It takes them a while to finally open and adjust once more. My eyes open and I am dumbfounded to see that the house is just as I last saw it 10 and a half years ago. “How can that be?” I ask myself. I was expecting it to look like a warzone when I saw how bad it was outside. The house was pristine from the inside. Not even dust had settled on the furniture. It was as if the house was still being lived in till this day. I wasn’t sure whether to be happy, confused, or scared. What in the world was going on?

I walk around and explore the whole house and I find that other than the lights not working, everything seems to be in order.

My head snaps to the left… I hear my cars alarm. I take a deep gulp and walk towards the porch where I had parked. I exit the house and I see this tiny creature standing beside the car. Staring deep into my soul. I get a bit closer and realize it’s just a kid. He looks wild and feral. Wearing rags for clothes and covered with grime and mud. I know this kid is bad news. I scream obscenities at him to get away from my car; He obliges. I walk towards the driver’s seat keeping my gaze intently at him. If he makes a move his face will be introduced to my boot.

I open my car door and as I am sliding in, the world goes black. I had been struck in the head by something heavy. I knew that little devil was going to be my downfall. I knew deep down that he would have company. I wake; I don’t know how long after. I am being dragged by a large man by my foot. His grip is like Hercules. I feel as though my ankle is about to be crushed by his vice-like grip.

He has taken me to the back of the house. Somewhere I did not check. This is petrifying now. I see three or four strung up bodies. They have been eating them. All in different states of being butchered. I have not reserved myself to this fate. I will not be eaten and shat out by a party of cannibals, or whatever these beasts are. I need to get out of here. The grizzly man drops me next to a woman who I assume would be his wife. I wait for the opportune moment to strike her and run like a cheetah to my car. I see a knife a few inches from my right hand. I slowly inch my hand to grab the blade. I’m almost there. I touch the rough wooden handle of the blade, but at the same time I feel a whack on my neck.

My vision dims… my head is rolling around.

Rolling stops.

I see my own body.

Headless body now.

The child.

Cut my head.

Vision darkening.

Hardly see a thing.

Curtains close.

Everything’s black.