Escape from the House of Screams
A Night Out Turns Into a Battle of Wits and Survival
"Does every haunted house have to feature a screaming soundtrack?" Lina asked, grimacing as another high-pitched shriek echoed through the hall. She adjusted her cat ears and cast a sideways glance at her best friend, Jules, who was wrapped up in a vampire cape.
"Guess that’s the charm of these Halloween pop-ups," Jules chuckled, looking down at the candy-stained floors. "Just enough chaos and clichés to keep us coming back."
Lina shrugged, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling settling in. "I was happy watching movies and eating way too many Skittles. But no, we had to get tickets to 'The House of Screams.'"
Jules held up his hands defensively. "Come on, the flyer said it’s the scariest place in town! Plus, it's just one night. What's the worst that could happen?"
Right on cue, a piercing scream erupted from the next room, causing the group of teenagers in front of them to scatter and nearly topple over. Lina’s heart rate kicked up, but she kept her cool as Jules led them deeper into the haunted house. Around them, dimly lit portraits hung on walls, eyes seemingly following every movement. A chill hung in the air, raising the hairs on her arms.
Suddenly, a woman dressed as a ghost stumbled past, whispering in a voice that barely broke above a breath. “Get out…before it finds you.”
Lina paused, unsure if it was part of the act. Jules rolled his eyes. "Come on, she's just doing her job."
As they moved forward, the hallway began narrowing, forcing them into a single file. Every creak underfoot felt too real; every shadow stretched longer than it should. Ahead, Jules suddenly stopped, and Lina nearly crashed into him. A flickering light revealed a gaunt man in a butcher’s apron, holding an old-fashioned cleaver dripping with what Lina hoped was fake blood.
"Jules," Lina whispered, clutching his shoulder. "I think it’s time to go."
Jules didn’t respond. The man began moving toward them, slow but deliberate, and a wave of unease flooded over Lina. Jules finally turned pale and wide-eyed. "Agreed."
They backtracked quickly, but the twisting path they’d taken seemed to stretch endlessly, with doors and corridors shifting as they tried to find their way out. The ghost woman reappeared, whispering, “The door will open if you look for what’s hidden. Only then will you leave the House of Screams.”
Jules’ face was pale as he muttered, “This isn’t normal, is it?”
Lina shook her head, heart pounding, her senses sharpening. "We have to keep our heads. Let’s think—hidden clues, something out of place."
Working together, they scanned the room, their breaths shallow as they searched. The man with the cleaver wasn’t far, watching their every move. Lina's eyes landed on a dusty portrait hanging lopsidedly on the wall. She tilted it, revealing a hidden panel.
Inside was a switch. She flipped it, and a door in the corner of the room creaked open.
Jules grabbed her hand. "Let’s get out of here."
They bolted through the door, narrowly dodging the butcher as he lunged. They stumbled outside into the cool night air, panting with relief. The haunted house staff applauded as they left, but Jules and Lina barely noticed, still shaken by their escape.
"Next year," Lina gasped, "I’m sticking to movies."
Jules managed a weak smile. "Fine by me. As long as it’s a good old rom-com marathon."
They laughed, hearts still racing but grateful for one thing: they’d made it out.
About the Creator
RK
www.rktrendyvibes.com
I’m RK, weaving emotions into every line. My writing reflects life’s beauty, sorrow, and quiet moments. Join me in a world where every word is felt, and every story leaves a mark on your heart.
The Inferno Elixir: A Legacy of Blood
1. The Sinister Stillness of the Village My grandfather had always been an enigmatic man, but in the last three years, his eccentricity had crossed into something far more unsettling. He lived alone in a secluded house far from the city’s clamor, tucked away in a village perpetually choked by mist. We assumed he was merely grieving the loss of my grandmother and his lifelong friend, but his gaze hid something deeper than sorrow—a secret that was slowly devouring his soul. During my last visit, I was struck by the sight of his refrigerator; it was grotesquely overstuffed with heaps of raw meat. He claimed with a cold detachment that it was for the poor, but his face betrayed the lie. Even more disturbing was the reinforced steel door he had installed in the basement, from which a foul stench seeped through the cracks—a smell like a carcass that refused to stay buried. 2. A Descent into the Abyss Late that night, I took advantage of my grandfather’s heavy sleep. With trembling fingers, I pilfered a modern, sophisticated key from his cabinet. I descended the decaying stairs into the basement, my flashlight cutting through the oppressive gloom. The air there didn't just smell of rot; it smelled like a slaughterhouse. Dry bloodstains smeared the walls, and in the corners lay bleached-white human skeletons. I approached the reinforced room and peered through a tiny peephole. The blood froze in my veins. A gaunt creature, its bones protruding obscenely from its skin, stood there. Its hair was so long it trailed behind it like a shroud. It moved on all fours with a demonic fluidity. Suddenly, its eyes—completely white—locked onto the hole. It wasn't looking at me; it was scenting me. 3. The Bitter Truth Before I could flee, I felt the sharp sting of a needle in my neck. The world dissolved into darkness. I awoke inside a hermetically sealed glass chamber. My grandfather stood on the other side of the glass, weeping bitterly as he recounted the catastrophe: > "Three years ago, your grandmother was on the brink of death. A stranger with non-human features knocked on my door and gave me a dark red elixir, claiming it was the salvation. I injected her, but she transformed into this ravenous monster. I killed my oldest friend and fed him to her just to protect her secret. I love her, Alex, and I cannot let you leave to expose the truth of her 'death' to the world." > 4. The Banquet of Blood The glass barrier began to rise slowly, and the monstrosity crouched, ready to pounce. Suddenly, a scream pierced the silence. My younger brother, Thomas, had followed me. With a heavy blow from a sharp tool, he struck our grandfather, sending him sprawling into the room. In a moment of primal madness, the creature lunged at my grandfather, tearing into his flesh with unspeakable ferocity. Thomas and I fled, the screams echoing behind us, until the police arrived and ended the nightmare with a hail of bullets into the body of what was once my grandmother. 5. The Vicious Cycle A year has passed since that night, and I thought I had survived. But fate plays a cruel game. It is now the anniversary of my grandfather’s death, and my brother Thomas is wasting away from a rare, terminal illness. Last night, amidst the darkness, a stranger knocked on my door—matching the exact description my grandfather once gave. He placed a small box in my hand containing a vial of dark red liquid and hissed into my ear: "This is the only cure for your brother." The stranger vanished as if he never existed. I analyzed the liquid in a lab, and the results were bone-chilling: "A substance extracted from an unknown biological entity, non-existent in any natural record." I hold the vial in my hand now, looking at my pale brother, hearing the echo of my grandfather’s voice in my head. Do I repeat the tragedy? Do I begin a new massacre in the name of love? The elixir is before me, and hell is waiting just behind the door. Would you like me to create a "Book Cover" style description for this story, or perhaps suggest a sequel?
By Mayar Younes2 days ago in Fiction
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