A Halloween Nightmare: The Knock That Shouldn’t Have Happened

*A Halloween to Remember**

It was Halloween night, and I was home alone. My parents had gone to a party, so I decided to stay back and watch scary movies. The streets outside were lively with kids trick-or-treating, laughing, and screaming in excitement. It felt like just another Halloween night.

Around 9 PM, the trick-or-treaters started to thin out. I was deep into my movie when I heard a soft tapping on the window, like someone scratching the glass. I ignored it, thinking it was just the wind or a branch. But then it happened again, louder. My heart began to race.

“Maybe it’s just my imagination,” I whispered, focusing back on the screen.

A few minutes later, my phone buzzed with an unknown number. I hesitated but picked up.

“Hello?” I said, my voice shaky.

Silence. Then, after a few seconds, I heard heavy breathing on the other end. I quickly hung up, hands trembling. It had to be a Halloween prank, I told myself. Still, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling.

Then I heard footsteps outside the front door, slow and heavy, like someone trying to be quiet. I looked through the peephole. It was dark, and I couldn’t see anyone.

Just as I was about to step away, a face appeared, pressed right up against the peephole. I stumbled back, stifling a scream. The face was covered by a creepy mask with hollow eyes. I froze in fear.

The doorbell rang, echoing through the empty house. I didn’t answer, hoping the person would go away. But the ringing kept coming, over and over. Desperately, I grabbed my phone and dialed my parents. No answer.

I tried my best friend, but there was no response. Panic rose in my chest. The doorbell finally stopped, but I could still hear footsteps moving around outside.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang on the back door. Someone was trying to break in. I ran upstairs, hiding in my bedroom closet, trying to stay as quiet as possible. My heart pounded as I crouched in the dark, listening to the sounds getting closer.

Then I heard the creak of the stairs. They were inside. It felt like an eternity as I sat there, every small noise making me jump. Finally, the footsteps stopped right outside my bedroom door.

I held my breath, terrified of making any sound. After a few moments, the door opened slowly. Shadows moved across the floor under the closet door. I bit my lip to keep from making a noise. The door creaked open wider, and I could feel the presence just inches away.

But then, my phone buzzed again, the sound echoing through the closet. The footsteps turned toward me. Just as I thought I was done for, I heard sirens in the distance. Blue and red lights flashed through the window, and the footsteps hurried down the stairs.

The intruder must have panicked. I heard the door slam, and then silence.

I stayed in the closet until I was sure they were gone. When the police finally arrived, I stumbled out, shaking but relieved. They found nothing, just a few scratch marks on the door and a mask left on the porch.

To this day, I don’t know who it was or why they chose me. But every Halloween, I remember that night and wonder if they’ll come back.