Broken Rule, Broken Vow

There was only one rule: don’t open the door…

The head sister of Shadow Veil convent said harshly to the young novice sister as she pointed to the abandoned alcove with a wooden door.

Sister Angelica had just arrived at the convent. Sister Lenore, who looked as old as the bare oak trees, shuffled away from the ominous door.

Tinny scratches and a disjointed moan echoed around the pale, milky walls. Sister Angelica quickly turned her head to the door. A sliver of light peeked out from underneath the door. The shadows looked like icy fingers reaching for help on the wooden floor.

“Did you hear that?” whispered Sister Angelica.

Sister Lenore did not answer; she continued walking down the hall.

A faint sobbing slowly sounded from behind the door. Sister Angelica stopped and turned to the heartbreaking keening noise. As she listened, cold fingers of fear slid down her neck; it sounded like a young woman.

Sister Angelica was torn. She was new here and didn’t want to get in trouble with Mother Superior. She had broken a few rules at other convents. Her punishment was being dumped in this haunted convent.

“H…e….l….p,” the anguished voice cried out behind the door.

Sister Angelia looked towards Sister Lenore, who disappeared.

A shake came from the door.

Sister Angelica walked to the door. “Hello” she tentatively said. “Are you hurt”.

“L…e…t…. m…e…. o…u…t,” the pitiful voice cried.

Sister Angelica knew she would break the rule if someone was hurt. She slowly unlocked the door.

She could hear panting now.

As she turned the doorknob, she saw the shadows more closely; they weren’t shadows; it was crimson blood.

Before Sister Angelica could register what she was seeing…gnarling fingers grabbed her, she realized too late that she shouldn’t have opened that door.