In Between

The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window.

I stumbled, tripping over roots, scraping my hands on the bark as I held for balance. Warm blood trickled down my temple, inching close to my left eye. Where am I? How did I get here? The last thing I can remember is... an argument. I think. I don't know this place. Looking up I try to catch a glimpse of the sky, is it night or day? The treetops are too dense, and I'm surrounded by neverending shade. I can hear something off in the distance, maybe water? As I am trying to make sense of everything, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, my skin as if being pricked by needles. A feeling I know all too well. I'm being watched. Suddenly adrenaline kicks in, and I look around in a frantic panic. "Who's there?"

Eyes darting, the shadows merging together, but from the corner of my eye, I see it. Shifting darkness, moving in my direction. Something is coming. This is one of those moments where fight or flight kicks in, and my bones screamed flight. Weak and sore I made the most of what power was left in my legs and tried my best to not trip over the twisting and bulbous roots. I didn't know where I was going, as long as it was far from this thing chasing me.

After running for what felt like an eternity, the adrenaline finally crashed. My body began to give in and a painful headache clouded my judgment. Is it still following me? Gasping for air, I spotted a tiny speckle of light off in the distance. People! Just push a bit longer.

Legs shaking I snaked my way between tree trunks, rocks and moss, bee-lined in the light's direction. What initially began as a faint trickle, was now a vivid rushing of water and the light became brighter and clearer. The forest began to thin out, opening into a small clearing. A worn-down cabin perched on the bank, bathed in blue - a bright moon and clear skies framed this idyllic scene. The air around me was wet and heavy, either a storm was coming or had just passed.

Standing out in the darkness, a bright window was my guide, warm yellow light, glowing brighter, then dimming straight after. It repeated this a few more times. There was something comforting about this slow-paced luminous dance, an invitation. I looked over my shoulder and I saw it again, amongst the maze of trees. A black silhouette. I couldn't tell if it was moving but I knew time was short.

With newfound energy, I ran towards safety. The cabin was wooden, worn and slightly crooked - maybe an old hunters' retreat. Spotting the door and without slowing, I slammed my body against the warped boards, and tried the handle. Locked. I knew this was my one lifeline, so with clenched fists, I hammered as loud as I could "Help! Please open, I need help!! My bones screamed with pain at each hit "Please!".

I stepped back for a moment, waiting, hoping, praying for a response. The sound of footsteps was rapidly getting closer, but I couldn't bring myself to look.

As I weighed my options of waiting or fleeing, the cabin door slowly creaked open.

The fast-paced crunching of dead wood and dried leaves was mere feet behind me as I sprinted inside, closing the door behind me. It didn't give up, as the old wooden barrier between us shook violently. I pushed my entire weight against it, but that alone wouldn't hold, it was too strong. I noticed a large cast-iron latch and in between thumps I managed to slide the bolt.

Whatever was on the outside must have realised the door wasn't going to budge, so the bangs began to ease. I stepped back. My pursuer was gone.

After regaining my breath and allowing myself to calm down, I looked around. Strangely enough, no one was in, so how did the door... Never mind, let's just be grateful I am not out there with that thing. Maybe I can find something to defend myself with.

It was quite a cosy setting, bathed in warm yellow light, provided by a single candle perched on the window sill. It was large and thick, dozens of melted wax trails decorated its sides. Must have been burning for a long time. A double bed was against the wall on the far end of the cabin, the cosiest of quilts flung over it, red with little forest-themed embroidery. A desk with enough space for one, flush against the sole window, holding a pile of dusty books and yellowed newspapers. On the wall behind me, a cracked porcelain basin with a copper tap provided basic washing facilities. This small room was also filled with the comforting scent of burned wood. On my left was a little log burner, a few rebellious coal lumps still bearing some red. Next to the burner stood a large vintage wardrobe, with large doors framed by intricate wooden designs, and two small drawers sporting brass handles. Intense nausea hit me. My blood went cold as if someone had poured a bucket of ice over me and suddenly I felt very anxious.

I couldn't stop staring, and the more I looked, the stranger it became. Its surface was breathing, creaking and cracking, a menacing purr. Dark shades danced on its surface, a swarm of unknown insects and crawlers. Morbid curiosity guided me as I approached this vile object. As I got closer, a dark liquid began bubbling and creeping from under the doors, dribbling down the drawers, like a hungry beast anticipating it's prey. "Claire" A soft whisper, so close I felt the tiny hairs on my skin tingle. Startled I looked behind but saw nothing and no one. Who's calling for me?

Once my eyes were satisfied that I was indeed alone, I faced the wardrobe once more. It had changed, a boring old wardrobe, no liquid or dancing shades.

"I must have hit my head hard."

It dawns on me that my face and hair are caked in blood. I make use of the sink. Little droplets escape through the cracks and tip-tap on the floorboards as red flows down the drain. The freezing water stings as I blindly try to wash the back of my head. A damp raggedy towel was all I could find, which I reluctantly use - now is not the time to be picky.

The exhaustion I felt earlier strikes me again, and I have to sit down on the bed for a moment. I'm so tired but I can't sleep, but what if it comes back? It might try to come through the window. I have to keep guard, but what time is it? I'm so tired! Maybe I'll close my eyes just for a moment.

The quilt is warm and thick, and for the first time tonight I feel protected, a barrier against the surreal fear that lurks outside. I give a few glances around the room as I start to doze off, the wardrobe looks mundane, and the candle in the window flickers. I'll just shut my eyes for a few moments...

I can't breathe.

I spring awake in fear. It's dark, the candle has gone out, and only the moonlight allows me to look around. I can't move. My body is frozen stiff where it lies. I can barely breathe, the feeling of something weighing on my chest stops me.

Panicking I look around as my eyes adjust. I see it. A dark figure stands still in the corner near the door. I can't make any details of it, can't see a face nor clothes, just darkness. I try to scream but my lips don't move. This can't be happening. I shut my eyes, begging whoever is listening to my thoughts, please go away.

A whisper, just as close as before - "Wake up".

I open my eyes and the figure now stands on my left, near the end of the bed. The pale moonlight behind it casts a shadow over my legs. Despite being closer I still cannot see any features. It appears human in shape, but not quite. Its proportions are wrong, and it's very still, no person can remain that still.

My heart is close to exploding, muffled screams ring in my head and tears flow down my cheeks.

It bends over the bed, turning its deformed head towards me. For the first time, I can make some sense of the void that is its expression. Gaping black holes where eyes and mouth would have been, it stares at me. Frozen in an endless silent scream, it stares. For what feels like an eternity we stare at each other. My entire existence at that moment was fear.

With an ear-piercing screech, it jumps towards me and I can finally scream.

Darkness.

The thumps in my chest tell me I am alive. After mustering the much-needed courage, I opened my eyes. I'm still lying in bed but the figure is gone. I can finally move and waste no time to get out of bed and run for the door. This place isn't as safe as I thought.

I struggle to open the bolt, which was very easy to close. I examine the lock closely, which no longer is a moving part but a solid bar of metal, trapping me in this hell. Crying, I attempt to pry the door open, I scrape and break my nails on the wood but no such luck.

A noise behind me. I am too terrified to look.

Reluctantly I turn.

The large vintage wardrobe is no longer harmlessly against the wall. It's only a few feet away, the large doors wide open. I don't know if my eyes were tricking me, or the light was playing games but within its frame, there was an infinite pitch black, the incarnation of emptiness.

What sounds like rustling, very faint, grows from within the void. Louder and louder, it becomes clear that it's not rustling but a tornado of unintelligible whispered words, desperate, chaotic. It fills the room, the space around me, too loud. I cover my ears but the noise is also within me, vibrating through my veins and echoing in my skull. I scream, hold my head and curl on the floor. "Stop!!"

As I look up the wardrobe is now closer to me, mere inches from my feet. Fear is not a strong enough word for what I felt. My instincts told me once more, move or die. Luck was on my side when I reached for the lock again, as it had turned into a latch once more.

As quickly as I ran into the cabin, I bolted out of it.

The cold refreshing night air was a blessing as I ran away from the voices. Once I was out of range of the nightmarish choir, I looked back at the cabin. The figure stood in the door frame. A whisper, inches away from my ear "Claire".

I ran away from that haunted cabin, following the creek upstream. Hopefully civilisation won't be too far.

I stopped for a short breath, as my body was lacking the rest that it sorely needed. Glancing once more, the creature now stood by the creek, leaving the cabin behind. I can't stop.

I ran, my feet in excruciating pain, my lungs on fire, my legs begging to stop.

I can't.

Soon I reached the edge of more woods. If I'm careful it might lose track of me in here. Guided by an unwillingness to die I pressed on, small branches scraping my face, I refused to lose speed.

One more check behind me and the knot in my stomach eased slightly for the first time. I couldn't see it anywhere. Balancing against a tree trunk I quickly rubbed my burning thighs, as if wishing for further energy and speed. How long had passed? What time is it?

"Claire".

I looked up to my hand resting on the bark. The face of death was right behind it, half-hidden. Fear, loneliness, cold, and all that I felt before descended on me once more.

One last sprint gained me some distance, but whatever it was followed no rules or reason.

Suddenly, a light, in between the trees. A burst of hope filled my chest, the last efforts of my beaten body dragged me in the path for safety.

The woods were thinning, I was almost out again, this nightmare is almost over. Stepping into the clearing I halted abruptly.

The same cabin. The same glowing light shinning through the window, the creek flowing next to it. It cannot be, have I been running in circles? It's impossible, I followed the creek upstream.

I grabbed the door handle and it was unlocked. It opened with ease.

It was the exact same cabin but something was off. The quilt was scrunched on the floor, the desk was upturned, paper and book pages scattered on the floor. The basin had a chunk missing and the log burner's door had been pried off the hinges. The wardrobe was open, but instead of infinite darkness, it had a couple of coats hanging from old wire hangers.

Whatever was going on, there was no escape from this place or that monster. I didn't bother to close the door, and I didn't pay much attention to the figure in the doorway. There was something about this wardrobe and I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

Staring into the empty wooden space, I paid no mind to the figure as it stood behind me, creeping over my shoulder.

I know this place. Tonight wasn't the first time I saw the inside of this wardrobe. A distant memory. Pain and suffering. A fight over something small. Shouting and objects smashing. Me, tightly squeezed into a corner. Eyes full of hate staring at me with intent. Yelling so much yelling. Pain in my temple, pain on the back of my head. Warmth trickling down my neck. Red hands. Being dragged into the wardrobe. So tired. Dark, pitch black. A key locking. A door slammed. I'm cold and scared - this headache is hardly keeping me awake. My phone in my pocket, blue light fills the space. Beatrice, help. A little frantic voice asking me things. Help...in the cabin...wardrobe. I allow the darkness to embrace me, headache is gone. Warm and dark, so tired. I'll just shut my eyes for a moment.

I snap back to reality if you can call it that. The figure is gone.

I have entered this cabin many times. I have chased the creek and crossed the woods many times. I have escaped its grasp many times. I mean...his grasp. Forever fleeing the memory. Forever chased by him. Forever led by fear.

Deep down, I know this is where I need to be. I remember now.

I look towards my guiding light, dancing once more. There is no candle at the window, only a mere reflection on the glass. I get closer, stepping over the overthrown desk. My face is so close to the glass I can feel the hovering cold air. The candle is on the other side of the glass but also isn't. Behind it, a white surface is also reflected. I know this place.

The candlelight dims. And strengthens, blinding me, but I make no effort to look away. Whatever this is it's calling me to cross the mirror.

I know this place. "Claire" the voice whispers.

* * *

Beatrice sat by the hospital bed, head in her hands, little spots marking her brown trousers where tears were dropping. "I shouldn't have doubted. I should have visited more." The nurse walked in with a wide smile and placed a hand on Beatrice's shoulder "Don't beat yourself up, what matters is that you are here. And that your sister is here, look."

With a small torch, she opened Claire's eyelid and shone the narrow beam directly at her eye. The pupil shied away immediately.

"We have run all of the neurological tests and she has passed every single one." The nurse packed the torch away and gave a reassuring arm squeeze.

Beatrice sighed, hinting guilt in her voice. "I knew their fights were bad, but I didn't think it could get this bad."

The woman in the bed had been lost in her fears, but tonight, a candle burned in the window.