Welcome Home...
by Sam Harty

There was just one rule: don’t open the door. This would soon become crystal clear to two kids making their way to this very house.
It was winter, and the snow was piling up in the quiet Maine town of Ankara. It was a strange little place, with hardly any families that had kids. Most had grown up and left for college, while others just weren’t around anymore.
Mrs. Johnson said, “I think David and Kieran will really like it here!” She beamed at the social worker.
The kids were in the kitchen.
“This place smells weird,” Kieran whispered. David chuckled and replied, “Yeah, it smells like old people.” They both giggled. Mrs. Johnson walked into the kitchen and said, “Welcome to your new home!” Then she laid down the one rule.
As night fell...
The kids were in bed. It was nearly midnight and David couldn’t sleep. “Pssst, Kieran. Are you awake?” She smiled in the dark. “I wonder what’s behind that door?” he mused. “Oh David, I have no idea, but we need to keep this place, so don’t mess it up for us.” she replied. “Don’t be silly!” David hopped out of bed and headed for the door with Kieran reluctantly trailing behind. “David…” “SHHH,” he shot back.
They stood in front of the door. David grabbed the handle, surprised to find it wasn’t locked and opened easily. David fumbled along the wall for a light switch. “Yes! Found it!” he whispered. They stepped inside, and David exclaimed, “Whoa! It’s just a bunch of dolls!” Kieran’s face lit up with excitement. And then one doll blinked… and another, and another. The door slammed shut behind them. The last thing they realized was that these weren’t dolls; they were children.
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About the Creator
ᔕᗩᗰ ᕼᗩᖇTY
Sam Harty is a poet of raw truth and quiet rebellion. Author of Lost Love Volumes I & II and The Lost Little Series, her work confronts heartbreak, trauma, and survival with fierce honesty and lyrical depth. Where to find me




Comments (12)
A story that lives in its events
Oh my! Very scary!
Sam - i’m with the others. A fantastic and very spooky read. I’m kinda freaked out - Eeeek dolls! But oh you fooled me - children!! What a ride and great job for entering the Challenge! Pauline 🌸
D= Welp. This is amazingly horrifying. Great job! :D
And how am I supposed to sleep now?!
Gotta love a nice creepy surprise ending! Great entry!
That was horrifying. Well done, Sam.
Oh man! DOLLS!! Yup that would freak me out, great story!
Of paranoid humans, the other figure is what some call a soul and others an alien. Fear is the first and last state of human beings. However, you have written the story "Welcome Home" very nicely with 3 characters.
Sam you are really hitting the horror button hurt, great story!
Hahahahahahahaha they were warned. Loved your story!
Ooooo - great job! 👏 I liked the surprise ending.