EMILY

On a stormy night in a small town, a young girl named Emily found herself home alone. The wind howled outside, rattling the windows and sending chills down her spine. Despite her unease, she tried to distract herself by reading a book in the cozy living room.

As Emily delved into the pages, she heard a faint scratching sound coming from upstairs. Her heart skipped a beat, and she froze, straining her ears to listen. The scratching grew louder and closer, as if someone—or something—was creeping down the hallway.

Fear gripped Emily, but curiosity got the better of her. With a trembling hand, she crept upstairs, each step creaking beneath her feet. The scratching sound grew more intense, echoing through the dimly lit corridor.

She followed the noise to her parents’ bedroom, where it seemed to be originating. Hesitant and filled with dread, she pushed open the door. To her horror, she saw a pair of glowing eyes staring back at her from beneath the bed.

Emily’s breath caught in her throat as she realized there was something lurking in the darkness. With great courage, she bent down and peered under the bed, only to find nothing but an empty space.

Relieved, Emily let out a shaky sigh and turned to leave the room. But as she did, a cold, bony hand shot out from under the bed, grabbing her ankle with a vice-like grip. She screamed in terror, desperately trying to break free.

With a sudden burst of strength, Emily managed to break loose and sprinted out of the room. The relentless scratching sound followed her down the stairs, growing louder and more menacing with each step.

In a final act of desperation, Emily grabbed the phone and dialed her neighbor’s number. As she gasped out the terrifying events, her neighbor reassured her and promised to be there soon.

While waiting, Emily huddled in the corner of the living room, her heart pounding in her chest. The scratching sound grew louder and closer, until finally, her neighbor burst through the front door, wielding a flashlight.

Together, they searched the house, room by room, but found no sign of the mysterious creature. Emily’s neighbor stayed with her until her parents returned, and they all vowed to keep a watchful eye on the house.

From that night on, Emily couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. She would often catch glimpses of glowing eyes in the shadows, but the creature never revealed itself again. The scratching sound became a haunting memory, a constant reminder of the night she encountered true terror.

And so, the house on the hill became the subject of local legend, whispered among the townspeople. They warned children to never venture near it after dark, for it was said to be haunted by an unknown creature that preyed on those who dared to enter.

To this day, the scratching sound can still be heard on stormy nights, serving as a chilling reminder that some horrors are best left undisturbed in the darkness.