the journal of literature and the arts at saint david ’ s school
Noises Down the Hall Original Scary Story
My eyes flew open when I heard the far-off sound on Halloween night . As I looked around my dark bedroom while lying in bed , nothing seemed quite right . The sheets felt itchy on my skin . My computer glowed eerily on the desk , and I saw on the screen that it was 2:39 AM . Didn ’ t I put that to sleep when I went to bed ? The sink faucet that my little brother left slightly open dripped a single , sad note over and over again . A rush of cool , crisp air moved from the open window over my bed , sending shivers down my spine . There it was again . I heard a rustling , crinkling sound from deep inside the apartment .
Slowly , I gathered my courage to investigate the noise . Taking a deep breath , I rose from my bed and put my feet on the plush , reassuring carpet . At the same time , though , headlights from the busy street outside crept through the blinds and cast a harsh light on my belongings . Hockey sticks propped up in the corner took the form of tall , intimidating stick figures . The wet towel I had left on the floor ( despite my mother ’ s reminders to hang it up ) now looked like a twisted monster . My Halloween costume , thrown over the arm of the chair , seemed alive . Somehow , everything had changed in that moment , and the strange , faraway sound persisted .
Tiptoeing out of my room , I put my shaking hand on the cold , hard brass doorknob . It groaned when I opened the door , and I hoped the noise did not announce my presence to whatever or whomever I was seeking . Moving slowly down the long hallway that connects my family ’ s bedrooms ,
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