I instantly start walking; I can’t waste any time. The nightmares will haunt me if I do not move fast enough. “I’m sleeping,” I say, having finally worked that truth out in my head, “and at this point, who the hell knows what’s going on? Everything’s fallen into disrepair. Many rooms have been neglected.”
I shake my head. “This house should be impenetrable! Even a little crack is a cause for serious concern, which is why I have to find and patch up every single gap. Once they’re closed - everything will go back to the way it was.”
I check the right of the room; no cracks here. I’m good on that front.
I walk to the only door. There’s no handle here.
I hear a growl in the night. The nightmares are already coming; or are they already here? I hurry back to the door, and check again. There is a door knob there now. I quickly tug at it, trying to unlock it. The wind around the house howls, but I try to ignore it. It’s rather loud, though.
The door creaks open. I trot in, my candle held high - I hear static, but cannot see the source of it. I quickly run back to my bedroom, terrified. I feel like a little filly again, terrified of little nightmares. Taking a deep breath, I turn back once more, braving the static.
I begin to turn a light. I can feel the shadows around me, shifting. They have been for a long time. Such a long, long time. Why must the light take such a long, long time?
I flinch as the light flashes to life. Blinking once or twice, I look around. My bed is next to me, despite the bedroom to the right. “Well… I’ve sorted things out in here. Now let’s get going.”
I think about what I just said. ‘Let’s’. Let us. Who is with me? I look around, a tad bit paranoid; nopony is here. It is only me.
Nopony home.
I shake my head and look at the light. “Only… It’s best to turn the light off when I leave. Otherwise, I’ll worry.” Not that I don’t worry anyways. I’ve always been a worrywart. Have I? I can’t recall. “When the windows are brightly lit, I can feel someone’s penetrating eyes watching me from the outside.”
I hesitate a moment. Should I listen to myself? It’s so terrifying with the lights off.
Yes, I should turn it off. The darkness will be better. The darkness is always better.
I turn off the light and rely on my candle. Shaking in fear, I continue trotting along. Yes - the darkness is better. The static is right behind me, but I dare not look back. I walk to the next door and begin to fiddle with it.
I open it. The static is right behind me. I can see her in my minds eye now - the pony with a box as a head. I shiver in fear and keep walking, before it gets me. I quickly get to the next room and the next light and begin to fix it.
The light flashes. I sigh in relief as nothing is in the room. I blink and open my eyes - there is no change. “Why does everything look so neat in here?” I pause, thinking. “Because someone cleaned it up…” I gulp. “Who cleaned it up?”
I think. Who cleans for me? Didn’t I have somepony to do that for me?
No. I live alone. “I did. Who else could have?” I blink again and the room changes again. “Thank goodness. Everything’s in order. I just need to remember to turn off the light when I go. Then they’ll never know that there’s somepony at home.” I don’t know exactly who they are, but I know I do not want to be found. I don’t want to be seen anymore. Not since that time.
I turn off the light. Nopony home.
I turn and go towards the next room. The static invades once more. It is so terribly loud. I keep walking, going a room further. The static is simply so loud. I can’t shake the feeling that something is behind me.
I start to change the light. I hear low rumbles, soft whispers. I shut my eyes tightly and continue twisting the light. So loud. Everything is so loud.
The light flashes on. I take a deep breath. “... I don’t want to think about the past,” I mutter. “It’s less troubling to live in the dark.”
I blink. I open my eyes. I walk to the door. “Everything is locked… Thank goodness. Nothing can creep in here before morning. My home… is my fortress.” I turn off the light. Perhaps I should head back to my room.
I start to head back, but gasp as I see the pony outside my room. Under that box, I can sense an evil grin. My heart begins to pound. It has me trapped. I stumble back into the last room, terrified, and quickly turn on the light. The light makes me safer.
I blink, shutting my eyes to the creature. If I ignore it, it will all go away!
The door slams. I flinch and my eyes open. I rush to open it; I’m terrified. I run into the next room, ready to fight the pony.
It’s gone. “... I’m getting delirious. I’ve got to finish checking the house, and then go back to sleep.” I quickly shut off the light and continue walking. I have to hurry.
I race downstairs, but stop halfway on the ladder - a shade.
It shifts, its shadowy body phasing through the air like a gas. I race back up the stairs before it sees me, eyes wide. What in Equestria was going on in my house? My candle is shaking as my magic quivers. I expect I will drop it soon.
Iii… w-want… to see…. yooou….
I am frozen in fear. Whose voice was that? It sounded so far away, yet right next to me at the same time. I shiver, my hooves trembling. I briefly consider hiding, but the darkness is not worth the terror.
I click on the light and blink before shutting it off quickly.
Wait…
I run to the next door. I hear lights blowing far behind me. Is it that far? No. I only wish it was. I quickly tug on the door, trying to unlock it. When had I locked it again!? I curse the darkness and quickly run inside my bedroom.
This isn’t my bedroom. One more room to go. This is just a room with a bed. I turn on the light and blink.
Listen.
I open my eyes. I turn off the light. I am alone, I am alone, I am alone. I repeat this to myself as I continue to walk, going toward the ladder. My eyes glance at the room beside me.
I dart to the bed, eyes wide with fear. I can feel tears rising to them; why are these nightmares haunting me? I hide as quickly as I can, panting as the one legged pony shuffles in. I can feel it’s eyes on me; I can feel time slow as it looks for me. I try to make as little noise as I can. Nopony home. Nopony home!!
Are you afraid?
YES.
I hear it shuffle out. I peek over the edge of the bed, crying as silently as I can. The shade has come in. I shut my eyes and resume hiding.
I cannot stand the dark. I dart out. I hear it giggle.
-Thought about it? Why- - is inside…
I run downstairs. I don’t care anymore! Time is meaningless now! Dawn will never come now! I will be stuck in this darkness forever. The night will last forever, and it’s my fault. I quickly run to the light, trying in vain to fix it. I hear something come down the ladder. There is no hope now.
The light flashes on. I’m alone.
I blink.
Be still.
I open. Everything is in order.
Everything is okay.
I run upstairs, taking deep breaths. I go to fix the next light.
Just when you thought about it, it came ----
The light flashes on. I think I see something - is it just the lights? I run to the next room, hearing creaking not caused by my own hooves.
You thought about it, and now, it is inside.
I change the next light. It flickers and breaks in my hooves. The one legged pony is right beside me.
It knows where you --
I do not listen anymore. I run. I run down. I will always run now. I cannot stand it anymore! I will not face this past! I will not face what I cannot face!
Down. Down I go. I keep running.
I get to the lowest level. I fix the light, panting.
This is the wrong house!
The lights burst. I turn, almost in slow motion. The one legged pony grins, it’s eyes bleeding. It moves slowly toward me. I am trapped. I back into the corner, sobbing. Why now? Why? WHY?!
You thought about it, and now, it is inside.
I scream. I can feel it. I can feel the beast inside. The pony reaches me. I breathe my last breath.
I awaken.