Down the Hall

Short Story by: J.L.Cleary

Reads: 1014 | Likes: 7 | Shelves: 2 | Comments: 9

This is a short story I wrote a while ago about a reoccurring I used to have. Hope you enjoy :)

Awaken from the sound of her baby sister laughing in the middle of the nigh. Lilly got up to see what was going on. Afraid to leave the comfort of her own room and venture out into the dense darkness of the hallway; she did so anyway to check on the baby.

Stumbling as she walked and groping the wall for balance and support, she eventually made her way to the end of the hall. As she slowly opened the door to her little sister’s room, she could barely see the baby. The nightlight in the corner of the room only offered limited visibility however Lilly could clearly see the baby’s eyes lit up with amusement and awe, laughing with pure entertainment. Although she could see her sister, she couldn't’t see what it is that held her attention.

Eager to enter the room and approach the crib, Lilly was overcome with an uneasy feeling. She opened the door and started toward the crib, just as the closet came in view a dark figure sprang from the hollow opening of the closet. As the figure towered over the crib, the baby let out the most joyful laugh. Lilly, shaken with fear took one step toward the crib reaching out for her sister, as her foot touched the ground the figure let out the most horrendous and terrifying noise she had ever heard.

In a matter of seconds she found herself back in her room, buried beneath her covers; the next thing she knew she was waking up in her bed, realizing it was nothing more than a dream. As she let out a sign of relief, she could hear the baby laughing down the hall.

Submitted: March 17, 2018

Horror short dream short-story

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Comments

J. M. Crawford

Very nice, you build the suspense really well.

Sat, March 17th, 2018 3:31am

Author
Reply

Thank you!

Sat, March 17th, 2018 1:56am

hullabaloo22

A nicely done, flash horror, JL.

Sat, March 17th, 2018 6:57pm

Sean Terrence Best

creepy, eerie, and shocking! It is amazing this frightful scenario came to you in a recurring dream, or nightmare? I have macabre experiences similar to yours from time to time. I often wonder about the paranormal significance of such phenomena. I'm glad you shared this story, because it deepens the sense of wonder about just what really is happening to us in our sleep! I can tell you are seeing vibrantly through the wide open doors of mystical perception, J.L. Cruz!

Wed, March 21st, 2018 11:47pm

Author
Reply

Its funny that you say that, I am a pagan and I do believe that influences my writing or more so my style of writing.So thank you so much for your kind words, it is always appreciated!

Wed, March 21st, 2018 5:10pm

Reaper

This is a good piece. A dream that is actual reality when she wakes up. I put incomments in the writing to try and help the structure and errors. Hope they help.

Thu, March 22nd, 2018 1:40am

Author
Reply

Thank you so much! That really did help, I'm horrible when it comes to punctuation!

Thu, March 22nd, 2018 5:04am

Sean Terrence Best

Thank you for sharing with me that you are Pagan! Yes, I'm sure this mystically influences your writing style! Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Yule - your creative compositions are infused with the spirit of natural cycles and enchanting materializations! I am very happy to be one of your many adoring fans, J.L. Cruz!

Fri, March 23rd, 2018 1:39am

Miss Midnight

Ohh, creepy! Loved it!!!! Argh, can you imagine? I believe I'd have a heart attack should I ever come across something like that, lol. This is well written. It flows smoothly and is easy to follow. No forced or flowery text, just a yummy short horror. I love it!

Brilliant!

Thu, April 5th, 2018 2:53am

Author
Reply

Thank you so much:)

Wed, April 4th, 2018 7:59pm

tom mcmullen

Lots of anxiety!

Tue, May 1st, 2018 10:20am

Author
Reply

Hahah that’s what I was going for :)

Tue, May 1st, 2018 5:15am

En Raiter

Whew the creepiness of waking up and hearing the laugh. That iced it nicely. Another thing happens though, how fear degrades beautiful things when terror attaches itself to it. How perfect the laughter of a baby is. How tragic to have that connotated to something fear inducing. The degradation of perfection is the chief horror for sure. Wonderfully horrible. Well done.

Mon, August 22nd, 2022 2:31am