Panic Comprehension

Panic

By Brooke McClure

Our old rusty station wagon grunted along the meandering road, I stared out of my window and was blinded by the brightness of the ball of fire sitting low in the sky. It was getting late and my parents had promised we would be at our new house before dusk. The air in the car was thick and heavy, I purposely wound down my window for some cool relief however the air outside was just as humid. “Here we are Ollie, can you see the house on top of the hill there?” Dad pointed out. “That’s our new home sweetie!” Mum exclaimed merrily. I feigned excitement but the truth was I didn’t want to live anywhere other than my previous home! I hadn’t wanted to leave my amazing school and fantastic friends. However, being a kid you don’t get a say in these things do you?! The car slowly crunched its way down a stone drive and came to an abrupt halt. I pulled myself off the sticky car seat and stumbled out of the car, I was as sweaty as a sport sock after a PE lesson! I carefully regained my balance and slowly looked around taking in my new home for the very first time. The Victorian three story house stared down at me angrily; it had an intimidating presence. The once white sash window frames were peeling, showing rotting wood underneath and the maroon coloured bricks looked to be crumbling in areas. The door had been painted a peculiar shade of red that clashed horribly with the brickwork. The brass knocker was half hanging off. “It’s a bit of a fix-a-upper Ollie but you know me – I love a project!” grinned Dad. “Well come on, let’s get inside!” Mum instructed. The door creaked open and we stepped into a dark and dank hall, thick velvet curtains were draped across the windows and there was a musty smell in the air. Dad dumped a box of our belongings on the old floorboards with a bang, causing a heap of dust to swirl around us. “It’s been empty a little while but a good clean will get it back to its former glory,” Dad commented. I rolled my eyes, I very much doubted that. “Well off you go and explore!” Mum said enthusiastically, “Your room is on the first floor, second door on the left.” I hesitated, I couldn’t quite explain it but I felt nervous leaving my parents and exploring on my own. Don’t be so silly, I commanded of myself, what is there to be scared of in this dump? I took the stairs two at a time as if to prove to myself I had no fear. When I reached the landing I instantly spotted the room that was to be mine, I was as quiet as a mouse as I tip toed over to the room. Despite my nerves and racing heart I slowly pushed open the door, it was dark and even though the air was as humid as it had been outside an instant chill ran up my spine. I fumbled blindly for a light switch and once I had found it, the lights blinked numerous times before settling into an eerie orange glow.  I slowly turned around – the room was a disaster zone! An ancient rotting bed frame was in the centre of the room with a haphazard mattress that had springs sticking menacingly out, in the corner was an upturned desk and a chair with a leg snapped off. “HAUNTED!” I cried out. This place was horrifically haunted! Just as the words had left my mouth I felt an almighty chill right through to my bones and an invisible object caressed my cheek – panic set in – I screamed! Mum and Dad had heard my cries and appeared suddenly by my side. The three of us stood there in what seemed like an invisible snowstorm wrapping us in a blanket of ice. I glanced at my parents (too scared to move more than my head) and I knew they understood. “RUN!” Dad demanded. We ran like the wind and in a flash we were back in the car, with the doors locked, we screeched away from the haunted house. “Can we please just go home? Please!” I begged my parents, “You haven’t sold our old house yet and Mum, I heard you say the owners of that hellhole of a house had let you move in a day before settlement – surely you can still pull out!” Mum and Dad remained silent but as I glanced at the road signs I could tell we were heading home!