Uninvited Guests

Click.

The noise happened again. It was coming from the cellar. He neared it, trying not to make a sound. He needed to catch the culprit.

Immediately, the noise came again. And again. His heart was pounding. He was sure he had seen the doorknob turn.

He opened the door of the cellar, to reveal...a little girl. She practically radiated purity and innocence, her smile sweet and her eyes wide with curiosity. Something felt wrong, as it was too good to be true.

“Follow me,” she said, in a voice as sweet as honey.

Something took over, a feeling of safety. He followed, ignoring his instinct, and after what seemed like forever through some dark, cold tunnels, they arrived at their location.

It was a building, destroyed and dusty. Beyond it, there was just more rubble and debris. What had happened? Had there been a bombing? The only thing intact for miles was an old, rusty piano, lying next to a very tattered red coat, and a less tattered teddy bear.

“This is where I died,” the little girl continued.

She turned to him, her smile and her eyes suddenly menacing, her features hostile and frightening.

“And so will you.”