Have you ever had that feeling that something is in your room watching you, while growing as a child? Especially after listening to scary bedtime stories?
Bedtime was supposed to be a sweet moment for any child. As for me those moments were terrifying. Many would tell sweet stories of having beautiful dreams, but mine were nightmares and haunted images. The sound of night time was something to truly fear, somewhere in the back of my mind I'm still afraid till today.
Here's my story. It all started when I was six years old. Dad got a new house off town, so we all had to relocate. And now, we were residents at New Greenhills. The house wasn't that big but has vast land and lots of big trees, which would be good for hunting and picking of fire woods.
I got a new room, which which was only possible because my older sister insisted she wanted her own room. Ladies and privacy. Now we no longer share the same room anymore, which somehow I liked the idea. I was given a new room, not as big as my sister's, but it was able to fit in a large bed and some other stuff.
I was happy, I no longer needed to share the room with my sister, she had been so upset and didn't like sharing. My room wasn't very cool and not spacious, but I loved the view it had.
My first night I remembered a strange feeling of unease creeping slowly along my spine, it was like someone made me remember my creepy dreams even while I was still awake, I couldn't help but feel that my eyes were being slowly drawn towards the old piano in my room, as if something was moving in the shadows. Something which I didn't wish to know.
I finally fell asleep. When I woke up I saw my chair on top of the piano, I was sure it wasn't there when I slept off. Something or someone might have moved it. It can't just grow wings overnight. I told my Dad about it. But he said, maybe my sister is playing a prank on me. But I still wasn't convinced. Something wasn't right about this house.
This night , there was enough light creeping in from outside, the moon was at its brightest, it narrowed its way into my room. I could hear noises, voices slipping out under my bed, the noise which had obviously woken me. The voice took on a more creepy form. The voice was thin, scratchy and cold, like a sick woman's voice.
"Come and play …" The voice said
"Oh.. Jimmy, come and play" this was what the voice was saying.
I lay there in disbelief thinking the voice was either my imagination or a dream, or perhaps, I left my music box on. I turned to face the wall, using my pillow to cover my head, trying to shut the voice out.
Closing my eyes in the vain hope that I could fall back to sleep. As I moved, the voice underneath me stopped. I thought that was the end, I could hear the doors of my wardrobe closing and opening with increasing ferocity. Fear then gripped me.
Now, I was terrified. My heart beat increased as my eyes panicked, scanning almost everything in the darkness.
I let out a loud cry for help, as I prayed someone would save me from this terror. I unconsciously shouted for my Dad. I could hear his footsteps on the stairs in a rush, as I began to breathe a sigh of relief that my Dad is coming to save me.
Suddenly my bed started vibrating, as if someone was pushing it, so I stayed still, covering myself with my blanket like a shroud for protection.
As I waited for my dad, it seemed like forever. Finally the door, burst open and I lay bathed in fear, like my soul was sucked out. Tears of fear, followed by relief, poured down on my face.
My Dad took me to his room, where I slept for the night. The next morning he told me how to deal with my fears, my demons. If I keep running. I only make it stronger, my demons feed on my fear to grow. He gave me a chaplet and said I know what to do with it.
I wasn't sure at first, but this time I was ready to face my demon. I had myself prepared on what to do and to say. Maybe my demon could be a lost soul or a broken spirit that needs rest. Whatever it might be I'm ready.
That night, I lay down on my bed, this time holding the chaplet and waiting for the unknown. Soon I felt the creeping feeling clawing its way up my spine, each hair standing on end. The feeling of something in my room, watching me and waiting for me to be alone, of which finally I was.
Laying there in the darkness alone, aware of a rotten change in the atmosphere, a sudden thickening of the air as if something had died. As I heard the haunting voice under my bed.
"Oh...Jimmy, come play."
The first anxiety increased as with my heartbeat. The realization that something was once again under my bed.
I held my chaplet firm and said my prayers aloud. Just as I said those prayers, a strong wind blew into my room. Leaving me so alert. This time I was ready to know what was underneath me.
I slowly got down from the bed, yes I was scared. I bent down, raised my mattress up and said "In the name of Jesus, show yourself!" I wasn't sure what I was saying, but Dad gave me that courage.
A foul smell was all over my room. Still repeating my statement. When a lady with worms eating up her face and leaving holes, filled with mucus coming out. I was petrified, but still saying " In the name of Jesus, you're not welcome here, leave now." I shouted several times. As she drew back with a scream and began to shrink.
The more I shouted "Jesus' she became smaller and smaller and smaller, till she vanished completely.
A great joy filled my heart. Dad made me fight my fears.