Lindeth Night

These winter nights chill me, it is difficult to write while my hands shiver so violently, but I cannot move from this spot, it is safe here, they cannot reach me here, and the dawn will warm me when it comes. My whole being cries for heat and the dim glow from my candle affords little enough warmth to still my hands as I cup them around the flame.

I keep telling myself it is impossible, that my mind is in such a state that it is manipulating the reality that lies about me, it is impossible, but I saw it happen and I heard it.

On the floor below I hear the old clock chime the hour, such a majestic thing, but it's song has a different tone as it moans along the corridor to where I crouch, no, cower.

Three o'clock, it is three o'clock. My god above how long have I left? My breath forms a sullen mist that plays before me, then drifts to nothing as outside the wind curses and the curtains flail crazily in reply. Then, to my horror I see movement, and my heart judders, I quake at the sight. My eyes widen and my senses, taut with fear, reach out into the dim lit room before me, my mind screams at me to get up and throw myself from the nearby window to escape but I am frozen with fear and dare not move.

I watch with mounting terror as a heavy wooden chair slides across the worn floorboards, and with gathering pace crashes into the wall close to where I judder in fear, it comes back to rest on its cracked legs and I am so gripped with terror I urinate. I'm shaking now and have long ceased my efforts to write. A shuffling sound reaches me as my teeth chatter at the mix of cold and horror and I hold my breath as my candle's dwindling wick breathes its last and I am left alone with no comfort as the nightmare unfolds before me.

Then she appears, gliding out from behind the open door. The temperature within the room plummets at her approach, her weathered clothes, once so beautiful now drape her skeletal form and drag along the floor as she wafts before my eyes. I am defenceless and have no cards to play as she drifts toward where I cower and weep at the end I must face. Then I look to the window and from somewhere deep in the pit of my stomach comes a surge of energy, and I know what I must do.

I leap to my feet as the hag nears and in a single bound I fling myself out into the blackness as deathly shrieks fill my ears. I fall through the open window and howl in desperation, the release is immediate as I plummet to the grass below. As I hit the ground I feel something in my shoulder dislodge and crack but there is no pain. I rise to my feet and without a backward glance I sprint to the gate and out into the road, as above me the first glimmer of approaching dawn breathes disbelief at my escape.