Dive into your creative stream
This is another short horror story I wrote a little while ago.
I hope you like it.
This time it's much more of a ghost story:)
Word count: 1495
TW: Ghosts
With the soft flickering light of my candle I look upon the dark oaken wood door in front of me, regretting my willingness to do something this stupid.
It is already dark outside, so the only light in the whole mansion is that of time.
I'm staying over at my nieces place, she recently moved here in this old mansion. Our family is quite wealthy, so this isn't anything too strange for us.
I arrived this morning by carriage, the road was too rigid for an automobile. With a full suitcase in hand, I was greeted by my relatives. I am staying here for a week after all.
My niece and I spend the whole day looking at every nook and cranny of the old mansion. It was definitely built by some very rich people and most likely during the renaissance. Even so the condition it was in was immaculate like it was dust proof, or perhaps they just happen to have a witch or wizard as their cleaner.
I was shown around and told stories about each room, but there was one room my niece really wanted to show me. The room she said was magical.
The mirror room.
Carefully I open the old door with my still free hand, trying to not make any noise and accidentally wake up my uncle and aunt. They can be quite strict and if I get found out we will surely be punished, though my niece probably more than me. But still I don't want her to get into trouble and it was me who accepted her challenge.
When the door gently creaks open, a soft breeze blows out my candle.
That's strange.
The windows are supposed to be closed here, in fear of thieves and burglars.
I'm sure my uncle closed them before.
How did they open?
I enter the room and as I gently close the door behind me, it gives the same soft creek, although in reverse this time.
My niece was right, even at night this is the room with the most light, not by candle of course, but by the stars outside. They shine into the many mirrors, reflecting the tiny lights, creating this ghostly light. I know she said magical, but I find it somewhat unsettling, especially the fact that all the windows have been opened somehow.
As I cautiously walk towards the first window to close it, I look at the ceiling. It has been beautifully ornamented by a painting of the stars and small renaissance angels. With the soft echoing of my footsteps behind me on the black and white tiled floor I think to myself: this building is almost a half-palace.
During the day when my niece showed me this room, she was very excited and told me all sorts of stories about it. Way too fast, honestly, I could only understand the part of it that it may or may not have been a ballroom once and that many lavish parties have been thrown here. When she first told me that this was her favorite place in the whole mansion I honestly thought that it might be because she could see herself in the mirror. She is rather prideful of her appearance, taking ages to get ready.
She told me about the music she sometimes hears from this room and the talking of many merry people. Although when she enters the room, no one is there.
I don't get scared easily and am secretly also a bit curious, so she decided that it would be my job to investigate.
I look around.
I think I can see why now, the reason why this is her favorite room.
It is a clear night, the silver moon shines almost as bright as the sun and I can see thousands of stars sparkling the night sky with its colorful dust.
All of the sky's wonders let this silver, grey light into the room, creating a hauntingly beautiful place. Much, very much different from the one during the day.
The mirrors do their part, making the room look so much bigger than it actually is.
As I look around, the only other person I can see is my own reflections in the mirrors. Small, pale, almost dead because of the shadow the light creates on my face.
Carefully I walk towards the windows, all of them are wide open. Like they are inviting something in and the moon is inviting something out. Me?
Should I really be here?
At this time?
As quietly as possible I close the windows one by one.
When I am closing the last one... I hear something.
Whispering.
Footsteps.
It is behind me.
Quickly I turn around to see... no one.
Not my uncle or my aunt.
Not my niece trying to prank me.
Something is wrong, I am missing one other.
.
.
.
I am missing.
My reflection is not there.
It starts getting colder.
It turns my breath into small silver clouds.
I rub my hands together for warmth, but I can't get much out of it.
Since the last window is not completely closed yet, I turn around and close it fast with a soft THUD.
Again there is the sound of whispers behind me, closer this time. Like they are just a couple of steps away.
Swiftly I turn around again, just to be greeted by the empty mirrors again.
"Is someone there?" I ask, instantly regretting it.
There shouldn't be anyone.
I am alone.
I am really alone.
There is no one else.
Just me in this empty room.
Calming myself doesn't seem to work that well.
All of a sudden all the windows open and smash closed in unison.
Startled, I run towards the entrance, the old oak door.
I try to open the door, but it is locked.
As I panic I start pounding on the door and calling for my aunt and uncle like crazy.
No answer, everyone is asleep of course.
No one can hear me.
No one can help me.
The light in the room starts acting weird and I look up.
It is coming from the ceiling now, all the stars are glowing.
It is like it took the light from outside, since there is no light coming from outside anymore. Just pitch black darkness.
Even the moon has gone.
Those are not the only things that are wrong.
The angels on the ceiling.
They are watching me.
Following me with their eyes.
As I turn towards the mirrors, there is one with the moon still reflected in it.
Not knowing what to do I slowly walk towards it, preparing myself for anything that might jump at me.
Nothing seems to happen for a long time and I decide that it is safe enough for me to check the mirror.
Gently I place my palm against the cold surface.
It is getting even colder now, my own body feels like stone.
Then a shadow passes in the mirror... or did I just imagine it?
No I didn't.
They really are there. They are with many and I can't predict their next move. There is one for each mirror.
Wait, where is the rest of the room?
I am only surrounded by mirrors.
No windows.
No door.
Just me and the shadows from the mirrors.
The shadows have somewhat the shape of human beings, but just not right. All seem to be cloaked.
Then they float out of their mirrors.
I am surrounded.
As they get closer, my panic grows.
Closer.
Closer.
Closer.
Using my candle without a flame as a weapon I try to escape.
But they keep coming.
As I try to hit them it just goes right through.
I hit.
I kick.
I scream.
They won't let go.
One of them starts getting really close to my face.
I can see it.
The ash grey skin.
The holes for eyes and mouth are much too big.
The eyes and mouth are filled with an endless abyss.
Still I keep on fighting.
They take me by my arms and legs.
Then my throat.
I scream until I can't anymore.
Until it is so squeezed shut, I can't even breathe.
They lift me up and I can see more of their inhuman faces.
Closer.
Closer.
Without stopping.
What do they want from me?
My vision gets overrun with dark spots.
Is this the end?
The strength in my arms is gone, I can't hit anymore.
Help...
The strength in my legs is gone, fighting is impossible now.
Please, someone help me!
Then as if by magic a violin starts playing on the other side of the room.
Unlike before the shadows now gently place me on the cold floor.
I can breathe again.
Gasping for air and shivering from the cold and fear, I quickly get up.
My head is pounding and so is my heart.
The stars on the ceiling start shining brighter, chasing away the dark shadows and brightening up the room like a lamp would.
As I look at my surroundings, I see that the shadows from before are now gone.
Instead there are a lot of festively dressed people, all of them are wearing masks.
The violin is still playing.
The sound of the instrument is a bit more livelier than before.
One of the masked people approaches me.
A girl around the same age as me.
"I'm sorry, we don't get visitors that often. They aren't used to it." She says in a soft voice.
She smiles at me, but I can't see if her eyes do.
Slowly, as if trying not to scare me, the girl stretches out her hand to me.
"Would you like to dance with me?"