1. Nightmare Man
Rain fell that night. A fine, whispering rain. It pattered on the window like clattering bones, keeping me awake. I tossed and turned in my bed, trying in vain to sleep. Outside a fierce wind battered against my castles battlements, whistling through the grey stone walls, causing the castle to groan under the strain of its own weight. My room was in the tallest tower within the ancient compound, over-looking a dark, menacing forest. The full moon shone bright in the twinkling, ink black sky; perfect for a chilly Halloween night. I rose from her bed and shuffled slowly over to the window. I gazed out longingly over the horzion, wishing to know what lay beyond. On a sudden impulse, I glanced down at the courtyard below the window. A hooded figure was pacing slowly across the courtyard, the moonlight catching on the sliver dagger at his side. I recognised him immediately. The nightmare man was here.
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I backed slowly away from the window, wide-eyed as a tidal wave of horror and fear smashed in to me. Suddenly, ear piercing scream ripped through the silence, shocking me to the core. I raced to the heavy oak door and down the spiral staircase to my parents room. Heavy footsteps filled the castle and she crashed in to the door to her parents bedroom. Destiny began to rattle the oak door. It was locked. I ran in to my parents study and began searching every draw and cupboard for the keys. Upon opening the top desk draw, I found what she was looking for. The keys were lying on top of a azure blue notebook, set with rubies. Flicking through it , I found it was written in a strange type of runes. Oddly, I could understood it all immediately. Tucking it in to my pocket, I dashed back to her parents room.
Flinging open the door, I froze in horror at the sight that greeted my eyes. My parents bodies were sprawled out on the floor with their own blood coating the flooring like grass covers a grave. I had to be dreaming. I just had to be. Staggering forward a few steps, I sank to the ground in despair. She opened her mouth to scream but no sound came out. Big, salty tears rolled softly down the girls cheeks as she hit the floor in a dead faint.