The Haunting Of Hill House One Shot

Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring!

You were awoken by the incessant ringing of your mobile that was perched on your bedside cabinet. Part of you tried to ignore the ringing and try to fall back into your blissful slumber but the ringing didn't want to let up, so you decided to feed your curiosity and see who was calling you. You turned over your phone to be blinded by the screen. Across the middle shone the name Nellie and you instantly knew you had to answer.

Nell had been your close friend since she transferred to your school with her siblings after her Mother's tragic death. She was hard to get to know and struggled the most with what had happened in Hill House and with her mother's death, but soon she was able to trust you and told you of all the torment she still had from the horrible experience. Now as adult's, you knew that her life had continued to be cruel. She had found love only to lose him before regaining the nightly torment of sleep paralysis and haunting night terrors.

It had been a while since she had phoned you in the middle of the night, so it only concerned you more.

You clicked the green button and moved the phone to your ear.

"Hello," you croaked, rather tired and your throat dry from the few hours of sleep you had been able to get through.

"Y/N," you heard the soft, slightly broken voice of Nell.

"Nellie, are you okay?" You asked, rather worried about her. "It's half three, Nell."

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I shouldn't have called."

You could hear the tears falling from her eyes and how hard she was trying to hide the fact she was crying. Nell tried her best to be strong through the hell that she went through, but her weaknesses still broke through, no matter how she tried.

"No Nellie. You know you can phone me anytime, even in the middle of the night. What's wrong?" You asked, sitting up in bed.

"She came back," she whispered. "I had a couple of nights where she wasn't there, I hoped she'd finally gone."

"I'm sorry Nellie," you sighed.

Other than having her husband by her side, nothing had helped get rid of the night terrors, but now that he was gone, you didn't know what else could help.

"I don't know what to do Y/N. I can't keep living like this."

"It's going to be okay Nell," you said softly. "Would you like me to come over?"

"I can't ask you to do that."

You swung your legs out of your bed, letting your feet to make contact with the cold laminate flooring.

"You didn't ask Nellie. I offered. Let me get dressed and I'll be right over," you assured her. "Give me about twenty minutes and then I'll be at yours."

"Thank you, Y/N," she said.

"You're welcome, I'll be there as soon as I can."

You hung up the phone and decided to get ready so that you could go comfort your dear friend in her time of need.

~*~

Written by Charlotte.