Your heart continued to pound in your chest as you evaded the nightmarish monsters that lurked in this household. Time only seemed to slow down by each step you took as they got closer to you. It was only a matter of time - matter of seconds, really - before death would consume you.

And what about the child that you had sworn your own life to protect? He was defending himself, unlike you who were trying to find an exit to this hellhole. How pathetic. No matter how many times you wanted to deny it, you had to get back to him. For the heroicity? The pride? To gain a false sense of courage?

No.

This was only a matter of protecting someone so close to you, that you wouldn't dare to lose. You had already lost too much. As you contemplated your next decision, which would change everything for the better or worse, your legs started to tire and give out. For now, you would need a place to hide and the only available place was the dusty basement.

You already hated being in dark rooms, but the basement was the darkest room in the house, even with just a flashlight. Sighing through your noise, you continued to run with the last of your energy to the basement and came upon the wooden creaky door, leading to the basement stairs.

Without a moment of reluctance, you entered the gallery, locking the door behind you, and traversed your way efficiently down the stairs into the ancient basement. Coughing from cobwebs, you pulled the pocket light out of your jeans, searching around the room. After spending figuratively an hour to search for a place to hide, you settled in a small corner with cardboard boxes of what seemed to be animatronic parts and rested your legs, letting out gaily pants.

"I should be safe here for now," you mumbled to no one but yourself. You just hoped that nothing was down here. With a few minutes in, you had dozed off to sleep, having concern stress you out to the point where it gave you a headache. And it didn't seem you were going to find any medicine down here. Settling in the middle of a headache and a nap, your heart started to stir at a sound.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

This set you into a demeanor of panic, but you had to keep quiet. You weren't even sure what (or who) it was. It could have been a loose pipe or a leakage problem. Or one of those monsters - sharp, ensanguined teeth with noses that could smell from a mile away. The fact that they represent friendly family animatronics made it even worse. They truly were nightmares. The sound continued.

Drip. Drip..... drip...

But this time it was closer. You could hear it; mostly to the right of the room. Not where you were though. The dripping sound continued to resound throughout the room before stopping. Right in front of you.

You backed up silently, trying not to scream, as the nightmare stood right in front of the boxes. Whatever was dripping from their fur or metal or both hit the floor loudly. With the apprehension of peeking out and getting chomped on, you didn't dare move from your spot until you knew they were gone. Their hoarse breathing filled the silence before they slowly moved away from the boxes. You listened as they lurked in the room for a few more minutes before walking up the basement steps, which you assumed from the sound of creaking. You sighed quietly in relief, removing your shaky hand from your mouth.

With trembling legs, you stood so you could look over the boxes to see if the nightmare was 100% gone. When looking over, you were met with a different sight. A scream wanted to escape your throat, but it went dry. You wanted to cry, but you couldn't form tears. You would have tore away your gaze, but it kept you mesmerized. Your whole body was paralyzed and you couldn't kickstart any reactions from this useless sack of flesh.

Two piercing silver eyes only stared right back at you.

~

Finally, Utah. It had been a far enough drive with many stopping points from New York - 2 days in reality - to get there. But now you were here. But, why? Well, you came to attend a community college in Utah while also taking another college online to earn a double major. It was lot of work, but then again, you were a workaholic. You also were in need of a job. Multiple jobs. Just to keep yourself supported for the time being before you graduated. At least you had your own car, which was actually a hand-me-down for your 18th birthday, but now you were 19, able to handle yourself and avoid the nagging of your parents or the incessant complaining of both younger and older siblings.

From your understanding, you had rented an apartment with someone who had wanted the same apartment as well. After emailing over a period of months, you two had decided on sharing the apartment and splitting the rent. Of course, ground rules would be laid down and there would be limitations and restrictions for when you were both together. You just hoped that your roommate wasn't too hyperactive or carefree.

You pulled into the parking lot of Mesa Point Apartments in New Harmony, Utah. Although it looked more like a luxurious, 5-star hotel. Breathing in a fresh intake of Utah air, you take a few minutes standing idly in the parking lot to enjoy the tranquil silence - not crowded with honking horns or bright city lights - and went over to the trunk of your car, opening it and taking out your suitcase of belongings. You were always the one to travel light, unlike others in New York. Even though you were a city girl, you always enjoyed being outside (even if the air was polluted, but it's worse in Japan, based on your research.) Rolling into the lobby, you went to the receptionist's desk and talked with the lady up front.

"Good morning, ma'am. How may I help you?" The woman spoke in a friendly manner.

"Ah yes, I rented an apartment earlier this month and will be staying in it with a roommate," you explained.

The receptionist nodded. "May I get your name, young lady?"

You looked at her and spoke audibly enough, "(Y/N).... (Y/N) (L/N)."

The female nodded, "Ah, yes. Room 183. Here are the keys to the room and a map of the apartments in case of misdirection. Your room will be one floor up and will be on the right side of the hall."

You nodded back and traversed to the elevator, taking in the sleek metal interior, before pressing the smooth button for the second floor. The doors briskly closed as the metal box was elevated by two thick cable wires. You had to admit: you kinda had a fear of elevators. Too many horror movie cliches where a character dies in the elevator or the elevator stops, the character tries to escape, but the machine malfunctions all of sudden and some limb or dismembered body part comes off in the end set you on edge.

The unbidden thought made you shudder severely, but there was no time to think of such morbid trash. Being pessimistic wasn't going to help the situation at all. In your process of thoughts, the elevator came to a halt and the metal doors smoothly opened. You make your way out of the enclosed metal walls and search the right side of the hallway deliberately.

The numbers pass by: 177.... 179.....181....183.

A beam slipped unto your face as you went over what you practiced about manners and such with the occasional reminder of your parents' voices. Bringing in a revitalizing breath, you turn the brass doorknob.

All of the manners you had imprinted in yourself were lost at that moment as you stepped into the room. Boxes of gears, nuts, bolts, and anything metallic were scattered across the living room that you entered. It was decorated with a long couch with two separate chairs beside it, three coffee tables paired with the furniture.

Closing the door behind you, you realized that all the lights in the apartment were turned on and there seemed to be thuds and slams resounding from the other sections of the house. Out of curiosity, you left your luggage in the living room and started to investigate the cacophonic sounds. You were curious: this may possibly be your roommate. But how could they be causing this much noise? Now you were paranoid of the floor below.

Would they get a noise complaint?

Would they get kicked out?

Would you never have a home or a job or... Or!

All these inquires made you receive a minor headache and you rubbed your temples, not realizing a waving hand was trying to gain your attention.

"Hey. Hey there!" A voice cut through the paranoid reality of your mind and you glanced up slightly from the darkness of your thoughts. You were met with two bright exuberant eyes: ones that seemed to have a tone of a sickening pale blue.

Your eyes widened as you quickly realized that this was a person, or your roommate, who was trying to gain your attention. Dimming out of your delusional fantasy, you gaze at the young male before you, taking in his features.

He looked to be in his early 20's with a face that looked like it belonged to a teenager, maybe 18. Heck, if it wasn't for his behavior, you wouldn't have believed that he was older than you. Besides that, his skin complexion was rather pale, as if he neglected himself from food on the daily basis, but that couldn't be possible with how vigorously he was moving and the lively stare and somehow unsettling smile. It seemed too friendly and too wide, intent hidden within. His hair, however, seemed like silk compared to his coarse looking flesh. Maybe if you ran your fingers through it, there would be no tangles. Well, it was definitely more composed than the rest of him. Yet, your eyes kept wandering back to his pale blue orbs.

It was like looking into a mirror as you could clearly see your own reflection, swimming in the ocean of his window sight. However, he was getting uncomfortable at your studying as he squirmed noticeably under your glare. You blinked, snapping out your leering, and apologized quickly, "Sorry about that.... You must be my roommate.... Aislin, am I correct?"

Aislin's beam grew as his orbs glimmered in wonder, "Yes indeed and I assume you are (Y/N). It really is a pleasure to meet you. I apologize for the mess though. I arrived here about an hour ago and still haven't unpacked."

'I can see that,' you mentally stated, considering the state of the room. "No problem. I don't mind helping. You sure do have a lot...." Another, probably, few hours of unpacking and you haven't seen your room yet. Aislin waved it off dismissively, "Oh no, you should settle down first. I already have most of it unpacked and organized so there's really no need to worry."

At least he was courteous.

With a discreet thank you and gentle nod, you heave your suitcase to your room, glancing into Aislin's room, his door wide open. Inside, the room was organized, maybe one or two boxes in sight. He said he didn't need help unpacking.

Then what were all the other boxes in the living room for?

Pondering in the possibilities, you step into you room, overtaken by the scent of fresh bed sheets and a clean single bathroom all to yourself. The bed was neatly made, possibly constructed of maple or oak as it was sturdy and fine in texture and dark brown in color. There was a large window to the right of the room from your perspective with a nice view of what the apartment complex had to offer: a park paired with a family friendly playground, a clean pool with not a soul in sight since it was November, and a garnished garden with a shed off to its left. You were still awed by the fact that this was an apartment. No wonder it had good ratings, but the rent was high. You couldn't bring yourself to blame the complex as it must have taken a lot of money to keep this place as nice as it was.

You close the door behind you, setting your suitcase beside you and sitting on the bed. A smile graced your lips as you study the room. White, fluffy carpet that felt like clouds underneath your feet, a dresser with 8 drawers in front of you with an almost melodramatic, grand mirror. It was albeit perfect. To the right of the dresser was a small closet, not necessarily a walk-in one, but you didn't need a large one. With a satisfied sigh, you reclined yourself back unto the bed and closed your eyes.

Everything seemed just fine.

~

Wow, 2203 words for my first chapter. I must have either had nothing to do or a lot of motivation.

Well, I'll see how far I can get with this chapter and start working on the next one.

Until the next one, goodbye!