Ghost Stories

My sister and I know how strange our house is. Our parents don't believe us, and my sister isn't even sure she can believe herself. But I know that each night, footsteps creep past my door, and voices whisper to each other.

I curl up under my comforter, buried deep in the folds of the blanket, hoping each night is safe. But each night, I hear people walking in the hall, just outside my room. Every night, the sound is closer, a fraction, but enough to be terrifying.

Tonight, the door handle trembles. I roll over and stare at the door, which is slowly opening. I hold my breath. But no one walks through the door, not even a shadow. I pull the blankets over my head and squeeze my eyes shut, praying for it to leave, praying for someone I knew to come in.

My stomach was flopping around like a grounded fish, but I had to know who it was. I peered out from under the covers and saw this little girl standing by the door, staring straight into my eyes. Her own eyes were full of madness, but it seemed as though she knew me. It was a ghost. It had to be -- I had never seen her in my life!

For a few seconds, she remained motionless, just an apparition hovering in my doorway. Then she lifted her arm, as if waving hi to me, and the motion made her drift forward towards me. I leaped up, dashed past her, and flicked on the lights, my heart racing. I whirled around and saw...nothing.

I have never seen the girl again. Sometimes, when I'm off guard, I feel her tugging at my blanket, or brushing my feet with her cold fingers. But whatever she came to say to me that night was left unsaid.