HAPPY THOUGHTS
By Knight Star
"Crimson..."
....
I could hear my name being said by a small, child-like voice. I looked around the banquet, the halls dimly lit and the room having a presence. I folded my arms, nervously looking around. I jumped at the most simple sounds, I could feel something sliver down my spine. Cold, soft and small. I looked behind me, I could hear my neck making a cracking noise as I jumped back in utter fear.
Was it my son?
I had told him before: these silly pranks aren't funny. I walked through the mansion.
********
Flashback, One Month before present time-
I had recently gotten a new house after my recent divorce with my husband, Fred. After he had started drinking, he wasn't his normal self. He then quit his job, it was a huge downfall. I started working extra work hours, and soon enough I couldn't handle what he had been doing to our family and my young son named Arnold. Weeks prior I had decided to buy a new house, practically a mansion. The original owners had sold it for a very alarming almost price: it was so incredibly cheap. I didn't question why it was a great deal, though it did flood my mind.
Soon after, I and my young son had moved into the house. It was great: the golden chandeliers; almost icy windows; beautiful wooden steps and an almost totally clean house.
What was my problem then?
...
Sometimes, in the middle of the night, I saw my seven-year-old son's figure in my doorway, standing there and watching me. I could never see his face, or what he was wearing, just his small, frail figure. I asked him what he was doing up so late but...almost mechanically, he swiftly moved his head around backward. I assumed it was just a dream, but it couldn't have been...
For nights this would continue, I had only to assume my son was scared to be in his room alone. Only this one night it had frightened me, he had crawled on the floor, I realized his skinny structure and his shinny teeth making a huge smile. It was very frightening, I remember having my hand on my stomach and hoping it was a dream.
For a month this happened but soon enough it didn't really bother me as much. Him getting out of bed, looking for me. I knew it was him now, his sweet voice... "Mommy, can I sleep with you?" I responded with yes, but he would always scurry to his own bed.
Current Time
"Mommy..."
I heard from the shadows.
I decided to follow him to his room, tucking him in his bed.
But when I looked in his room, he was fast asleep. Totally fast asleep.
"Mommy?"
That wasn't my son.