Pendler Wartrey

I attempt to write stories that are "different"

[nondelphic]

the first rule of writing is that there are no rules. the second rule is to save your work every 5 minutes because technology is a fickle god.

[pendler-wartrey]

It would also help to have physical copies as a backup in case your technology is extra fickle.

[pendler-wartrey]

CHGL has made a game based on my short story “The Night Terror”.

From what I’ve seen, it looks fun.

Check it out on itch.io

The Night Terror by CHGL

You wake to a thump from beneath the bed....

[pendler-wartrey]

The Night Terror

by Pendler R. Wartrey

I heard a distant rumbling - like rolling drums - echoing louder. The expanse of void around me became a dim blue cloud, pulsing as it consumed my vision. The noise passed me by, and I woke to a thump from beneath the bed. 

The clock read 11:11pm. I propped myself up to see, and after adjusting to the dark room - I realized it wasn’t mine. The bedroom door was on the opposite corner of the room from me; to the left was a louvered closet. The walls were a dark blue; feelings of anguish concealed in the deep hue. 

Outside the bedroom was a hallway illuminated by a dim light. The faint noise of a television came from a lower floor; presumably where the light originated.

As I attempted to get out of bed, paralysis overcame me - I couldn’t move. 

Another noise beneath me. 

Was it the cat? No. This wasn’t my room. 

Suddenly, a strong force propelled me off the bed and into the hallway, towards a set of stairs leading down.

I silently descended the steps, as the sound of white noise grew louder. At the bottom of the stairs was a hall to the left, leading to what appeared to be the living room - lit by a flickering TV screen. Still unable to free myself from this strange grasp, I approached cautiously.

Rounding the corner, I saw a young couple sleeping together on the couch. Light from the TV wavered over them, as I stood in front of the couple - unable to move. Then a voice called out from my own mouth, echoing throughout the house; “Mom! Dad!” 

They did not respond. I tried desperately to speak, but whatever had taken hold of me, did not allow it. I shuddered as a freezing cold came over me; a feeling like a cloud hanging over my head - then I heard a whisper from upstairs.

“Kyle…”

A familiar voice called out a name I vaguely remembered as my own.

Unable to fight it, I was forced back down the hall; trembling as I made the slow ascent back to the darkened second floor. 

I walked back into the bedroom. 

As my eyes once again adjusted to the dark, I made my way towards the bed, coming to a dead stop beside it - a shiver crawled down my back. A cold air snatched my breath as I gazed in a silent terror. 

In the bed, someone was sleeping beneath the covers. Their face looked exactly like mine. 

It was me. 

My body was still in the bed, as I stood staring at it. 

The room began to shake, and the cloud swept me away once again. 

I awoke to not a sound, nor a stir. The time read 11:11pm, and after my eyes adjusted, I found myself in the same room as before….