Word count: 1602

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Shadows danced around the walls of the empty house, seeking to deceive your brain into believing it was an intruder. Darkness squeezed into every tiny crack and corner of your house, leaving nothing untouched by its deadly presence, creating a shiver to progress up your spine while it grazed against your skin. 

The only thing that defended you against the things prowling in the darkness was a singular light above your head, flickering here and there as it suffered from an old lightbulb. The sound of clicking on a keyboard circled around your head as it echoed throughout in the vacant house, giving it a feeling like you weren't the only one here. 

Sighing through your nose, the screen of your laptop reflexed off your, somewhat, smudged glasses, letting your eyes be difficult to detect. Typing the last word for your essay, you slammed your finger down on the period button, leaning back to observe your work. Your six paged essay for college was done! Two cans of energy drinks rested on the table, tipped over from the lack of anything inside. Your cheeks stung a tiny bit after you smacked yourself when you began to slowly drift off. 

Covering your mouth with an aching hand, you muffed out a yawn, trying to stand up only to collapse back into the chair. "My gosh... my legs are killing me." You groaned, placing both hands on the table to support yourself. Standing to your full height, your knees popped from the new position, causing goosebump to rise upon your skin. Overhearing the sound, your dog, a Husky, jogs over to you, his tongue sticking out from the side of his mouth with much joy. 

"Hello, buddy." I smiled, rubbing his cheeks together before patting the top of his head. His fur was smooth and clean, shocking since he likes to get into anything that can create a mess. Closing my laptop and flicking off the light above my head, I tucked it under my arm before sluggishly strolling to my bedroom. I didn't bother to look at the time while I was working, so when I glanced over at my clock on the darkened wall, I choked on another yawn, noticing it was around twelve in the morning. 

Stepping into my gloomy bedroom, I switched on my lamp that rested on my nightstand, allowing a tiny bit of light to brighten the area around me. Planting my laptop on my dresser, along with my glasses, I plopped on my bed, not bothering to change into pajamas since I don't have the energy to do so. Painfully leaning over my bed, I grabbed ahold of the metal string on my lamp, pulling it down to shut off the light. Once my bedroom was engulfed in darkness, I yanked the blanket up to my chin, finding it a little challenging as my heavy dog was lying at the foot of my bed. 

Discovering a comfortable position, I closed my eyes, letting a long sigh escape my nose. Everything around me was silent besides the sound of breathing of myself and my dog. My room was in complete darkness except for some light sneaking in through my blinds. I live on a dirt road, my neighbours were probably about a mile away from me, besides the one across the road from me, though they are friendly people. The government decided to put one light pole on our street for some unknown reason. 

Sensing myself drifting off, I started to dream about hanging out with my friends tomorrow, that is until I detected an unusual sound that seemed to come from the living room. Beliving it to be my dog, I snuggled farther into the sheets, kicking my fluffy dog on accident. "Sorry, buddy," I muttered, cupping my hands to my chest until my eyes snapped open. "Buddy?" Sitting up, I glanced down at my dog as he snarled towards my open door. Yes, I sleep with my door open. What crazy person does that? I do!

Grasping ahold of my glasses, I swiftly placed them on my face, not taking my eyes off the dark beyond from my bedroom door. "Who's in my house?" I gulped, my eyes darting around my room for a weapon. When I didn't find anything, I just grabbed ahold of my lamp, shielding it in front of me. Once my feet brushed the cold hardwood floor, my dog jumped off my bed, running into the darkness of my house. Cursing, I snatched my phone, ready to call the police if need be. 

Pressing the flashlight button on my phone, I watched as my whole room lift up, not thinking I would ever need it until now. Monitoring for any more sounds, I caught a thud that also came from the living room. Tiptoeing out of my room, I shined my phone around, paranoid that something is behind every corner. 

Raising a brow, I stepped cautiously into the living room, not seeing anything insight, not even my dog. He would be right here? Gradually scanning the room, I huffed before twisting on my heel, making my way back to my bedroom. Before I could take a step forward, I overheard my dog softly whimpering in pain, causing my heart to pound in my chest. Snapping my body in the direction of the sound, I ran to my dog's aid, finding him behind the couch.

"What's the matter? You okay?" I whispered, combing my fingers through his fur as I shined my light over his body. Gasping, I covered my mouth with my hand, my eyes locked on the open wound on my dog's stomach. His organs were just lying on the carpet next to him as bloodied candy was stuffed inside his body. My vision became a blur as tears rolled down my cheeks, causing my air to get stuck in my throat. Sensing my dog resting his head on my lap, I saw his life flash behind his eyes before everything when dim. 

"My poor baby!" I wailed, carefully scooping up his lifeless head and giving him one final hug. Stroking the top of his fuzzy head, I tensed up at the sound of someone chuckling. Snapping my eyes open, I glanced around the darkroom, gritting my teeth at the monster that dared to touch my dog. 

"SHOW YOURSELF! YOU MONSTER!" I screamed, not caring how loud I was being or if my neighbours could hear me. Standing to my full height, I neglected my phone that was still resting on the floor, the flashlight still on. Not seeing any movement, I thought my brain was messing with me until I heard a poof of smoke. 

"Over here~" Darting my eyes over to the deep voice, I saw a towering figure disappear behind the wall, questioning how someone can be that tall. 

"Stop messing with me and just come out!" Clearing my throat, I trembled at the change of temperature in the room. It felt like I just got ice cold water poured all over me. Crossing my arms, I tried to warm myself up until I noticed the tall figure stepping around the corner, appearing to be some kind of sinister-looking clown. "What do you want! Who are you!?" I screamed, losing the feeling in my legs, causing me to collapse to the ground. 

 Feeling warmth spreading through my barefoot, I grimaced in disgust, knowing that my foot was resting in my dogs' blood. "Please tell me this is a dream..." I whimpered, wiping my runny nose with my sleeve. 

"I'm sorry, dear, this is no dream." A sharp claw dug into my chin, forcing me to stare up at the clown's dull gray eyes in front of me. "Would you like some candy?" He smirks, revealing his other hand that held several different varieties of candy. 

"I don't want your damn candy!" I growled, spitting in the clown face. His smirk shockingly didn't fall, but something behind his eyes sparkled. 

"Aw, well that's too bad." Gasping in pain, I felt his razor-sharp claws drilling into my chin, gradually elevating me into the air. Because gravity was pulling down on me, this caused the clowns' claws to burrow deeper into my skin, tasting the warmth of my blood seeping into my mouth as it trickled down my neck. 

I wanted to scream, but the demon in front of me forced his fingers inside my mouth, ripping up the inside of my mouth. Choking on my blood, I felt my teeth popping from the pressure, causing immense pain to travel through my body. 

 "Shh, it'll all be over with soon~" The clown snickers, running his other hand over my stomach. Panic rushed through my body, knowing what's going to happen next. Muffled screams filled the living room as the blood in the back of my throat bubbled. Sinking his claws into my stomach like I was butter, he ripped out my organs, replacing them with candy, just like he did with my dog. 

"There, now you can be sweet on the inside just like you were on the outside~!" The clown smiles like a child opening his presents on his birthday. Waving goodbye, I watched as the demon disappeared in a poof of black smoke, not bothering to place me back on the ground. Dropping to the blood-stained carpet, I gasped for air, coughing up blood in the process. Moaning out in pain, I rolled onto my back, hearing the candy moving around inside me. 

Shifting my head to the side, I obtained eye contact with my dog before my vision went dark.