Bad dream 

Scary house

My life? 

 

 

 

It’s been a while since some of you have heard from me. All I can say, is that   life happens.  But I decided to go ahead and write again.

Ever since I was a young woman, I have had a recurring dream. Repeatedly, time after time, I would dream about being in an old house, where things that were unexplained would happen. Recently, I had the dream again, though it has been a long time since I had been visited by whatever spirits bring these unwelcome visions to my mind at night. This is a true, and real experience, and I thought I would share it with you now.

 

The Bad Dream

 

I don’t remember how I got to the old house, but it wasn’t the first time,
nor,I sensed, would it be the last time I would be there.

A feeling of dread always accompanied me when I was inside, and I was wary of the other unseen beings behind corners or closed doors . I didn’t know who they were or why they were there in the ghostly house, but they never left. An echo of their weird laughter lived on the edge of my mind. The ceilings were uncomfortably low, making me feel trapped and oppressed . It was dark, dirty, musty, and weird inside. Things around me were dilated and in disarray. I didn’t understand how my house could be like this.
It was worse when my little boy was with me. It was hard to watch him and do what I needed to do for the house, at the same time. Could I protect him from the gleeful wraiths, just waiting for us, I worried ? Their scary-quick footsteps were ever taunting. I knew couldn’t protect myself either, though I didn’t want to think about this.
What was next door… was worse. They were burying something in the back yard. I got the feeling, I had better not be watching, either. You could sense a wicked expectation in the air.
There was no way anyone would ever go into the next door house. No one would be caught dead there. SHE..was inside. We could hear her, and her sounds… were never pleasant.
Though it never felt safe in the old house, I sometimes thought of going to the other house on the left.Might I find help there? I didn’t want to ask. What exactly would I say? They’re trying to get me? NO one could see them, not even me. We just knew they were there.
Or were they?
Yes, I knew I needed to get out, but how? Perhaps I couldn’t get out because I had trapped myself there. I allowed my fear to paralyze me, immobilize me with fallen dreams of my fear…. fear of the future, fear of myself, unable to rise above or overcome certain obstacles,,,,,unable to move past a moment I may have made GOD like -so powerful it is a threatening Goliath, and I stand without a stone for my spiritual sling, or a path to run away on.
Time has passed.
It has been years, though, since I have been back to the old place. So long that I feel like I’m its ghost, now. I look up and see the dim window above the dirty sink, full of unwashed dishes . A light beyond beckons me . It feels glad. The soft glow seems to welcome me, invite me, and whispers. It’s ok to leave this sad place. I look behind me at the chaos I have no doubt created myself, and a chorus of confusing whispers dance madly around the edges of my consciousness.
I put my dirty dishrag down. No, I think. I won’t invite the specters in today. A better path is before me now. A golden hand materializes beckoning me forward. asking permission to be my guide. I know not what lies ahead but I know I am, ready to leave this dismal place.
The house screams and slams a door. But I have already moved forward . beyond its frightful reach.
The last time the old house materialized, I was no longer inside.
Goodbye, old house. It will be a long time before I see you again. For you it may be… the end.

Norma Archibald
May 2024