Strange: The Senior Young Writers Group Zine 2023

THE HOUSE WAS AWAKE – Ebony Hosa
Violent winds crash onto windows, echoing through the empty
condo. Creaks come from everywhere around the room.
Shadows appear as long dark figures from misshapen tree
branches and cold, hollow air seeps into every crack.
You're alone. Only your thoughts guide you in the inky
darkness; it surrounds the room like a black hole. Assortments
of blankets and sheets cling close to you as if they're afraid of
what lies beyond the black. Thunder crashes nearby; it startles
you. Immediately your head turns to a swivel, looking out a
window with cobwebs at every corner and pieces of dirt and
grime stuck to it. Focusing on the outside: fog covered the sky
like a blanket. Heavy droplets of pouring rain cover the sky
too. It was almost like the two elements were fighting to be on
top.
You close your tired eyes. Cosy and warm in your bed
with your favourite toys. You slowly start to drift off to sleep.
A raspy exhale interrupts your slumber.
Your eyes shoot awake as you quickly glance around
the room. Eyes darting frantically from one corner of your
room to the next. You hear it again – this time it's coming from
outside your left bedroom door. Frightened, you choose to stay
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