Swallowed By The Abyss

Part 1 : theprose.com/post/828204/darkness-abyss-story-version

The door opens and a huge man towers over the two. He’s at 7ft and 300 pounds, a herculean man to the two. Taken a back by his appearance, Robert and Terrence sit awe struck for a moment. Robert Gather’s himself and talks to the man. Hi, we don’t mean to disturb you so late at night, but we are…. The man then cuts off Robert and says you guys are lost I take it. Robert replied Yes, how do you know. The man explains that he was lost as well and then he came across this house, he is not the owner, but the person was nice enough to let him in. The man invited Robert and Terrence in as well, they were visibly suspicious, but have no where else to go and decided to take him up on their offer. As the men walk into the house, Robert and Terrence take a seat on the sofa. They begin to ask the man, What happened and how did he end up lost as well. He explained that considering his stature the man dislikes being in public places. Often he becomes the object of stares, because of his huge frame, which is why he decided to finally get a house on the outskirts of town. Then tonight he began to hear knocks at his door. He was making a nightly tea and was going to go off to bed soon. He heard the knock and was going to ignore it hoping they would go away and he could enjoy his night. But he soon learned that they would not leave so easily.

The knocks began coming from everywhere, when the doorbell finally rang, he opened the door so hard it came off the hinges. He yelled in a rage and walked down the path in front of his house a bit to look for who ever it was. It was good he didn’t find them, because he was in a rage and who knows what he would have done. After a couple looks he turned around to return to his home, but he was already lost. He swears that he didn’t walk more than a couple steps outside, so he decided to just continue on the path and eventually he should make it somewhere. That’s when he came across this house. He knocked on the door once and a man answered instantly. It was weird how fast he opened the door, as if he was expecting someone to come. Or maybe he just happened to be walking by it. Either way the man invited him in and told him he can wait out the night here until morning. Robert explained the same thing happened to him and he also became lost, until he came across Terrence’s house. Terrence explained the same happened to him except it was Robert harassing him. Robert apologized, but he was just on edge from everything that was happening. They then told the man they are lost as well and can’t find their way back home. The owner of the house explained to him that the forest is set up to be a maze and at night, it doesn’t take more than a couple steps to get lost. It is hard to find your way back in the dark, so it’s best to stay until morning. The man explained, I’m sure he won’t mind if a couple more decides to stay. Robert then said he must be a really nice guy to be so hospitable.

Then the owner of the house appeared from behind the huge man, holding a cup of tea. It shocked Robert and Terrence as they weren’t expecting him. The owner told them sorry I wasn’t trying to scare you. Yes, I lived in these woods a long time and it isn’t the first time someone has been lost on my doorstep. Best to wait until the dawn and then I send them on their way. My name is Clarence, by the way, may I have yours. Robert and Terrence introduced themselves, then everyone waited staring at the large man. My name’s Ashley the man said in a mutter. Robert then joked a male Ashley, not something you see everyday. My parent’s wanted a girl OK, the man explained. They didn’t think they would birth the human version of Shrek. The men all had a quick chuckle. Clarence then asked if they had saw anyone else out there on their way here. Both Robert and Terrence shook their heads no. It was just us, hopefully no one else has to go through such a fright that we did. Yes, hopefully not Clarence said. So just us four that is good. Then Clarence reached under his robe and pulled out a pistol shooting Ashley in the head. Clarence dropped his tea and it shattered on the ground. Robert quickly jumped up and pointed his gun at Clarence, pulling the trigger. Nothing happened, Robert remembered he took his bullets out and gave them to Terrence. But it made Clarence hesitate enough that Terrence ran out the door and Robert soon followed him.

The two ran out into the darkness, Clarence pissed off soon followed the duo. He walked outside in his robe, yelling and firing two shots in the Air. “Why couldn’t you guys just ignore the knocking, why did you have to open your doors to the darkness and invite it in. Why, Why, Why. Fuck this happens every year. Once one person opens the door the game starts and the game doesn’t end until only one of us is left alive and all the others are fucking dead. You want to know something, there aren’t multiple houses in this forest there’s only one. We all live in the same damn house, isn’t that a riot.” Terrence and Robert hiding, listening to the man in shock. But all Robert is thinking is he has to get to Terrence and get his magazine back. The man continued, “When the sun came up that first night, I walked this forest. In every direction, mapping it out. I bought a drone and flew across the skies, you want to know what I saw. Nothing, but trees. There wasn’t another house in sight and the path we are all walking down only leads to town and no where else. So how the hell do we keep coming across a house, a house that is similar to our own.” “Fuck, I’m sick of this shit, Clarence said as he fell to his knees crying. Robert saw his chance and jumped out the bushes and rushed towards Clarence. Clarence saw and let off a shot, grazing Robert in his shoulder. Robert then tackled Clarence and began fighting with him. Robert began yelling for Terrence to come help. Terrence appeared from behind a tree and helped subdue Clarence from behind. Robert then pulled out his pistol and hit Clarence with it knocking him unconscious. The two then dragged Clarence back to the house and tied him up sitting him on the couch. This guy is fucking crazy Robert said, and he fucking killed Ashley in cold blood. What was all that bullshit he was spewing about all of us living in the same house. Terrence, nodded in agreement, and then said that Clarence was talking about when you open the door the game starts and it doesn’t end until just one is left.

The two men, shook their heads, Clarence must have been talking nonsense. The two men decided to wait it out in Clarence’s home. They sat for what felt like hours and the night didn’t show any signs of ending. Finally Clarence, woke up and told the men, that the night won’t end. Robert told him to shut the fuck up. First thing in the morning, they are going to the police and will report him for murder. Clarence, told them only one of them will be able to go to the police station in the morning and they will be as much a murderer as he is by that time. Robert told him to just be quiet and let him think, there must be a way out of here. Then thought that he has to go back outside. If we keep walking that path we must be able to find something. Robert decided to go back outside, and Terrence told him he would come along. Just in case there’s another maniac out there. The two ventured out together back into the darkness. They decided to just walk the path until, they come across something, anything that might lead them back to town or at least one of their homes. They kept walking and walking and yet no sign of anything. Terrence looked up and told Robert when will the Sun be here so we can end this crazy night. Also isn’t it weird that there’s no moon. It is Probably a new moon tonight, Robert explained which explains how unusually dark it is here. Plus, we live in the outskirts of town there’s no lights out here, so it seems darker. Terrence agreed but then said, but there isn’t any stars in the sky either. Robert yelled for him to stop it, that he is just going to freak himself out. The two men, kept walking and kept walking until the path finally stopped.

They were faced with a lake, a huge one that they couldn’t see the other side of. Do you remember a lake of this size being in the forest Terrence asked. Robert, bent down to just the water and just shook his head no. What the fuck is going on Robert thought. Then suddenly Terrence said, maybe Clarence is right. Robert then stood up and turned around while saying “That fucking psycho doesn’t know what he is talking about,” When Robert fully turned he noticed Terrence, pointing a gun at his head. Robert went to say where did you get that and stopped because he remembered hitting Clarence’s gun out of his hand. He didn’t think about where it went because of everything that was going on. Robert then stared at Terrence, “What are you going to do shoot me”, Robert said. Terrence said he was sorry, but that he has to get back to his wife and he just wants the night to end.” Robert said fuck you, then Terrence pulled the trigger. The bullet hit Robert square in the forehead and fell back into the lake, Terrence, walked up to the lake and looked as he saw Robert’s body slowly sink. Then once the body was no longer in sight, Terrence saw a pair of glowing white eyes and the Lake began to splash. Terrence frightened turned and ran back down the path. He kept running and eventually he returned back to Clarence’s house. He ran in and closed the door behind him. To which Clarence was sitting there with a grin on his face. Clarence questioned Terrence, “hey where’s your friend.” Terrence not in the mood for games just looked at Clarence. “You’re the last one right, once your gone the night will end and I can go back home.” Supposedly that is how the game works, Clarence said with a grin. Ok, fine then Terrence pointed the gun at Clarence. Suddenly a gasp of air was heard. It was Ashley on the ground, he was still alive. Terrence looked over at Ashley and he weakly said, “Help me.” Clarence in shock said, “wow surviving a bullet to the head what a rarity, I must be a terrible shot.” Well now you have one more.” Terrence walked over to the barely breathing Ashley pointed the gun at him and shot him in the head again. “Well no coming back twice I guess”, Clarence said. “Ok let’s try this again, I’m the last one, Terrence. Are you going to finish the job.” Terrence then pulled the trigger and nothing happened. Clarence explained that his revolver only holds five bullets and that he shot two in the air. Terrence will have to figure out a different way to kill him. Clarence, told him that there are knives in the Kitchen, and to grab a big one. Terrence, looking at Clarence with disdain, because he is clearly enjoying this went and grabbed knife from the Kitchen. Terrence, put the knife to Clarence neck, but hesitated. “Yes, stabbing and shooting is different aren’t they. This is more intimate of a setting. Should I dim the lights.” “Shut the fuck up, Terrence yelled. Clarence, then said, “Please just one more thing. When the night comes again, and you here knocking do not open your door. And pray the other’s do the same. Once you welcome in the darkness, you have no choice but to venture into the Abyss. And you as the survivor, be careful to not let the Abyss consume you. As i said this isn't my first night, it's my 10th. The Abyss it never let's you leave. Slowly it begins to consume your mind. Now do it, end my misery.” Terrence, still hesitated just holding the tip of the knife to Clarence’s neck. Clarence frustrated, said fuck it and tilted his head back and driving his neck into the knife. A pool of blood started to come out and Clarence simply smiled as his eyes closed. Terrence, let go of the knife, he was in shock. He looked at his hands that had blood on them from Clarence taking that knife in his neck. Unsteady on his feet, Terrence slowly walked over to the front door and opened it. He was greeted by the sun peeking from behind the trees. Dawn was finally here and Terrence, walked back down the path home.