The Figure

The Figure


I awoke, my eyes slowly opened and closed as they adjusted to the light. When I finally came to, I realized I was strapped down with both of my hands and feet in shackles on a cold metal table. Panic had set in as I wiggled my body around, grunting and heavy breathing escaped me. A hanging light bulb swung back and forth above my head as I continued to struggle, attempting to break free. I did not remember how I got here, or why, all I knew is that I had to get out, and quick. I continued to wiggle around using all of my strength. I knew that whoever had put me here could most definitely return at anytime and I did not want to stick around to find out their plans for me. For what seemed to be about 15 minutes of struggling, my right hand broke free and I used my free hand to unshackle the rest. I sat up and scanned the area I was in; it appeared to be a messy basement with many random odds and ends, shelving with rusted tin cans and tools. My wrists and ankles were sore from struggling to break free. Wincing in pain, I jumped off the table and to my surprise I fell right down onto the floor under me. It felt wet and slimy and gave off an unpleasant scent. I realized, in that moment, I was lying in a pile of what appeared to be rotting meat. I screamed and crawled away, frantically brushing off the maggots and residue from my body. A tear rolled down my cheek as I realized that the meat was actually human flesh. A panic attack ensued, I took several fast deep breaths attempting to collect myself as I sat on the dirty floor of a basement I did not understand how I ended up in. I knew I had to snap out of the current state I was in so I scanned the room around me for an escape plan. I sat up and noticed a small window that had been painted with green spray paint; I picked myself up and scurried over to it, climbing on top of an old wooden table full of clutter and when I reached the window, I pulled on it but it would not budge, with frustration I pounded on it with my sore hands and still, it remained shut. I laid my head down in defeat and in that moment my eyes opened wide as I heard the creaking of floorboards above me. I cursed to myself and hurried off the table in search of a place to hide. I ran behind an old washing machine that had been barricaded behind some tipped bookshelves. I curled up, putting my head into my knees, closing my eyes tightly shut, silently praying to myself and hoping I would leave this place alive. A door creaked open and slow but heavy footsteps approached. I peaked through a small crack of one of the bookshelves and could make out a big and tall dark figure emerging from the bottom of the basement stairs. They paused for a good 10 seconds and then slowly stepped to the table that I had been strapped down on. I jumped back hitting the wall as the figure made a startling sound of yelling as he grasped that his captive had escaped. I backed up into the corner tightly and began to panic as this mysterious figure made sounds as if he was searching for me. He did not speak coherently, he only made noises of grunting and mumbled nonsense as he rummaged around the room. I could hear him approaching closer and closer so I crawled through a small crack, if I could just get to the bottom of the stairs I could make a run for it, I thought to myself. I crawled through all the junk, passing by a group of creepy looking dolls staring back at me, i continued through, carefully and quietly trying not to bump into anything to alert the figure. He knew I was somewhere in this basement and he was going to find me if I didn’t hurry. I moved faster and faster as the junk behind me collapsed from the figure frantically rummaging through it. Finally, an opening revealed itself and I quickly stood up and darted to the stairs. The figure spotted me and began to sprint after me, I quickly ran, barefooted up the stairs, the figure trailing not too far behind me. I pushed the door open and quickly shut it on it the figure. Banging could be heard from the other side as I turned the rusty looking lock. Out of breath, I kneeled down, resting my hands on my knees and looked around. This house was old and dingy and the windows were all boarded up. Where the hell was I? I stood up straight and began carefully walking around unsure of my surroundings and also skeptical about how sturdy that lock on the door was. I was in the kitchen, the smell of rotting food filled the air and I covered my face with my t-shirt. I spotted a door and ran right to it attempting to break it open but to no avail it would not budge. The banging from the basement door had finally stopped as if the figure gave up, but I hurried around the house trying to find any sort of exit to free myself. I grew frantic, trying every door and window. I was ready to give up and accept my fate, I sat down on the floor, head in my hands I began to sob, and not two seconds later I could feel a tap on my shoulder, I quickly turned around to see a pale face with wide bloodshot eyes staring back into mine, this person, almost didn’t look human, it was gaunt and frail with black messy hair, it stared at me and I froze into place. I asked for it’s name and it looked down shaking it’s head, it then opened its mouth revealing why it couldn’t speak. It had no tongue. I gasped in fear and it stood there, mouth wide open, staring at me. It then pulled out its hand and pointed to something behind me. I looked back, it was the front door of the house, wide open. I went to turn back to the pale face, but it was gone. I picked myself up and ran towards the front door but when I got there, it slammed shut and something heavy hit me in the back of the head. I fell to the floor and there stood the figure above me. It grabbed me by the feet and began to drag me, and then everything went black.
I awoke, but this time I was in a big bed. It was my bed. I sighed in relief, realizing that everything was just a dream. My head was pounding as if I was really struck in the head. I got up and walked into the bathroom, looking in the mirror, I turned cold, fear took over my body and I opened my mouth. My tongue was gone.