Const Orphanage 5
Elvira's fingers traced the last line of the diary, feeling the tiny bumps on the paper that conveyed not just the texture but also the fear, agitation, and haste of the writer.
He stared at the diary thoughtfully, feeling as if he were enveloped in layers of fog, with each step forward plunging him deeper into terror.
Even a step back seemed to risk being swallowed by the dense mist behind him.
He heard the sound of dozens of people leaving the building below, their footsteps rapid and anxious, as if fleeing for their lives.
Looking out the window, Elvira saw several Care Workers, including Georgewill and the female Care Worker, all with bags on their backs, heading towards the iron gate, seemingly in a hurry to leave work.
Leaving work already?
The sky was ominously overcast, and in the desolate surroundings, the eerie screech of unknown birds pierced the air.
Elvira rubbed his chest, feeling an inexplicable oppression and the sensation of being watched that made him tense and slightly breathless.
It was as if he had entered another world.
He pulled out the piece of paper from his pocket, the one torn from the female Care Worker's notebook, covered in indentations from writing.
Leaning against the window, with only the remaining light to aid him, Elvira could barely make out some of the blurred text:
Care Worker Guidelines (Day—)
1.Work punctually—, do not leave—. Those approaching you could be guests, or they might not be—. (Always be mindful of the time—it's not safe—)
2.Guests are to be treated with the utmost respect, fulfill all their requests but please immediately take them to the person in charge—if a guest—, report immediately to the person in charge or Dean. (Dean's office is on the third—)
3.The third floor is—entry is forbidden—things that shouldn't exist.
4.Nighttime belongs to—, you must leave before nightfall—you are no longer—
5.Do not respond to—the children's—requests or implications—evil—
6.Const Orphanage has no Dean
Elvira took a deep breath, some of the odd behaviors of the daytime Care Worker and Georgewill suddenly made a bit more sense.
But who set these rules in the first place?
If the daytime Care Workers have all gone home, then who remained in the Orphanage?
And what exactly was on the third floor?
As night fell, the moonlight outside the window turned sinister and eerie, the shadows it cast into the room seemingly alive, growing and shrinking like ghosts moving agilely across the floor.
A sudden bout of crazed barking erupted in the distance, filled with rage and savagery, as if heralding some unspeakable dark terror about to descend.
Leaning against the cold window frame, Elvira's heartbeat accelerated. He fixated on the ever-changing shadows on the ground, an unsettling feeling prompting him to slowly turn his head towards the window.
The half-open window swayed gently in the breeze, allowing a faint wind to enter the room. Outside was a silent night, looking down, the deserted outskirts were quiet, with only the rustling leaves moving in the wind.
Yet, an inescapable sense of fear, danger, and indescribable strangeness eerily hovered around him, as if an intricate and invisible web was tightly ensnaring Elvira, rendering him immobile.
Taking a deep breath, he mustered his courage, walked briskly to the door, flung it open, and stepped out of the room without hesitation.
The air was filled with an indescribable sense of dread, as if some unspeakable horror was drawing near. Elvira's eardrums vibrated with an eerie tremor, instinctively covering his ears to block out the chilling sound.
Dita, Dita.
Unclear footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway, the sound heavy and viscous, accompanied by a nauseating, fishy stench. Each step forward was followed by the sound of liquid dripping, the silence of the corridor broken by the ticking of water.
What was that thing?
Elvira's heartbeat quickened, adrenaline sharpening his senses like never before. He cautiously moved along the wall, trying to make no sound, aiming to escape around the corner of the stairs.
The monster seemed to be searching for something, wandering back and forth in the corridor, each step laden with weight. When it found nothing, it let out a dissatisfied bark, a sharp, ear-piercing sound reminiscent of the agonizing scream of someone on the brink of death, sending shivers down the spine.
Dita, Dita.
The terrifying footsteps gradually faded away, disappearing into the darkness.
Elvira slumped against the wall, sitting on the floor, his nerves, previously taut, now completely relaxed, his back soaked with cold sweat.
He took a long, deep breath.
However, just as he attempted to stand up, he suddenly found that the staircase leading to the second floor had vanished! His heart sank, a foreboding feeling overwhelming him.
Dita!
A drop of foul-smelling liquid suddenly fell from the ceiling, landing on his forehead and sliding down his cheek. Instinctively, Elvira looked up, only to see a monstrous creature with the body of a dog and a human face crouching on the ceiling. Three ferocious faces were squeezed together, their strange features interlocking.
Moonlight streamed through the window, casting its glow on the creature's faces. All three mouths opened simultaneously at Elvira, revealing rows of sharp teeth. The smiles conveyed greed and cruelty, as if intending to devour him alive.
Its fur was thick and coarse, each strand filled with filth and malice. Its limbs were strong and muscular, casting eerie shadows under the moonlight.
Elvira's heart pounded wildly, adrenaline surging. Fear choked his throat, his eyes widened, unable to make a sound.
Run!
His mind boomed, and then he bolted. Each step echoed loudly in the empty hallway, sounding like a death knell chasing after him. The monster leaped down from the ceiling, each of its steps accompanied by a thunderous roar as it ferociously pursued Elvira.
Since the stairs were gone, he had no choice but to run towards the storage room at the far end of the third floor, where a solid steel door might offer temporary refuge from this terrifying beast!
Dita!