Whispers in the Shadows

I was lonely, and I just wanted a friend. That's why I moved into that old house in the first place. It was in a desirable neighborhood, but nobody would live there because some old man had died there or something. 

But the price was right for me, and I needed to get out of my tiny apartment where all I could hear were sirens from the hospital down the street.

Everything was going great at first. The neighbors were happy to see someone finally move into the place, even if it was only an elderly widower like they had feared before.

But then...things started happening.

It started with a knocking sound from inside my bedroom closet one night when I couldn't sleep. Then inanimate objects like plates and cups would fall off shelves onto the floor for no reason - and not break once they hit the ground.

I had ignored these things at first since, you know, ghosts don't exist. But then pictures would be rearranged on walls overnight and furniture moved around by unseen forces while I was at work during the day...

And then came "the voice." 

It came late one evening as I sat on the couch in front of my new big screen TV. It was three words: "Get out! Now!" 

I bolted upright and looked around frantically to find what had spoken those words to me. But there wasn't anything or anyone there besides me.

Was it just my imagination? That's what I convinced myself of sitting back down on the couch.

Until it spoke again.

"GET OUT!" It sounded louder - more urgent this time.

Then everything stopped - suddenly - when there was a loud knock on my front door.

A police officer stood outside when I opened it up.

"Are you okay sir?" he asked with concern written across his face.

"Yes," I replied with confusion as its companion.

"We got a call from this address...a 911 call. A woman screaming for help. Are you sure you're okay?"

I let him inside to verify I was indeed alone and safe.

"You didn't make this call sir?"

"No officer, I did not." 

I watched the color drain from his face as he stammered out, "But...but...I heard it with my own ears! My partner and I both did!"

Then the voice spoke again - but it wasn't loud and urgent this time.

It was a whisper in my ear. Cold air brushed against my cheek as it said, "You're next." 

Then the police officer collapsed onto the floor in front of me.

He was dead.

The best I can piece together is that there were some mysterious deaths surrounding that old man who lived in my house before me. And his ghost killed those two men right there in front of me to try to scare me away for good.

Well it worked.

I moved back into my tiny apartment where all I can hear are sirens from the hospital down the street.

But at least they don't keep me awake anymore.