The Creep (Fear)

Mom, please… it’s not my fault,” said a boy named James. “Then whose fault is it? Mine?” his mother, Lian, replied sharply. James hesitated for a moment. “It looks like…” he muttered under his breath. “What?” Lian exclaimed. “Yes… you heard me right,” James said, raising his voice. “It’s your fault! Because all you and Dad ever do is quarrel and fight! How do you expect me to stay away from fighting when you don’t?” Lian froze. For a moment, she had no response. “Oh, baby… I’m sorry,” she said softly, realizing her mistake. But James didn’t listen. He ran into his room and slammed the door. “James! Please open the door!” Lian cried, knocking repeatedly. But there was no answer. After a while, she gave up and walked to her room in tears. Inside his room, James sat quietly. At first, everything was normal. Then the atmosphere changed. The room became cold. James looked around. “Hello?” he whispered. No answer. Then he heard it. A faint scratching sound behind him. He turned quickly. Nothing. He stood up, breathing heavily. “I’m not scared,” he said to himself. But the fear had already started. The shadows in the room looked longer than before. Then suddenly, James ran out of the room. Something was chasing him. He could feel it, even if he couldn’t see it. He rushed into the kitchen and grabbed a knife. “Stay away from me!” he shouted. Silence. But the feeling did not stop. It followed him. James ran to his mother’s room, holding the knife tightly. He burst inside. Lian turned in shock. “James baby, what are you doing? Put the knife down!” she shouted. James was shaking. “I’m sorry, Mom…” he whispered. “I don’t want to do this…” “James, no—!” He ran forward and stabbed her. Lian froze in shock. Her eyes widened. “James… what have you done?” she said weakly as she fell to the floor. Tears ran down James’ face. “I didn’t mean to… I swear…” At that moment, his father rushed in. “What happened here?!” he shouted. Without wasting time, he called the ambulance and the police. James stood frozen, staring at his mother. Something felt… wrong. Like something was still there. Watching. THE D’AGO HOUSEHOLD “Kelvin, pass the hot sauce,” Nika said to her brother. Kelvin ignored her. “Kelvin, am I not talking to you?” she asked again. “Is there not a word called please in your dictionary?” Kelvin replied. “Saying please wouldn’t kill you.” Nika rolled her eyes. “Why should I say please?” Their mother, Fave, interrupted. “Would you two stop fighting?” “But Mom, she needs to learn the magic word,” Kelvin said. “Just eat your food,” their father, Diago, added. Suddenly, a phone vibrated. “Whose phone is that?” Diago asked. “It’s mine, Dad,” Nika replied. “Nika, put it down. No phones at the dining table.” “Okay, okay,” she said. But then— “Dad, check this out,” Nika said quickly, showing her phone. Diago sighed and looked. His face changed immediately. Kelvin leaned closer. Nika read aloud. “James Paul, a seven-year-old boy, stabbed his mother in the stomach…” Silence filled the room. “This world is changing,” Fave said slowly. “A boy of seven…” Diago muttered. “Unbelievable.” Nika put her phone away quietly. The mood had changed completely. Later That Day Kelvin and Nika went to school. Kelvin, 11 years old, loved technology and computers. Nika, almost 17, was in her final year of secondary school. Their parents—Diago and Fave—looked like a perfect family. But no family is ever truly perfect. NIKA’S POV I walked into class feeling happy to finally be alone. The class was empty. Just how I liked it. No noise. No disturbance. I put on my earpiece and played music. Then— Bzzzt A notification popped up. I opened it casually. “Top 17-year-old model Sally Hansen was seen cutting herself with a knife…” “What the hell?” I muttered. “What is going on with people?” I remembered seeing something similar yesterday. Another name. Another incident. Billy Joel. Same pattern. Different people. I frowned. “This is getting weird…” “Xup early bird!” I looked up. It was Julianna, my best friend. “I’m fine,” I said. “How was your weekend?” “It was great,” she replied. I leaned closer. “Are you seeing what’s happening online? People are dying… I’m getting scared.” “Yeah,” she said. “Sally Hansen… I saw it too.” “Maybe she wanted attention,” I joked. Julianna laughed. “She’s not that stupid.” But I wasn’t laughing fully. Something felt wrong. Later, school ended and I went home immediately. I walked straight to Kelvin’s room. He was on his laptop. “Kelvin,” I called. He turned. “Gosh, what is it? You’re back already?” he said. I ignored him. “I need you to help me with something.”