Creep:Unclear Horror

Another day had come, and though the sun shone dimly, the town felt different. Tessa couldn't quite place what had changed, but there was a strange stillness in the air, a subtle shift in the essence of the environment. Hoping to shake off the unease, she decided to explore the town again, hoping it might distract her from the unsettling atmosphere.

She followed the familiar small road leading to the dike, passing Migo's house and the well. The air grew heavier as she approached the area, and the water in the dike looked more unsettling than it had the previous day. It had turned a cloudy brown, with streaks of reddish discoloration near the edges. A sharp metallic tang lingered in the air, reminiscent of rust but laced with a sickly sweetness she couldn't quite describe. The smell clung to her senses, making her stomach churn.

Near the small cottage by the dike, the scent was strongest, and the air felt unnaturally heavy. Tessa hesitated for a moment but quickly decided to leave, unwilling to linger any longer in the oppressive atmosphere.

As she continued, her gaze swept over the row of old houses lining the area. They were as quiet as ever, but today, the stillness felt oppressive. Even the coconut trees, once vibrant and full of life, seemed pale and listless, their fronds barely rustling in the faint breeze.

Her pace quickened, but something by the abandoned house caught her eye. Sitting outside the doorway was a doll she hadn't noticed before. Its ruby-red eyes gleamed faintly in the muted light, and it was positioned as though it were staring directly at the dike.

A shiver ran down her spine, and she forced herself to look away, walking quickly toward the old lady's house.

When she arrived, the house was eerily empty. She knocked on the door and called out softly, but there was no response. A strange sensation crept up her spine, like the feeling of being watched. Every time she turned to look behind her, there was nothing there.

Feeling increasingly uneasy, she decided to head back home, worry for the old lady lingering in her mind. As she approached the bridge leading to the small road, her steps faltered.

The doll was there again.

This time, it wasn't staring at the dike—it was staring directly at her.

Tessa's breath hitched. She wanted to ignore it, but an inexplicable force compelled her to move closer. As she approached, a dreadful feeling settled in her chest. A faint, haunting lullaby began to play, drifting softly from inside the abandoned house. The sound was unmistakable, like a wind-up music box being turned.

Her heart pounded as the melody filled the air, an unseen force surrounding her. She wanted to turn back, but her legs felt heavy and numb. Just as she was about to take another step, she heard it—a faint giggle, soft and childlike, coming from the doll.

Tessa froze and turned, her eyes wide with horror.

The doll was closer now, impossibly close, staring directly into her eyes.

"Tessa?"

Her brother's voice cut through the tension like a knife. She spun around to see him walking toward her, casual and unbothered.

"Is this yours?" he asked, bending down to pick up the doll.

The moment he touched it, the lullaby stopped abruptly, and the oppressive air around her shattered. Tessa stared in disbelief as her brother inspected the doll without a hint of hesitation.

"Where did you find this?" he asked, poking its eyes with amused curiosity.

She hesitated, unsure how to explain. "It was… by the house," she muttered weakly.

Her brother smirked. "What are you doing stealing little kids' toys? And don't tell me you're scared of a doll."

"I didn't steal it! And I'm not scared!" she protested, her face flushing with frustration.

He laughed, turning toward the abandoned house. "Let's put it back."

"Wait, don't!" she blurted, reaching out to stop him, worry deep in her voice.

But he was already at the doorway, pushing it open with ease.

Tessa reluctantly followed him inside. The air within the house was musty and stale, but oddly, the oppressive feeling she'd experienced outside seemed to dissipate as they entered. Her brother began inspecting the interior, completely at ease.

The room was filled with toys—more than she had expected. Dolls, stuffed animals, and wooden figurines were scattered everywhere, creating an almost surreal scene. Her brother's face lit up in excitement.

"This is amazing!" he said, diving into the pile like a child at play.

Tessa tried to suppress her unease, but something about the house felt wrong, even though nothing seemed inherently frightening. Her brother, however, appeared completely unbothered.

"Stop messing around. Let's go," she said, grabbing his arm.

He laughed, brushing off her concern. "It's fine, Tessa. Look, they're just toys!" he said, holding up a plastic dog.

Still, she couldn't bear to stay any longer. Embarrassed and frustrated, she dragged him out of the house, shutting the door firmly behind them.

Outside, her brother pointed toward the old lady's house.

"What's over there?" he asked.

"That's where an old lady lives," Tessa explained. "I didn't see her earlier, so I guess she wasn't home."

Her brother's curiosity was piqued. "Let's check it out. Be my guide?" he said with a bright smile.

His grin warmed her, and Tessa reluctantly agreed, leading the way. But as they approached, she was surprised to see the old lady standing outside, dressed in her Sunday best.

The woman greeted them warmly, her face lighting up at the sight of Tessa's brother.

"Well, hello there," she said, her voice kind and inviting.

Her brother smiled, quickly striking up a friendly conversation. As they chatted, Tessa stood back, her earlier unease lingering in her mind.

Eventually, the old lady invited them to join her at the town church, and they agreed, seeing it as an opportunity to explore more of the town. Her brother, ever curious, took a quick look around her garden and cottage, his gaze briefly lingering on the pond before returning to the conversation.

After their warm exchange, they made their way to the church, they crossed the bridge, their steps steady as they passed the abandoned house. Tessa kept her gaze firmly ahead, resisting the urge to glance at its weathered walls. Her brother, on the other hand, radiated optimism. He walked with light, confident steps, occasionally humming a cheerful tune, as though nothing in the world could go wrong.

The air seemed lighter now, and for the first time in days, the town felt alive again. The palm trees ahead stood tall and vibrant, their green fronds swaying gently in the breeze, just as they had on the second day. A subtle warmth filled the atmosphere, soft and calming, as though the world had momentarily shrugged off its eeriness.

Further along, the row of old houses came into view, no longer cloaked in silence. People were now outside, starting their routines. Some were sweeping their yards or chatting with neighbors, while children played happily out front, their laughter ringing through the air. The once-muted road was alive with the comforting sounds of life—voices, laughter, and the occasional clatter of tools.

The dike water, which had been murky and unsettling earlier, now sparkled under the dim sunlight. Its crystalline surface reflected the surrounding scenery, revealing smooth rocks at the bottom and the occasional flicker of small fish darting through the gentle current. The water's soft, rhythmic flow added to the peaceful ambiance, a stark contrast to the uneasy stillness from before.

By the small cottage near the dike, toddlers and young children sat playing together. Their giggles filled the air, mingling with the shouts of older kids running near the edge of the dike. It was as if the ominous tension from earlier had dissolved entirely, replaced by the carefree joy of childhood.

As they approached the highway, the faint hum of passing vehicles became audible. Cars and motorbikes rolled by at intervals, their engines breaking the stillness and creating a comforting rhythm that reminded Tessa of the city. The occasional honk and the rush of tires on asphalt brought a strange sense of normalcy, grounding her in the present.

Her brother, still leading the way, glanced back at her with a grin. "You know, this town's not so bad," he said, his voice bright and cheerful. "Kinda a bummer I didn't get to explore yesterday."

Tessa returned his smile with a small, genuine one of her own. The unease in her chest faded slightly as she absorbed the scene around her. For now, everything seemed ordinary again—almost like the second day. And though the strange events from before still lingered in her memory, she couldn't help but feel a faint sense of comfort in this fleeting return to normalcy.