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The Man in My Attic

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Kim: I saw a man up in my attic tonight.

You: Lol. Whut?

Kim: I heard a noise up there. Creaking. Like weight being shifted or someone walking up there.

You: Okayyeahsure.gif

Kim: At first I tried to ignore it. Told myself it was the house settling or my imagination.

You: Is this a story you’re working on or something?

Kim: But then I heard it again. So I went out to the hallway where the attic door is.

You: And then you remembered it’s been stuck for like three years? You probably have bats living up there for real.

Kim: But it wasn’t stuck any more. It was open and the ladder was down. So I went up.

You: So spooky! What happened next?

Kim: I got to the top of the stairs and the light didn’t work. I thought about going and getting a flashlight, but I didn’t want to turn my back on the dark, you know?

You: Yeah…

Kim: So I just used my phone. The attic isn’t that big, and you have to kinda stoop up there. Remember when you helped get down my suitcases that time we went to Nevada? It’s still like that. Half with plywood floor, half with just beams and insulation. And I don’t keep anything up there other than a couple of boxes I haven’t seen in years.

Kim: That’s why it was so easy to see the man.

You: OhHellNo.gif

Kim: He was naked. Crouched in the corner with his back to me.

Kim: I was so scared. I should have gone back down. Gotten out of the house. I knew it, but I was still shuffling toward him, shaking hands making the light bob, barely able to breathe.

You: Should have got him some pants!:P

Kim: But then I saw he had a light too. He was holding something, and I could see the glow of it. It glowed green and pink and red and it made me sick just to see the colors. But I still NEEDED to see what it was. Idk why, but I did.

Kim: When I got closer, he looked up at me. He reminded me of somebody, but I don’t know who, and his eyes were so sad. He kept smiling and giggling to himself as he stared at me, but those eyes…I thought he might be the saddest person I’ve ever seen.

Kim: And then he showed me what he was holding. It was this tiny spark of light, like a Christmas light that kept changing and flickering, except it wasn’t really a light. It was me. It was what I really am.

You: Kim, did you take something tonight? Are you okay?

Kim: I wanted to die when I saw it. But I knew it wouldn’t help. Wouldn’t change anything.

You: I just tried calling you but you didn’t answer. Please pick up. I don’t know if this is a story or a joke or what, but you’re freaking me out and it’s not funny.

Kim: I told him to take it away, to make me forget, but he just laughed.

You: Pick up. PICK UP YOUR PHONE WHEN I CALL. If you can text you can answer.

Kim: I told him I’d do anything. Give him anything he wanted, if I just didn’t have to know that anymore.

Kim: So he told me what he wanted, and I gave it to him.

You: Okay. Since you won’t answer the phone, what did he want?

Kim: The two people I loved the most.

You: What does that mean?

Justin: Fuck, man. Did you hear about Kim’s brother? They just found him outside his apartment. They say he jumped.

You: What? Is he dead?

Justin: Tenth floor. Yeah, he’s gone.

You: Kim, I’m coming over. I just heard about your brother. I’m so, so sorry. Brt.

Kim: Yeah, they called me a few minutes ago. That’s why I’m warning you.

You: Warning me about what?

Kim: You’re the other name I gave the man tonight.

Kim: I tried warning Elliot too, but he wouldn’t listen. Now it’s too late. But maybe not for you.

Kim: Don’t let him show it to you. It’ll ruin you the way it’s ruined me. I think he might take it away like he promised, but it hasn’t faded yet, and I’m so scared it won’t.

You: Kim, you’re just upset. Let me come over and we’ll talk about it.

Kim: No, you’re not listening. I’m not at home. And you need to pick two names. Two people that you love the most. Offer it to him before you see what’s in that light. Please. Please please do this for me.

You: I can’t do that. And even if I was going to, you’d be one of the two.

Kim: He won’t let you pick me. He already showed it to me, so it does him no good. Pick two more. You have to.

You: This is crazy I

You: I just heard something in the other room. I swear if this is all some big fucking joke…

Kim: Don’t go in there until you have your names. Please.

Kim: Hello?

You: What the fuck…who is that?

Kim: You know who it is. I’ve already told you

You: Oh God. Why did you send him to me?

Kim: Don’t look at the light! Cover your eyes and tell him you’ll give him two others! Please!

Kim: Hello?

Kim: Hello?

You: He’s gone. He made me see before he would answer me at all. I did what you said and he finally agreed, but nothing has changed.

Kim: It will. It’s fading for me now.

You: I hate you. I’ll hate you forever now. I hope I forget it all except how much I fucking hate you.

Kim: I know.

Kim: I’m sorry.

 

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Credits

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