"Mom, I'm not lying! Ben is d-dead! He's dead!" I exclaimed in pure agony, my voice breaking at the end, tears streaming down my cheeks.

The moment everything clicked together, the first thing I did was to run back inside the house to tell my mother on what I saw. She was fixing our meal for breakfast, frowning hard when she saw me running inside.

"Isn't it too early to talk about death, Lucinda?" My mother questioned, staring at me as if what I told her was a joke.

Groaning in frustration, I almost clawed my eyes out. "What I am saying is real! It killed Ben and I don't know why, but it did!"

I can only guess who killed my dog, it must be the monster who I encountered yesterday, inside the master's bedroom. Whatever he is, I know I should stay away. And Mom should too.

She narrowed her eyes at me, telling me she that didn't believed my story. "Lucinda, if you are joking, I will absolutely ground you this instant, you shouldn't make death seem like a funny thing." She scolds.

"Mom, please! I'm not making jokes here. Please, believe me." I pleaded loudly. If I don't want her soon, it'll be too late.

Sighing, she put down the spoon she was holding and washed her hands. "Fine, I'm going to check and see. If what you say is real, then I would certainly believe you." She turn the faucet off, wipe her hands and went outside the back door. I went to a nearby window to watch her, waiting for her to go to the garden, see Ben's bones, come back inside and tell me I was right.

"Ben! Here boy!" She whistled, called his name. But Ben never ran up to her like he usually do when he is called. Because he is dead. As I was about to call my mother, I felt ice cold hands cover my mouth from behind. Squirming, I tried to get away but to no success.

"Stop squirming love, you might lose your head." My eyes widen in horror when I recognized who was speaking. His grip then loosen, I took the opportunity to slip away. Breathing heavily, I turn to face my attacker, who was laughing humorlessly. "What's the matter Mackenzie?"

"H-how did you know my name?" I stammer out, completely shock that he knows my last name. I don't recall Mom calling me by my last name, she rarely does.

"Of course I would know, I overhead your conversation outside with that redheaded woman." I back away when he advance forward. A sly smirk on, he continued. "It's kind of sad, really, wasting your money and time on trying to restore this house." He said, running his hand on the painted wall, eyes black as charcoal. Not even sure what he is looking at.

"Pity, you won't even last a week here without going mental."

I just stared at him, trying to calm myself. What would you do, if you are face-to-face with some creature you have not seen in your entire life? Especially, if that creature is horrifying next to the devil.

A gasp escaped my lips when he suddenly came close to me, invading my personal space. Oxygen was kept from entering my lungs when he choked me, making me struggle to get his hands off my neck. His eyes staring right into mine. "What's the matter Mackenzie? Can't breathe?"

"P-please, let m-me go." I managed to say, feeling huge tears rolling down my cheeks. "H-have mercy!"

This only made him chuckle darkly. "Mercy was the last thing I wanted, but no one gave it to me. So mercy will be the last thing you shall get."

When the back door squeaked open, he looked up before disappearing into thin air. I fell to the ground, coughing hard as air entered my lungs once again. "Lucinda, Ben probably wandered of—" Mom didn't finish her sentence when she saw my state, alarmed, she rushed towards me. "What's wrong? Why are you choking? What happened?"

She took a glass, filling it with water and handed it to me. I accepted it gratefully, drinking the water until there was none. "I-I was strangled."

Confusion evident on her face. "Strangled? By who?" She inquires, looking around as if she could spot the one responsible.

"I-I don't know, I can't say he is human. But what I am telling you is true, just look at my neck." There has to be bruises, from the way he chocked me.

Mom continued to ask questions that seem endless, I stood up and went to see my reflection in the mirror. Just to be sure. I gasp to see there were no bruises at all, not even an evidence that I was strangled by a monster just a few seconds ago.

"It can't be."

"What?" Mom asked, frowning at me. I sat down on a chair, contemplating whether I should tell her or not.

If I tell her that I was strangled, she wouldn't believe me. I mean, there is no evidence. She might even think I was just acting it out. But, if I don't...

"It was him." I answered hoarsely. "He strangled me and I-I don't know why."

Her frown only deepen as she stared at me before crossing her arms on her chest, looking at me in disapproval. "If this is another one of your pranks, it is not funny."

"What makes you think I want to prank you?" I demanded, anger rising within me. "I am not making things up here Mother, I thought you'd see that." Sighing, I stood up and walk away, into the living room.

I ran my fingers on my neck, hissing softly when I felt pain, remembering how tight his hand was wrapped around my neck. Chocking me, death so close to taking my soul. I buried my face in my hands, feeling a bit lost.

What should I do?

The sound of dishes clattering reached my ears, telling me that mom resumed on making our breakfast. Which reminds me, the workers will be here once again on renovating the house. Specifically, the second floor.

I felt my heart beating fast, nervous on what will happen if they encounter that demonic thing inside the master's bedroom.

"Like I said sweetheart, no one lasted in this house, and those who tried to, didn't left this house alive."

Feeling his presence behind me, I closed my eyes and silently prayed that he would go away. Much to my surprise, he grab my hand before pulling me towards him. Fear ran through my veins when he harshly held my jaw, making me face him.

"There is no use praying. He can't save you from me, no one can."

"Let me go, please!" I begged, which his respond was only silence. Trailing his fingers on my cheek, he smiled wickedly, mind twisted, I can tell.

"This flesh of yours is so smooth, I bet it probably taste good unlike those I already ate."

Horrified, I started to struggle to get away from him, but to no prevail. Feeling his tongue grazing my cheek made me squirm in disgust.

"Promise me, you won't scream." He hissed. "Or else, I might make you scream in another way, a much more painful way." He chuckled darkly.

"Did you fucking hear what I said? Do I have to make myself clear to you?" He demanded loudly, making me flinch.

"Y-yes... I heard you, and no."

He grinned before chuckling hard at the fear evident on my face.

"Good."

"Please, I-I never did anything to you. Why are you hurting me?" I cried aloud. He just smiled like a sadist at my fears and pathetic crying.

"As a matter of fact sweetheart, I hurt and kill just for fun."

"Let me go you bastard!" I scream, struggling to get away once again, hoping my mother will be able to hear and investigate what was going on just outside the kitchen.

He scoffed. "You shouldn't have said that sweetheart." He hisses, grabbing my cheeks harshly. Forcing me to look at him, I shut my eyes tightly. "You just dug your own grave when you let those words slip carelessly. Look at me!"

I obeyed.

He leaned down, staring intently. "Please, don't hurt me. I-I won't do it again." I sob uncontrollably, scared on what he is planning to do. Next thing I knew, he bit my cheek with his surprisingly sharp teeth. I scream out in pain and agony, tears streaming down my face. He licked the blood off my wounded cheek before slapping me hard on the other side.

With a loud thud, I fell to the floor. Slowly sitting up, I held my wounded cheek which stings like hell. Feeling blood dripping out, mixing with my tears. "Go to hell!" I yell out, the pain numbing my cheek. "Go to hell you bastard!"

He smirks. "I've already been to hell and it was wonderful." He laughed darkly, before he disappeared through thin air. I closed my eyes, feeling the energy within me being drained. Hearing footsteps, I wearily look up to see my mother staring at me with a confused expression.

"Mom..."

"Lucinda, why are you on the floor?" She inquires, approaching my lying figure on the floor. Before I knew it, I started to sob violently, which caused her to become alarmed. "Lucy, why are you crying? What happened?"

Sitting up hurriedly, I took her hands with my trembling ones. "W-we have to leave, now." I stuttered in a whisper, frightened that he may hear.

"Leave? Why?" I could sense irritation in her words, and little bit of, uncertainty. Scanning the room, I frowned deeply, trying to spot him any where in this room.

"This place is haunted!"

Turning my head to face her, mom stared at me like I have gone crazy. "What on earth are you talking about?" I gripped her hands hard, "Listen t-to me, we need to leave. T-there's this m-man, I-I don't know who and what he is—" I began to ramble, but she cut me off by removing my hands off hers.

"Look Lucy, this is not funny. Now be honest, what is it?" Staring at her, I tried to find a way to make her believe me. "Well?" She ask impatiently, "Are you going tell me or not?"

"It's the demon. A creature of evil." I answered, fisting my hair harshly. "He's the one who's playing my mind Mom, you have to believe me. He even bit my cheek!"

All my hopes about getting my mom in believing me all faded away, vanishing like thin air when she snickered, narrowing her eyes at me in annoyance and disappointment. "Bit your cheek?" She repeated in a sneer.

"Yes! It's true! Look." I lifted my head so she could have a better look at the bite mark, but she looked at me with boredom in her eyes.

"What bite mark?" She asks, confused. "I don't even see any traces of blood and you're telling me it bit your cheek?"

I ran my palm on my cheek. I gasped when I felt nothing but undamaged skin. The wound was gone, not even a small remainder of it. Not a trace of blood. None.

No, this is impossible! It was right here just a few seconds ago. How could it disappear?

"But mom, it was real! He was here—"

"Lucinda, stop your silly little games. I'm tired, and if you wanna go back to your dad, you can. That's what you wanted, right? Go and leave me alone then." She crossed her arms on her chest before turning her back and walk away. I felt guilt wrenching my heart when I saw tears forming in her eyes.

I went up the stairs and hid in a room, locked the door, while I listened to my mom's loud sobs downstairs. I placed a hand over my heart and slid down to the floor. Burying my face in my hands, I just cried. Cried because no one seems to understand me. Even my own blood and flesh. Now, I just upset my mother, even if I didn't do it intentionally.

I can't believe the man who I loved and called 'father' let this happen. The man who I trusted my life with, the man who taught me how to walk, who picked me up when I stumble and fall. The thought of him just made my heart broke.

"That was some scene over there."

I slowly rose my head up to stare at his dead black eyes, that seem to bore anger and hatred in them. "What do you want from me? What did I ever do to make you hurt me?"

He chuckled like a psychopath. "Hatred is already present within me, even before you came. Baby, you haven't seen anything yet. You'll soon see the power of the devil and you will regret staying here."

A lot of thoughts were running through my head at this moment. It's either he gets bored of scaring us and leaves, or he got enough of us both, he kills us. Probably make our living bodies into stuffed people. Or worse, his meal, only our bones will remain.

The good will soon take over and defeat the devil himself. But the devil will always be one step ahead.

"B-but we bought the house. It is our name that is printed on the certificate, we have our rights to stay. You don't." I mumbled the last part one out under my breath, hoping he didn't hear it.

"Let's see how long you could resist, Mackenzie." I hear him whisper somewhere behind me, and the bathroom's door slowly opens. I held my breath, waiting for what's to come. Suddenly, a thick pool of blood rushes out like flood. Instantly occupying the wooden floor with it's deep red color.

Shit.