I’d only been in this city for a few weeks, but so far I liked the vibe here. It was a decent sized city with a lot of old Victorian houses in various states of repair. This had worked to my benefit as I’d come across an elderly woman who was willing to rent the third floor of her home for cheap. In exchange for the low rent, I would help clean the house and maintain the yard. I didn’t have any experience as a landscaper but Olive didn’t seem to mind. From the state of the overgrowth I can see why.

When she’d given me the tour of the place It was pretty overwhelming. The first floor where she lived was the worst of it. There were stacks of newspapers and old craft supplies. She had paths worn into the carpet where she walked the most. I don’t want to say hoarder but it was pretty close. Still, she seemed like an easy going woman and she was kind enough to give me time to settle in before tackling the house. The second and third floors were in better shape with most rooms on the third being empty but for one with a bed and dresser. Some major dusting and some laundry and it was ready for me to move in. Not that I had much to move.

I’d come to this city with only my backpack. Tomorrow I will start cleaning the first floor with Olive. I’m a little nervous how she’ll react to getting rid of her piles but time will tell. Besides, it’s not like I could afford to go elsewhere. With that I heaved a sigh and turned off the light. This room still smelled musty but it was mine, and that was enough.

A faint voice woke me. “Derek? It’s almost noon.” Olive’s voice was shaky but calm. Noon? I’d slept in that late? I felt a little guilty for sleeping in. Olive needed the help and here I was laying here snoozing.

“I’ll be right out.” I called out as I changed as fast as I could. Reaching the ground floor I saw Olive getting into a chair in the dining room. “So sorry I slept in.”

“Oh don’t be silly, there is no need to rush.” She smiled at me briefly before pointing to the stacks of newspapers on the table. “I’d like to have more room at the table, can you get rid of these?” Relief tickled at the back of my mind. She did not seem to be overly attached and seemed ready for things to go. This would make the process so much smoother. On the table next to her was a small collection of totes. “You can use these to help you carry them outside.” She must have gathered these for me. She was a sweet one that’s for sure.

The day slowly passed as Olive regaled me with stories of her life while I cleaned. My favorites were her stories of being a journalist and some of the people she would interview. Her kids were full grown and lived on the other side of the country so they couldn’t visit much. Still, she spoke about them as if they lived right down the street. Everytime we came across a card or letter from them she would tell me about the occasion with great detail. I was amazed at the clarity of her memory. 

We’d made a sizable dent in the dining room by time the sun started to set. There was still work to be done in here but at least you could move around freely now. Tomorrow we’d move to the livingroom and clear out some space in there so Olive could relax a little better. Speaking of Olive she’d stepped out onto the back patio for a breath of fresh air. Kicking up all that dust had irritated her throat a bit.

I stood in the foyer getting a feel for the work to be done when Olive tapped my shoulder. I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sudden touch. I hadn’t heard her come in. My mind briefly registered how odd it was for her to tap me, but perhaps her throat was hurting. When I turned to look at her she was smiling at me with an odd expression. “Can you get me a drink dear?” Her voice was dripping with sweetness.

“Sure, just a moment.” My mind was trying to wrap itself around the odd exchange just now. Was she feeling ok? “You feeling alright?” I couldn’t stop the question before it left my lips.

“Oh yes, I’m fine dear.” I was reaching for a cup when I heard a scream from the back door, followed quickly by the shattering of glass after I dropped the cup. Olive stood in the doorway looking pale as a ghost. Confusion washed through me as I looked over to where she had just been to see a distorted version of her. Her eyes were beady and her grin wicked. Her hands reached up towards me as her fingers elongated. My stomach dropped and I took one more look at the Olive in the doorway then back to the distorted one, but it was gone. The lights flickered like something out of a movie.

Olive was still standing pale as could be. She looked faint so I guided her to a chair. “You saw that?” Was all she said as she stared unblinking into the kitchen. Her voice quivered and I felt a need to reassure her, but how could I? What the hell had just happened? I tried to find any rational explanation I could. My mind was reeling. “Did you see it?” Her voice was more stern than I’d ever heard her.

“Yes, I saw it.” What else could I say? My mind was running a million miles an hour. I couldn’t catch any one thought so I just stood there beside her.

“We should leave. I don’t know what that was but I’m not sticking around to find out.” Color had returned to her face. Her words made sense and I was grateful for her steady head. We made our way to the front door only to find it wouldn’t budge. The handles weren’t locked but the door was stuck.

“Wait here while I check the back door.” With that I rushed past her back into the kitchen. As I reached for the door, the lights went out. It wouldn’t open. We were trapped. “Olive? Are you alright? The back door is stuck, we’ll have to go out through a window.”

Silence followed. Uneasy, I made my way back to the foyer moving slowly so as not to trip. “Olive?” It took a moment for my eyes to adjust. Thankfully there was some light shining in through the windows from outside. As my vision slowly returned I saw it. That thing wearing olives face was crouched by the front door. Next to it lay Olive. A dark wetness clung to the fingers of the imposter. Its beady eyes glinted towards me, that same wicked grin plastered on its distorted face.

Without thinking I bolted up the stairs as fast as I could. This thing was going to kill me, I just knew it. I slammed my bedroom door shut and locked it, my other hand pulling out my cell phone. I’d dialed the emergency line before I’d even registered it was out. A voice on the other end was asking what my emergency was. I blurted out the address trying to figure out what to say so they’d take me seriously. “Olives bleeding, someone attacked her, please hurry!” My voice was barely a whisper as I listened intently for any sounds outside my door.

“Police are on their way.” Her words did not provide any comfort. “Stay on the line with me.” A thud in the hallway cut my thoughts short and I hung up the phone.

“Derek? Where are you dear?” The sweet voice called from outside the room. “It’s ok Derek, I just want to clean house. You did promise to clean with me didn’t you?” Steps cracked on the old floor boards. I knew it was going to find me. There were only three rooms on the third floor.

My heart pounded so hard it threatened to drown out all other sounds. I held my breath as a door creaked slowly open. What could I do? I had to get out of here. Fear gripped my mind so tightly I thought I was going to go insane. No, I don’t have time for this, I have to find a way out.

“Derek, please answer me. It hurts so bad.” Guilt bubbled up from inside as I imagined Olive bleeding alone and scared. I had left her there with that thing. My hand reached for the door as if it had a mind of its own. I quickly pulled it back and scanned the room. The footsteps were growing closer. It was only a matter of time. A second door creaked as it opened in the hall. There was only one left. Mine.

I couldn’t do this. The police would be too late and I was going to die here. I scanned the room again before deciding I’d have to go out the window. I’m three stories up but I had to do something. I’d rather fall than be torn apart. 

As slowly as I could I moved towards the window. If I could get it open without making any noise I might be able to drop to the second floor roof. To my surprise it opened without much difficulty. My heart was thumping in my chest so loud, I was sure it could hear me. Slowly I hoisted myself down onto the roof. As I let go of the window sill I heard the door handle jiggle. I stopped moving and listened. What was my next move? Could I jump off this roof without breaking a leg?

“Don’t abandon me Derek. Please, I need help.” Her voice sounded so frightened I wondered if it was really Olive. Slowly I raised my body to look in through the window. If it really was her, I needed to get her out with me. I couldn’t just leave her. Would she even be able to make it out with her injuries? I had no idea what state she was in, but I know I’d seen blood on that things hands. As I peered into the room, I saw nothing. The door was still closed and the room was empty. Sirens blared in the distance bringing a feeling of hope. They were almost here. We  might actually make it out of here.

I lowered myself once again onto the roof. Slowly making my way toward the front of the house. There was an old flower bed there. It was overgrown with tall weeds but still free from bushes. It would be the safest place to jump down. Lights began to flare as I looked down over the roof’s edge. They were here, help was here. A sharp pain seared through my back. My vision blurred and I spun around to see it crouching, watching me with that distorted grin. Its beady eyes were all I could see as I fell. I didn’t even feel it as I hit the ground.

“Derek?” I could faintly hear Olive’s shaky voice from behind the front door. Those beady eyes were staring at me from above. I couldn’t look away. The real Olive was still alive. The flashing lights were blinding me. Footsteps sounded somewhere behind me. That damned creature was still smiling down at me, its eyes burrowing into mine. I couldn’t take it anymore. It had won. I gave in as darkness moved in, but at least Olive would live.