He, she, and the monster
 


They lived in a quiet, picturesque corner, and for many years their home was an island of peace. No troubles, no worries  just comfort and familiar happiness. Until that fateful day came. In an instant, the peace shattered, and instead of silence, screams of horror filled the house, and the walls were stained with blood.





 

He, she, and the monster



For ten years, they lived in a square, two?story house painted bright blue, without a care in the world  right up until the beginning of autumn, on the eve of their eleventh wedding anniversary.

On the first Wednesday of September, Vladimir returned from work in the afternoon. As usual, he expected Dasha to greet him at the door: this had become a long?standing tradition in their small family. Life itself had created it, and it was supported by a little fun that Vladimir had put together at the beginning of their relationship: a simple chain of electro mechanisms set ceramic garden gnomes on ball bearings in motion. When the door opened, one of the three classical compositions chosen by Dasha would sound in the house. Thats how she almost always knew her husband had arrived.

This time, the system worked flawlessly. But the door didnt swing open. When Vivaldis The Four Seasons faded, a dry silence hung in the hallway.

Vladimir looked around. Everything in the rooms was as usual.

Dasha? he called out quietly. Are you home? I'm here.

There was no response. After taking off his shoes, Vladimir looked into the bathroom, then went up to the second floor. The perfect order was accompanied by an ,  smell.

 Bunny, have you decided to play hide-and-seek?  he called out again, addressing the emptiness.  Oh yes, how did I not think of it right away!

He quickly dialed the cherished number and froze, listening to the long, drawn?out rings. And then, from somewhere above, the sound of Dashas phone ringtone reached them  muted and cutting off almost immediately.

The retractable ladder to the attic was in place.

If Dasha had decided to climb onto the roof, Vladimir thought, she would certainly have left the hatch open.

Stretching, he grabbed a piece of decorative rope. The spring mechanism lowered the ladder to his feet. The melody sounded again from above  and then immediately stopped.

Unlatching the hook, Vladimir opened the hatch and found himself in the attic. Now Dashas phone was silent.

At first, it was hard to make out anything in the darkening space. In the past, Vladimir would occasionally pile books and trinkets here that Dasha didnt want to part with. The thought that they were still nearby, even if they were covered in dust, gave her a little comfort.

Her eyes gradually grew accustomed to the dense darkness, revealing vague outlines of objects.

Honey, are you here? Vladimir asked cautiously, making his way between the old cardboard boxes.

A muffled sound of a melody came from behind the plywood partition  and then fell silent again. A Christmas toy crunched under his left foot: a carrot made of cheap orange plastic.

It felt like there wasnt enough air. Vladimir stopped several times to steady his breathing and calm his pulse. And suddenly, he heard a grunting, strained breath behind the wall. It seemed to remind him why he was there.

Dear, please tell me youre there!

The commotion grew louder, and a large, glowing head peeked out from behind the partition. Behind it appeared a body with two pairs of wide, rope?like limbs that resembled arms. The small, glossy black eyes on the purplish?pink face with prominent cheekbones hardly moved. The creature, composed of disproportionately large parts, seemed to be examining Vladimir with curiosity  as if he were something unusual in the dusty attic.

You, creature! Where is Dasha?! Vladimir shouted, trying to control his fear and anger. Ill kill you if you so much as touch a hair on her head!




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