I knew I shouldn’t mess with it

March 1, 2025

by Francis

3 min read

Story Premise 3 min read (423 words)

"My name is Lily, and I just turned sixteen. Last year, my mom and I moved into an old house on the edge of town. It’s the kind of place with creaky floors and walls that seem to hold secrets. I didn’t mind it at first. In fact, I liked the quiet. But then, strange […]"

My name is Lily, and I just turned sixteen. Last year, my mom and I moved into an old house on the edge of town. It’s the kind of place with creaky floors and walls that seem to hold secrets. I didn’t mind it at first. In fact, I liked the quiet. But then, strange things started happening.

It began when I found the Ouija board in the attic. It was covered in dust, like it hadn’t been touched in years. I knew I shouldn’t mess with it, but curiosity got the better of me.

The first time I used it, the planchette moved on its own. The ghost’s name was Anna. She told me she was ten years old when she died. I asked her how, and the answer chilled me.

“Buried alive.”

I felt my hands go cold. I asked why she was here.

“Revenge.”

I didn’t know what to say. My fingers trembled as I asked how I could help.

“Find my body.”

I wanted to stop. I should have stopped. But I couldn’t.

In the backyard, there’s a patch of earth where nothing grows. It’s right in the center of three dead trees, their branches twisted like grasping hands. The space is just big enough for a small child. Every time I stand near it, the air feels heavy, like the ground is watching me.

Anna’s presence isn’t like the ghost stories you hear. She doesn’t try to scare me. She feels… sad. Sometimes, when I pick flowers or gather herbs, I hear a soft giggle, like she’s standing behind me. Sometimes, when I wake up, my window is open—even though I know I locked it.

I want to help her. I really do. But what if I actually find something? What if I dig up a body? What if my mom finds out? She’s the kind of person who would call me crazy or send me to church for a week straight.

And what happens after I find her? Will she be free? Or will something worse wake up?

Last night, I dreamt of her. I saw her standing in the backyard, her pale fingers pointing at the dirt. Her eyes were hollow, her mouth moving without sound. When I woke up, the words DIG NOW were scratched into the fog on my window.

I don’t know what to do. I’m scared. But I think it’s too late to stop.

Related Horror Movies to Watch

Killing Ariel

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Hold Your Breath

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Lucky Bastard

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The Remains

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