deepundergroundpoetry.com
The Wardrobe
There is only one rule at Grandma’s house: don’t open the wardrobe in the attic. It’s a tall, black one with funny symbols all over it.
I've always done my best to do what Grandma tells me. My big brother, Ethan, told me that he’s been in the wardrobe several times. He won’t tell me what’s inside. He says I have to find that out for myself. I came really close once to opening it, to prove I could do the dare, but Mommy found me and I got in trouble before I opened it.
I asked Mommy what’s inside the wardrobe. She looked up at the attic and started to cry. She told me never to open it and then we went home immediately. She did that every time I asked, so I just gave up.
We’re going to Grandma’s house again today. We’re even going to spend the night there. Grandma is going to watch us while Mommy does the Christmas shopping. I hope I get the Barbie doll I asked for. While Grandma was cooking, Ethan dared me to open the wardrobe again.
“Come on, it’s easy. Later tonight sneak up there and open it.”
“But it’s against the rules,” I cried, “and it’s scary at night.”
“Just do it you big baby,” he said, “If you do it, I’ll tell you everything you’re getting for Christmas.”
“O-okay, I’ll do it.”
After I heard Mommy and Grandma head to bed, I went up to the attic. I brought my little flashlight so I could see where I was going. I came up to the funny wardrobe. I reached out my hand and pulled on the handle.
It was stuck. I put my flashlight on the floor and grabbed that handle with both hands. Slowly, I managed to open it a crack. I went to grab my flashlight when, the wardrobe slammed open and a hand grabbed my throat. I saw Grandpa swinging from the ceiling of the wardrobe by a rope around his neck. He face was swollen and mostly blue and pale. He was glaring at me and making strange noises. He had both hands around my throat now squeezing tight. I tried to scream but no sound came out. He pulled me inside and the doors of the wardrobe slammed behind me.
I've always done my best to do what Grandma tells me. My big brother, Ethan, told me that he’s been in the wardrobe several times. He won’t tell me what’s inside. He says I have to find that out for myself. I came really close once to opening it, to prove I could do the dare, but Mommy found me and I got in trouble before I opened it.
I asked Mommy what’s inside the wardrobe. She looked up at the attic and started to cry. She told me never to open it and then we went home immediately. She did that every time I asked, so I just gave up.
We’re going to Grandma’s house again today. We’re even going to spend the night there. Grandma is going to watch us while Mommy does the Christmas shopping. I hope I get the Barbie doll I asked for. While Grandma was cooking, Ethan dared me to open the wardrobe again.
“Come on, it’s easy. Later tonight sneak up there and open it.”
“But it’s against the rules,” I cried, “and it’s scary at night.”
“Just do it you big baby,” he said, “If you do it, I’ll tell you everything you’re getting for Christmas.”
“O-okay, I’ll do it.”
After I heard Mommy and Grandma head to bed, I went up to the attic. I brought my little flashlight so I could see where I was going. I came up to the funny wardrobe. I reached out my hand and pulled on the handle.
It was stuck. I put my flashlight on the floor and grabbed that handle with both hands. Slowly, I managed to open it a crack. I went to grab my flashlight when, the wardrobe slammed open and a hand grabbed my throat. I saw Grandpa swinging from the ceiling of the wardrobe by a rope around his neck. He face was swollen and mostly blue and pale. He was glaring at me and making strange noises. He had both hands around my throat now squeezing tight. I tried to scream but no sound came out. He pulled me inside and the doors of the wardrobe slammed behind me.
Published 7th Mar 2015
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 1
reading list entries 0
comments 2
reads 659
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
11th May 2015 9:35am
I liked it. Very short and to the point. My grandma had a room she wouldn't let me go in, and i still don't know what was in there, so this sent a little chill down my spine.
11th May 2015 5:20pm
