What am I doing? I mean those stairs look like they’ll go on forever. I shouldn’t do this, but I have this feeling that something is down there. Something that’s alive. I know what my dad says,

“Don’t go in the basement. It’s not safe down there. You’re safer up here with me.”

I just can’t help, but think that he’s hiding something. If something alive is down there then I can’t just ignore it. Right? It’s the right thing to do after all. I have to do this. Mom would want me to do this.

How long have these stairs been here? They look old and every time I step on them the creak sounds louder than a person screaming and saw dust comes bursting out of it. And why is it so dark? Even with this torch I still can’t see much.

What was that noise? A chain? Something falling? Whatever it was I don’t think a rat made it. Just look down and keep walking down. And it’s just by the looks of it an empty basement with the occasional shelf that has random stuff.

What is that smell? It smells weird and like something died down here? But multiple times? God, I think I’m gonna puke. Please don’t puke just keep walking. Was that a chain again? Oh no I think that was. Should I call out to it? It’s not to late to go back up. Maybe they’re down here for a reason? What am I saying!

“Hello? Is someone down here?” Why did I say that? I’ve seen way too many horror movies to know every guy who says that dies brutally. Oh god. Oh god.

“Run,” That voice sounds so weak. Like it’s been here for months. It sounds like a dying animal begging to be put out of its misery. I have to help them.

“Run? No I can’t I have to help you. I can save you!” What the hell? He looks so defeated and sad. And why he is so chained up. Even every limb has it’s own chain. How could dad do this? It’s immoral. It’s wrong!

“He’ll do this to you too. Run away while you still can,” What did he do to him? Why did he do this to him? He looks like he hasn’t drank water in so long. His skin is looks like it’s glued to his bones!

“Why did he do this to you? Who are you?” He looks old and fragile. Almost as if I touch him he’ll shatter into a million pieces. His voice is so raspy and weak.

“He thinks it’s my fault. He thinks I killed his wife. He thinks the cancer was me,” I recognize him. He’s Doctor Harsh, “Run while you still can.”

“No, I won’t let you die here,” Come on I just need a hammer. I can break the locks or pick them! Wait a minute I just need to call the cops! “I’ll be back okay with help! Just don’t die until then okay?” I just need to go back upstairs and grab my phone then it’s over! I just need to open this door.

Why is the door closed? I didn’t close this door. It’s not opening! What is this feeling? My heart feels like it’s been stabbed and every breath I take is struggling to come out. My eyes are making so many tears they could fill an ocean. My hands are trembling more than thunder. And my body why won’t it move? Why can’t I speak?

“How many times have I told you to stay out of that basement?!” He’s so angry. He hasn’t been this angry since mom died. His voice is filled with rage that could tear down cities, “You ruined everything! You stupid fucking brat. You had to let curiosity get the better of you. You couldn’t just listen to me! And now I have to kill you Nathan.”

As that door swung open and I fell down those stairs, I couldn’t help but think about death. I always wondered what it was like to die. And as I fall down these stairs I realize that dying is painful. My entire life is flashing through my eyes and I’m just left with dissapointment. Because I could’ve been so much more.