Whoosh! I could hear the wind howling behind me. The world turned upside down every time I took a step forward. I noticed strange things such as excessive amount of wind inside my cold, freezing bedroom. Occasionally, I got the feeling that there was someone with a bad intent watching me. My parents and sister were off on an international study trip for five days. I was completely alone. Without anybody. In my own, mysterious house.

The wind continued to scream until it abruptly stopped. I entered my house, curious but scared, to encounter what waited inside. The door closed behind me and I knew that I had to get to the bottom of this mystery.

I walked downstairs. Silently. The lights flickered as I tiptoed across my basement, knowing that anything that happened, happened for a reason. I felt as if I was traveling through a dark tunnel. One that was empty, quiet, and pitch black. A soft, feminine, hand gently tapped my shoulder. My brave and fearless instincts ran away. I stood there – frozen in fear. A million thoughts rushing through my mind.

What am I going to do?  I was practically lost in this confused situation. Horrified, I could imagine myself facing my final moment. Without any help.

I jerked my head back to see where the hand come from. Instead of encountering the gentle hand that had touched me, I could only feel a windy breeze. Usually, I had faith in myself. I believed that I could stand up to any force, no matter how powerful it was. I believed in myself that I could never be defeated. Now, the only thing I thought about was where this hand came from and why it was here. To give myself some extra time, I ran and hid deep inside a dark, storage room with all the gross mice and insects.

I hoped to believe that I was safe from encountering whatever that was. It was moments before I heard another whisper coming from just outside of the storage room. I shivered in fear about what I was going to do next. I knew I was cornered.

“Why are you afraid? I thought you are the bravest thing in the world. At least, that is what you always told everyone else, including me.” The voice began.

I was so confused. Where in this world would I have encountered this terrifying creature? Honestly, I have never seen anything this scary in my life. My body was as stiff as a tree. Everything was extremely quiet. An absolute silence. Until…

“Surprise! We’re back home!” It was the voice of my sister. The lights turned on and it took me some time to realize that it was only a silly prank. They never went on an international trip after all. When I understood what happened, I was actually more shocked than scared because it was quite amazing how my family put this prank together so realistically.