A Haunted House

by Vlad Levickij

  My summer cottage is the right place for spending time after intensive studying. It consists of a small area with flowers, vegetables, kitchen and two-story house in the centre, which is old a bit, nearly of my age – 20.

  Once upon a time happened here one curiosity with me. As usually I came here to have some rest after the hard everyday life in the city and settled in one of the rooms on the first floor. During the day I was becaming pretty exhausted, playing with old chaps football or visiting the lake near our cooperative. In the evening, after a light supper, I’d took a shower and went to my room to watch some movies.
  So happened in the one of thursdays. I came back from the local field, washed, ate and went to “the cinema”. After watching "Don’t play with a bullet" I was almost asleep, somehow turned off the computer and pressed against the pillow. Suddenly, almost falling asleep, I heard a rustle, rattle. It was very close to me, but I couldn’t figure out where it is exactly. I tried to fall asleep again. And again – this strange rattle. I was alone – all neighbors in the area had left. Naturally, I felt uneasy a little. I decided to move to the second floor. It’s always stuffy, as it is completely made of wood. In addition, for obvious reasons it quickly heats up from the scorching summer sun. And there's a lot of mosquitoes and other “animals”. Quite comfortable, on the whole. So, I made my bed and tried to have some sleep one more time. What a surprise it was when I heard the same rattle! For a second I thought I was losing my mind. I was giving different thoughts – from robbers who walk on the porch, to ghosts and poltergeists.
  After half an hour I gave up and lit the candle, took a hammer (it was on the TV table) and went to look for troublemaker. Slowly I went down the stairs. Looked out the window – no one. I carefully opened the door – outside is only virgin silence and me – a fool, standing with a candle. Found nothing, I went back, closing the door on the two locks. But then again I heard that rattle – now it was localized in the top left corner. Remembering that on the second floor is not only my living room, but also an attic with two entrances, I immediately went there. Opening an old wooden door – oh, who would have thought - a mouse! A tiny, harmless mouse! For a long time I did not laugh so loudly! Here it is, my little peace offender, the reason for my paranoid fears!
  Now this rattle couldn’t hurt my sweet dream. I closed the door to the attic and went back into the living room to have the final rest from everything that happened during the day. And the night, too...