When the Scratching in the Attic Drove Me Insane, I Finally Investigated And Stared into a Pair of Bright Eyes

When the unsettling sounds in my attic started, I was terrified. Little did I know, the real shock wasn't the noise, but what—or who—I found when I finally dared to investigate.

I'm Elaine, in my early 30s, and I live alone in my grandmother's old house. It's a comfortable place, if a little dusty, and it's all mine. I appreciated the peace.

As a freelance graphic designer, my work-from-home setup suited me perfectly. My life was simple and predictable. Some may call it boring and lonely, but I didn't feel that. I was fine with just myself for the rest of my days.

Then a scratching sound began. I quickly deduced that it came from the attic, and always at night. It was faint at first, just a little scritch-scratch now and then.

I tried to dismiss it. "It's just the wind… or a loose shingle," I mumbled one still night, even though there wasn't a breath of air. But it persisted, night after night.

The silence between the noises was the worst. It felt like the house was holding its breath, waiting.

Fear, a long-dormant emotion, began to resurface. I'd find myself sitting in the dark, listening, my heart pounding.

I even considered calling a handyman to go take a look. "No, that's ridiculous. I can handle this alone," I told myself, but a small voice whispered, Are you sure?

So, I stayed put, alone with my growing dread.

Eventually, the noises intensified, becoming more frequent. There was thumping, too, like something… or worse, someone… was moving around.

My nightmares followed. I pictured shadowy figures with glowing eyes lurking in the attic's dark corners. I’d wake in a cold sweat with my heart about to explode.

I started having a hard time falling asleep, which made my days worse. Exhausted and jumpy, I couldn't concentrate on work.

One night, I finally snapped. I couldn't take it anymore. Grabbing my phone and a flashlight, I headed for the attic stairs. They creaked under my weight, each step echoing in the stillness.

Dust motes danced in the flashlight beam, illuminating old boxes and forgotten furniture. It was spooky up there. Then I saw them: two bright eyes, glowing in the dark.

I gasped, stumbled back, and nearly tripped over a trunk. My heart hammered. But something shifted inside me. I was tired of being afraid. I had to know.

Taking a deep breath, I switched on the attic light, illuminating the space fully. And there it was… well, they were: a scruffy cat, curled up in a corner, surrounded by three tiny kittens.

Relief came over me so intensely that I almost cried. That was the source of the racket. A mother cat and her babies. I actually laughed, a real, honest sound.

And when I heard the soft meows, my heart melted.

Moving closer, slowly and carefully, I said softly, "Well, hello there. You're the culprits, aren't you? Making all that racket."

The cat hissed initially, but when I went downstairs and came back with some water and an open can of tuna, she began to purr.

Despite being a loner all of these years, I ended up taking them all in.

My quiet, lonely house was suddenly filled with chaos, and I had new responsibilities I wasn't used to. But it was nice.

I'd built many walls around myself over the years, including choosing a profession that kept me isolated. These walls didn't go down, but caring for kittens and a momma cat was a small connection that filled me with hope.

One day, things might be different for me. I might want to connect with actual people. For now, this was a nice start.

Here's another story: When my cousin's wedding invitation was held hostage until I apologized to my uncle, I knew exactly what game they were playing. So, I gave them exactly what they wanted… in my way.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided "as is," and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.