It was around three in the morning the first time that I saw the Silk Man.
I’d just relieved myself of several rented beers and was making my way back to bed when I saw a white-misty vapor underneath it. I focused my weary eyes on it, and watched with pure wonder as a face developed in the mist.
The face was silky, smooth with high cheek bones, wide ash-gray eyes, combed back snow-white hair and a crazed smile. An evil, wicked smile that seemed to say: I’m going to kill you.
I stumbled backwards into the bathroom, shut and locked the door, then flipped the lights on. My heart was pounding like a drum set at a rock concert. I looked in the mirror and saw that I was sweating furiously. I splashed my face off with cold water. “It’s just a dream,” I said to my reflection. “A nightmare that I need to awake from.” I swallowed hard as I unlocked the door and eased it opened. The face was still there, gawking at me as though I was dinner. I slammed the door shut and ended up sleeping on the floor.
I awoke the next day with a throbbing headache, sore back and a stiff neck. With great caution I emerged slowly from the bathroom to find that the face had disappeared. I was overwhelmed with relief. But then my heart sank as I found a note laying on the mangled sheets of my bed.
I read it aloud:
“I am the Silk Man. I am the one who watches you while you sleep. I am the one who jumps on your bed as you are drifting off to into slumber land. I am the one who touches your leg causing you scratch it. I am the one who bumps something and you look into the darkness thinking there may be an intruder in your house. I am the one who makes you feel uncomfortable in your own bed. I am the one that causes people to die in their sleep.”
I read that last twice before continuing, “I am… a sort of Boogeyman. But unlike the Boogeyman, I can not live forever. I can only survive for ten years and ten years only. Then the time comes for me to find a replacement. Someone that will put the fear in people night after night. And you, dear reader, is my replacement. I’ve been watching you for the past year. That night you awoke suddenly thinking someone had grabbed you while you dreamt of whiskey and whores…well…that was me. The Silk Man, and tonight I come for you. You can try to run but you can’t hide. Because when your eyes get heavy and you can’t fight off sleep anymore, that’s when I’ll come. Signed The Silk Man.”
I dropped the letter. I was confused, tired and terrified. That night I fought off sleep until midnight, and the next time I opened my eyes… I was the Silk Man.
But that was ten years ago, and now, it is time for me to find a replacement. So, dear reader, as you drift off to sleep tonight don’t be afraid because I will come for you and your journey as the Silk Man will just begin. Good night.
©2009 Chad Case
Chad Case lives in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, with his wife, Melissa. He enjoys writing short horror fiction in his spare time. To date his works have been published on MicroHorror.com and The New Flesh.
October 26th, 2009 at 6:10 am
Love how you made the story conclude with a supernatural passing of the torch. Good stuff, Chad.
October 26th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Silk Man has a weird sound to it. Reminds me of spider web. I like the twist at the end of the tale. Does this mean I’m going to turn into a man? I don’t so much mind the silk part.
I like this subtle horror from you.
October 26th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
very well written story. The Silk Man is a great image.
October 26th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
A Creepy image with a silken touch.
–dj
November 5th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Nice one Chad! I too enjoyed the subtlety of the horror.