Twisted Roads – Twisted Horror Stories by Matthew Tonks

Today’s story is brought to life by the following prompt…

This is my submission for Kevin’s No Theme Thursday.

Paint Covered Classes

He lets the breath flutter from his trembling lips as he finally allows his eyes to slowly creak open. The world he once knew so well, filled with darkness and dread, is now suddenly alive, painted in all the colours of the rainbow. Another breath escapes, accompanied by a squeal of childlike excitement. His lips quiver and his hands shake uncontrollably. Reaching up, he gently grips the rim of the glasses and slowly begins to remove them.

Chad reaches out and grabs Stewart’s hand, momentarily holding him at bay. Their eyes meet, and Chad shakes his head in disapproval.

“I told you, once worn, they can never be removed, unless of course you want to go back to the world you once knew?” Chad purrs with a smile across his lips that would put the Cheshire Cat to shame.

Stewart’s face crumples, and his brow furrows. “S-So, I have to keep these on forever? E-Even in the shower?” he asks in a high-pitched tone.

Chad nods, his smile broadening. “Yes, Stewart, even in the shower.”

Stewart’s nose twists into a ball, and his lips pucker up. “E-Even when I’m sleeping?”

Chad sighs loudly as his smile wavers. “Yes, Stewart, even when you’re sleeping.”

Stewart scratches his head and raises his eyebrows high. “W-What if someone else takes them off me? W-Will I never be able to go back then?”

Chad’s smile drops, and he runs his tongue coarsely over his golden teeth. “If the glasses come off, you are out, no matter when, no matter how. If those glasses come off your face, you are back in the boring world everyone calls normal, and we both know what that means for you, don’t we?”

Stewart sighs and nods his head from side to side, uneasily agreeing.

“So, then repeat it,” Chad asks.

“R-Repeat what?”

“Repeat what I just told you, repeat it from the start so I know you truly understand.”

“B-B-But I said I did, i-isn’t that enough?”

Chad raises his brow in curiosity, and a quiver of a smile washes over his lips once more. “Obviously, it is not. So, dear sir, please repeat what I’ve told you, and repeat it now!”

“I-I-I,” Stewart stammers as he awkwardly swallows a mouthful of air that feels like razor blades instead. He squeezes his eyes tightly closed and sucks another breath in through his nose. “I can’t take them off in the shower. I can’t take them off at night. In fact, I can’t take them off at all, and neither can anyone else.”

“And?” Chad asks, his smile now twisting wildly across his lips.

“A-A-And, and if I take them off, I-I-I’ll never b-be able to g-go back.”

“And?” Chad asks again.

“A-A-And I’ll be stuck in t-the normal world f-forever.” he stammers as colourful tears begin to stream down his face.

“And?” Chad asks once more, his face twisted and maniacal, barely resembling the face he wore so few moments ago.

“A-A-And y-you’ll s-swallow my soul,” he whimpers.

“Yes, yes I will,” Chad agrees proudly with a broad, toothy grin.