Horror Short Showcase: 'Apartment 41'

Written by Scott Edwards

It seems like running from your past would be easy, but for some reason it always finds a way to catch up with you. It may be easier to live up to your mistakes, mainly because when others find out about them, it winds up being blown out of proportion. Everyone is entitled to make mistakes, it is part of being human and learning how to be the best person you can be. But a true shot at redemption from a mistake may be something that not everyone is willing to take.
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Arriving with a basket of clothes to her new apartment, Helen is looking to settle in for the night. Pulling out her diary and having a cup of tea, she is happy with her new surroundings and leaving her past in the rear-view mirror. Hearing a knock at her door, Helen goes to see who it might be, and she sees a woman in a white dress that appears to be very familiar. Opening the door and not finding the woman anywhere in the hallway, Helen sees that her past is catching up with her.

Writing in her diary about how much she likes her new home, Helen hears something rumbling in the apartment and tries to find out what it is. Seeing that her bathroom sink has been turned on for no reason, she shuts it off, but there is someone else in the apartment that is ready to torment her even further. With a ghostly whisper coming from the kitchen, Helen sees the silhouette of someone from her past that is ready to talk. Demanding that the ghostly apparition leave her apartment, Helen comes face to face with the grief of a mistake that cannot be undone, but possibly forgiven.

I really liked how quickly you come to understand that Helen is running from something in her past, and that the story makes sure that the viewers know that she is not innocent. While what happened in the past may still be a mystery, you do get to see the way to make everything right. The ghostly woman only has one demand for her old friend and while Helen may not want to follow through, it is evident that she wants her past to go away. You may never be able to completely erase your past mistakes but living up to them may be better than being tormented by them for years to come. Stay Scared.

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