The Grinning Corpse: A Dentist's Terrifying Patient

The old, creaky building on the outskirts of town had been a dentist's clinic for as long as anyone could remember. The dentist, Dr. Harold, was a seasoned professional with a calm demeanor that had seen many a tooth extracted and cavity filled. His assistant, Jenny, was a jaded veteran of the dental world, having worked with Dr. Harold for decades. Together, they maintained a routine that had become as predictable as the sunrise.

But all that changed on the night of the full moon. It was a quiet evening, and the streets were empty save for the occasional honk of a distant car. Jenny had just finished cleaning her instruments, and Dr. Harold was preparing to lock up for the night. As they made their way to the front door, a cold breeze swept through the clinic, sending shivers down their spines.

"Did you hear that?" Jenny asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dr. Harold shook his head, but a frown creased his brow. "I think it was just the wind," he replied, though he wasn't entirely convinced.

The door creaked open, and the cold breeze was replaced by a sudden gust of wind that sent papers fluttering across the floor. Both Jenny and Dr. Harold turned, their eyes wide with alarm. There, standing in the doorway, was a figure draped in a long, dark cloak. Its face was obscured, but the eyes that peered out from beneath the hood were bright and malevolent.

"Who's there?" Dr. Harold demanded, stepping forward. "Show yourself!"

The figure stepped into the clinic, and Jenny's heart sank as she realized there was no one there. It was just the cloak, the hood, and the eyes. The wind picked up again, swirling around the figure, and the cloak seemed to move of its own accord.

"What do you want?" Dr. Harold asked, his voice steady despite the fear gripping his chest.

The figure turned, and Jenny's breath caught in her throat. The cloak fell away to reveal a man's face, twisted into a grotesque mask of terror. His eyes were sunken, and his teeth were bared in a grin that chilled her to the bone.

"I want a tooth," the figure hissed, his voice echoing in the empty clinic. "And I will have it, whether you like it or not."

Dr. Harold's hand went to the handle of his chair, his knuckles white. "You won't get it," he growled. "This is my clinic, and you're not welcome here."

The figure's laughter was like the screech of rusty hinges, and it sent shivers down Jenny's spine. "Oh, but you see, I've been here before," it said. "And I will be here again. And again. And again."

Jenny's eyes darted around the room, searching for anything she could use as a weapon. The figure moved closer, its steps silent on the tiled floor. Dr. Harold's chair was within reach, but it was too far to get to quickly.

"You're not going to get what you want," Jenny whispered to herself, trying to will herself to find a way to stop the figure.

The figure reached out, and Jenny felt the cold touch of its hand on her arm. She gasped, and the figure's grip tightened. "You think you can stop me, girl?" it hissed. "You're just a cog in the machine."

Jenny's eyes widened as she saw the figure's grin widen. The cold hand on her arm was pulling her towards the figure, dragging her across the floor. She reached out, trying to grasp the figure's arm, but it slipped through her fingers like smoke.

"No!" she screamed, but the sound was lost in the silence of the clinic.

The figure turned and walked towards Dr. Harold, who had backed away to the far corner of the room. The dentist's chair was now in reach, and he lunged for it, hoping to climb into it and get a better vantage point.

The figure laughed again, and Jenny saw its eyes narrow in anticipation. Dr. Harold was close to the chair, just a few steps away. The figure's hand reached out, and Jenny could feel the cold touch on her arm again. She was being pulled towards the figure, and she was struggling with all her might to break free.

"Dr. Harold, help me!" she screamed, her voice breaking.

The dentist was just a few steps away, and he could see Jenny being pulled towards the figure. He lunged for her, but it was too late. Jenny was now standing before the figure, her eyes wide with terror.

The figure's hand reached out, and Jenny felt the tip of a knife pressed against her neck. "You can't stop me," the figure hissed. "Not anymore."

Jenny's eyes closed as the figure's hand moved towards her throat. But just as the knife was about to slice into her skin, there was a sudden noise from the back of the clinic. The figure turned, its eyes widening in shock.

Dr. Harold had found his weapon—a pair of pliers that he had used to remove teeth. He swung them with all his might, and they struck the figure square in the face. The figure stumbled back, and Jenny saw the knife fall from its hand, clattering to the floor.

"Run!" Dr. Harold shouted, pulling Jenny away from the figure. She stumbled, but Dr. Harold kept hold of her, pulling her towards the door.

The figure lurched to its feet, its eyes burning with fury. It reached out, but Dr. Harold stepped in front of Jenny, blocking the figure's path. The figure's hand found no hold in the polished wood of the door, and it was forced to retreat.

"Run!" Dr. Harold shouted again, and they made a break for it, the figure close behind them. They burst out into the night, the figure's footsteps echoing behind them.

They ran for what felt like an eternity, but they were gaining distance. The figure's steps grew slower, and finally, it stopped. Jenny and Dr. Harold turned, and they saw the figure standing at the edge of the building, its eyes filled with a mix of rage and frustration.

"Get away from me!" the figure shouted, its voice echoing through the night. "I will come for you!"

Jenny and Dr. Harold turned and kept running, their hearts pounding in their chests. They didn't stop until they reached the safety of Dr. Harold's car. They locked the doors and drove away as fast as they could, the figure's voice echoing in their minds.

Back at the clinic, they found the knife and the cloak. The figure had left behind no trace, and they were left to wonder what had happened. The next day, the clinic was closed, and Dr. Harold and Jenny never returned. They had seen enough of the grinning corpse and the terrifying patient to know they would never step foot in that place again.

The clinic remained closed for months, and then it was sold to a new dentist who promised to bring new life to the old building. But the new dentist never moved in. The old building stood empty, a silent witness to the terror that had taken place within its walls.

And every full moon, the town would hear whispers of the grinning corpse, the terrifying patient, and the haunting encounters that had taken place in the once-quiet clinic. The story became legend, a reminder of the darkness that could lurk in the most unexpected places.