'Horla' Summary

The nameless narrator of *Horla* documents his descent into a state of paranoia and terror through a series of journal entries. He is plagued by disturbing dreams and experiences inexplicable phenomena, such as his water being drunk at night and objects inexplicably moving. The narrator's fear and suspicion grow as he becomes convinced that an unseen, invisible being, the Horla, is influencing his life. The Horla, a creature of pure evil, seems to be slowly taking over the narrator's mind and body, eroding his sense of self and driving him to the brink of madness. As the narrator's grip on reality weakens, he struggles to separate his own thoughts and actions from those of the Horla, culminating in a terrifying climax that leaves the reader questioning the nature of sanity and the true extent of the Horla's influence.