Tonight we have part 2 of Gene’s Ghost story.
“That’s just creepy.” Mike replied.
Suddenly his light went out.
“Hey!” He said, shaking his flashlight. “That’s not cool!”
Chrissy laughed at him. “That’s what you get for insulting the place.”
And then, her light went out too.
Dalton took a step back towards the doorway. “That’s not right.”
Alexis shook her head as she further inspected the room. “They’re cheap flashlights. What did you expect?”
“I expect to get the hell out of here!” Chrissy argued. “Mike, take me home.”
“Fine by me.” He answered.
“Cowards.” Alexis challenged. “There’s nothing here but dust!”
– BANG –
The loud sound caused everyone to freeze. Goosebumps rose on their flesh as they heard every breath slowly made.
A white streak crashed from under the bed and dashed down the stairs.
“Aaaiiiieeee!” Chrissy screamed as she tore down the stairs towards the front door.
The others were right behind her.
“Chrissy!” Mike yelled as she yanked on the door knob. “Chrissy here! The window. The door is locked. We came in through here. Come on!”
Chrissy dove out the opening as Mike held the window open.
Alexis and Dalton followed immediately.
“Brilliant!” Mike commented to Dalton as he went through the window. “Freakin’ brilliant idea!”
They piled in the car and tore out of the parking lot. As they drove away, Alexis looked back. A dark shadow appeared in the window of the bedroom they had just been in. It was eerily shaped like a woman.
“It was a possum!”
“The hell it was!”
Alexis argued with Dalton as the group ate their lunch. The bright, warm rays of the sun had washed away the fears of last night but not the doubts or experiences.
Alexis pointed a French-fry at Dalton. “I’m telling you it was a possum that ran out from under the bed. It’s the only logical answer.”
Dalton bit down on the fry. “And I’m telling you it wasn’t no damn possum. I could see right through the damn thing.”
“I don’t give a damn what we saw last night.” Chrissy interjected. “I’m never going back.”
“Yeah.” Agreed Mike. “I don’t even want to drive near that place.”
“You guys are unbelievable.” Alexis grumbled as she stubbed a fry into a packet of honey mustard.
“Would you really go back?” Dalton asked in a half challenge.
“Hell yeah!” She barked. “I’m not scared. There’s nothing there.”
“But you said you saw something when we drove out of there.” Chrissy argued. “You said you saw something in the window.”
“A shadow.” Alexis corrected Chrissy. “I saw a shadow in the window. It could’ve been from the trees outside. Who knows? If Mike hadn’t been driving so fast, maybe I’d have seen it better.”
“Yeah. Like you were in the mood to get a good look.” Mike commented.
Alexis stated flatly, “I’m goin’ back.”
“What?” The trio said in unison.
“I’m goin’ back.” She entrenched. “I want to know what’s really there. Just because it scared you guy into a panic doesn’t mean I’m gonna let it beat me.”
“You’re nuts!” Dalton argued.
“You don’t have to come.” Alexis said, darting cold eyes at him. “You can stay with the others.”
“Damn right I will.” He declared before taking a pull of his cola. “And don’t expect me to come after you either.”
“Oh I won’t!” She stamped.
Mike leaned forward, “And what makes you think you’ll, ‘Do it right.’ this time?”
“I won’t go in half assed this time.” Alexis said full of pride. “I’ll bring real equipment.”
“Well, have fun.” Chrissy said cynically before digging into her sundae.
The taillights on the car lit as Alexis pushed the brakes. The house seemed different in the sunlight. No less faded, no less derelict, but not as foreboding as it was last night. Alex thought it asleep. Pulling off to the side, she opened the trunk and grabbed two large duffle bags.
It didn’t take her long to enter the place; if anything, the window they used the night before was easier to open than before. Setting the bags gently inside, she shut the window behind her.
Without a passing glance to her surroundings, Alexis hauled her gear upstairs. A slight chill caused an involuntary shiver as she came to the bedroom doorway. Forcing herself to look around, she noticed that nothing had changed. Everything sat as it was the night before. Everything was still covered in dust. The harsh light of day cut through the dingy window, highlighting the tattered cloth of a blanket on the bed.
“Ghosts don’t care whether its day or night.” She said to herself as she unzipped the bags.
Setting out a small generator and an air ionizer she continued, “Let’s see if any come now.”
It took her a good fifteen minutes to set everything up to her satisfaction. When she was done, a video camera viewed the entire room; three toys that lit up when bumped lay on the desk; a proper K-2 meter sat in her hand; and her cell phone lay on the bed, diligently recording everything.
“And to make sure none of the batteries die.” She murmured as she flicked the switch on the ionizer. “Let’s start the genny.”
Confident of her plan she failed to notice the stench of dirt and sweat as she pulled the starter on her little generator.
“What the hell are you doing in our house?” A voice boomed.
Alexis bolted upright and stood face to face with an all too real man.
“I said what are you doing in my house!” Repeated the man in anger.
The strong scent of his unwashed body caused Alexis to back away. Seeing the man through her ebbing shock caused her to step back once more. Behind his grey, scraggly beard hid a mouth of missing teeth, blotchy skin, and dark, maddening eyes.
The mix of rapid heart rate and adrenalin conspired against her, causing her to stutter. “I… I…”
The man’s large hand shot out and grabbed her by the front collar of her shirt.
“You were trying to steal from us!” He yelled in a rage. “You came looking for our stash!”
“No! No! I was…” Alexis pleaded, struggling to make sense of it all.
She could taste the filth of him in her breath as he jerked her to him.
“Liar!” He seethed.
Alexis screamed as panic took control. She threw herself backwards as she jabbed wildly at the strange man’s eyes. Landing with a thud, the immediately twisted to get away; unfortunately the staggering man stood in her way of the stairs and freedom.
With a roar, the man lunged at the slender frame of the girl. Tumbling down in a tangle, Alexis screamed before darkness consumed her.
To be continued…
Gene Yagley III born and raised in Highland Park, Michigan now living in Port Charlotte, Florida has been practicing writing for ten years. His influences are Ursula K. LeGuin, Isaaic Asimov, Satch Carlson, Peter Egan, and Gary Wescott. Pulled by various interests, his writing covers multiple genres of short stories, editorials, humor, and travel. You can read more of his work over at www.thoughtsramblingsanddaydreams.com
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