Obscura Fabula (Dark Shorts)

Wine Ghosts and a Terrace

Wine, Ghosts and a Terrace

The sharp sound of shattering glass on the floor woke me up. I had been drinking wine in the terrace and fell asleep. The crimson liquid splattered on the floor left a trail over the tiled surface. I sighed.

The sounds of the night made me walk away from the mess I made. 'I'll clean it later.' I thought. The frogs lead the orchestra of the night creatures. A group of cicadas joined the nature's harmony and an owl made his solo in falsetto while some hissing sounds completed the tune.

The hovering bright patterns the fireflies drew in their playful dance around the lemon tree's branches enthralled me. I looked up to the starry night. The flickering blues, whites and reds were magnificent, dragging my thoughts to distant worlds beyond that immense darkness. The full moon shone above the mountain peaks giving the sleeping giants some dismal shapes of greenish blacks and grays.

I gave a few steps out of the terrace. My bared feet enjoyed the freshness of the moistened grass. A cold gust made my hair flutter making me shiver, but I kept walking.

I heard the noise of braking twigs behind some bushes. There was no wind blowing yet the branches shook frantically. I stayed still thinking if I should go and check or return back to the terrace a few steps behind me... I chose the first.

Giving a few steps I saw it. A cold shiver ran though my spine and goose bumps raised all over my skin. I tried to focus my eyes thinking it was some sort of optic illusion provoked by the sweet wine that prevailed in my system.

A translucent floating shape, more like a female transparent silhouette appeared in front of me. My body froze. Her red glaring eyes pierced my whole existence... A ghost? Demon? Angel? I wasn't sure but I was frightened. I couldn't move!

All of a sudden the entity screamed making screeching sound that made me cover my ears! The ghastly being opened her arms wide and rushed towards me. I ran backwards never taking my eyes from 'her'. The sharp cries were deafening as 'she' chased me. The spirit got me... And passed through me... It was the most terrifying sensation; the asphyxiating coldness of death invaded me... only darkness... And pain.

I opened my eyes and searched everywhere. That thing was gone. I walked back to the terrace. It was time to clean the mess.

*** short story created for the Favorite Thing Random Writing Challenge.