Haunted

two

My alarm clock blares loudly at 8am scaring the hell out of me as a groan falls from my lips. I reach over to my side table to switch the alarm off. I sit up and rub my eyes and blink a few times to get clearer vision.

I stretch my hands up and let out a loud yawn and lay back down on my bed.

Uncle Ben.

Scarlett Winters.

I immediately hop off my bed and jump into the shower to freshen up and get clean. I grab some shower gel and gently scrub and rinse myself.

I step out of the shower and wrap my white towel around my waist as I ruffle my hair and shake my head to get the water off. I walk over to the sink and apply some toothpaste on my toothbrush and bring it up to my mouth and thoroughly clean my teeth.

I wipe my mouth on a face towel and grab some clothes to wear for the day.

I pick out a simple long-sleeved button up top and some black, ripped skinny jeans.

I send Uncle Ben a text message notifying that I would reach his place in about half an hour or so.

I make myself a cup of coffee so I don't fall asleep or feel tired. If I want to know what had happened to Scarlett, I'm going to need to pay full attention.

I take a last sip from my warm coffee and walk over to the front door, picking up my sling bag and slinging it around my shoulders.

I turn around and look back at my empty, clean apartment once more before heading out.

*****

I walk up to Uncle Ben's doorstep and chew on my lip nervously. I raise my fist and knock on his old, wooden door.

Only a few moments after, the door swings open and I am greeted by my uncle only dressed in his robe and house slippers. His grey, messy hair scattered everywhere as they stick out in different directions. He holds a cup of coffee in his hand and I can smell the aroma from here. I take in his appearance and let out a chuckle,

"Morning," I greet, grinning widely.

Uncle Ben only rolls his eyes and smiles,

"Come in." He says, gesturing to the inside of his ancient house.

I nod and walk past him, throwing myself onto the couch as I take my bag off and place it next to me. I reach down and slip my boots off and leave them in the corner.

Uncle Ben walks in after me and takes a seat on his massage chair and sets his cup of coffee on the side table next to him. He leans back slowly and raises his eyebrows,

"So you wanted to meet me?" Uncle Ben starts off, "Here I am. What can I do for you today, Harry?"

"You have everyone's personal records, right?" I ask, directing my gaze towards him.

"Correct," He nods, picking his cup up and taking a few sips before setting it down again.

"Do you... By any chance, know a girl named... Scarlett Winters?" I ask nervously, looking up at him, fiddling with my fingers as I chew on the inside of my lip.

A pause fills the room as he narrows his eyes, almost as if he were in deep thought.

"Scarlett... Scarlett Winters," He mutters quietly to himself.

I tilt my head to the side, eyeing him carefully.

"Well?" I raise my voice. "Do you?" I ask, once again.

He looks up at me and runs his tongue across his teeth,

"I used to know her." He states blankly with no emotion behind his words.

"Used to?" I repeat, as I stand up and start walking towards him. "What do you mean you used to know her?" I raise my voice demandingly.

Uncle Ben raises his head slowly to meet my eyes and stares at me like I'm out of my mind.

"Harry... She died 3 years ago in a car accident."