Haunted

Seven

"No, no, no, not again," Sam whispers, staring intently at the dresser. The humor from earlier is gone, and I narrow my eyes in his direction suspiciously.

"Uh oh." Caleb holds up his device so Myka and I can see.

The red light has shot up to nine.

"We need to go," I announce calmly but firmly. I slide off the bed and stand, grimacing when pain shoots down my back. Myka's alarm clock shoots off her nightstand and nearly catches me in the nose. "We have to go now!"

Myka hurries to her feet, and the four of us rush for the exit. I lead the way, opening the door before running into the hall and heading for the stairs. Sam, Myka, and Caleb follow after me as I rush down the steps and push my way outside, into the cool air and the light of the early afternoon sun.

Fuck. We slept a long time. But I don't stop moving just yet.

I hurry towards one of the grassy fields, pushing past students who are out and about, probably enjoying the fall weather. I cautiously put distance between us and everyone else as I make my way towards an open area near the dense trees that surround the campus. Only then do I finally slow and stop.

The other three halt when I do, and we inadvertently form a circle with our bodies.

"It's gone," Myka says, squinting up at the sky.

Caleb glances down at his device and nods before looking at me. "How did you do that?" He shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair. "Anytime I've ever tried to leave, the chaos just follows."

From the edge of my vision, I see Sam's head suddenly snap towards Caleb's.

"Did you ever run into an empty field where nothing can be picked up and thrown at you?" I ask, placing a hand near my spine. Moving that fast really took a toll on my healing cuts. I'll need to dream some more if I want them to go away completely. They'll scar, but at least they won't hurt like a motherfucker.

"Uh, no," Caleb admits. "No, I have not."

"Bria." Myka fidgets and bites at her lip before motioning towards my raised arm. "Let me see your back."

Apparently I'm not being as subtle as I thought about the pain.

"I'm fine," I tell her, seeing Sam look at me in confusion. When Myka starts walking towards me, I hold up my hand and back away. "I said I'm fine."

I turn to Sam, but I notice Myka stop. She looks a little hurt by my dismissiveness, and guilt tickles the back of my mind. I shake it off.

The ghost abruptly points at Caleb incredulously. "Are you telling me the malicious spirit is following him?"

"Malicious?" I repeat. "A malicious spirit is the one who is angry with him?"

This makes things difficult.

Instead of responding, Sam puts his face in his hands and drags his fingers down his cheeks, pulling at his skin. He eyes an oblivious Caleb in what looks like shock and . . . longing?

The ghost shakes his head. "No, it can't be. How could he have been under my nose this whole time? How did I not see it earlier? It can't be. . ." He continues muttering, not making any sense. I take a few steps forward while Caleb and Myka watch me curiously.

"Sam." When he doesn't reply, I snap a finger in front of his face. He jumps and meets my gaze. "Sam, what are you talking about? Who are you talking about?" The ghost's expression crumples into sadness. "Is this what you wanted to talk to me about yesterday?" He begins pacing, taking three steps in one direction then three steps in another, back and forth over and over again.