A Soul to Never Leave: Short Story

The night had awoken, the moon glowing in the distance.  I felt a blanket of cold air.  One person consumes my mind.  Attempting to stop Simon, I sprint as fast as I can, causing my body to warm up.  I feel pained at his distress.  Sam should not have been so cruel to him.  This would not have become if not for her jealousy.  I had learned little about him in our recent kindle of friendship, but he was a grey sheep in the herd.  Most people did not appreciate that.  If only I had realized how odd he was sooner.

One after another, houses line up.  The neighborhood displays a set of Victorian houses that I would consider living in.  I get a glimpse of him turning the corner with his jet-black hair jumping violently in comparison to my long, chocolate hair in a bounce.  I steer into the same direction halting by the site before me.  Standing in the center is a ramshackle of a house.  Mocking me, the moon casts it into the spotlight.  A home that must have once been painted with soft, welcoming colors, now sat in a saddening grey.  Decaying wood boarders and at least a dozen windows.  Taking in the picture, it was like the house suffered in dismay.  The third level displayed an opening, thus rewarding me with partial view of a room.  It was as if a furious giant aimed a massive bolder to the structure striking a bullseye.  Walking in would be asking for death.  I took a deep breath and pushed the aleko steel gate ajar.

I pray to the heavens, "Watch over me, please?"

Proceeding down the stone pathway I observe the tall, burned grass.  The yard was like  pool of hay.  If I stumbled off the trail, I could easily find myself lost in this field. 

I don't think plants will grow here anytime soon.  One of a kind this is, I thought.

The door creeks when opened.  I peek my head inside in uncertainty worried at my intrusion.  I find no one and bring the remainder of myself inside.  Standing in the corridor I take a moment to allow my eyes to adjust to the darker vicinity.

I am in disbelief, "This doesn't make sense."

The interior of the house was a drastic change to the outside.  This room looked in a decent shape as though it was not a deserted house and may have been shelter to a nice family.  I place my hand to the wall. The paint felt smooth and had to have been added in the last decade or so.  An antique clock stood proud, ticking.  If I had not met the exterior of this building, I could be fooled, and a salesman would put this up for sale any day after a round of clearing away the dust.  To the right was a sitting room.  The furniture is covered in a white sheet of cloth.  I take hesitant steps, wondering if this is a trick.  I grab ahold of the cloth inspecting it.

How peculiar.

A vase shattering in the next room is heard.  I leap back.  I falter, "Simon... I am sorry that Sam spat those spiteful words."  I inaudibly beg for him to appear.  It was time for us to go.  Daring not to move, I watch a shadow move past me.  I am still as a statue.   Holding a breath, I calculate the distance from here to the front door.

"Simon, stop!" I demand with tears in my eyes.

I shut my eyes as a heated breath exhales onto the side of my neck.  Slowly I look to uncover the identity of the cause of my dread.  My heart that was beating rapidly calms upon sight of my dear ally, Simon.

"Thank goodness it's you," I replied full of relief.

He displays an unusual smile, "Here, let me show you something."  He completely ignores my discomfort of being here and walks up the stairway.  Not wanting to be left alone, I follow.  I am close behind when I bump into his back signaling that he has stopped.  He grabs ahold of my hand and with silence he questions my trust for him.  I allow him to lead me.  He moves into a familiar room that I recall upon entering this rundown ghost house.  It pales in comparison to the rest of the internal design.

"This is far enough.  I have a clear view.  Enough to enjoy this magical night," I sneer.

He sighs and pulls me further, halting at the edge of the opening.  I take a seat beside him.  While giving him minute of silence I sense someone watching me.  Scanning the perimeter, I find no one.  It is odd since my gut never lies.  I take another deep breath. 

A set of hands creep up toward my waist and propels me forward, "Simon!"  I smack him, "That wasn't funny."  He snickers.  Enraged I continue, "I could have died.  You know what?  I have no other choice but to leave."  He stops me by intertwining his hands with mine.  I submit sensing safety by him.

Although being out of that tower of terror, the weight on my shoulders takes no leave.  I may need a goodnights rest to get this out of my system.  I pull my hand back and take one last look.  I gulp watching a figure appear in the room I sat in minutes ago.  Squinting at it, my eyes make out the shadow.  Gaping I recognize the boy.  A saddened Simon looks down at me.  The boy beside me who I deemed my friend questions if I am feeling alright.  I do not believe that I will be leaving this place in the near future.