Finding a 'Ghost'

Chapter 1 - Just the Start

I stood in front of the mirror, carefully examining myself. My strawberry blonde hair was tucked into my beanie, only a few strands escaping. I tucked one of the escaping locks behind my ears. My green eyes sweep my body. I was not wearing clothes exactly suitable for the weather. A loose black shirt, some ripped jeans, and a leather jacket. Those clothes would do nothing to protect me from the harsh winter wind. 

I locked eyes with my reflection. I always liked my eyes. They were green, like emeralds shining in the dark. Bright and entrancing, they contrasted nicely against my olive skin. I looked away, my gaze landing on the open window.

It was dark outside, not surprising since it was almost midnight. The moon was a crescent and there was very little light outside, which would make it hard to navigate. I smiled to myself; I had been there enough times to be able to get there in my sleep.

I moved towards the window. I didn't really want to do this. Sneak out without my mom's permission. Still, everyone else was allowed at night. My mom was just paranoid, I would be fine. We live in a good neighborhood. Nothing would happen.

I swung a long leg over the windowsill and reached out until my foot made contact with one of the thick branches of the tree beside my window. I took a deep breath, and with my teeth gritted, I climbed out the window.

It would've been easier if I had been smaller, but unfortunately, I had been cursed with my late father's long limbs. Most girls would wish they were tall like me, but life wasn't particularly great when you towered over all of your friends and family. 

I released the windowsill, and I felt the branch shake unsurely underneath my feet. For a second I thought it was going to give away, before it stilled. I let out the breath which I hadn't even known I had been holding. I was taking too many risks today, but the promise of the party which awaited me was worth it.

Soon enough, I was lowering myself to the ground. Relieved that I had finally made it to solid, unmoving ground. I shivered slightly as the bitter wind pierced my skin. I looked around. The entire street was consumed in darkness, with only a few flickering lights illuminating the street.

I gulped. Everything seemed much scarier outside of the house. I shook my head, I had already snuck out and disobeyed my mom, I couldn't give up. Not yet.

I looked at my mom's silver Porsche which was parked on the driveway. I didn't have my license yet though and if she ever found out I took it, I would be grounded until I had my own kids.

Turning my attention back to the blackness of the street, I started walking.

Behind every corner there seemed to be a monster, a stranger in my every shadow, but no. I was all alone in the street. And as I walked through the roads, I felt myself becoming more comfortable. 

I turned around the last corner, just one more block and I would be there. I started walking faster, but I wasn't looking, and I fell almost face first into the concrete, only putting out my hands in time. Standing up slowly, trying to bite back the pain, I glanced around to see what I had tripped over. Or rather who.

Yes, I had tripped over someone in my haste to get to the party. I rubbed my hands on my jeans, as if that would get rid of the stinging sensation on my hands. I noticed that the stranger whom I had tripped over had fallen on the ground.

He looked strange. His hair was ruffled messily, like he had been through a fight. His face was half-shaven. He had a shabby look to him. He reeked of stale tobacco. The top few buttons of his shirt were undone, his jacket was buttoned wrong, and his pants had grass stains on them. I held out my hand to him, feeling guilty for tripping him.

'Sorry about that,' I muttered, as he took my hand, and I pulled him up. As soon as he did, I pulled my hand from his grasp, not wanting to be near this strange man for any longer. Before I could walk away, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards him, so I was forced to face him.

'You need to help me!' He screeched, and his voice was hoarse, as if he had been screaming for hours. He fell to his knees, and tears were pouring from his eyes. 'Please! He's after me!'

I should have left than. I should have. But how could I? He needed my help, and I was raised not to leave people alone when they need my help.

'Who's after you?' I asked him. He was trembling, his whole body shaking as if there was an earthquake.

'Him!' He choked out, and his eyes were wide with fear. He looked rabid. Like a wild animal. 'He's going to kill me!' He cried. His grip on my wrist was getting tighter, stopping my blood flow.

'Please let go of me so I can find help,' I said.

Before he could do anything else or say anything more, a shadowy figure appeared behind the man. They struck the man, and his hand fell to the ground, while I stumbled back. What was happening, and who was this mysterious figure?

It was all a blur, a flurry of movement, a strangled scream filled the silent night air. I staggered, falling to the ground. My eyes were closed tightly, and there was one last sob before everything went silent once more.

I opened my eyes, approaching the man cautiously. He was motionless on the ground, and the shadow figure was nowhere in sight, for which I was glad. When I looked at the man, I knew who the figure had been. It had been the one the man had warned me of. 

The man whom only a few minutes ago had been living, breathing, crying for me to help. He was dead. Gone from the world. A sharp intake of breath as my eyes wandered to his neck. It was slit, blood flowing from the cut, drenching the front of his short.

I didn't know what to do. What to say. So, I ran away, like a coward. Back home. And as I climbed back into my room, settling inside my beg, my eyes closed, I could not get rid of the sight of the man's broken body. I had just witnessed a murder, and there was nothing. Nothing I could have done to stop it. Which was what scared me the most.

Little did I know, that was just the start...