Torchlight

Tim thought a Christmas Even party in the old ruins was a hilarious idea. His cousin in college had told him that it was haunted, but it couldn't be if they were going to knock it down and rebuild, they would have noticed... Wouldn't they?

Tim told all his friends on the last day of school. Told them they all had to meet up outside the building at ten pm sharp. Bruce was bringing some of his dad's beer, Michael an old boom box and Shaun some cigarettes he said he could nab from his uncle. Polly asked to come but Tim shouted a resounding "No" at her, cupping his hands over his mouth for greater emphasis. He had been so resolute and stubborn in his decision that the school day had ended with her in tears and threats to tell all. But she wouldn't, Tim told her they wouldn't go to the prom together if she piped up. 

The sun set on a normal, quiet Christmas Eve. Tim's mum had taken his younger sister to the Christmas Eve service at their local church. Tim had refused to go, saying it was for babies- he was a man now.

He checked his backpack and gathered a few things: torch, spare batteries, blanket, cups. He even managed to nab some liquor from his dad's stash in the garage, his old man hadn't even noticed it was gone!

Outside was freezing, the sun had slipped below the horizon with a silent wink some time before. Tim opted for some thick woollen socks and his old trainers that had upside down ticks on the sides. His watch detailed that the time was nearing nine thirty. Time to go. 

Grabbing his satchel, he snuck down the stairs like a burglar with his stolen sack of goodies. He let a note drift down to the kitchen side, his hasty scrawl informing his mum he'd popped out to Shaun's to swap gifts. She would believe that, easy.

The road was quiet as Tim exited his house. Most folk around this side of town would be at the church, not his dad though. He was still lying on the sofa snoring, been like it ever since he'd got home from work. He probably wouldn't move now until his sister woke him up with her crazy Santa excitement tomorrow morning. Not Tim though, he was too old for all that baby stuff now.

The man child jogged down the road, excited to be free, excited to be meeting up with friends, excited for an adventure in the old hospital. Tim part believed his cousin's story about the place being haunted and looked forward to perhaps meeting a ghost- the naivety of youth.

He glanced down at his watch, nine forty-five, better keep on jogging otherwise he wouldn't get there in time and the others would think he had chickened out. They better all turn up, he scowled to think they might not bother. He glanced up and down the road looking for other bodies moving around in the dim street lights- nobody to be seen.

The last street light flickered at the spot where it was necessary to veer right to continue heading towards the woodlands. Tim stopped a few seconds his gut telling him to go home, warning him that something was not right. He shrugged and continued on regardless, heading right towards the darkened tree line that marked the entrance to the forest that embraced the old hospital.

At the entrance, he sucked in one last breath before plunging into the almost complete darkness of the forest, stopping wide eyed to gaze around in utter terror. The woods were cold and devoid of life, he was alone. Terror gripped him, sinking into his bones and clawing its way into his soul.  Anyone could be hiding in here, waiting to grab him, waiting to carry him away and chop him up into a million little Tim fragments. He swallowed hard and remembered his torch. Shrugging off his backpack, as he glanced around like a timid mouse, he thrust one hand in and removed the torch. He clicked the button, slapped it around a few times and it blinked on. The boy then  continued on towards the woodland clearing where the hospital lay, untouched for almost fifty years.