Haunted Snapshot

Chapter I

October 30, 2017

10 p.m.

I feel chills up my spine as the wind blows from behind me. I ignore the cold air and take a selfie with my Nikon. I check the photo and it brings out my hazel eyes, even in the darkness.

Damn, I think to myself. I do look good.

I hold my breath when I see him in the selfie, standing about ten feet behind me. I haven't seen him since he died five years ago but I recognize his face, especially that smirk.

"Damien," he whispers.

I turn around but nobody is there.

Three months earlier...

July 23, 2017

I laid on my bed and contemplated life. It didn't feel like my eighteenth birthday. It's hard to believe that I graduated from high school last month.

I'd often hang out with classmates after school and take photos. Sometimes I wasn't sure if my peers were taking advantage of me. However, they thought I was talented, and I couldn't help but love the attention.

I took photos and videos everywhere, especially at the beach. A few friends and I would surf at Malibu every Saturday. I was out there living my best life. Unfortunately, my fun times in high school came to an end.

It's too bad that some of my friends from high school are away this summer, I thought. So much for being an adult.

"Damien!" Grandma called from the living room. "Your Grandpa and I have a birthday present for you. Come out whenever you're ready!"

I got up and left my room to join my grandparents on the couch. Grandma smiled as she carefully handed me a heavy box. I ripped off the golden wrapping paper and my eyes lit up when I saw it was a Nikon D7500 kit. For a moment, I felt elated that my grandparents bought one of the most up-to-date digital cameras. I frowned when I realized the package had been tampered with.

"This looks like someone used it already," I said. Grandpa rolled his eyes at me and sighed.

"We didn't have enough money to buy it new, so we found a used one online at a lower price," Grandma sheepishly admitted. "It was barely used."

"I don't care," I retorted. "It's useless to me!"

I set the box down onto the floor, and Grandma sniffled.

"That's it!" Grandpa shouted. "I'm tired of your attitude, Damien. Go to your room!"

I briskly walked to my room and slammed the door shut. I heard my grandparents' voices as I stood in the middle of my room, facing away from the door.

They're talking in Tagalog, I thought. Even though I don't understand what they're saying, I'm sure they're talking about me.

Footsteps approached my room and the door opened.

"Face me while I'm talking to you," Grandpa commanded. I turned around and crossed my arms.

"Your Grandma and I worked our asses off to buy that camera for you," Grandpa claimed. "Now that you turned eighteen, our checks from the government will stop coming. We won't have as much money anymore. Since you're not going to college this fall, you should find a job."

"But Grandpa-" I interrupted.

"No excuses, Damien!" Grandpa yelled. He took a deep breath.

"I don't know why you started acting entitled ever since we moved, but I know you're better than that," Grandpa firmly stated in a calm voice. "If you want nice things, then you need to work hard for them."