Fading Ghosts

Chapter 1

Do you know when you are a normal person and you secretly hope that your life becomes more exciting and unordinary? Well, I wouldn't say it's the best thing that could happen in somebody's life. I liked my normal life, my daily boring routine, the classes at school, the nights out with friends, the dates with Brandon. I won't say I never dreamed of something bigger; but it was nice, and it all seems long gone now. Nowadays I'm trapped in a mystery, in a dangerous investigation, in a fight for my own life. Everything seems to be falling apart and fear consumes me; I'm not the same, but there's no way someone'd stay the same after going through all this.

I suppose I should explain from the begging. So, here's how this story started...

One Year Before

It was late at night; I was just getting home from a small soiree at Kayla's house. My parents were already asleep, they trusted me and, as long as I was with my childhood friends, they didn't worry much about my whereabouts. They would despise if I appeared drunk, drugged or half naked, but none of those situations ever occurred; I enjoyed having fun, just not that kind of fun. Thus, I had the full trust of my parents, besides, it was a small town, and everyone knew everything about anyone, so if I did cross a line, my parents would know and ground me forever.

I slowly climbed the stairs and entered my room. It had a good size, a double bed full of teddy bears and pillows, a light blue colour on the walls, a desk not very tidy, a wardrobe, a bookshelf and two poufs on the floor – one pink and the other purple. I picked an old pyjama from the closet and went into my bathroom to take a fast shower. I was exhausted. I wasn't planning on going out tonight, but Brandon and Abby begged me. You can't miss a party at our best friend's house, we have to be all together. So I went and I had no fun, because all I wanted was to lay in my bed and not think about the next day. I loved my friends, but sometimes they were too overwhelming. I had known them my whole life, we went to kindergarten together and stayed together ever since.

Refreshed from the bath, I laid in my bed and picked my cell phone to see if anyone had texted me. There were a few messages in the group asking if I had arrived safely. But there was a weird one from an unknown number. Who could it be? A shiver went down my spine when I read it.

Morgana, you should start getting ready.

For a few seconds I just stared at my cell phone, unable to think straight. I usually wasn't pranked, though that really seemed like a childish prank. I decided to respond.

Who is this?

You'll soon find out. That was the response. I was suddenly scared, even though my mind tried to convince me that this was just a work of some idle child. I brushed it off, put my phone away and prepared myself to sleep.

That's when it started.

'Hello? Can you hear me? I need help.'

I almost jumped out of my bed. My heart was beating incredibly fast and I was panting. The voice seemed so real, like it was right by my side, or maybe even inside my head. I looked around for a minute, but everything was normal, I didn't see any shadow in the darkness of the room, and the only sounds were the wind outside and my own loud breath. I couldn't close my eyes again, I stayed on my bed, scared, gasping and with that voice resonating in my head. What the hell was that?

I woke up the next day more tired than in the evening before. I barely slept the previous night, and when I did, it wasn't much better, the voice would not leave my head, and neither would the creepy message I received only a few hours prior. After going through my morning beauty ritual, I went downstairs to have breakfast with my family. My mother was already in her full glory – damned be the day Eleanor Harrison will be seen looking anything less than perfect – putting plates on the table and I soon joined her.