That place is definitely haunted. For the past couple of days, I have encountered knocking, footsteps upstairs, glasses sliding off the kitchen counter, and electronics going off by themselves. Now I am certainly spooked. Though I can handle a little haunting. I guess I can, as long as there is no demon in the house. I should probably shut my mouth, actually.
I always casually talk to them as if I could get an answer. Better be friendly than dinner.
Honestly, I do not feel threatened, so why stress. There is only one thing I have to stress about, and it is art school. I must get in.
Now that my days as a cleaning lady are over, I can unpack the rest of my stuff.
I took the boxes that had my art supplies and headed to my art studio.
The sun was lovely against the peeled wallpaper. I felt so free and unbothered in this new house. The ghosts actually kept me company by having me talk to the air.
As I finished unpacking, I stood there breathing anxiously as I wrapped my arms around myself.
"Come on, Willow, you've got this. Art school is waiting for you."
I closed my eyes, trying not to cry, when I heard laughter from down the hall.
I froze.
What the actual hell.
I must be losing my mind or something. I was half joking about the ghosts.
I slowly went out of the room and followed the hall's path.
If I were in a horror movie, that would have gotten me killed for sure.
After taking a deep breath, I kept walking, with no sign of a ghost.
"Do white girls get killed in thrillers? I don't know, but I should have been dead by now, so I'm good, I guess."
When I reached the end of the hall, I let myself breathe again. It was all fun and jokes until you can't explain the oddness.
I can explain the knocks or the electronics, but this.
My phone rang, which made me jolt in fear.
"Damn you, Olivia."
It was my best friend.
"Hey, Willow. Ooookay, you look as pale as the moon. What happened?"
"Ghost happened."
I went straight to my room so I could sit down before I fainted.
"Are you still on the ghost thing?" Olivia asked, crossing her arms as the skeptic that she is.
"I was joking before. Now not so much. I heard laughter down the hall right before you called me. Explain that," I said, trying to collect my breath.
"I don't know. Kids playing in the neighborhood?"
"Olivia." My voice darkened.
"It was a man's laughter."
I saw my best friend freeze through the screen.
"What are you saying? Are you sure no one's in your house? You should call the police."
"No one is here. The hall is big. They wouldn't be able to leave before I checked without me hearing them run. Maybe I'm too tired."
"Are you sure? Should I tell my brother to go check on you?"
I looked around the room, sensing something again.
"No need. I'm fine, thanks."
"If you need reassurance, just call him straight up. Don't be shy."
"Olivia, I'm not bothering your brother for nothing. He has other stuff to worry about. His baby, his wife. It's alright."
Olivia took a breath and looked down.
"Fine, I get it. Just know that you can call him. You're basically his second younger sister." She giggled with a sweet smile.
"Thank you."
And with that, we ended the call.
It was true about Mike, Olivia's brother. I've known them since forever. Olivia and I basically grew up together, so I don't want to worry her.
"I thought we had an agreement, ghost. We don't bother each other."
I fell back on my bed, touching my forehead.
"Am I being dramatic? Ugh, what time is it? I need to shower. I have to go to the prep workshop tomorrow."
And with that, I got myself up to take a shower.
"No peeking while I'm showering, ghost freaks."
I let my clothes fall on the ground as I entered the shower. The hot water was burning my skin, but as I know, for women that is actually enjoyable. I pushed my faded pink hair back along with the water and felt it reach my shoulders. I felt a little fear as I closed my eyes. Humans are more vulnerable in the shower. Naked to the bone and wet.
You can't run or defend yourself if you find yourself unlucky.
"You are so good at making bad choices, Willow."
This was supposed to be a new start, not a disaster. What am I even thinking? Ghosts? Or am I in real danger? Honestly, I would be more afraid if it were an actual man rather than a ghost. Humans are far worse than ghosts or any entity.
"I must get out quickly."
My shower was far from enjoyable, as I was on high alert. I stepped out and wrapped myself in my robe.
"I need to buy a shower curtain," I said as my footsteps echoed on the wet floor.
As I brought myself to the mirror, I cleaned it with my sleeve from the steam and stared at myself, fearing I would see someone behind me. But I didn't. It was just me.
"My roots need a touch-up. Black roots and pink hair is not really a vibe. Also, it would be better to put on my clothes in the bathroom. I can't have dead men staring at my pathetic boobs. Even though there's a tsunami in here."
I froze.
Another laughter. The same laughter as before, only this time it came from the other side of the bathroom door. It came from my room.
I couldn't breathe and could barely stand.
Was someone actually in my room laughing at my rambling? I stared at my phone that I left on the sink. Should I call Mike after all?
No. Why would a man follow me around laughing instead of getting in while I'm showering?
What the hell is happening?
Do I get out? Call Mike? Call the police?
My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it on my neck. I grabbed my phone and stood close to the door, trying to hear something, anything.
Silence.
I should have watched more horror movies with Olivia. If I had, I would know which choice not to make.
"That's it. I'm coming out. I can't stay here forever."
And with that, I opened the door.
No one was there.
That night, I had to keep myself from crying.