Lone Spirit

LONE SPIRIT

“That’s as far as I go.” Jess came to an abrupt halt then turned to look at me, a determined expression on his face. “Follow the footpath and you’ll come to the house. You’re on your own now.”

         I stared along the path into the gloom. The early winter sunset cast a pale watery light over the trees, creating ghostly shadows of the tall conifers. I shuddered. Turning to look at Jess with wide eyes peering from my pallid face I opened my mouth to speak, but my trembling bottom lip rendered me speechless.

         “Oh, don’t start that again. Get a grip.”

         “I’m scared.” I managed in a high pitched squeak.

         “You’re always scared. It’s about time you conquered your nerves; carry on like this and you’ll be in trouble.”

         “Come with me please,” I begged. “I’ll be all right if you’re there.”

         “I can’t. I’ve things to do. Besides, you have to start going it alone.”

         “But I’m frightened Jess.”

         “Frightened of what? There’s nothing can harm you.”

         “There might be something in there.”

         “Well, if there is you know what to do. I’ve shown you enough times.”

         “Please, just come to the door with me. We always used to do everything together.”

         “Yes, but things are different now. You have to prove you can cope alone.”

         “Just to the door, please.” I knew from experience he’d relent. Together we drifted towards the house, my hand clinging desperately to Jess’s arm.

         “Will you calm down?” Jess’s voice echoed eerily in the raging silence.

         “The house looks spooky Jess. I don’t like it. Those windows, they look like eyes on fire.”

         “It’s only the setting sun’s reflection.”

         “And that big wooden door. It looks threatening. Ready to suck me in and never let me go.”

         “Oh God, your imagination. It’s just a door, just a house. You’ve got to stop all this or you’ll be the laughing stock when we get back. Right, here’s the door, I refuse to go any further.”

         “Just stay with me a bit longer,” I pleaded.

         An exasperated Jess pushed open the door. It creaked loudly, rooting me to the spot as I let out a terrified little squeal.

         “In.” Jess pushed me roughly into the dark, dusty hallway but was unable to disengage himself from my grip. We stood in the hall waiting for our eyes to adjust to the dinginess. I wanted to run but there was no escape.

         Jess opened the door into the lounge. Darkness had taken over now, the last of the sun’s rays replaced by moonlight. The atmosphere was cold, musty and uninviting; I felt goose bumps cover my flesh. The silvery shards of light illuminated the outlines of the furniture within the room. My stomach knotted, my breathing escalated as fresh waves of panic rippled through me.

         Jess wandered over to a cupboard and returned clutching a bottle and two glasses. He held the bottle up to the shaft of light as he read the label.

         “Jack Daniels. Good taste. Here, this will calm your nerves.” He handed me a glass containing a generous helping of the amber liquid.

         “But we’re not allowed,” I protested weakly.

         “Who’s to know? Get it down you.”

         I took a swig of the drink and felt calmer almost immediately. We sat for a long time, talking and refilling our glasses. I definitely felt much braver and rather sleepy too.

         I woke with a start, to the sound of approaching footsteps and strange voices.

         “Jess,” I hissed. “I can hear something. What shall I do?”

         “You know what to do,” Jess yawned and stretched. “Get this haunting under your belt and you’ll be a fully qualified ghost. You can do it, have faith. ”

         I knew he was right. In life I had always been terrified of poltergeists and the supernatural. If I had known that Jess and I would drown as a result of a boating accident maybe it would have been wiser to be frightened of water. Actually becoming a ghost had not cured my phobia and I’d been constantly mocked by my companions in the spirit world. With the help of Jess and the whisky I knew the time had come for me to prove my worthiness and carry out my first solo haunting.

         “Okay, I’m going to do it. Lay the ghost, as they say.” I managed a smile as I braced myself.

         “Good lad, that’s the spirit.” Jess’s laughter hung in the air as he faded away.