not afraid || Tate Langdon

chapter two

Water passes through the faucet, foam floats on the surface, the scent of a warm night fills the air.

I hold the line telephone with my shoulder while I unpack the carton labelled 'comfy clothes' and pick out my favorite sweatpants and sports bra set.

"You know he's friends with Kyle, right? Maybe you could put in a good word for me. You two would make a really good couple as well."
The thought of it makes my heart jump.
"Don't give me hope, Brooke. I'm sure he has a girlfriend."
"So?"
"Oh, shut up!"
A sweet giggle echoes through the speaker. I laugh.
"Have you even looked at him? You must be deluded to think I have any chance at all."
"You're blinded", Brooke stresses the last syllable, "by love!"
"I'm not! I just think that-"
Brooke screeches.

"Ugh. Power's out."
Muffled mumbling.
"Brooke? Are you there?"
"I'm..", she's struggling for air, "I am scared of the dark.."
"Oh, Brooke. I'm here, Brooke. Look out the window. Do you see the moon?"
"Yes.."
"Look how it lights up your room. Remember that it sheds light."
"You're right. This shit is so scary."
I hear her breath get quick again.
"Brooke, I need you to-"

Silence.

Is the phone dead? Oh, you're kidding me!

You don't need her.

"What?"

I sigh and think nothing of it. My trembling hands say otherwise.
I set up candles and close the faucet with a lump in my throat.
I drop my towel and enter the tub.

Fatigue overcomes me and I close my eyes.
Warmth's clinch holds me tight underwater.
Foam rises above me and I shudder.

I feel watched.

My heart's racing. Why can't I move?
My lungs are ablaze and my eyes are sown shut.

You need me.

"Fuck!" I emerge from the water and jump out of the tub.
With a towel around my waist I storm to my room. Fast steps through the hallway but they're no use; the eyes on the walls follow me, faster than my steps. Like a broken record, the same faces over and over and over and the door to my room went farther away. Where was it again? I got lost.

A shove. Where am I? I land in my bed.
Seven missed calls from Brooke.

"There you are! Why didn't you answer?"
"I'm so sorry, girl. My phone was in the other room."
"It's fine! You really helped me just now. Thank you so much, honey! Are you alright? You sound out of breath."
"Oh, it's nothing. This house is.. huge, you know."
"Alright."
"Are you sure you're okay, though? You seemed seriously afraid."
"I'm not sure. I think I felt something."
"What do you mean?"
"It's kinda weird to explain. It's like a gift. It's passed down in my family. The ability to feel the energy of lost souls."
"You mean the souls of dead people? That sounds crazy. You're not messing with me, are you?"
"I'm dead serious. My aunt has it, too. You might know her from TV, she's called Billie Dean Howard."
"Yes, of course I know her! She's that Psychic on Lifetime, right? You're her niece?"
"Right."
"What's that got to do with the blackout?"
"I was not just scared of the dark. I sensed something, even before. It was just a gut feeling but I felt that something bad was going to happen. I need you to tell me whether there was any other paranormal activity going on during the blackout. The ghosts took over for a short period of time. This was not a coincidence."
"Shit, Brooke. You're scaring me. To be honest, when the power was out, and the phone had died there was this voice. Do you think that was a ghost?"
"Possible. I wasn't there in person but I could tell there was strong energy released. My aunt taught me that unexplainably strong and evil energy haunts your house and I fear that some of it has come loose. I don't know exactly how that works."
"Shit. What am I supposed to do now? Are there any precautions to make when a ghost haunts you?"
"The best way to get rid of ghosts is communication. Try to reach out and remember: don't be afraid. Whatever ghost we're dealing with seems to be enjoying that. If that doesn't work we could consider using sage but I don't want to make them even more aggressive than they already are; I don't know what they might be capable of considering the amount of energy trapped in your space."
"You think there's more? Holy shit."
"I'm not saying there's more than one ghost but let's not make hasty assumptions."
"Damn. I feel like a real ghost buster, now."
I reach my feet up to the ceiling, humming the ghost busters theme.
"This is not a joke!"
"I know, I know! But who said we can't have fun while fighting some ghosts?"
We both chuckle.
"You're right. Let's not get caught up in it."
I am sensing a strange feeling of bonding over such an odd topic. It's fine by me.

"By the way, I gave Kyle your number. I thought it was in your favor."
"You did what?!"
"A 'thank you' would be appropriate."
"I don't even know if he has a girlfriend or not!"
"Chill. He begged me for it."
"He did?"
"Yeah."
Brooke sounds incredibly pleased.
"I'm doing cupid's work here. Has he called or texted you yet?"
"No, I don't think so. Wait, I'll check."
I scroll through my recent calls. No new ones.
Ding.
A text from an unknown number.
"I heard that. What did he send you? A dick pic?"
"Brooke! No, he did not. Just 'hey'."

I open Messages to read his text. He's typing. Hell, my heart's in my mouth.
hey it's me, Kyle. i got ur number from Brooke.
Another text.
do u have any plans on friday?

My face is hot.

"You sure?"
"No. I mean yes. He asked if I'm free on Friday."
"Oh, shit. I heard there's some frat party on the weekend."
"Do you think that's what this is about? A party?"
"You sound disappointed. Did you think he was asking you on a date?"
"No. I'm just not a huge fan of parties."
"But you're a fan of Kyle."
"Stop it! It's not like I love him or anything."
"Whatever, you're doomed to go there anyway."
"Why?"
"Because Zach is going and you have a ghost problem that you want the remedy for."
"Alright, I will go. But because I'm such a good friend and I'm gonna help you with Zach."

"Oh, fuck!"
"What's wrong?"
"Something fell on the ground and broke! Give me a second."

I sneak to take a peek out of my room. An old vase - or its remains - are splattered across the wooden floor. How did that happen?

"Brooke? Do ghosts break vases?"