Ghostly Plea

Bella

I awoke to the sound of rocking coming from beside my bed. My eyes shot open and took in the dark shadows of the little boy's room I was stuck in. It reminded me of a living tomb. Toys were still left out on the rug from play a long time ago. Everything looked as if it would years previous. I quickly shut my eyes trying to ignore the creaking sound coming from beside me. I didn't want to be here, maybe if I could think about going back home in the morning, I would be able to fall back into a dreamless sleep.

To no avail, the rocking continued. I might as well get this over with. I open my eyes and glance to my bedside where the noise is coming from. I immediately wish I hadn't. The wooden rocking chair I noticed earlier was creaking back and forth in an even rhythm. I freeze for a moment and stare, willing it to stop. I sit up in bed and look to see Poppy, and Arthur sleeping soundly. I check to make sure Ashlyn is asleep on the ground next to me but pause when I find she's gone.

Panic seizes in my chest. The rocking chair is long gone from my thoughts. Where could she have gone? She has always been a curious person, trying to find the answers in life. But we promised to not split up. In fact, she said we couldn't. Something must be terribly wrong for her to be missing. But I can't jump to conclusions. She could be with any of our friends right now.

Padding across the room, I check on Poppy and Arthur one more time before I set out to look for her. Once I made sure the two were okay, I opened the door and was about to walk through the threshold when I remembered the rocking chair. I looked back and the chair immediately stopped rocking. I looked away quickly and heard it start to rock again. Gooseflesh pricked my skin as I quickly shut the door, hoping to be rid of the possessed chair.

The hallway is deathly silent, but still full of light. How this ancient place has electricity I'll never know. Light floods the room Charlie, Audrey, and Riley are sleeping in. Pushed up against the wall is a king bed with paper butterflies hanging from above. Audrey and Charlie occupied the bed, while Riley slept on the floor. Charlie stirred in her sleep. No Ashlyn. Panic starts to rise again. I take a deep breath and close the door. Maybe she's with Finn?

I crack open the door and am greeted with Whintle tossing and turning in his sleep.

"You evil whore!" He harshly whispers.

My eyes go wide thinking he's speaking to me.

"Don't worry, he's asleep." I find the source of the voice in the corner. Finn's back is propped up against the wall, eyes closed. "He's been doing this all night. Must be having terrible nightmares."

"What time is it?" I ask. I feel like I've only been asleep for a couple of hours, but Finn looks like he's gotten none.

He gestures to the clock hanging on the wall. "Around 3:20. The witching hour." He lets out a humorless laugh.

I remember Poppy talking about the witching hour. She's always been very cautious of it. She says that's when all the evil spirits are allowed to roam. I've never believed her, until now. I glance back at Whintle and hear him murmuring to himself.

"You need to pay..."

I quickly look away. That can't be Whintle.

"Have you seen Ash by chance?"

"What?! No! What happened?! What's wrong?!" He says panicking. "Is she okay?!"

"Shhh!" I tilt my head towards Whintle. We both look at him and see his breathing start to quicken. I stop breathing, willing him to go back to a steady rhythm. His breaths start to slow, and he goes back to talking in his sleep.

"Nosy little hoe!"

Finn stands up and pulls me in the hall. "What's going on with Ash?" I stand there for a minute, my mind still in the room with Whintle. "Bella," he cups my face in his hands. "Is she okay?"

"Yeah... yeah. She's probably just exploring. You know how she is." He lets go of my face relieved. He may act like he doesn't care about his friends, but deep down he does. For the first time I really study him and notice his eyes are rimmed with red. "Are you okay?"

His lip starts to wobble like a child and he slides to the floor. "I can't be here." He says on the verge of tears. Shocked, because I have never seen this side of him, I stare at him for a beat. Then I remember myself and kneel next to him.

"No one wants to be here."

He closes his eyes and leans his head back. "No, can't. I can't be here."

"What? I don't understand," He doesn't answer right away, just takes a deep breath trying to control his emotions.

"My mom." I nod my head telling him to continue. "She's been sick for a while now. She has a seizure once every couple of weeks. She was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer a year ago, any day now she could be taken away from me. I don't have anyone else. My dad left when I was young, and as you know I have no siblings, that I know of anyway. I must be there for her. We're all we have left. I must get out of this place, I need to be there for her." tears start to slide down his face. He looks so broken. I hate it.

I hug him, and he hugs me back, holding on like he'll never let go. He buries his face in my hair and relaxes his body for what must have been the first time all night.

"We'll get out of here, I promise." I whisper. He nods, his expression becoming one of determination.

He kisses my forehead, "Thank you," He sayssincerely. He pulls me close, and off we drift to sleep. Laying in Finn'swarmth makes me forget about the reason I ended up here, in his embrace. But inthe subconscious of my mind it whispers, Where'sAshlyn...