Murder Day and Other Subconscious Transcriptions: A Dream Journal

The Ghost House

A/N: Please be aware that this is not a continuation of the short story "Murder Day," but a completely separate story altogether. If you are interested in reading more Murder Day, please find the novel on my profile :)

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The music pounded through the old upper floor flat. Hell, probably the one downstairs too but nobody gave a shit cause the neighbours had just moved out. I could smell pot and cigarettes in every room and my head was spinning. I'm sure the empty colt 45 in my right hand had something to do with that too but by then I was definitely not thinking about how much I'd been drinking. Through the haze of smoke in the living room I noticed you, standing behind the singer clutching your bass a little too high and I couldn't help but think to myself, "Damn he's cute..."

You didn't look up at the crowd of people all night, I know cause I watched. I tried one last swig from my bottle, only vaguely aware that there was nothing left, tossed it aside and leaned against the wall for your entire set. Your shoulders bounced a little with each chord but other than that you didn't really move, a stark contrast to your energetic band mates.

That was the first time I saw you but we didn't talk that night, I didn't even know your name until a month later when I finally got up the guts to add you to Facebook. Can you believe I spent like, twenty minutes lurking through mutual friends to find you? I added two other guys just cause their profile pictures kinda sorta looked like you, and one guy whose only photo was the cover art for some obscure band from like, 1967 or something. When I found out you were the hipster music snob, I wasn't surprised but maybe just a little disappointed. You proved me wrong though and through our nightly chats I came to love you.

Finally you asked me out and I was so awkward the entire night, I was sure I'd never hear from you again. Imagine my surprise when you called me the next day -- just to say hi.

It was probably after two months of seeing you that I finally decided you should meet my friends. You reluctantly agreed to go to a party with me, but only after I promised you your mind would be utterly blown by my friend's place.

You clung to my side the entire night, I proudly introduced you to everyone and they all wiggled their eyebrows, or winked in my direction to silently show their approval. I was positively beaming when the music stopped and everyone went quiet.

"What's happening?" You asked and I put my hand over your mouth, urging you to stay still.

It started with just one, as it always does. A sad looking ethereal vision of a woman, she was dripping with water but left no wet trail in her wake, her eyes were emotionless and dull as she glided through the room without looking at anyone. Following her came a man with sunken, transparent flesh, two children, a couple holding hands but not looking at each other. Eventually there were dozens of the apparitions just drifting through the room, sad, lonely, misguided.

You tried to speak again but I urged you not to. A ghostly woman slowly turned her head towards us and I forced you to stand still. I stared at the woman and she stared back, I could feel the tension building for a moment or two before her eyes slipped back out of focus and she continued on with her mysterious brood.

As the last of them disappeared, the music started again and everyone kept dancing like nothing had happened, "What the hell?" You said as I let go of your face and grinned up at you.

"Didn't I mention this place is haunted?"

"Bull shit," You shook your head but I persisted.

"No really, they pass through almost every night. You can't let them notice you though."

"Why not?"

I smiled even wider and touched your face, shaking my head, "All they want is company...someone to be with them forever..."