The Lore within Reality

Chapter 1

Before she disappeared, life was simple, boring even. I worked in a sleepy diner in the middle of a sleepy town. The most exciting thing to happen was a couple of divorces or the occasional drug deal. Most of the people were born and raised here, some even die here. I walked around, going with the flow, waiting for life to do something for me rather than making something for myself. I spent the first twenty years of my life just waiting, thinking I was content to do so. I didn't realize I wanted adventure and excitement until it was forced on me. Until control was taken from me and my life fell apart.

My roommate stares disapproving from my doorway, obviously judging my decision to actually fold my laundry rather than just leave it in piles around my room.

"Just leave it and come hang out with us! It will still be there later!"

"All the more reason to do it now," I ignore her exasperated sigh and continue hanging clothes in the closet.

"Please?" she flashes bambi eyes, begging for attention. "You never do anything fun. You work and sleep and I miss you so let's go do something!"

"Ley, you know I've gotta get this stuff done. I won't have time any other day."

She side eyes me with a grumble, "You could if you ever stopped working."

"Unfortunately, most people work to survive." she rolls her eyes, but turns to leave.

The street is busy and the store is packed, families preparing for holidays and potential bad weather. I walk around on autopilot, dodging running littles and oblivious parents, grabbing the necessities. My roommate has disappeared by the time I get home, with a note on the bar saying she went to her boyfriend's party. I'm glad she gave up on her mission to get me to go out and have 'fun'. I sit in peace, doing whatever my mind desires in the moment, anything to keep my restlessness at bay.

A mindless show makes up the background noise around me as I scroll social media. I'm enjoying my boring evening when Leylah's face pops up, caller ID blinking.

With a chuckle and an eye roll I answer, "I already told you-"

"Raina!" fear cracks her hushed voice. "Somethings wrong."

I sober immediately "Leylah? What's going on?"

"I don't know," she cuts off with a sob as a crash explodes over the sound of her voice. "Something's in the house and I can't get out."

I'm already up and rushing to my room, pulling on jeans while awkwardly holding the phone against my shoulder. "Have you called the police?"

"Josh did," her voice shakes and I can hear her breath huffing as I grab my keys. I take the stairs two at a time down. Sirens begin whistling in the background.

At the same time the screams start.

"Rae! Hurry!" I hear her scream and an odd gutteral sound before the line goes dead.

"Leylah?" Fear freezes me. What just happened?

The keys fumble around my fingers before I'm able to get the engine running. Breaking every speed limit, running every red light, I make it to the house just as the police have finished clearing the house. They've started putting police tape around the property and keeping neighbors at bay. I'm stopped almost immediately, merely feet from the front lawn.

"Ma'am, you need to stay back," a police officer steps in front of me, blocking my view, but not before I see the wreckage.

"No, you don't understand. My best friend was here. She called me. I need to find her." I stare over his shoulder at the mess that is the yard, horror beginning to crush my lungs. A few people lay scattered across the grass, someone lies awkwardly on the stairs as if he tripped and never got up. An odd sheen splatters several places, discoloring the grass and porch.

My chest tightens as my hands cover my face. I'm unable to look away, my mind jumping to all the worst conclusions as the officer begins leading me away. He begins asking me questions but I'm only half present. I don't hear the questions, but my mouth answers for me. I'm still staring at the front door, watching person after person walk out, searching for a familiar face. Medics and officers begin grouping off discussing possibilities. I catch snippets but nothing makes sense.

"Have you found her?" I finally pull myself to look away from the steps and to the investigator, cutting off whatever he'd been saying.

He hesitates, sympathy creasing his forehead. "Not yet, but we'll do everything we can." I begin trembling, the fear in her voice playing an endless loop in my head. I stare back up at the house and am gently forced to sit down. I can see a shadow in the upstairs window, but it's gone before I can even comment. I hear people talking around me, talking to me, but their words don't register.

They begin asking about anyone else that may have been at the house, what our phone call was about, what time did she call. I don't really hear their questions or know how long the questions lasted, but I'm finally handed a card and instructed to call if I hear or remember anything else.

"Anything is helpful," with a gentle pat on my shoulder, I'm left alone. I numbly walk to my car. I'm not sure how I get home, but slowly come back to myself as I'm walking up the stairs. I stand, staring at the lock, keys in hand, for several minutes. A car horn snaps me out of my stupor. I unlock the door and feel along the wall for the light switch.

I sit on my bed, numb and staring blankly at the far wall. I wait, expecting to hear Leylah getting ready for bed or to come and tell me the party was awesome. I wait for something to prove this was just a bad dream, not reality. I wait, but nothing happens.