Searching For A Home

The Abandoned Asylum

"I'm telling you boss, we're going to need more officers on site tonight," Celi pleaded over her cellphone. "This place is a magnet for teenagers on Halloween." Celi was on her way to work as she stopped at a red light.

"It's an abandoned building," said Papo over the phone. "There's nothing really of value to guard there. Even if I was the client, I wouldn't approve of more than one guard for that site."

"You would if one of these teenagers gets hurt in that abandoned building and you're the one being sued." Papo laughed, causing Celi to get more irritated than she already was. "Seriously, I'm going to need some help tonight."

"I'll call the client and run your concern to him."

"You should have done that this morning when I first asked you."

"Right," said Papo, his voice a little more stern. "Busy day and I forgot about the abandoned asylum site. I'll get back to you as soon as I hear from the client."

Celi hung up the phone before her boss could say anything else, not being able to take anymore of his bullshit. "Sure you will," she said to herself.

She pulled up in front of the building's gate and got out of her car. She looked up at the five story building, noting all of the windows blacked out. The site was mostly gated, for the exemption of the wooded area on the sides. It would be a hassle, but someone could still sneak in through the wooded area. The honest truth about this site was, if someone wanted to sneak in, there was plenty of opportunity against one security guard.

Celi wasn't confident that she was going to be able to keep the teenagers out. Her cellphone began to ring. It was her boss and she picked it up.

"The client said no."

"Of course he did," said Celi as she unlocked the gate.

"Look Celi, if you see anyone trying to sneak onto the property, just call the police. Don't even bother to stop them yourself. Just have the police handle it."

"My problem isn't that I think I can't handle some teenagers."

"Then what's the problem?"

"Nothing. Thanks for nothing." Celi hung up the phone. "Useless," she said as she opened the gate. She returned to her car, driving through the gate. She parked the car in front of the gate and then got out to lock it.

As Celi made her way to the guard shack, she pulled out her cellphone. She reluctantly dialed her eldest son's number. The phone ran five times and Celi was about to hang up when he finally answered.

"Hey mom. Everything okay?"

"Actually no, Luisito. I need your help tonight."

"What is it?"

"It's at the abandoned asylum. We're understaffed and today is Halloween, so you know this place is a target for teenagers. I need your help guarding it tonight."

"Really."

"Of course really. You know what happened to your brother. Do you want that to happen to another kid?"

There was a moment of silence, then Luisito sighed. "Do you really think that will happen again?"

"Yes. I wouldn't be asking for help if I didn't think it could happen again. Is there a reason you can't help?"

"I had plans."

"What are they?"

"I was supposed to go to a party."

"You don't want to help me because you wanted to go party?" Celi didn't even wait for Luisito to answer as she hung up the phone.

Celi entered the guard shack and turned on the computer at the desk. She brought up the cameras which only had a view of the exterior of the building. The sun was coming down so Celi closed the door to the shack. She brought down the blinds and sat by the computer.

Celi watched the cameras carefully when she remembered something. She quickly stood up and put the lock on the door. She froze when she felt a presence outside. She could feel the monsters that live in the abandoned asylum flying out.

She turned around to look at the cameras, but all she could see were quick blurs flying past the screen. There were so many monsters leaving the asylum, but the cameras couldn't capture a single one. It was like this every night there was a full moon, but Celi and her family are the only ones who know this place's secret. All the blurs were finally gone and Celi relaxed as she sat back down.

There was a knock at the door, causing Celi to freeze.

"Mom," said a voice from the other side of the door. "It's me."

Celi quickly opened the door and found her son standing on the other side.

"Hey mom," said Junior, Celi's youngest son.

She hugged him and kissed him multiple times on his face. "My little boy. It's so good to see you."

"You see me every full moon," said Junior. "I don't understand why you're acting like you haven't seen me in years."

"I'm your mother," said Celi as she held Junior tightly. "I will always greet you like this."

"That's fine, but I have to go. I have plans tonight."

"Excuse me? You have plans tonight?"

"Yeah, it's Halloween and I'm supposed to go to a party with Luisito."

Celi glared at Junior.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You know it's Halloween, so you know how this place gets. There are going to be teenagers sneaking into the building and they can end up getting cursed. You remembered what happened to you?"

"Yes, of course I remember," said Junior as he put a hand on the back of his head. "But don't you think you can handle it? When I snuck in here, there was no one guarding the facility."

"So you don't want to help your mother?"

"It's not that. It's just I never get the chance to go to Halloween parties."

"Fine, just go." Celi turned her back on her son. "I'll do this by myself."

"Don't be like that."

"It's fine. Just go. Have fun."

"Please don't be angry with me."

"I'm not angry. I have to get to work."

"You say you're not angry, but your demeanor says something else."

"I'm fine," said Celi as she faced Junior. "You should go. Luisito is probably waiting for you."

"Thanks mom," said Junior as he gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I promise I won't be gone all night." Junior went outside and had his back turned from his mother. From Junior's back, large wings sprouted out. The wings were grey and looked to be made of stone. He took flight without another word.

Celi let out a sigh as she watched her son fly away. She returned to the shack and scanned the cameras for any sight of teenagers. There was none so she decided it was time to go outside for a patrol. She took a flashlight and went to her car. She moved the vehicle and parked it in front of the gate so that anyone who came by could see it. She got out of the vehicle but left it on so it looked like someone was guarding the entrance. She left the car and went to patrol the exterior of the building.

Celi walked by the side of the building between the yard and the woods. The area was dark and this was definitely a blind spot for anyone to sneak onto the property. She stared at the woods but couldn't see anyone out there.