Saving Ben: sequel to What I can see

More Secrets

It is already a gorgeous day,perfect weather for a long walk to nowhere and I have my walking shoes on, a water bottle and my iPod.

The day has started,in all its beautiful splendor.

The trail I chose is free of debris and straggly tree roots that never fail to trip one who is simply walking without care or worry about their surroundings.

It is a day for carefree walking.

My iPod plays one of those songs with the energetic beat that makes my steps quicken.

The smell of healthy trees and fresh cut grass tickle my sense of smell.

My auditory sense is buzzing from the music flowing through my iPod into my brain from a set of earphones.

I feel the wind, and sun soaking into my skin.

I feel as if I could walk forever.

Ben is in the kitchen when I arrive home from my all day, almost, walk.

Dinner is on the stove. When I peek inside the covered casserole dish I discover, to my surprise he has made my favorite, macaroni and cheese from scratch.

I jump up with glee. I feel like a little girl.

Ben giggles and hugs me tightly.

"You are awesome Ben, " I gush.

"Tell me something I don't know mom, " he says.

I am pleasantly stuffed with mac and cheese and Diet Coke, which I hate, by the way.

But I have decided to cut out any non diet soda from my diet.  I'd much rather eat my calories than drink them.

Yeah you know I am right.

Because it is Friday I do not have a schedule.

My watching TV with Ben is more of a weekend habit that we both enjoy.

I am dozing as the television drones on in the background.

Between my walk and gardening today I am well ready for bed.

I don't know how long I was asleep on the couch, although my neck is protesting the unnatural angle I forced it into.

The house is silent.

Dark with the heavy drapery I hung in the living room last winter and haven't taken down.

I rise slowly, my knees creaking, joints cracking.

When did I get such noisy bones?

I step on the first stair and stop when I hear it, "Ellllaaaaa, Ellie, dooont goooo Elle, we miiiise you, " it whispers. I drop my book in fear or surprise.

This can not be happening here.

I am not hearing the grotesque whispers of my archenemy.

No. No!  You are not welcome here! " I whisper to the invisible beings.

A laugh like shattering glass peirces the silence,and my hands cover my ears automatically to shut out the hateful noise. I wait in silence once again after the laughter has mercifully  dissolved.

I am not on drugs. I do not have a mental illness. I am not going crazy.

"Then you are in fact hearing the whispers of the shadowlings of your past, " my inner know it all tells me, with a hint of disgust. Disgust at who, or what exactly I do not know. Usually she saves her disgust and indifference for me.