Silence Awakens

The gloomy shadows of old willow trees slowly sucked up the last drops of light as the sun began to fall into a deep slumber. I walked and walked and walked while feeling the cold stares of crows burning into my back. Eerie echoes of squarks stalked me to the entrance of my destination. I was exhausted, the endless journey finally came to an end. A large theatre protected by an ancient forest loomed over me.

I smirked as I recalled the ridiculous rumour I had heard from the neighbouring village. A man, whose skin was deeply embedded and folded like worn-out parchment spoke nonsense about the old town's theatre. He whispered that a fire had struck during a performance leaving souls trapped in the building, left for dead. He believed that people who entered — were never seen again. Obviously, the rumour was false! I had experienced countless abandoned buildings and not once did danger dare come my way. Oddly, however, I couldn't control the nerves bundled up in my stomach as I approached the door.

I sighed in relief — only to tremble with nerves, when I heard the lock click. As if on command, the dingy door swayed slightly ajar, welcoming me to explore the vast interior of the theatre. My eyes widened in disbelief. It was beautiful. Absolutely magnificent! However, the beauty was noticeably tainted by a terrible tragedy. The dusty brick walls wore the burns of the theatre's dark past, and the carpets were coated with an inky layer of ash. My eyes scanned the theatre, discovering a grand chandelier smashed into smithereens. The sharp shards occupied the carpet, prepared to puncture anyone who dared to enter further. Rows of maroon chairs stood forever waiting for the next performance, and perhaps in response, the crimson curtains were open despite being covered by burns and tears. Questions began to fill my mind; why is this building filled with solitude? How could such a spectacular theatre be abandoned? What disastrous past had the theatre seen?

Wham! My heart jumped out of my chest when I heard the antique door slam shut, cutting off all exit to the outside world. My last ounce of bravery began to fade away. Chills ran down my spine as I became overwhelmingly conscious of my intruding presence. I gulped. My hands refused to stay still; instead, they trembled chaotically. My breathing shallowed, and my entire body tensed with an undeniable fear.

I did not belong here.

The atmosphere was near impossible to describe, beyond any of the most horrific imaginations! This place was like none other I had previously explored. A place consumed by the deafening silence of solitude. A place isolated from the modern world, trapped in the past. The only signs of ageing were the intricate cobwebs displayed like works of art along the walls and the suffocatingly stuffy dust that acted as a blanket of protection over the building.

My fingers ran across the cracks between the bricks in the wall, setting free the trapped particles of dust as I cautiously stepped towards the curtains. Upon closer inspection, the props stood proudly in place on stage and a frayed tapestry of a cheerful ball lay defeated on the smooth floor. I was so lost in the setting that I instantly froze when I heard the grand piano play; an untuned key that mercilessly ripped through the silent air. My paranoia began to take over as I made desperate attempts to calm my rapidly beating heart.

Ghosts aren't real. Ghosts aren't real. Ghosts aren't real... I muttered repeatedly under my breath while pacing continuously back and forth.

I needed to get out — but first, I needed evidence! Proof for the villagers that I could escape from the building unharmed! I began to hurriedly try to capture this moment in time through my camera. That's when I heard it.

One step. Two steps. Three!

Faint footsteps cascaded in a crescendo directly towards me before reaching a sudden halt. I scanned my surroundings with my wide, horror-struck eyes, only to find nothing. Absolutely nothing! Was it my imagination? Or are ghosts actually real? Intrusive thoughts clouded my mind begging me for answers I couldn't give. The only thing I knew for certain was that — I needed to escape. I turned to face the dingy door that led to paradise and began walking hastily towards the exit. My ears abruptly perked up as I heard a barely audible whisper from behind me: "Help me?"

I couldn't turn around. I urgently ran and ran and ran out of the theatre with no destination in mind like a kite without a thread. After what seemed like an eternity of running, I stopped, collapsing onto the soft grass.

The voice sounded as icy and clear as death itself. I didn't feel a shred of sympathy for whoever — whatever, pleaded for help. How could I, when all I could feel was fear? The intense fear that still lived inside that building. The fear the audience and actors must have faced when they were met with those ferocious flames. The fear that led me to this very moment.

My battling thoughts left me feeling overwhelmingly defeated. All I wanted was to prove that I could escape the theatre alive! Why am I forced to suffer from the fear that still resides in that building? Everything seemed incomprehensible as my mind attempted to search for answers. I know that ghosts aren't real but I also know it wasn't a hallucination.

What I suddenly understood was that the fear I experienced would be with me forever and that concepts of real and unreal, sane and insane, were no longer a part of my life.