The Ghost of a Soul

Hating the Truth

I hated being away from home. I hate the scary thoughts in my

head and the knot in my stomach. There is no way this could be

fun. "Emily!! Welcome! It's so nice to see you!!" Aunt Kim greets

me with a hug and a wet kiss on the forehead. Yep, so much fun.

Rachel and I make our way to our room. "I don't like this." Rachel

said. "You don't like what?" I asked expecting her to complain

about the mattres comfort like she always does. "I don't feel safe

here. I'm..... scared" Rachel answers. This scared me even more. I

didn't feel safe either which meant we probably weren't safe.

"This is stressful. I need air." I said walking up the stairs. I

walked outside with Rachel at my heels. The sunset was red

and orange, the grass was dark green, and the air was fresh. It

looked amazing but it didn't change my mood. I felt like we were

risking our lives just being outside.

"Girls, dinner will be ready in a bit." Uncle Zeke said. "Oh, and be

cautious. Our neighbor is a little crazy. The only time I talked to

him, he told me if I ever came back, I wouldn't return home." He

said in a whisper. This was crazy, my uncle had just warned us

about the neighbor! I really wanted to leave at this point. "Beat

you to the swing set!" Rachel yelled. She raced to the swings like

a threat was never put upon us.

I didn't really find swinging appealing, so I climbed up the tree

hovering next to it. "Emily! The swings are down here." Rachel

said looking up at me. "You know how much I hate swinging Rachel."

I responded looking over at the neighbors back yard.

Just looking at the neighbors house, it looks so dark and haunted. I couldn't doubt that a 

psychopath could live inside. Over the pointy fence, I saw a small dog that seemed

intimidated by something in the distance. The dog started

barking and jumping and moving in a way that seemed

uncomfortable. I started to get shaky as my heartbeat once again,

started to race. The door opened quickly and a tall man stomped

out and yelled at the dog. At this point, I was ready to fall from

the tree. When the dog finally stopped barking and timidly went

to the other side of the yard, the man looked in my direction.

Words could not describe the tension I am feeling. He gave me a

look that made me feel like this was the reason I wouldn't be

safe. This was the threat I had been expecting. My heartbeat was

out of control and the blood in my face drained. I was gradually

losing grasp of the tree branch. "Rachel! Help me, I can't hold

on!!" I yelled in pain and fright. Rachel ran inside and returned

with Uncle Zeke. I had managed to hold on that long but then I

just couldn't. I saw as the tree got farther from me, there was no

miracle. My shoe didn't somehow get caught in a branch and I

didn't just somehow gain balance again. I was free of the tree, in

the air. I felt a sharp pain hit my back. My head was the last thing

to hit the ground. I saw Rachel and Uncle Zeke hovered over me for only a second,

then it was over.