Absolute Time

Absolute Time | Chapter 2

If I wasn't already suffocating Dwight, I probably am now.

“Dwight, what was that?” I asked, looking in the direction of the sound. If the abandoned building vibe wasn't scary enough, now there was a sound coming from within the building.

“It's just some birds spooked by the thunder,” he said in a matter of fact manner. But contrary to this, a man voice calls out.

“Help!” the voice seems hoarse voice. It was followed by coughing.

I looked towards Dwight's face. I couldn't clearly see his expression but I'm guessing he's also in shock.

I turned back to the dark part of the building. I could hear more weird noises like a whirling sound and some metallic dings.

“Dwight I think somebody needs help,” I said in a hushed tone. I let go of Dwight and faced the noises but Dwight grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. I hist his chest again.

“It's probably just a hobo or a homeless person.”

I found my urge to help, overpowered my fear. I can't help it. If my mom had thought me one thing, is to help anyone despite the circumstance. Ever since she's gone, I kept that advice to heart.

I breathed in and calmed myself down.

It's just an old abandoned building that may or may not be haunted. I hyped myself up. There's somebody who needs help in there and  I can't just leave them. I'll never forgive myself if tomorrow there's a headline, 'Man dies from falling debris in abandoned building'.

I wiggled my hand free from Dwight's grip. He tried to retake my hand but I stood my ground.

“Dwight, there's somebody I need of help. You know how I like to help people, even if it's a hobo or something.” I convince Dwight. I gave him pleading eyes.

“But-”

“Please?”

After a few moments, Dwight sighed. “Fine,”  he's said curtly. I embraced him in a hug and muttered a thank you. I let him go and faced the dark for the fourth time. I felt Dwight's arm wrapped around my waist.

I swallowed a lump that formed in my throat. I breathe in deeply to calm my nerves. “Hello?” I said into the darkness. My voice echoed through the building but was soon masked by the white noise of the downpour.

In an instant, I heard ruffling. Then I heard a voice but I couldn't tell what it said.

Dwight had pulled out his phone and was using the flashlight feature, shining it around the place.

I took a step inside the dark place. Dwight illuminating the way. After a few steps, Dwight stops me in my tracks.

“It's a hallway.” He said.

“Can you see anything?” I asked. I have no idea of the layout of this place. I only know it's a 2 story tall building, from memory.

“It's a hallway,” he repeated. I could imagine him smirking.

I was about to say something when the voice calls out again. “Over here!” His voice echoes everywhere in the building making him sound like he's everywhere at once.

Suddenly, in my vision, I could see a bright orb-like object. It had illuminated the whole place with orange light. It was like a flare, only it didn't flicker like one.

I followed the light cautiously. Dwight guided me past some fallen debris. The wooden floorboards give way to hard concrete. The echoes seem to dampen, the further we go.

When we reached the light, Dwight gasped and stopped me in my tracks again. I could hear a man struggling to breathe.

“You okay sir?” Dwight asked. He sounded like he was about to gag. I wondered why. Was the man injured that bad?

I could smell something reminiscent of iron or blood. Then it immediately clicked in my head. The man was bleeding.

“Do I look okay to you -”. The man said in a hoarse voice until he stops. “Isabell?” he muttered under his breath.

Did he just say my mom's name? How did he know my mother's name? Did he know my mom? No, I'm probably just over thinking. Maybe he was talking about some other Isabell.

“No, it can't be her.” he said to himself. He muttered more things that isn't quite audible.

Dwight and I kept our distance from the man. We didn't know who he was or why he was here. All we know is that he need help.

“I think we need to call an ambulance.” Dwight said. He tapped on his phone and was about to call 9-1-1 when the man stops him. I could see a silhouette rise up and approach us. He was limping.

“Don't. They can't find out, they can find me.”