Leoftheros

One | Trespass

Haley, a backpack and two duffle bags on her back, stuck the key into the lock of her new apartment.

"Are you sure you want to spend the night? You just signed the lease two days ago, and have no furniture until tomorrow." Her sister's voice in her ear made her smile a bit.

Of course she did. Someone already lived in her apartment, and she wanted to ensure that she came in slow.

"Trust me," said Haley, "if you had roommates like mine, you would jump at a chance to get out. Besides, the Internet tech will be here in about half an hour."

Her sister laughed. "Want me to bring by Chinese take out?"

Haley shut the door, dropped her bags next to it, and looked around the empty dining and living room. Nothing was there, no sounds, no feelings. "Sure. I'll text you the address. Give me maybe a couple hours to bring what I have inside, open the windows. It's stuffy in here."

"Of course. The usual?"

"Yes, please." Haley turned her back and instantly felt something watching her. "I'll see you in a bit." With that, she hung up, and left.

"Whoa, hey." The male voice came from the apartment next to hers. "You're moving into two fifteen?"

Haley nodded.

The man sighed, relieved. "Thank God. That was you making noise a couple days ago."

Haley furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?"

He sighed. "I'm not surprised." He walked to where the railing of her patio started and put a hand out. "Rodney," he introduced.

She met him halfway and shook. "Haley. What are you not surprised about, Rodney?"

"Andy didn't tell you this building is haunted," he said. "Your new apartment specifically. Whatever spirit is there used to migrate to mine until I lined my walls with salt and rosemary. Google says it's some Wiccan protection thing." He shrugged. "Not sure how much of that I actually believe, but the activity in my apartment stopped."

Haley raised an eyebrow. "It must be scary if you're resulting to something like Wiccan superstitions to protect your space."

Rodney nodded. "Someone watching me, following me. It was like she was trying to get my attention, but I read on a Pagan blog that acknowledging her isn't a good idea."

"She?" Haley asked.

Rodney sighed once more. "A woman around twenty-three committed suicide in your apartment about two years ago. I don't like talking about it just because of acknowledgement, but I'm sure you can find a few articles online."

Haley glanced at the window. "Is that why the blinds and doors are all closed?"

Rodney nodded. "It helps us to know how active the spirit is, when to schedule interviews for potential tenants, when maintenance can enter without being bothered as much."

"Do you see the blinds move often?" Haley asked.

"Mostly during the day, like it's looking out of the window," Rodney said. He peered at her curiously. "You don't feel anything when you're inside?"

Haley, despite feeling and hearing this woman, shook her head. "Nothing."

"Well, Haley, welcome to the building. If you need help, or a place to crash for a night, let me know." Rodney bid her goodbye and disappeared into his apartment.

Haley smiled, shook her head, and walked to her pick-up. With an XBox and TV strapped to a doley, she made her way up the stairs and into the apartment again. She propped the door open with her backpack. As she opened the blinds and windows in each room, the feeling of being watched came back.