Haunting

Episode II - Remnants

Warning: This story contains themes of death, mild gore, a car accident and other intense situations.

Though Seokjin fell asleep quickly, he woke several times during the night, as though something was preventing him from complete rest. When the sun peeked through the window he opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling for a minute. He decided to give up on sleep and start the day.

Seokjin decided to explore the house first. He was looking for any toys he could salvage and remembered the checkerboard in the sitting room so he started there. At least that was why he told himself that he was starting in this room. In reality, just like the night before, he felt drawn to certain rooms of the house. He discounted the feeling as part of a sleepy fog. Perhaps he was still tired. After all, he hadn't slept well. Or perhaps he was lonely and lost. He shook that thought and boxed up the set of checkers.

Next he returned to the study. It wasn't likely that the memorabilia on the shelves would be of interest to him, but it was worth a look. He started to notice that it wasn't just the toys that were left behind. It was everything, including pictures of the family, a mother, a father and two boys. He traced a picture on the shelf with his fingertips.

He lied to the driver. He knew exactly what happened to this family. They were in a car crash. He could almost hear the squealing tires and feel the impact. One of their sons died and they left everything behind. A chill ran through his body but it was alright. He didn't believe in ghosts.

Only one room had anything of interest to the toy collector, the library. One corner had a stack of puzzles and games. He moved a strange little statue aside and noticed a saying written at the bottom. "Of all the things I've ever lost...I miss my mind the most." Seokjin remembered hearing that joke before. He let out a quiet chuckle. I remember thinking, this is so true, he laughed to himself. But the smile faded when a different thought crossed his mind. It wasn't true. Not anymore. There were many things he missed. A melancholy took over him as he gathered the items he decided to keep into a neat pile. I guess that's it for downstairs, he thought. I suppose I knew that would be the case. The toys are mostly upstairs...in the kids' bedrooms.

He crept up the stairs to the second floor, looking down at his stocking feet. The second floor was covered with hard wood planks. It was slippery under his feet and it brightened his mood. He smiled as he moved his feet around and felt the smooth floor through his socks. This floor was basically one long hallway. Did he dare take a slide down the hall? Oh yeah...this would be fun. He quietly took a few steps back and planted his feet before the run.

A few short strides to build up speed and then...slide. An exhilarating wind blew in his face. He turned his head upward and reached his hands out. Unfortunately, his fingers clipped one of the door frames and caused his body to turn. Thoughts split between his stinging fingers and his upset balance, he overcorrected. He spun and crashed into the wall. Sliding down he still landed hard on one elbow and knee with an "oof" sound. Feeling sore and embarrassed he turned himself back to a sitting position and propped himself against the wall.

The sadness overtook him again and he found himself sobbing uncontrollably. That was stupid, he chided himself, and no fun without my brother. Nothing is fun anymore. Everything is so quiet. I wish there was some noise. But just as the thought crossed his mind he heard a sound downstairs that snapped him to attention and out of his tears. Was that the door? He stopped and listened carefully. He heard footsteps. A chill ran over him. His eyes went wide. No one should be here. I take it back! No sound...silence is golden. The steps got closer. They're coming up the stairs! Seokjin looked at the open door to the room where he slept. He ran quietly into the bedroom to hide. Sounds continued. Doors opened then drawers. A rummaging through the contents and then drawers closing. Seokjin was frozen in fear. His eyes shut tight. Not this room...not this room...he pleaded. The footsteps went back down the stairs, to the outside door and the door closed. It was quiet again. Seokjin comforted himself, I don't believe in ghosts. I don't believe in ghosts.

As he came to his senses, he began to think more logically. Don't believe in ghosts? He whispered to himself, "Would you rather it be burglars, Seokjin?" The more he thought, the dumber he felt. It was probably just someone from the company who rented the house to me. How stupid of me to have been scared?