Whispers from the Dead

Encounters

Whispers from the dead

Chapter 3

Encounters

The boy in front of Layla was young; he couldn't have been more than eleven. He had black hair that just barely covered his eyes and his pale skin seemed to glow, but in an eerie way. His eyes were a black pit of despair. Automatically, Layla knew she didn't want to know why they were this way.

It didn't look like there was anything wrong with him, but that didn't stop Layla from cautiously stepping back. She knew he had to be one of "them".

There was just something about the way they all carried themselves. They seemed to glide more than walk, and their eyes were always similar-dark and sad. It was almost as if all the happiness was sucked out of them.

To Layla, it felt as if every moment she was with one of "Them", her life was becoming more and more sullen. It was like a contagious sickness.

The boy frowned sadly, and took a step towards her.

"Miss," he said quietly, looking up at Layla through his dark hair. "Could you help me?"

"I'm so sorry. I truly am. But the problem is, I can't." Layla whispered, sympathy welling up in her heart. She hated "Them". She hated all of them, but she couldn't help but feel sympathy for the young ones.

They couldn't help but simply ask for assistance, for it is in a young ones nature to get help.

The boy shook and whimpered a little. Layla could swear that there were small tears welling up in his lifeless eyes.

In one fluid moment, he was standing directly beside Layla.

Layla's mouth opened wide, a scream just aching to tear out of her mouth, but her terror was cut off as his cold, dead hand, seized hers.

"But Miss," The boy whimpered. "Help me!" the last part came out as a screech. Suddenly his voice was low and raspy.

Jumping back, Layla was determined to get out. She gave a swift pull in hopes of escaping his clammy grasp.

As she felt her hand escape his, she heard an ear splitting crack erupt from his arm.

The boy's skin seemed to become gray as his arm slowly fell off his body.

Layla gazed up at his face to see his bangs brushed back from his face and a bright red bullet hole take its place.

As blood oozed from the gash, Layla brought a hand up to her mouth, willing herself not to puke.

Slowly, limb by limb, his body started to disembody itself.

Finally, Layla's held in scream found its way out as it filled the air around her- in her dream world and real world alike.

*~*

A scream erupted in the air, causing Eli to hit his head on the car window, hard. He felt Layla's fingernails dig into his chest as she shook in her sleep and he gently pulled her back into her own seat, waking her up by doing so.

"Eli?" she said raspy, staring up into his sea blue eyes.

For the first time, Layla actually really looked at Eli and she was surprised by her findings.

Despite his delicate and slightly girly ways, Eli was rather masculine looking. He was much taller than her with muscles that seemed to seep through his t-shirt. He had golden blonde hair that fell over the top part of his face, almost hiding his gorgeous blue eyes. His skin was tanned; even though summer had just barely started.

She was awoken from her reverie as his voice pierced the air.

"So where are we going first?" A grin upturned the corners of his lips and his eyes shone.

"I think we should head north. I just need to get out of this town." Layla said, after thinking briefly for a moment.

"Um, okay, sounds good." Eli said unsure. He wasn't really looking forward to this, but he needed something to spice up his life.

Layla took his hesitation as a bad sign, and her usually bubbly mood fell almost immediately. "Are you sure you are okay with doing this?" she asked.

Eli Jones always was one to get bored easily. He seemed to be talented in everything he did, and it was near impossible to outdo, so everybody stopped trying.

When he was 12, his parents transferred him into an all boys school that dealt with kids with talents. Whereas most of the kids had just a subject or sport or hobby they were good at, Eli had it all. He was intellectually top, no matter who he was compared to. He had never lost in a sporting competition in his life.

He could paint, sculpt, photograph and master most of the hobbies other people were outstanding in. The only thing Eli never was very good at was drawing. For some reason it just didn't come to him, but of course, that didn't stop him.

He graduated high school at sixteen, and now, at seventeen years old, he decided to take a break. Eli decided to wait a few years to head to college; his scholarships weren't going anywhere, anytime soon, but while Eli was out of school, he was bored. So he was even contemplating going back!

Actually, while he and Layla crashed, he was on his way to possibly tell his parents about departing to college as soon as possible.

But now, with Layla in the picture, he was starting to think differently. Maybe he wouldn't be so bored anymore with her along.

So when Layla asked him again if he would do it, he thought, why the hell not?