There's no such thing as 'terrified' for being left alone at new houses especially for a 14-year-old like me. My parents are ambassadors, I am their one and only daughter and we have just lived in a very huge house which allegedly is haunted. I firstly am not even afraid but this case is different this time now. They'll leave for an opportunity overseas for like a week and that means I have to stay here alone. By myself.
"Girl, we're leaving now, if there's something dangerous just ring us. Stay safe and no party around 10 p.m. No sleepovers, no fire. We've called a restaurant private service who will make sure that you're being delievered with breakfast, lunch and dinner constantly so don't worry."
"But mom, have you ever heard people's rants that say this house is haunted?" I replied hopelessly.
My dad laughs. "You, sweetheart, don't you ever pay them attention. They just don't want us to be happy so you can as well just ignore them. So far I don't think there is anything wrong here."
"Your dad is right.. our cab is coming so take care, pretty! See you next week." They kiss my forehead as I begin to be home alone.
Really, though, I can't even sleep tonight as I heard some noises from my neighbor who seems to be partying hard. Geesh. So I decide to go to my new attic. I might find something interesting from the previous who lived here.
What a coincidence and good lucks I find a silver piano. It is so beautiful as I concern why they didn't even bring it away and left it rot here. I immediately sit on the mini chair as I twang the keys slowly playing Mozart's symphony. It'll always be my favorite tune. But not long enough after that, I hear someone talking.
"Hello, Lee!" sounds like a girl. I'm frightened as I can't find the voice everywhere.
"You play a very great symphony."
I get so much shocked. "Wait, where are you? Who are you?"
"Turn right, just a bit, and you'll see me."
For God's sake. I see someone sitting on the piano. She has long straight hair, white outfits, and smiling. Another bad news, she. Is. Floating. On. The. Air.
I probably looked so terrified that she calms me down.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I won't murder you—in case you watched the movie Saw. I'm just here to say that I'm in love hearing you hitting those keys. Is that Mozart?"
"Precisely"
"Can you help me with something, then?" she continued to talk.
"Um.. probably.. so.. can you as well tell me who you are?"
"Firstly please forgive me that I came here in a rush," she grins. "But my name is Alice. I used to live here until the nightmare came."
I get so anxious. "Nightmare? What nightmare?"
"Well I used to live here in early 90s. And there was a pandemic of a disease which was too bad to remember," she sighs.
"And then?"
"Back then, this house was the most massive so they used it as an emergency hospital. Some of my friends died here.. and I.."
"You? What happened to you, Alice?"
"My parents were doctors, so they knew how to protect me from that disease. Little did they know, those people who stayed here were actually the main cause why the virus ever got in to my veins. And eventually I, too, was infected.
"Like you, I used to love to play modern Mozart but there was a symphony I could never finish because I was dead.. already."
"So what can I help you?" I asked curiously.
"Can you please hand me that book?" she said, as she points to a very, literally dusty book. "Can you play that to me? You know, I promised that I would finish this symphony but I died here. On the chair you're now sitting on. With my head slumped on the keys. I was playing the tune while the damn virus attacked and got into my nerves and brain and well yeah, I just passed away." she seemed so upset while telling me about that.
"Why should I, Alice? Can you tell me clearly?"
"I," she sighs, "I can never go as long as this tune hasn't been finished yet. Can you please, play it for me, Lee? I beg you? I have been waiting for someone to come up to me for about 18 years. Now will you please kindly do me the favor?"
I never thought that a ghost would be so polite. Without saying anything, I straightly take the book and play the instrument. Modern Mozart is the best, no wonder Alice loved it so much. I glance at her flying near me, trying to touch the keys but she can't. She's completely transparent.
Finally I finished playing the tune. She's smiling as she says to me,
"Thank you so much, Lee. Now I can go peacefully. And you know? This house actually isn't haunted, but probably they just occasionally saw me trying to touch this piano. Instead of it you're safe. I promise. Now I'll just go, so far away and I probably will never be back. Endlessly, I'll always thank you, Lee. Good bye."
I am left on my own attic speechless. It was such a short, very short acquaintance but it was so precious that now I know that I am not alone. I will never be.
I finally get back to my room and trying to sleep while smiling. 'Alice, whoever you are. Wherever you go. No matter where you are now, I will always remember and play the instrument I played to you. You told me to stay strong and to never give up.'
It was such a nice time that I met Alice, so that I'm feeling no more scared here. It's been a week since my parents left. And today they arrive here and asking me how have my days been.
"Have you proven anything that our house is haunted?" my dad asks.
I genuinely reply, "No. I met someone inside the attic and she was so inspiring and even though it was such a very short conversation but I already consider her as my best friend even though she's far, far away. Well, my point is, this house is completely convenient."
I am smiling so much today and without waiting for their answer, I run up to my room. I don't know what would my parents think about that. But I get it that they know how I was perfectly safe being alone in my own home sweet home.
