Closer To Death

Introduction

The cold, winter wind hit me harshly. Leaving my face red and sore. The small flakes of snow flew into my eyes, blurring my vision, and freezing my face. I hunched into my coat, trying to keep the biting cold from creeping down my neck. I pushed my hands further into my pockets. My thin coat didn't stand a chance against the cold, winter weather. Wispy figures past me, as I made my way down the lonely road. I felt them nag at my coat. Their cold fingers slipping easily through my thin coat. I made sure not to make eye contact with any of them, they tended to make my way home a hassle. I slipped past the frail souls, and made my way towards my house.

I stepped into the threshold, avoiding the thinly drawn line of salt. I took my hands out of my pockets and stood for a moment shaking the light flakes of snow off my shoulders. The front hall was dark, almost eery. I flipped the light switch, it flickered slightly, and then gave up. Through the small flicker of light I could make out the dusty curtains that were drawn over the grimy windows. I never really bothered to clean. I shook off my coat and hung it on a hook by the stairs. I headed through the hallway and into the kitchen. I tried the light in the kitchen and it miraculously turned on. The air was dusty and damp, as if no one had ever occupied the house. I set my bag of groceries down, and unpacked them. Setting the food products in their rightful shelves and cupboards, my hands stained with dust when I was finished. The light flickered above, and I turned swiftly, making sure that there was nothing in the room with me. Dead souls tended to make electricity go haywire when they were around. Just to be sure, I set a few herbs to burn in a pot of incense charcoal briquette. Better be safe than sorry, as Jennifer used to say. I went around the house, opening all doors, and windows. I hoped that whatever made me feel so on edge, would cling on to the burning smoke and drift off with it to someplace else. I dragged a spare old chair near the stove so that I could keep adding more herbs. The frigid air blew in from all the windows, causing goosebumps to form on my already cold skin. After a few moments the air seemed lighter, I turned the stove off and muttered a prayer. I went to close all the windows and doors, adding a few more pinches of salt to make the lines thicker. I pulled the curtains closed again, and headed off to my bedroom to get changed out of my damp, cold clothes.