The Other Side: A Short Story

4

1:30 A.M.

Down I go into the dark depths of the basement that's as frosty as Antarctica in the winter. Like with the attic, I take small steps on the creaky stairs. This house is so old. I'm a duster, bunnies clinging to me. I soon reach the bottom. My tiptoes go numb on the icy concrete.

"Hello?" I ask as I juggle the digital recorder in one hand, my camera in the other. "It's Thomas. I think someone likes to hide out here."

I can't stop myself from shivering. It's like a walk-in freezer with how cold it is. Maybe it's me, but I could use my hoodie right about now. Slithery pathways between more junky boxes separate accessible areas from inaccessible ones. I'm sure the inaccessible areas are the ones that are active as hell.

There's a laundry area somewhere, and Dad's workspace.

"Damn, it's freezing."

I hate this part of my house like mad. It feels like something evil is lurking in the darkest corners. A shadowy force, desperate to feed off my watery-eyed fear. I pan around. There's nothing, but I can't be alone. The itch is so strong. I'm just waiting for this malevolence to grab me and shake me to death.

Something.

Anything.

"If someone...or something...is down here..." I suck it up for the next part that flies out of my mouth. "...then, why don't you make a noise?"

I listen, but all I hear is a car going by. My camera captures nothing, and there aren't any taps that grab my attention.

I walk to the right. "If you're here, make a noise."

Nothing does.

I continue down the slithery path. I can see old tools on a workbench next to a whitewashed brick wall. This is Dad's space.

"EVP session..."

It's just like the TV shows, right?

I make sure to hold the recorder out best I can.

I'm doing it. I'm really doing it!

"If you're here...what's your name?"

I make sure to pause between questions.

"Do you know you're dead or not?"

Ten seconds should do.

"Are you the one that keeps making the taps?"

Ten seconds pass.

"If there's more than one of you, then...well, why do you keep hiding away like cowards?"

And that's when it gets quiet.

Quiet enough to hear my heartbeat in my ears.

My nerves scold me for my taunt, but it's exhilarating. I wanted to do this. I'm stepping into more comfortable shoes. The edge doesn't feel as scary or bad the longer I hear myself talk and realize that I'm coming face-to-face with what's been sparking my flammable curiosity.

Keep going. Nice and easy.

I don't hear any audible replies, so I decide to get a little more daring with my new rush and see what comes of it.

"Oh, come on!"

I'm C.J.

"Do something already!"

Tchk.

I hear a clanking sound to the left of me, coming from around the storage. But, that can just be anything. It's not enough for me. If I've come this far on my first hunt all by myself, I want to see something or hear something that's actually going to prove I'm not crazy.

I want to see something paranormal.

"Stop...fucking hiding!"

If I ever post this online or share it in class, I think I'm going to need a lot of bleeps. I'm sorry, but I'm lost in the moment.

"Come on!" I shout. "I keep fucking hearing you and feeling you all the fucking time, and all you do is hide.

I hear the silence screaming at me as I point the camera at the bricks. I don't see anything weird on the camera screen, but that doesn't mean something isn't happening.

It's a personal experience that drives me to tears.

A static sensation manifests on my left shoulder. With my own eyes, I spot a shadow on the wall, leaning toward me. It's not a mouse or me. I'm standing still. Warm chills bolt up the back of my neck. I squirm. My eyes flood. It's the only way to express the thrill that's morphed into the pure terror now gushing through me.

Don't run!

I'm fine with taps. I'm fine with watchful sensations and puffs of air in my face. However, this?

That's enough. My bravery taps out.

Don't...

Too unnerved by my personal experience, I need to go. I'm done with the basement. I can't. I power walk for the stairs and don't look back. When I return to the main floor, I turn on any light I can find a switch for, knocking on wood that whatever I saw hasn't followed me.