Autumn

Chapter 2

It was only 3 pm and already I'd manged to make a spectacle of myself. Coughing explosively, I fanned the acrid smoke about. I wagered that sage's properties of dispelling ghostly matter was most assuredly due in part to its disgusting smell. Even I felt sick to my stomach and fit to flee the property, having already bathed the entire first floor in its fumes.

I almost hoped ghosts were real, that my having worked out for the first time in years wasn't in vain.

As I approached my room finally, I felt relieved when I entered it. Despite the rest of the house feeling like the haunted mansion, it seemed that my area was contained in a bubble of protection. I imagined it was because it was the only place in the house I had decorated, but my scent overwhelming the space could just as easily bring sufficient comfort. 

I smiled at the little pumpkin lights neatly perched on the fireplace, my small contribution to the Halloween spirit. I only wished I could have afforded more. Typically, my budget had no limit when it came to Halloween, but things were different with the move. I sat the last of the stones on the hearth. They had been what the woman from the store, Pamela had given me. "Protection stones" they were labeled. Light weight and in my private opinion, cheap, little stones that I wagered were made of plastic or glass rather than actual stone. This was a common occurrence with crystal shops however, as opal was more often glass with glitter due to it rarity and worth. Nevertheless, I placed them in each room as requested, and hoped that all the little rituals I'd just accomplished would serve as placebos for my insomniac tendencies. 

Later as I left my room to close up the house, I noticed an odd chill in the air. It occurred the moment I stepped a foot across the threshold of my bedroom, and there followed a deep sense of vulnerability. I could only describe it as 'spiritual nudity' if I wanted to have a laugh in spite of the dour circumstances. A footstep sounded from outside the kitchen then and I froze, muttering an expletive and maneuvering my way behind a wall, I strained to see the source of this commotion. There following, I watched in silent panic as a figure crept across the room. I'd never fainted before, but was close to it as my brain failed to register what I was looking at. It wasn't a ghost, however. This was something violently terrestrial, and the realization slammed into me.

Someone was breaking into my house, I thought, and backed away slowly, only to collide with a solid form at my back.

"Don't move, I don't know if he's armed." A voice said next to my ear, just as a scream made to rip from my lungs.

It was George! I stilled. Though significantly relieved, I couldn't deny his presence was odd as well.

"How-" I began, and his hand silenced me.

"I came by to apologize for being rude the other day and saw the figure through the door window." He whispered, guiding me to the kitchen and out of the back door. If someone hadn't been in the process of robbing me, I'd admit it felt very James Bond, how we silently swept across the floor, careful not to alert our uninvited guest.

"Was there--a fire?" He said, lightly sniffing me.

"I burnt.. some food... but that's not important." I diverted and made to dial 911.

Being single for an embarrassing amount of time didn't make me comfortable around attractive guys who apparently sniffed people whenever they pleased, it appeared. Do guys usually do that? I wondered.

"Yes, I'd like to report a break-in," I replied to the operator's inquiry. My hand was shaking. George's land rover was so cramped with stuff you'd think he lived there. It was a strange advancement to his character which broke the façade that he was perfection incarnate. 

"What did they say?" He breathed, breaking the silence.

"They said they'd be here in 10 minutes." I replied shortly, though unsure as to why exactly I had to be terse.