Ghosts

Chapter 3 The Ash Tree

Love's a fragile little flame, it could burn out. Well, so is life. It could easily be blown out. By murder, accidents, suicide, or just natural causes, we end up dying in the end. It's depressing, but, life is worth living, through good and bad. We just hope that a paradise exists and that we'll make it there. The fact that the little girl forgave me even when she died makes me think about the meaning of life. She sunk into the ground not by another force but by me. As I walk in the alleyways of Old York, heading to New York in order to fulfill a promise, I look back to see small holes sinking into the ground, full of dirt, sand, and concrete. My state of depression fades away and I become completely neutral. As if my thoughts now stood still, all I could hear was a pounding in my ears. Not a smile or frown crossed my face, my eyes stared forward, and I now continue my expedition. As my feet shuffle through the trash and broken buildings, something pops up in the middle of a street. A hologram. Probably another news' break about a newly invented hairstyle. Out of curiosity I walked to the little crowd huddling together, their faces not surprised until I got there. They spread out as I walked closer. My heart stopped. My face was flashing in the blue light, the word "WANTED" was printed on the bottom.

My eyes stared at my face...and my name, Salem. I walked backwards, back to the alleys, at the same time the people started to come towards me. Why do these stupids holograms still work in this part of the city? A reward flashed every 2 seconds or so. A Ghost could be pardoned but watched or a family member who is a Ghost could be pardoned instead. Everyone looked at me with eager eyes. Were they all Ghost's or did they know one? A woman's body turned invisible, except for her clothes. I could barely see her but she got into my face. I was struck on the side of my left cheek. Blood rushed to the center and my skin stung bad. I wasn't angry, but sad again. Now everyone was out to get me, even those who I thought I could trust. A large man pushed through the crown and took a blow at me. He then grabbed my body and slung it over his shoulder. My gut sunk to the earth as I spit out warm blood. My head ached and others tried to steal me from his grip. Why....why did they have to hurt me? I probably would have gave in anyway. As I slaved on the shoulder of the largest man I have ever seen, rain and wind lashes all who surround me. Out of nowhere, a crash was heard at the end of the street. Each face looked, small waves turned the corner, down to us. It swept up most of the small people, even children. The guy holding me stood, holding onto large pieces of buildings that fell years ago. My vision was blurry but I could make up most of what was happening. I could see his hands now, bleeding from the friction, his face determined, he wasn't going to let go. But then, out of nowhere, something hit him. He lost his stance, and his grip, my heart skipped a beat as I fell. I hit my head, but before I blacked out, I saw a figure... somewhat like a child.

Gulps of color flash by my face. I feel light, translucent, but still. A beautiful tree arose in the space before my eyes. I could feel the smooth brown bark from far away. I could see the magnificent colors that push through the leaves. I could smell the fresh autumn fragrance, pure and rich. I could hear the wind whistling in my ears, leaving a cool feeling on my face. I could taste the wisps of fallen leaves brushing off my lips. My heart felt at home, warm and open. My eyes shifted left and right but my body stood still. A dark figure appeared in the corner of my eyes. My heart went completely cold. I could now hear my breathing, heavy and nervous. My skin was infected with goose bumps and my eyes felt like crystals. It got closer, a shadow in the light. I couldn't see it's face, nor it's skin. It was like a hooded, ripped, black blanket that could move like a wasp. As it neared my face, I tried to move but nothing happened. It was inches from my face, still unrecognizable, and I could feel it staring into my soul. It then quickly stabbed something into my heart....I could see the blood slowly pouring out of my body. Tears fled my eyes and I could see a heart, the typical drawn one that we show love with. But it was black and so was my blood. When the blood touched the air, it spread. Like the veins that lie in my heart, they spread out it in branches. They quickly reached the tree and killed it. It's leaves decayed in seconds, branches twisting and falling to emptiness, and the atmosphere was now dark. The tree stood, a representation of death. The wind ferociously smacked me in the face. One last breath from the monster, a cold chill down my spine as I sobbed. And then a scream. Was it mine, or another? I wake up...sweating from the nightmare that scarred my heart and mind. "Good morning..."-DelusionVoid