Stuck Here (Ziall)

Chapter 8

(Zayn’s POV)

There were three places that I wanted to go that night: the ravine, the school and then I wanted to visit Chad, Niall’s best friend. I knew that a part of Niall would be at those places and I was determined to find out more about his death. After I showered that night and got rid of the headache that was plaguing me, I grabbed my car keys and my coat. I was out the door without my mother or my sisters knowing. For all they knew, I was still feeling sick and as fast asleep in my room.

When I stepped outside for the first time that day, I felt like I was smacked in the face with a wooden plank. I stumbled backwards, holding onto the railing of my front porch. I had never done anything like that before. I usually stayed in and left the spirits to roam around aimlessly without intervention.

I could feel a lot of energy around me, but it took a little more for a spirit to show itself to me. A lot of them have been dead for a long time, but Niall hadn’t been. He had only died a few months ago, while the old guy down the street died ten years ago.

“This is going to be rough.” I gulped, walking out to my car that was parked along the street. I could easily walk to the park where the ravine was, but I knew that my feet would feel heavy along the way because of all of those ghosts latching onto me. The car was a better choice.

It was nearing ten at night and there were still people out and around town. I ignored them for the most part. I had my plan set in stone and nothing could stop me. I was glad to see that since it was later and the year, not many people were around the park. It may have also been because someone died there, but that didn’t scare me away. Obviously.

Hello? I broke my leg. Is someone there? I need help.  

I heard him at almost the same moment that I stepped on he trail. I was still a good ten feet away from where he fell, but his words were clear as day.

Hello? I broke my leg. Is someone there? I need help.  

There it was again. I finally made my way to the top of the ravine and leaned against the fixed fencing to see Niall sitting down in the ravine. He looked scared and in pain. He was covered with dirty and leaves. I grabbed onto the fencing tightly and thought about going down there to get to him. I hopped the fence and stood at the edge, still holding on. There had to be a better way of doing it, but all I could think of at the moment was getting to Niall and helping him.

“Niall, hold on. I’m coming down.” I called out to him. It was already so dark out and I slipped a few times on my way down the side of the ravine. I held onto the tree limbs to guide myself down and finally I stopped where Niall was. He looked up at me, tears in his blue eyes.

 “Zayn? C-can you see me?”

He asked, obviously surprised that I was there.  “Yeah, Niall. I can see you. Can you hear me?” He nodded, wiping his palms over his eyes and getting rid of the tears.

“I think I fell.”

“You did.” I nodded at him. I kneeled down next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “ Niall, listen. This is really important.” I squeezed his shoulder. He felt so real, more real than the part of Niall that was back at the school. I glanced up at the night sky and saw the moon shining brightly. Not even a single cloud covered the mass in the sky. I sighed with relief. That meant that I had a near unlimited time to question Niall. “Do you know how you fell?”

“Zayn, why are you here?” Niall glanced me up and down and gave me a small smile.His mind was elsewhere, but I guess I should have expected that. After all, this wasn’t all Niall. It was just a part of him. “Did you come to help me?”  He looked so hopeful.