The Haunting

Chapter 14

Day 14,

I woke up this morning with a terrible headache. I grasped my skull and winced at the pain. I stumbled into the bathroom and turned on the shower and stripped off my pajamas. I slowly stepped into the shower and sat in the warm stream of water beating down on my back. My head pounded and I just couldn't help but think about what happened yesterday. I was the only one who could see Sharon's body, the only one who could see the spirits... and the only one who could help them cross over.

I shut the shower off, wrapping a towel around myself. I popped open the medicine cabinet and took out the Advil. I downed the two tiny capsules with a cold glass of water from the sink. I walked out of the bathroom and to my closet. I slid on some black skinny jeans and a pink tank top. It was a little chilly outside, so I covered up my bare arms with a black hoodie that I had grabbed out of my closet. I didn't feel like brushing through my hair, so I just tied it up into a messy bun putting some mascara and a little eyeliner on. I took one last look in the mirror. Then I quietly asked myself, "I'm not crazy... am I?"

I slowly dragged myself downstairs, not really wanting to face my parents after what had happened yesterday. I finally reached the bottom of the seemingly endless staircase. I took a deep breath and sighed before shuffling over to the kitchen table. I took a seat, putting my head down into my folded arms. Waiting for what was going to happen next.

"Umm... goodmorning Lea?", my mother said, making it sound more like a question. I lifted my head up and glared at her before burying my face back into my arms. I heard footsteps getting close to where I was sitting. I slightly lifted my arm so I could see the floor. I saw a pair of black loafers. My dad. I lifted my head up to see both of my parents sitting on the opposite side of the table. My mom looked terrified... was she afraid of me?

Finally my dad spoke up, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had fallen upon us. "So.. uh... Lea.. your mother and I have decided to make you an appointment with your new therapist. We will be paying him a visit today in about 2 hours".

Wait. Did he just say therapist?! I slammed my fists down on the table with anger. "I do NOT need a therapist! I am NOT a lunatic! I am NOT crazy! Just because I was born with this ability to see and hear things that you can't, does NOT mean that I am mental!", I screamed at them, putting emphasis on the word 'not' each time. They stared at me with shock plastered on their faces. I have never really talk back or raised my voice to my parents before... maybe I am going crazy.

"You listen here young lady! You do NOT talk to your mother and me like that. You're g-grounded!", my dad yelled back, mocking me by putting emphasis on the word not. My anger suddenly drainded from my body and was replaced with shock. I have never been grounded before. Tears started welling up in my eyes as I whispered the word 'fine' so quietly that I could barely even hear it. I turned around before the tears could fall and bolted up to my room.

I jumped onto my bed, curling up into a small ball and crying into my pillow. I heard a light knock on my door, probably my mom. I got up and stumbled to the door, quickly locking it before sinking to the floor with my back resting against the door. My eyelids began to feel heavy and soon I just drifted off into a deep sleep.

I was awoken from my nap by a pounding on my door and my dad yelling at me to 'get up' and 'unlock the door'. I sighed and ignored him. I got up and walked over to the bathroom, downing 2 more Advil for the pounding headache that had returned. I groaned, rubbing my temples. I fixed my hair and the makeup that I had accidentally smudged while I was sleeping. I did a few more finishing touches before heading back to my door. I grasped the handle and took in a deep breath of air before opening my door.

I walked past my parents, not making any eye contact with them. I just walked straight out the door to the car, waiting for them to follow me out. I didn't want to make any conversation with them so I just slipped my ear buds in and turned my music up as loud as it would go. The sweet sound of Cage the Elephant filled my mind, drowning out the rest of the world. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the head rest. This was going to he a long day.

We finally arrived at the therapist's office. I groaned as we walked to the registration desk. There were only about 3 other people in the waiting room, yet we still waited for over an hour before the elderly woman behind the registration called me back into one of the back rooms. I took a seat, quietly thinking to myself. How crazy can I actually be?