The Gray Fantasy

[Through the Chest]

Nights grew shorter and so his hopes, as days grew longer. The fragrant dew was longing for an owner, as it clung to his skin, and dived to the innermost layer of it.

Restlessness surged his mind. Fear dwelt his heart. His shallow eye bags were true friends, and they wouldn’t lie about that. He could not relax and still felt wide-awake. Not only tonight, but he had already been this way seven days ago, since the tragic loss of Andrea and the otherworldly appearance of the man, to whom he overheard an important message about Andrea’s whereabouts and also the different world, which he’s so curious about.

He tried to sleep but he really can’t. He forced his eyes to shut down, but they just rejected his command. All he wanted was to rest.

Dancing to the music of the sea, waves crashed in growling ferocity. His ears were sharp as knives, as they perceived the zooming yet soothing collision of azure waters in a nearby town.

The room was so arid, so he let the windows ajar only to permit a lively apparition to destroy the deadly ball of boredom and forlornness. It was now healthy again after inhaling substantial amount of air to circulate the whole area.

Cold summer night. The gentle breeze stirred in jagged motion, conveying a deep thought about something odd.

Seeking a repose, he just drew Andrea’s silhouette to sip some tranquility until he dug out an entrance to doze.

Finally he was at peace. In a realm of silence.

He was moderately relieved.

Savoring his sweet-sailing 20-minute nap, he decided to extend it directly one hour, so he lay again in a spongy, slightly moist bed due to sweat.

Not nearly halfway on his slumber, something quaked under the bed. At first, he just ignored it, believing it was just a small aftershock. Not on its second attempt that he immediately leapt out of it, as the shaking became more intense that his phone slid down beneath.

He was about to squeeze the lights button when.

Darkness from nowhere crept, turning the room into a pitch-black abyss. Chills ran down his spine as doors kept on slamming, yet there’s no one inside except him. He could hear those nerve-wrecking sounds.

Unlucky to experience another bizarre moment, he released his soul to ask God one more time to keep him safe. He’s in the brink of trauma while having cold feet. He was helpless and horrified. He was teary-eyed.

Cursed with heart-stopping scenarios of misfortune and terror, he rummaged the whole room without minding that he might tripped out to sharp edges. He didn’t mind having small wounds just to seek for his flash light. He wouldn’t halt for minutes, and maybe hours until dawn even though he was heavily drenched in sweat. The saltiness of perspiration worsened his open fleshes but he just neglected it like nothing was aching.

It was already 12 midnight at this time.

After long hours of searching, his kneecap misstepped on a thin, long tube with a round-shaped mouth. He touched it many times to assure if it's the one he’s looking. Examining its surface and structure, he knew that this was his flashlight. Hopes were elevated and brought him back to life. 

He picked it up.

A touch of lighting handed a little life to his room after pressing the switch.

This time he was able to glance on the depths of the dark, below the foams and steel bars with a gritty stripes on his cheeks but, he’s still scared.

He just have to check out to make sure what’s underneath the bed. Curious to know that thing, he seized this opportunity with a life-risking try.

Now he had to pounce for that thing. He doubted that it was a ghost but he just faced it, setting aside his cowardice.

“1.2.3.4.!”

He slowly counted as light illuminated the space.

Pointing the vague flashlight, he saw a.

Chest. A wooden chest.

“Woaaaaaah! Too classy!” he roared in marvel to the box that he just found out.

Now, his fears were washed away. He was again hopeful, plus thankful.

The only task he had to accomplish was to unveil what’s inside it.

“What do you think dwells on it?”