Living In Limbo

Warnings

"I-I don't wanna do this-" Regahn starts as we stand outside the gaping black mouth of The Cave.

Emmet shushes her and I take a big gulp before we enter. I am immediately shivering. It is so cold. And it smells like death.

Trying to rub away my goosebumps, I step forwards and we begin our journey.

We walk through a low tunnel for what seems like forever but must have been only a few minutes. Suddenly the ceiling is higher and I can straighten my back again. I freeze as I hear shallow breathing and slow footsteps.

I grasp Emmett and Regahn's hands in my own. A match is struck. The light shows a very old looking lady. She lights several candles.

I look around for the first time and see a small cavern. There is a very small old looking wooden table and a chair. On the far side is a pile of frayed blankets that I guess the old woman sleeps on. There is a large tin mug on top of the table and a kettle hanging over a dead fire.

Who knows how long she has been here. I think to myself as she turns around. "Who are you and what do you think you are doing here?!" She screeches. "We uh um," Emmett stutters.

I can't speak. The first thing I notice is the lady's very icy blue eyes. When I finally manage to shift my gaze from them, I take in the rest of her appearance. Her scraggly silvery hair, her worn wrinkled face, the black raggy looking clothes, the odd cane with the owl carved into the top. The owl has emeralds for eyes and is unnerving me.

By now I have noticed the old lady has frozen. She is looking intently into Emmett's eyes and he looks pertrified. Her face suddenly goes very serious "Come on dear sit down, quickly," she grabs his arm and fusses over him, pushing him into the chair. "I'm Ms Murdock, what is your name dear? Emmett is it? Well now give me your hand," Emmett sits there, he never said a word.

"Well give it here," she instructs and Emmett hesitantly moves his hand toward her. She takes it in her withered, shaking one and her eyes go wide.

"Oh my. Oh my. Oh my!" She is becoming frantic. "You must go my dear. Leave! Now! You are in grave danger boy! Grave danger! Go!" and she pushes us out.

Fear takes over and I begin to run, Emmett and Regahn by my side. We don't stop until we are well clear of The Cave and off the beach.

"What the hell was that?" Regahn pants. "I'm not sure but I'm sure not going back there again," Emmett answers.

"Hey can we stay in the boathouse tonight?" I ask and Emmett nods.

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Do you smell gunpowder?" I ask suddenly. "No?" Regahn answers and I shrug it off, going to brush my hair in the mirror of the unused boathouse.

I notice Emmett has been quiet but he suddenly speaks up. "Yea I do too and I feel like someone else is in here," Regahn rolls her eyes "Uh yea there's me, c'mon guys lets play scrabble," she sounds skeptical and irritated.

"Ash," Emmett breathes slowly as I run my brush through my messed up hair. "It's... behind you," Emmett says softly. "What," I mutter slowly, looking directly into the mirror the whole time. To my utter disbelief, my hair moves ever so slightly, like someone is brushing through it with their fingers. I feel coldness on my shoulder, as if someone were placing a reassuring hand there.

"My god," I heard Emmett say. "Ash are you aware of the guy standing behind you with his hand on your shoulder? " He askes me. "I-I can feel it but I cant see it." I surprise myself at these words but I do truely believe someone is there.

"Try turning around. Turn around. Turn. Turn." I hear whispers in my head. I slowly swivel on my heels and my jaw drops.

There, infront of me, I can just barely make out the faintest features of a slim face, eyes a mouth that gives me the smallest of smiles. I can only see this faintly and as I blink it disappears.

"Did you guys see that?" I blurt as soon as I find my words. "He's still there Ash," Emmett says softly. I immediately whirl round but see nothing. "I cant see you, " I say to mid air.

"W-what's your name?" Emmett stutters. There is a long pause before I notice the scrabble tiles that Regahn set out were moving. Where is Regahn? I think to myself. She must have gone to the bathroom.

Some of the scrabble tiles moved to form the name S-E-B-A-S-T-I-A-N. "Sebastian" I breathe. "He's gone now," Emmett barely whispers and I let out the breath I never realized I was holding.

"Guys what's happening? "Regahn walks back into the room.