"That movie was amazing", I say to Tayla as we exit the cinema.
"Hell yeah!", Tayla agrees, still slurping her soft drink.
"You sure I don't have to pay you back for this?", I ask, turning towards her "I mean–"
"Don't even think about it", Tayla interjects sternly, narrowing her eyes at me. "It's your birthday and I decided to spoil you a little. Now put that wallet away before I knock your front teeth out."
Startled, I put my wallet, that I was in the process of taking out, back into my pocket.
"Good boy", she says, smiling sweetly. She's obviously mocking me.
"I'm not a dog", I say scowling.
"And you aren't a horse either", Tayla retorts, laughing, "So pick up that long face of yours and let's get to my place. I wanna kick your ass at Call of Duty."
She turns swiftly and marches off; her ebony hair streaming behind her, leaving me staring after her, dumbfounded.
• • • • • • • •
Back at Tayla's place, I find myself in a spacious, blue-tiled bathroom, washing my hands at the basin. I guess having a soft drink at the cinema and then a milkshake on the way here was not the best decision.
I've got to get back to the lounge before Tayla finds another crude thing to say, I think to myself as I dry my hands on the towel next to the basin.
Suddenly, there's the smell of smoke, coupled with a horrid stench, like rotting flesh.
"What the–?!" I complain, wrinkling my nose at the rancid smell.
Almost as if in response to my exclamation, I hear the sound of rasping, struggled breathing behind me. Instantly, my heart starts to race as fear begins to take a hold of me.
Slowly, I look up towards the mirror in front of me, clutching the edge of the basin, trying to control my erratic breathing; the rank smell nearly causing me to gag.
Looking up at the mirror, I find myself staring into my own, fear-ridden face. The rest of the bathroom behind me is completely empty, as it should be. Just me in here.
"Idiot", I say to myself, slapping my hand to my face and taking time to breathe. "There's no one here besides yourself."
After having calmed down, I turn around and find myself face-to-face with the burnt woman from my bedroom. Her decayed hand is stretched out towards me and her mouth moves soundlessly, as if she is trying to say something. She seems to be staring directly at me and I find myself staring into her empty eye sockets as a cold shiver runs up my spine and I am paralysed with fear.
"House..." she rasps, struggling to produce the words, "Fire"
She fades away. Her words seem to be echoing in my mind and I can barely move. What the hell was that?
Suddenly, I feel sick. I run over the toilet and retch into it. God, that tastes horrible. I flush the toilet and rinse my mouth with some water from the basin tap. What's happening to me?
I slowly walk out the bathroom, towards the lounge. The sounds of gunshots can be heard from the lounge, making me flinch.
"Just Tayla playing Call of Duty", I say to myself. She obviously didn't wait for me to get out the bathroom before she started. That girl has no patience.
"Took you long enough to get out the bathroom", Tayla remarks as I enter the lounge, pausing her game to look at me. "I swear you were–", she begins with a smirk, but stops as soon as she sees me. Her facial expression turns to that of concern.
"You look awful", she says, worriedly. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine", I lie, faking a smile. Tayla doesn't fall for it.
"You're obviously not", she says, standing up. "Sit down. I'll get you some water."
"Thanks, T", I reply, sitting down.
"I told you, you shouldn't have had that milkshake", Tayla calls from the kitchen. "This'll teach you to listen to me."
"Yes, Mother", I say sarcastically, rolling my eyes.
"It still doesn't suit you, Alex. Stop rolling your eyes."
"You didn't even see me do that!", I call back.
"I know you by now", Tayla replies, returning with a glass of water in one hand. "You always roll your eyes when you're being sarcastic."
"No, I don't", I argue, taking the glass from her. She regards me skeptically. "Okay, fine. Most of the time", I admit.
She clears her throat and crosses her arms, looking at the glass of water and then back at me.
"Thanks", I say, taking a gulp of water.
"Much better", she remarks, offering me a warm smile and sitting down next to me. She continues playing her game and
As soon as I finish my water, I already feel better. I tell Tayla and she smiles. Before I can get another word in, she shoves a controller in my hand.
"Now shut up and let me kick your butt at this", she says, smirking. "These bots are too easy to beat."
"As if you'll beat me", I reply, raising an eyebrow.
"We'll see", Tayla says, winking.
After an hour of gameplay, Tayla and I have played six games and are quite evenly matched with a score of three to both of us.
"One more round", Tayla demands. "You won't win this time"
I open my mouth to answer and Tayla's phone starts to ring, blaring Nickelback through the lounge, competing with the sound of the game.
"Damn, Tayla", I complain, "Haven't you got a better taste in music?"
"Shut up!", Tayla argues, "They're still making better music than the crap you hear on the radio."
Before I can answer, she stands up and walks to the kitchen, answering the call. I shrug and start a new game without her. I might as well keep myself busy while she's on that phone call.
A couple minutes into the game, Tayla returns from the kitchen and sits down next to me, watching me play.
"Who called?", I ask, not taking eyes off the game.
"Aren't you nosey?", she remarks, sarcastically. "It's your mom, Nosey. It's almost 4. We should get going."
"Right", I say, standing up. "Let's get going, then."
"Race you there!", she exclaims, running for the door.
"Wait!", I complain.
"Don't forget to switch off the Xbox!", she calls behind her.
"Unfair!!", I yell back at her.
Why does everything have to be a competition with her?
YOU ARE READING
Oracle
غموض / إثارةOn his 16th birthday, Alex Martin has a disturbing experience; he sees the phantom of a burnt woman in his bedroom. Was it real or just a very vivid dream?
