SPECTRAL

Chapter 5

 The change in Noah shocked everyone that knew the boy. He was known as the quiet kid in school, the kid that just tried to blend in. He was known as the student that slacked off, just sitting there with a bored expression on his face. Never once was he known like this. But this was the real Noah, the Noah that he had tried to hide. He didn't bother anymore.

This Noah wore pink without shame, embracing the color that he had always enjoyed. This Noah gave snappy remarks during lessons, often correcting the teacher as they taught. This Noah drew flowers everywhere, ink stained his skin with doodles. This Noah embraced himself, at least, most of himself. He did not embrace the ghosts that only he could see.

It had been two years since this change, two years that flew by for the fifteen-year-old boy. It was obvious that he was different, especially his newfound attitude. Many passed it off as him being a teenager, but his parents knew the truth. No matter how much they tried to brush it off. They knew their little boy was angry at the world, at his parents. They tried to help him, but every time they did, everything just seemed to get worse.

His mother tried to get him to see a therapist after realizing he has growing trust issues and panic attacks whenever a doctor is mentioned. That ended in a screaming match between the two, tears on both ends.

His father tried to help him make new friends and be happy. The result was a major panic attack that led to Noah avoiding his parents as much as he could.

Only one living being had Noah's complete trust. And that was Charley. The dog and the boy had formed a powerful bond that made his parents envious. Charley would listen as Noah ranted about school, about how useless it was if he already knew things and that they were messing up history. Charley would calm Noah down with gentle licks when he found his boy having a panic attack. Charley would be there for Noah, and that was all Noah needed.

---

Noah barged through the front door, his heavy backpack thrown roughly to the ground. He had a lot of homework, but he wasn't going to do it. Right now he needed Charley, he needed to release the anger that had built up in his chest throughout the day.

Charley normally came right up to Noah when he returned home. His tail would always wag erratically, his whole body quivering with happiness. Charley did not come, he was not there. Where was he?

A seed of worry sprouted in his chest. Not once had Charley ever been late to greet him when he came back from school. Something wasn't right.

Rushing up the stairs, Noah ran into his room and stopped dead in his tracks. Charley was sleeping in his favorite spot. Right on Noah's bed, his own head resting on the pink pillow. But Noah knew better. His dog, his best friend, was not sleeping. He was dead.

Grief welled up within him, no. No no no no no. Charley could not be dead. He couldn't. But the evidence was in front of him. Motionless, so unlike the dog that Noah knows. Tears welled up in his eyes and he slowly walked over to his bed. With a hesitant hand, he touched the coarse fur, fingers running along the still body. Cold. He was gone. He was really gone.

A choked sob came from Noah and he buried his head in his hands. His best friend, dead. His comfort, dead. Dead dead dead. His shoulders shook from sadness, the loneliness in his chest blossoming like a flower. He was alone.

Suddenly an idea struck him. If Noah really could see ghosts, then maybe he could see Charley! But after looking around with teary eyes, he knew that he couldn't see him. He would never see him again.

The door of the house opened and without thinking, Noah ran downstairs and ran into his father's arms. Erik was confused by the sudden affection until he realized that Charley, the dog that was always right behind Noah, was nowhere to be seen. Carefully removing his son's arms from him, he spoke, "Wipe those tears before your mother gets home." Then quickly he added, "Don't worry son, we can get you a new dog."

This only worsened the fresh wound that was spilling with grief. Noah sobbed louder, tears rushing down his face and he backed away from his father with betrayal shining in his eyes. Just at that moment, his mother came back with a smile on her face, which quickly dropped upon seeing the situation in front of her.

His father informed her, "Charley has died." Those simple words evoked another sob from the broken boy in front of them.

Carmen let out a gasp, her eyes watering before she turned to anger, "Noah if you actually cared for your dog then he would still be alive. But no! You decided to lazy. If you just-"

But Noah had enough. He didn't want to be belittled by his parents. He had just lost a friend, and the little boy in him had hope that they would understand and hold him as he cried. The hope died as he ran from the room.

---

Noah was numb. He sat in his American History class. Everyone around him noticed the sudden change. It was like two years ago. Noah did not draw flowers, he did not touch a pen or pencil. Noah did not correct the teacher when they made a mistake, he did not come up with any snappy remarks. He remained still, quiet. He wasn't really there.

The whispers that rang throughout the classroom about his sudden change fell on deaf ears. Noah was numb. Almost numb. One emotion was stronger than the numbness that filled his every bone. Anger.

It had only been one day since the death of his beloved friend. The wound was still fresh, too fresh for him to act like everything was normal. Too fresh for him to think about anything besides the loss. Why did his parents think it was okay to send him back like nothing happened? Why did they think offering to get a new dog would fix the gaping hole in his chest?

So he sat, numb to everything around him except the anger that boiled in his veins. Numb.

Maybe if Charley was still alive Noah would have noticed the new transparent figure in the room. The little boy, his face disfigured and damaged, begging for one of his classmates to notice. Maybe if Charley was still alive Noah would have noticed that he was not the only one grieving that day. But Charley was not still alive. And even if he was, Noah would not care. He was selfish in that way.

When the bell rang, Noah numbly stood up, flinging his heavy backpack over his shoulders and rushing out of the class. He was glad to be going home. But at the same time, he wasn't. Memories were there. Memories of his best friend.

On his way through the crowded halls, Noah felt alone. He saw his old friends laughing together, their smiles stretched upon their faces. He saw friend groups chattering away as they waited by lockers and classrooms. He saw his peers laughing, smiling, being normal. He was not normal. He wishes he was.

Only now did Noah see the transparent people again. There wasn't a lot in the school, which Noah was glad about. But they were still there, they always were. He closed his eyes, trying to block them out. He hated that he could see them. He hated it so much.

As he exited the school doors, he was met by his friends. Joey ran up to him like he would every day, a hopeful expression on his face. Then Claire would come and then Josh. Last but not least would be Mildred. They never left him. But oh God, he wanted them to leave him. They taunted him, reminded him of the past. He wanted to talk to them, but he wouldn't let himself. They ruined his life, even if they didn't mean to. And anyone who knew Noah would know that he doesn't let things go. He would not forgive them.

It really was a sad sight, at least, it would be if anyone could see them. Joey would trail closely behind Noah, begging like the child he was to be friends again. The others knew better than to try to communicate directly with the boy. But they still did when they thought he wouldn't hear them. Mildred told him stories that she used to tell him while Noah slept. If she could cry, the old woman would have shed enough tears to fill a river. Claire would whisper her story to him, just out of reach. She would pretend that Noah could hear her and listen to her story. He never could. And Josh, the man who viewed Noah as a younger brother became lost once more. He wanted to help, he really did. But with Noah ignoring him, he couldn't teach Noah like he used to, he couldn't continue his passion. Their lives were ruined, but they were dead. Their lives were ruined since the day they stopped breathing.

As soon as Noah made it home he went up to his room and laid on his bed. His eyes were drawn to the ceiling and he just stared. He was alone. He didn't have to be alone, but he was still a child. Ignorant and naive. So he was alone, and his friends were lost.

Tears fell down Noah's face. And just like last night, Charley would no longer be there to lick away his tears.