Whispers of the Mist: Watty Awards

Whispers of the Mist: Prologue

Whispers of the Mist: PROLOGUE

I drummed my fingers on the Starbucks countertop, using my other hand to prop my chin on, staring in no particular direction and wished all of this away.

All these complications, all this confusion, all this---

"Do you have a staring problem or something?" a voice shouted from across the room. I ignored it knowing there wasn't any way possible that they could be talking to me. Unless my wish worked but I wouldn't start jumping off cliffs without thinking I wouldn't die either.

"Are you blind or deaf? I asked you a question!" the voice sounded closer and my light headache started to rage from the shouting above all the noise so I closed my eyes and rubbed my middle fingers in a circular motion over my temples.

"So now you look away, a headache won't save you. Answer my questions." The voice persisted.

'Wow' I thought to myself, 'this dude should cut the person some slack. They were probably embarrassed for getting cau---'

Wait; I froze in my movements. It had to be coincidence that he said that right after I looked away, right? I lifted my head up and looked towards my left. I met a set of moss green eyes, irritated and sharp eyes at the moment.

"So are you going to answer my question(s)?" he asked with attitude.

"Uhhh...are you talking to....."

"Uhhh......you? Duh, I'm looking at you, am I not?" he replied.

My mouth gaped open and I spluttered out incomprehensive words and he rolled his eyes.

"I know this is me on a good day so yeah I know I'm looking good but----"

"You can see me?!" I interrupted him, disbelief on my mind. It's been over two weeks since anyone has 'seen' me.

"What kind of question is that? Of course I can see you, it's not like you're dead or something." I turned pale, I hadn't actually considered that being the reason no one could see, feel, or hear me. But maybe the stories are right...wait, I can't float. And if I'm dead why am I still breathing?

"Okay, well seriously this is a little weird so I'm just going to go now. Stop staring at me though, it's creepy." The guy said and shook his head a little before turning to leave.

I watched him walk back to the table where I'm guessing his friends were at and my minding kept trying to process the important part. He. Saw. Me. He actually talked to me!

I jumped up out of my seat and just as soon as my hopes had been lifted they were lit on fire and burnt. I crashed into someone and landed on the floor, looking up to find the person still walking on like nothing had happened. This had happened a lot the first two or so days I woke up like this.

What's your name? How old are you? What's your favorite band? What's your favorite color?

The fact about these questions, they are some of the simplest questions anyone can answer. Well, except me. As I've learned over the past two weeks it's definitely not that simple.

Fact: I can be right in your face right now.

Fact: I might be watching you read this.

Fact: When you're alone, or at least think you are, I could be there.

Fact: You might hear me but you can't see me.

Fact: You're never alone.

All I know is that no one has noticed me walking around or 'staring' at them since I woke up in a alleyway half a month ago. Except this guy. I looked over at him and before I could stop myself I was walking towards him, soon enough I was standing a few feet away from his table and he had noticed.

"Oh, it's you again." He snorted and I knitted my eyebrow together in confusion.

"How can you see me?" I asked him quietly and he raised his eyebrows at me but before he could answer it a hand waved in front of his face.

"Dude, who are you talking to?" a guy with a southern accent asked with amusement lacing his voice.

"That creepy chick standing right there." he nodded his head in my direction and the three guys other than himself looked around trying to figure out who he was talking about.

"They can't see me. Or hear me." I said softly.

His eyes shot to mine, "What the hell do you mean they can't see you?!"

"Martin, I think you're losing it. There isn't anyone there." Everyone at the table started laughing, except for Martin, who kept looking from me to his friends.

"So you really see no one?" Martin asked slowly and they all nodded.

"Okay, so now that that is settled....." As Martin's friend started up some story, Martin ignored me and listened intently. 'Maybe he can't see me anymore.' I thought to myself.

I took a few steps closer and waved my hand in front of his face repeatedly, he didn't seem to notice. Tears brimmed in my eyes as I franticly tried to get his attention, he showed no emotion and I gave up. I ran from the shop, crying in loneness and grief. I had actually thought that he saw me. That someone could help me. But I was wrong. I ran without looking back, missing as Martin watched me run away with concern and curiosity.