Halloween Vault Contest 2018

Tag

The sounds hadn't bothered him for a while now. The hiss of various pipes, the gurgling of refiltered water, the clinking of machinery working. Everything just doing its job. It was a sincere comfort.

Apollo turned his cerulean blue eyes towards the yawning window, the stars perpetually glittering. He couldn't see the moon. Its presence comforted him when he was alone. It reminded him of the twin sister he'd lost. Artemis had been his best friend. His mom had always loved naming things after Greek myths, and Apollo and Artemis were no different. Opposites and yet alike. Until the accident that left Apollo alone.

He, in spite of all this, grew and became an astronaut. He was fond of the lovely expanse of stellar company he had, and Luna, the gorgeous sweet moon silent as Artemis' grave. He often thought about her. Every mystery filled smile she'd ever cast upon him. She loved keeping secrets. She'd said they made her feel divinely powerful, like a goddess over troves of diamonds.

Apollo let his hand rest on the cold metal door frame just outside his quarters, his dark curls falling into his eyes. A rippling giggle like a solitary silver bell falling over rocks sounded out in the gloom. The iridescent lights quavered.

Apollo shook his head, "It's all in your head." He closed his eyes. "She's not there."

He opened his eyes sharply.

Nothing.

Alone.

Everything was as it should be. The lights trembled again, and with a scowl, Apollo went to check the electrical system.

The laugh.

It returned.

Right behind him.

He froze amidst checking the system and turned around violently. Silence.

"I'm losing my mind." He muttered. The electrical system appeared to be fine, so he left it alone.

The laugh sang out again but now it was followed by a voice:

"Apollo, come and get me! Let's play tag!" Then it faded. Only the dull hum of electricity. His heart pounded.

"What do you want?!"

"I want to play tag, brother. Catch me if you can!" The voice giggled maniacally. Suddenly the lights Apollo had once found comforting were now exposing him like a body laid out for an autopsy. A breath near his ear. The voice: "Run."

He fled but he could hide nowhere to be rid of her. He darted into a closet and waited, hearing nothing before easing the door open.

"You say you miss me, but do you? After all, who dared me to run across that road?" Her voice sneered. The lights spasmed and in the dimmed corridor a silhouette of a girl of six years of age with a crazed smile like a wolf stalking its prey. Apollo ran, he didn't care where so long as it was away. He frantically scrambled down the halls her giddy laughter coming, coming, coming.

Suddenly it ceased. Gone. Vanished. He slowed his panicked breaths; It's all in your head. He turned the corner and there she stood smirking.

"Tag, you're it."