Voices From Beyond

Chapter 8

My eyelids flutter open, the darkness around me feels heavy. I'm still facing the corner when a dull light behind me flickers. I roll over and squint. The light has faded and shadows seem to morph into things that aren't really there. I hear fumbling around in the kitchen, the side door in the kitchen makes a clicking sound. I reach around the floor for my phone, I need a flashlight. I tie my hair up in a bun once my fingers finally meet with the phone. I stumble tiresomely through the darkness until I reach the kitchen so I don't wake anyone else, then I flick the flashlight on. The kitchen is abnormally cold, goosebumps rise on my skin. I rub my eyes, hoping to wake myself up enough to look around. The flashlight beam scans over the kitchen until I see the side door wide open. It's snowing out, a breeze blows in and chills me to the bone. There's footprints in the snow, whoever it is never put on any shoes. I hesitate before deciding to follow the tracks. I don't grab any shoes either.

My socks now wet, I'm shivering. With every breath, a gust of fog escapes my lips. The footprints are larger, probably belonging to a guy. Snowflakes dance around me as I follow the tracks to Sydney's backyard. The snow crunches behind me and I jump. Quickly turning around, my flashlight scans the trees. I hear someone out there, they're close by.

"Hello?" I whisper.

A set of hands rest on my shoulders and I gasp, whipping around to face the person. My flashlight shines brightly into Samuel's face. "Shhh. Shhh. Quiet, Noah isn't inside," Samuel hushes me.

I breathe heavily, my heartbeat slowing down. "Jesus Christ, you scared the shit out of me," I place my hands on my knees and take one last heavy breath before calming myself down.

"Sorry. I heard you wake up and when I went to wake up Noah, he was already gone. I followed you out here assuming Noah was out here too," he exclaims in a whisper.

"Well, he probably is. Look at the footprints," I gesture toward the tracks leading further behind the house.

"What the hell is he doing?" Samuel looks confused.

"I have no idea," I shrug cluelessly.

We follow the tracks further, but they stop. The footprints completely end without any sign of Noah anywhere. I sweep the flashlight around the yard, unsure of what to do.

"Where the hell did he go?" I think aloud.

"Holy shit. Noah. Noah, stop," panic is etched in Samuel's voice, his head is angled upward. I look where he's looking, Noah is on the roof of the house. There's a small boy with him, the boy is pale and lifeless looking. I can't make out any facial features, he's holding Noah's hand.

"Do you see that?" I point up at the boy, "Samuel do you see anyone else up there with Noah?" I repeat myself urgently.

"What? No! It's just Noah, he looks like he's going to jump!" Samuel looks frightened, the fear burns inside of me too.

"Go wake up Sydney. Go wake her up," I try speaking calmly, but my voice cracks.

I'm sprinting through the snow, my feet crunch into it with every stride. The wind blows gently. Only when I reach the door and sprint inside breathlessly, I realize, I haven't seen Aaron all night. I can't focus, I'm running up Sydney's stairs, I can hear Samuel screaming for everyone to wake up below me. I reach Sydney's room and fling the door open. It bangs against the wall, I fly across her room and throw the window open. The wind stings against my face as I push myself through. I'm standing on the slant of her roof, my hands are shaking. I push the thought of falling out of my head as I make my way over to Noah.

"Noah! Noah, look at me!" I scream, willing him to turn around. He can't hear me. The little boy has vanished. When I'm only a foot away, Noah steps forward. I lunge forward and yank him by his wrist. He stumbles backward and falls back against the shingles.