Spirit Animal Ficlets

The Haunting

Arik wasn't fond of parties. Especially after his burning accident in the greenhouse. He wore a scarf over his mouth to hide the disfigurement left by the burn scars.

"Come on in, boy," said the skeletons sitting by her closet door
Dirty secrets, empty memories, and broken hearts across the floor

Everybody was convinced it was Widow's Flame. She was known for her fire as a means to kill people. They just never understood why she would attack the earl's son, theories were tossed about amongst them though. Arik knew who had done this but he swore never to speak his name again.

I was knocked out, heels over head
So you dragged me by my feet to a ghost town, where you buried me
No wonder no one heard my screams

He still remembered the day. The horrible accident that had happened when he was tending to the flowers. Everything had seemed so surreal and he would never forget what had gone down in the greenhouse the day of the fire.

Love's so alive, but it died in its sleep
And now that it's dead, I live in your head and I will haunt your fucking dreams

The stranger had entered the greenhouse without much of a greeting. They stood there staring at each other. Then they took off their hood. Arik held his breath as his pulse suddenly sky rocketed.

No one will love you like I did, will treat you like I did
So go on, wear that scarlet letter

Miles rubbed his neck, a loop of ugly deep scars took up most of it. He cleared his throat "Hello Arik, good to see you again," he greeted. His voice had sounded ripped and scraggly. Not familiar at all.

No one will love you like I did, will touch you like I did
So good luck finding something better

Arik stepped against the table behind him. His blood was cold and his skin was clammy. There couldn't be amyway he was alive "You're dead," he said.

Run away, boy, if you couldn't tell, baby's got a thirst for blood
A subtle system, wicked melodies, craving bullets from her gun
So entranced they, follow every word, little spirals in their eyes
Catch a lover, turn an enemy just to watch them burn alive

Miles hummed as he scratched at his scar "Suppose so, though death never works if you leave 'em kicking," he replied. The niloan boy took out a box of matches from his pocket and leaned onto the glass "That's why I never leave mine kicking," he replied.

No one will love you like I did, will treat you like I did
So go on, wear that scarlet letter
No one will love you like I did, will touch you like I did
So good luck finding something better

Arik eyed the box "What's that got to do with anything?" He asked. Did Miles smoke now? It would explain his voice or maybe that was his... Arik still couldn't believe that he had survived that. A barbed wire noose? He should have suffocated or bleed out. That's what his father said.

Someday you may find that picture perfect guy
And I'll chase my words with poison
Until that day arrives, and swine take to the sky,
Fill your void with open thighs so,

Miles looked at him "I'm a Phoenix Arik. I died and I came back as a killer, as The Hanged Man." He hit the box against his palm a few times to make his point.

Arik felt the way his throat tighten "You're him? The Hanged Man but why would you-

Miles sneered "You and your father hung me up and left me to die! I am The Hanged Man!" He snapped, interrupting the earl's son. Arik shut his mouth. Miles sighed "Whatever, I just came to say one thing Not discuss dead things."

Arik raised an eye brows "What's that?"

No one will love you like I did, will treat you like I did
So go on, wear that scarlet letter
No one will love you like I did, will touch you like I did
So good luck finding something better

Miles lit a match "Give your father my regards," he replied in a sickeningly sweet tone of voice.

The horror arrived as he flicked the match towards the dead foliage on the ground. Arik could still smell the smoke as the Greenhoise went up in flames instantly. The feeling of his skin burning when he realized Miles had gone and he threw himself against the glass.

No one will love you like I did, will treat you like I did
So go on, wear that scarlet letter
No one will love you like I did, will fuck you like I did

Arik was back in the presence. Back at the party. He pulled his scarf down to take a sip of his drink. A servant arrived with a tray of food. Arik took one up and as he went to pop it in his mouth. He froze.

So good luck finding something better

Miles smiled as he vanished into the crowd with his little tray of food.