AfterLife

Chapter 2: Revenge

We were headed to an abandoned building, where someone had seen a ghost wondering about. The source wasn't too reliable, so we were just there to check around. If it was simply a wisp or some other harmless spirit, we would photo it and bring it back. To catch spirits we used special cameras which would trap them within a picture. If ripped they would be released. Usually, the first ghost you capture becomes your bond spirit; this is the ghost that would assist you in your daily duties.

As we approached the building I could see why someone would suspect a ghost to live in the residence. The old wooden house was completely dilapidated and destroyed. Half the roof was caved in, and almost all the windows were broken. The wood was rotting, and the door was hanging on one hinge. Rin gently pushed it and it fell off the door frame completely.

"Wouldn't be surprised if a ghost lived here, huh?"

"I guess."

I responded, shrugging my shoulders. With a concerned glance to me, Rin entered the building and I followed in behind him. We appeared to be in some kind of old sitting room. Old rotting chairs and a big musty couch sat in the middle of the room, facing a dust-filled crumbling fireplace. We then went through the door that was down a hall to the left. This room was the kitchen. An old-style stove sat between two filthy countertops. There was mold coating the old tile floor. We went through the rest of the first floor rooms which included a disgusting bathroom and what looked to have been a home office.

"Doesn't seem like anything is living down here."

I said.

"Let's check the second floor; if it's a wisp, it's probably hiding up there."

Rin said as he went up the old rotting stairs. Following him and carefully stepping over the ones with holes in them, we ascended the staircase. The upstairs had only two rooms. Both were bedrooms. Rin sent me in the one to the right, while he went into the master bedroom, which was to the left.

I entered the small room. In it was an old dresser; the shelves were either falling out or on the floor in pieces. The bed smelled strongly of mold and was covered in a thick layer of dust. The mold smell in this room was so bad I had to cover my mouth and nose with my cloak to make it easier to breathe. Looking through the closet quickly, I went to the door, wanting to leave this room as quickly as possible. I couldn't breathe well in here. A few steps from the door I realized it felt like I was being dragged down by something behind me. I turned around and saw nothing. Then I saw the window, which was letting in warm rays of sunlight, making my shadow long and skinny. Suddenly something Sarah and I read popped up in my head.

...

"What does it say about them?"

Sarah asked.

"Hold on, hold on let me find it."

"It says here that Vortexes will possess the shadow of their victims, slowly draining their energy. When they finally pass out, the Vortex will then suck out their victim's soul. Survivors have described it feeling like their shadow was dragging them down, and that it had a wavy effect when possessed."

"That sounds awful!"

Sarah exclaimed.

"Well then we're lucky that they're so rare."

"Tell me about it!"

...

I quickly reached for my camera, but before I grabbed it a voice entered my head.

"Now now, no need for that."

"What do you want!"

I yelled.

"Shh, no need to speak now. You see, I've come to help you."

"Oh surrre."

I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes. Well, thought sarcastically.

"Help me die? Tell me what you really want."

"I've seen what they put you through. They killed your sister. And even with the evidence they still got away with it."

"Why does that matter to you. Does internal pain make people taste better."

I thought angrily.

"They killed her. They deserve to be punished. I can help you kill them. I can help you hurt them like they hurt your sister. You've read about them. I can help you become one. We could get vengeance."

"Shut up!"

I yelled, out loud this time. Whipping out my camera, I quickly took a picture of my shadow.

"WE COULD GET REVE-."

The voice quickly cut off, just as Rin burst through the door.

"Alex are you okay!? I heard you yell!"

"I-I'm fine. I got the ghost. It was a Vortex."

"How do you know about Vortexes?"

He said, looking at me with a confused, but stern face.

"U-Ummm."

Before I could think of an excuse, the picture came out of the camera. I looked at it and nearly fainted. It was a picture of a horrible demented face which was a mix of Sarah and the man who killed her.

"Easy now."

Rin said, steadying me.

"Ouch, that's a rough picture."

He said, taking it out of the camera.

"I'll hold onto it for now. Still good job! First catch and it's a Vortex! These things are super rare, and most who encounter them die. I'm proud of you."

He said fondly, play punching my shoulder. I forced a weak smile.

"C'mon, let's head back. You deserve a nap."

I passed out as soon as I laid down on my bed. I had a restless sleep. I kept having dreams of Sarah's face morphing into the horrifying image in the photo the Vortex was trapped in. After the 3rd time of me waking up, I gave up and decided to wander. Almost immediately after walking out of my room I saw Rin.

"Ah, perfect timing! I was just about to get you to go get the photo fully developed. After that, you can have it as your official bond spirit!"

I cringed at the thought of that thing being my bond spirit. But it was my first catch, so I really didn't have much of a choice.