The Truth Behind the Footsteps

Chapter 2: A Thousand Troubles

"And like the moon, she had a side of her so dark, that even the stars couldn't shine on it; she had a side of her that even the sun couldn't burn on it." ~ Abigail J.

I couldn't feel anything. Just the coldness and the darkness in the atmosphere. It had felt like arms had wrapped around me and dragged me, turning me into something I wasn't. Why is that? Why does the darkness follow me around? Everywhere I turn, its there. Waiting. Watching.

6:20. After the incident inside the house.

It was there. The figure. The look of a solemn fatigued face. Just there. I opened my eyes, breathing heavily. My arms brushed against the inside of the down comforter. I pulled it over my head and sat there with my eyes closed. The face, the eyes. The wrinkles of age. The destroyed soul. It all came back to me. I was unaware of my surroundings. I opened my eyes once again and laid awake. For a long time, it was peaceful. It felt relaxing. Just laying there, alone. I grabbed my phone and glanced at the time.

6:25. I had no where to go. No place to be. Just time to waste. I stared at the ceiling. The feeling of not being alone. The "house settling noises". It was there. The trouble, the danger. The adrenaline, picking up quickly. Speeding through my body. I grabbed my robe from behind the closet and walked downstairs to make some sort of edible food. (If I could cook it might have been edible.) It was one of those weekends where you could sit around, doing nothing. With no plans. Unfortunate, for me. There was a rough knock on the door. I glided to the bolt; unlocked it and peered waiting for someone to show. It was Melody.

She waltzed in, pushing me aside. Her face expressed confusion and concern. Probably some drama with college.Or something that she stressed over.

"Skylar," she dropped her belongings on the counter, "what is it? "

Now I was confused. What is it? What was what? My head tilted slightly and I caught her worried stare.

"You called. Said you were in trouble. I heard whispering on the other end. Then it went fuzzy."

"I didn't call you," my voice drifted off into the darkness, swallowing the sound completely. Until there was no hope or light left. Just emptiness.

I had a moment of revelation and ran upstairs to find my phone. Lying on the bed stand table, buzzing full of messages from Melody. I turned around and walked downstairs, taking one step carefully; keeping my eyes glued to the phone screen.

It was weird. I hadn't called her. I had been normal. No whispering. It was like I was living a lie. An awful lie. The door slammed behind me. I glanced around with curiosity. I was just really tired. Yeah, that had to be it.

I needed some time away from my house. It was like reality and fantasy were mixing, creating one whole nightmare. I needed to get out of this dream, and wake up; go back to reality. Where I wasn't being framed for sending voicemails.

7:13. Some time after the phantom caller.

Melody had departed with me ten minutes ago, and I itched to get out of the house. I made my mind up and grabbed my bag and car keys. Grabbed my leather jacket and tied my hair into a ponytail and swayed confidently out of the house.

I reorganized my thoughts and focused on my needs. Coffee! That was what I needed! Some coffee! I smiled. Old habits die hard.

a/n: Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. Sorry, the book has been going slower than promised. I'll do my best to get to the juicy, fulfilling parts! -Izzy