My heart jumped to my throat; I gasped and backed away. As I got farther, I noticed he was partially transparent! Then he spoke: “Hello. I’m sorry if I scared you.” My eyes simply grew wider, and my vision started to fade to black. Oh no! I can’t pass out now! I began to chant to myself, Don’t faint, don’t faint, please, Cea, don’t faint.
He noticed me swaying unsteadily and with a wave of his hand beckoned to one of the dusty chairs. The chair screeched eerily against the floor toward me of its own accord. “Please, have a seat,” he said, “I won’t hurt you.”
I obeyed, afraid to do anything other than what he told me. He swept into a deep bow, and in a soothing voice said, “My name is Destin, and I wish you no harm. Might I have the pleasure of your name?” Something in his voice calmed my nerves, and looking into his eyes seemed to awaken something inside me that I hadn’t felt in years. Was he actually interested in me and what I was feeling?
“Cea.” I answered. Then, unable to contain my curiosity, I blurted, “Are you a ghost?” Instantly, I covered my mouth. “Sorry.” I whispered.
He chuckled. “Yes, you could say that I am a ghost.”
“So the legend is true—You really haunt this house?”
“Trapped in this house would be the better term. Trust me, if I could leave, I would… How does the legend go?”
“Well I was told that a witch cursed you because you betrayed her and her daughter during the Salem witch trials.”
His face twisted in anger. “I didn’t betray Lillian,” he spat. “My brother followed me that night she told me about being a witch, and he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. Lillian’s mother didn’t believe me.” As he finished speaking, something flickered in his eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
“Oh. I’m so sorry!” I exclaimed. “I didn’t know!”
“It doesn’t matter.” He replied. “So why did you and your father move into the house?”
I sighed. “It’s for my dad’s job. We move around a lot, sometimes three to four times a year.”
Destin seemed so compassionate and so caring that all my problems came pouring out. “I never really get to settle down anywhere. Every time I get comfortable somewhere, it’s time to move again. My dad tries hard, but sometimes I wish he would just stay at home because I never get to see him. He used to come home early from work, but ever since my mom died, it’s like he avoids talking to me… So here we are: New town. New school. New life. Same problems.”
As I finished, I realized tears were falling down my face. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to heap all that on you, I just-“
“Needed to tell someone. I understand the feeling.”
I stared into his eyes that were so understanding and kind, and, for the first time since I first moved, I felt secure and comfortable. I wonder if he is the friend I have been searching for?
