The chase

Chapter 1 - Without a trace

Special mention to ajmxkenna for the cover!

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Gone. She had just. Disappeared. I stare longingly towards the dull flimsy hospital bed. The blindingly white sheets had been neatly placed back over the thin cheap mattress. Her imprint fluffed out of the foam. The bed had been made. The room emptied for some time now. Light seeps through the half-closed curtains across the room. Providing light to the beds towards the end of the small space, not quite giving hers the same courtesy. The darkness casts a sorrowful shadow over where she had laid. I picture the silhouette of her that once lay holding on for life in this exact spot. My heart begins to ache, my eyes well and my mind begins to wander. Where did they take her? What have they done to her?

My feet track back out the door, into the bland white corridors that form the maze of a building. I challenge my memory to retrace my steps back through the labyrinth. Peaking through the rooms. Each holding their own heartfelt story of hope and loss, life and death. Machines beep, reminding us of who's still holding on, the ones fortunate enough to still be with us. Many rooms are empty; filled with nothing but depressed memories and despair. The occasional one housing sleeping patients in the comfort of their loved ones, head in hands, shoulders in a hunch. One of those visitors - a young man no older than 20 - turns his head on his white knuckles and meets my lingering gaze, his emerald eyes full of tears of helplessness turn to confusion. Embarrassed that I've been caught prying I shift my stare down towards the black and white marble floor, quickening my pace. I need to take my mind off the problems of others and focus on the main goal at hand.

I make my way towards what looks to be the front desk of the hospital, frustrated when I notice the lack of attendance. I ring the bell, listening to the high metallic sound it sends through the open room. Nothing. No sounds. No signs of movement. Absolutely nothing. I ring the bell again, this time with a bit more force and urgency.

Seconds tick by and with it my patience. A silent scraping catches the attention of my right ear, soft yet noticeable. Slowly it begins to get louder, it begins to get closer. The sound of metal on metal rings in my ears, inviting a shudder down my spine. I survey the long endless hallway, finding nothing but darkness at its end, the lights that work beginning to flicker. My eyebrows furrow in anticipation, curious to the noise lurking within the emptiness. A shadow materialises into the flashing lights, revealing its massive frame. Glowing purple eyes radiate through the gloom, piercing into my soul, inviting me into its presence. It stalks into the light and suddenly it's a figure no more, it does not take a solid form. Rather its formed by a cloudy substance of formidable stature, an apparition drawn to a house of death. The long Scythe like weapon it drags behind it scraping along the ground, screeching in agony.

I back peddle, not taking my eyes off the supernatural being I find myself facing. It slowly raises its arm for me, as if pleading me to join. Not wanting to witness this dark creation anymore, I turn on heel and run. Back through the neverending hallways, searching for help. I frantically glimpse into the rooms as I pass and unless there is a shortage of patients it seems that everybody has now up and disappeared. The metallic shrieking behind me nears closer and closer. Death seems imminent. 

I notice the directional signs hanging from the roof above signaling there is an elevator nearby. I follow the sign towards hall to the left, practically throwing myself around the sharp corner. As promised, the elevators wait towards the end of the next hallway. I sprint at full pace, frantically hitting the down button when I finally reach my destination. The elevator to my left begins to rise, moving from its current position at level 1... Up to level 2... Level 3. 

I glance back from where I came, the orbiting spirit still gliding effortlessly towards me. Its eyes shimmer at me, pulling me into its trap. I can't seem to look away, transfixed by its woeful call. A memory takes shape, a small girl being pushed on the swing by her mother. Sun beaming, birds chirping, children laughing and playing. I want to follow it, to leap into the calming scene before me. It's as if I'm in a trance, so invested in finding my way into that memory. My feet guide me towards it, so that I can be with them, so that I can be free. 

The elevator dings snapping me back into reality. The memory has faded, the spirit now taking its place in my vision. What the hell was that feeling all about? It's just a few steps away now. So close it could almost grab me. I turn to find that the elevator doors have opened so I jump in, instantly pressing for level 1 then onto the button that will close the doors, praying to god that they will close in time. The translucent being edges around the corner, making its way for the doors. I slowly shift towards the back of the elevator, trying to create as much space between us as possible. As it reaches its arm through the doors they finally begin to finally close and I watch as the spirit dissipates into nothing. 

I slide down the back of the elevator as my legs begin to give out on me, letting out a sigh of relief as I hit the bottom. Like the visitors in their dying loves one's wards, I place my head in my hands and begin to cry.