Out of the Darkness

18

I thought about the voice that I had been hearing, and the flash of clothing that had disappeared around the corner. Had it really been all in my head? Christ, I was really beginning to hate this haunted shit so much. It seemed like it would fuck us up every time we did anything. It didn't usually hit me this hard though, and it worried me. It was making me legitimately crazy...I didn't want to end up like George. Attached to a damn doll, in a mental institution. I texted Sam back and told him everything was fine and I think I was just freaking myself out. I waited a while to see if he would text me back, but he didn't. That meant he was on his way home. Stubborn ass.  Whatever. I had to admit, I did feel better knowing that he was on his way home. Usually, I was fine being alone. Even enjoyed it, but tonight...tonight was getting to me. I didn't want to chance seeing or hearing anything again so I went downstairs to get my headphones. I fell back on the couch, and listened to music while I scrolled absentmindedly through my my Instagram feed. When Sam touched my arm, I almost crapped. I yanked the headphones out of my ears and stood up. "Damn it Sam!" I exclaimed, wrapping them around my hand. "What?" he said, laughing. "I was just letting you know that I was home. You were supposed to call the cops for them to double check the house Colby." I rolled my eyes at his bossy tone. "There was no point. I think I just spooked myself out. That damn doll had me on edge and the articles that I was reading about the house earlier must've gotten to me." He raised his eyebrows at me questioningly. "What doll?" Shit. "Oh...um," I started, unsure of what to really say. "You took another souvenir from the haunted place, didn't you?" he said, with a grin. "Maybe," I said, smiling back. None of it seemed scary now that Sam was here. "So, are we haunted again?" I shrugged and sat down on the couch. He flopped down beside me, kicked his shoes off, and brought his legs up onto the couch. "Maybe. I don't know. I've been hearing a girl's voice, and even thought I saw something a few times. I threw the damn doll in the trash earlier. I couldn't be in the house with her. It was too creepy." He tapped his finger against his chin, staring at me thoughtfully. "What, Sam? I hate it when you stare at me like that," I replied, frustrated. "Oh, sorry. I was just thinking. What if something from the house is actually attached to the doll?" "Nope. Sam, no. I don't know what you're about to, but I already don't like it. Just let this be. You heard Corey! This place is just wrong. Anything involved with that place is wrong!" I felt like someone was watching me again, and glanced behind me. I caught the swishing white wisp again, turning the corner. "What the fuck?" I muttered, walking over to the doorway. "What is it? Did you see something?" Sam asked, following me. I turned back to him and shook my head. "No. Thought I did, but now. Anyway, whatever you're planning, it's a no from me. I don't like this." "Come on Colby. It's not like we're going back to the house. We can just try to communicate with whatever it is here." "Saaaam," I groaned out, falling back down on the couch. "I don't want too. What are you not getting?" He sighed and rolled his eyes. "Fine. Stay haunted then. I'm gonna order some food since I came home early. You want anything?" "Nah, I think I'm good," I answered, watching him walk into the kitchen. As soon as I couldn't see him anymore, I got up and walked into the hallway where I had last seen the white smoke-like wisp. "Are you here?" I whispered to the air, feeling incredibly stupid. "Is there someone here? I heard you laugh earlier and I saw you...or I almost saw you. That was you, right?" I didn't get an answer at all, but I still had the creepy feeling that someone, or something, was watching me. For the hundredth time, in the last two days, I shook my head at myself. "Actually crazy. Just go ahead and commit me," I muttered, running my hand through my hair. This was infuriating. I walked into the kitchen to find Sam on the phone. I pointed to the outside lounge area, letting him know that I was going outside. He nodded, and I walked out the door. The night was clear for a change. I was able to see a few stars and the moon was bright. That was one thing I missed about my hometown in Kansas. The skies were usually so full of stars and so clear. It was beautiful and one of my favorite things. I sat down in one of the cushy chairs and sighed. This entire situation was just insane. Sure, we had been through some spooky, crazy shit before, but nothing like this. Honestly, Corey was usually the one that was able to see shit, not me. I might've heard some weird noises or something, but every house had weird noises. "I wish I knew what was happening," I whispered to myself, thinking about that damn doll. I felt a strong urge to go get her out of the trash. Maybe I could give her to a collector or something. It didn't seem right to just trash her. Yeah, that's what I would do. The trash pickup would run tomorrow though, so I needed to do it now. Instead of walking back through the house and getting questions from Sam, I made my way around the side of the house to the trashcan. It was dark but there was a single street light shining over the front of the yard. The trashcan was off to the side, in the darkness. I took out my phone to use as a flashlight, just in case.