Haunted

Chapter 1

"Are you okay, Maia? I was wondering if you want to have lunch outside"

It took me seconds to unfreeze and blink my eyes several times.

"T-that would be great, dad. Sure. I'll be down stairs in a minute" I breathed

I didn't even realize that I was holding my breath.

"You sure you're okay?" he worriedly asked

I just smiled at him and nodded before he hesitantly marched outside. Dad was always worried about everything. I love him for that. It was his way of showing how much he cares for me, especially that it's just the two of us now.

I grabbed a hand towel on my bag and walked towards the bathroom and washed my face with cold water. I gently wiped my face with the towel and faced the mirror quickly and thought I saw something moved behind me. What was that?

The human-like shape walked passed behind me so fast that I just brushed it off as nothing.

I shrugged and went outside. I can't just assume something sinister. It must be my imagination. Maybe I was just hungry. Yeah that's it. I'm hungry.

I went down stairs and saw Dad waiting by the living room and he was with someone I didn't know. He was a man maybe few years younger from my father.

"Hey Dad"

He turned his head and smiled "Maia, I was about to call you. This is Jonathan. He's from the house next door. He offered some help on cleaning the yard"

I looked at Jonathan and nodded as a greeting. His black hair framed his chiseled face as his hazel eyes watch me closely. I didn't mind him and just walked passed them towards the car where I plan to wait for my Dad for lunch

I turned to look at the outside of the house. It had enough--more than enough space for me and my dad. This house feels so lonely, so shallow.

I wrapped my hands around myself as a cold air passed through making me shiver.

I wonder how school would be for me. My dad already got help from my aunt living near our place to enroll me into a university. It's not really bothersome but at the middle of the year? It feels awkward

Getting into a built community where you're not really sure if there's still space for you.

I saw dad and Jonathan closed the front door and walked towards my direction

"--that would be great. We'll talk about it next time" my dad finally said before going beside me and shaking hands with Jonathan, dismissing him.

Jonathan took a glance at me and nodded before walking away. I shrugged and got inside the car

"Where do you want to eat lunch?" Dad asked as soon as he got inside.

"Anywhere would be fine, dad"

He simply nodded and started the car. It's engine booming, disturbing the quiet place. We drove away, letting the windows stay opened so I got the chance to appreciate the surroundings even more

Trees was almost everywhere and the place was still. The forest seems so deep that you would be afraid to step inside. The clouds lazily floated covering  small amount of sun light. The only thing I could here was the car engine and the fast passing of air. We could pass by some few people laughing or just walking beside the road.

It felt different but fine.

I remained that way until we reached town and stopped by a small restaurant.

We got out the car and dad opened the door for me. Everyone inside turned to look at us as they hear the chimes sing by the door. I didn't mind them and went straight to a vacant table.

"What can I get for the both of you?" A middle-aged woman asked,smiling widely at us

My dad ordered something for me. I didn't actually heard it because I was focusing in the shop in front of us. It was like an old antique shop. I was made of wood and it had weird inscriptions around it. I could see old books piled up inside and some boxes around. There were also these crystal-like balls on top of the shelves.

"So how do you feel about the house?"

I turned my head and saw the waitress gone and only my dad facing me

"It's nice"

Dad just nodded as response. It was silent for a moment but I didn't feel awkward at all. It wasn't for too long though since our order came after sometime.

We ate silently, not minding the people around who seems to be familiarizing us. After I finished eating, I  went outside while dad pays the bill so I could get fresh air.

This town looks pretty normal though I get chills whenever this weird wind comes by.

I looked around further and saw this shop just in front of the restaurant where I'm at. It was the shop I was staring at earlier. Once again, I looked at through it's glass walls and saw the crystal balls at the pile of books. It looks so old and maybe, even haunted. The inside reminded me of the shop in the movie Harry Potter where you buy wands and stuffs.

I was looking at the huge pile of books when I think I saw someone just behind the shelves. I narrowed my eyes to focus on the spot where a silhouette passed. I slowly came closer to take a clear look. When I got in front of the shop I saw this shadow

The shadow was hiding behind the shelves but as I came closer, it slowly moved to reveal itself. I suddenly became nervous as I watched the silhouette moving.....moving....

I jumped in surprise when I heard my father's voice call my name

"Maia! We need to go! It's getting dark!" he half-shouted from where he was standing

"Coming!" I replied

I took one last look at the shop but the shadow I was waiting was nowhere to be found.

I jogged towards our car where Dad was waiting and hop in as soon as I get to it

"What were you looking at?" Dad curiously asked

"Nothing. I just thought I saw someone" I smiled at him

He just shrugged it off and started the engine.

We drove off back to the house and once again passed by the trees. I was occupied by the images of the shadow in the shop so I was just staring blankly at the trees when I saw the same silhouette hiding behind a tree. I rubbed my eyes to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.

It was still there! It was a figure of a person wearing a hood covered by light smoke. It was weird that he or she was just staring at my direction--or me.

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author's note: Comments will be reallyyyyyy helpful :)