Attic

I should have listened to my brother when he told me I shouldn’t live on my own in a house this big and secluded. But no, I had to prove him wrong, purchasing a house I thought could be my forever home. I got it for a steal and sure it may have been old and worn down, but it had so much potential. An old Victorian two story, four bedroom house. The structure was sound, the wood was solid and sturdy, the layout was beautiful. And because of all the work it needed, from new drywall to new plumbing and deck, I got it for a steal at auction. I wanted this place to work out so bad, but that dream was crushed as I stared at the mirror after getting out of my hot shower. My towel wrapped around my chest, steam filling the room. The water running down my back from my hair felt especially cold. Goosebumps spread across my skin as I read the message written in the mirror from the steam build up. One word.

Attic.

Of course I was curious. But my need to survive outweighed my curious nature. I grabbed my clothes and ran downstairs to the first floor where I stumbled trying to pull my pants on while my body was still wet from the shower. I tossed on a yellow pull over hoodie, snatched my phone off the table and ran out the door. Then FaceTimed my bestie.

Each ring of the phone felt like a lifetime, after the third ring she finally answered.

“El, can I stay with you? It’s an emergency!” I asked before she even had the chance to say hello. Her eyes widened and her worry was etched all over her face.

“Of course, but what happened? Didn’t you just move into your new place?”

“Its haunted!” I screeched. She paused and then laughed. “It’s not funny.”

“Yeah, it kinda is. All that talk about your dream house and new start and a ghost scared you away?”

“Elena! This is serious, I’m freaking the hell out and I need to crash.” I was on the verge of tears and Elena could see that. Her laughing stopped and she looked confused.

“I’m sorry sweetie. What happened?”

“Okay, I was in the shower and when I stepped out, there was a message in the mirror that said Attic. It wasn’t there before. I already finished cleaning the bathroom, including wiping down the mirrors before my shower. There’s no other explanation but a ghost writing it.”

“There’s no way it could have been a person? Maybe a prank?”

“I was alone in the house, my doors and windows were all locked. I’m a twenty two year old woman living alone, I was taking precautions.” I explained.

“Alright, I’m on my way.”

“It’s fine, I can come to y—”

Elena cut me off, “Nah sweetie. You said a ghost sent you a message and the message said attic. I’m not passing up the opportunity to take a look.” I knew she would want to investigate. Once curiosity set in, she could never let it go. The amount of trouble we’d gotten into because of her curious nature is more than I’d want in a lifetime.

“Fine. Just hurry up. And I’m not coming in with you.”

“Alrighty, I’m thirty minutes out, see you and your ghosty soon.” She said just before hanging up.

All I did for those thirty minutes was walk around my house wondering what the hell I was going to do now. All of my savings went into that place. I was completely broke. Once Elena pulled up I was finally able to breathe. I may have been screwed, but at least I had her. we’d figure it out together. But only after I left that terrifying death trap of a haunted house.

Elena jumped out of the car carrying a duffle bag and ran to me. “Alright girl, I got all the essentials. Ready?”

“Nope. I’m not going in there. I already told you.”

“Oh, come on. I’ll be right there with you. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Until a ghost shoves me down the stairs.” I quipped.

“You’re being ridiculous. I got your back, just trust me.” She pleaded.

After going back and forth on this, I decided to just give in. I mean I spent plenty of time in this place before the ghostly appearance made it’s debut. I might as well see it to the end.

“Fine, but if a ghost pops up, I’m throwing you to it and running out of there.”

“That’s the spirit!” She smiled and dragged me inside.

Elena tossed the duffle on the living room coffee table and unzipped it, pulling out a bunch of gadgets I’d never seen before. Before I got the chance to ask, she already started explaining.

“This one is something called EMF. It has something to do with magnets I think. But it helps detect if ghosts are around.” She set it on the table and pulled out another gadget, “This one, uh, I forget what it’s called, but it cycles through radio stations or something and sounds like static.” Next she pulled out what was obviously a voice recorder. “This one records the spirits sounds and ghostly mumbles or whatever.” Then she pulled out several flashlights. And looked at me with an expectant smile.

“Uh, where did you get all of this?” I asked.

“You remember Tony?”

“You’re ex?” I confirmed.

“Well, not really anymore. We’re not like a couple or anything but we’re friendly. And he had all this stuff. He said I could use it if I didn’t break it.”

“And do you know how to use any of this?”

“Uh, well, no. He showed me, but I don’t really remember. Oh!” She grabbed the voice recorder and showed it to me. “I can use this one.” She smiled proudly.

“lets just stick to the flashlights.” I said, picking up two and handing her one.

“Buzzkill.” She mumbled as she packed up all the odd gadgets, took the flashlight from me and led the way. “To the attic!” She declared.

“Maybe we should let Zach know what’s going on. In case something happens.” I suggested.

“Your brother? No way. He’ll just freak and move you out. We got this.”

I reluctantly followed her up. The stairs creaked as we ascended with each step. The air felt thinner, but that was most likely due to my quick breathing. I was anxious to say the least.

“Alright, which way?” Elena asked as we reached the top floor.

“The left. End of the hallway.”

Once we reached the end, Elena took hold of the string hanging down from the ceiling and pulled it without hesitation. The ladder unfolded and dust fell around us. After some lung cleansing coughs, Elena grabbed hold of the ladder and climbed. Once she got to the top, she looked down and rolled her eyes.

“You promised you’d come up with me.” She said after seeing me with my arms crossed taking a step away from the ladder.

“Does it look okay?” I asked hesitantly.

“Sure, just a bunch of ghosts sitting around playing poker.” She quipped.

“Not funny.” I grabbed the ladder and slowly climbed my way up.

Daylight beamed in from a circular window, but not enough to light up the room. We turned on the flashlights and took a look around. The attic was filled with boxes. Some cardboard and some decorative antique wooden boxes and chests.

“What should we look at first?” I asked.

Elena beamed her light at a very intricately designed box with symbols carved onto it. “How about the one that stands out the most.”

“I’m not sure about this El. It feels icky.”

“Icky?”

“You know what I mean,” I clarified, “like we shouldn’t be here.”

“That’s the fun part.” Elena grinned and unlatches the box. As she started opening it, our flashlights got brighter and brighter until they burst. We both screamed as the top of the box flung open and blue smoke oozed out. Wind tore through the room, old photos flew everywhere and dust was scattered causing Elena and I to choke. Within seconds it stopped.

I heard a childlike giggle as someone whispered, “Thank you.”

With that, Elena and I ran out of the attic. I kept running until I was out of the house, Elena following right behind.

“What the hell did we just do?” I screamed, but Elena stayed uncharacteristically quiet, contemplating what had just happened. “El, talk to me. I’m thoroughly freaked out.”

“I think you should move in with me for now.” She finally responded.

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” We hopped into her car and drove away with plans to never set foot in that house again.