The spirit: 1/3

To go with the theme of Halloween, I wrote a short story for you…

It was 02:13am. Maisie’s bedroom was dark; the only source of light came from the soft burn of the moon. It was like a child began to draw on it with a pencil and then erased it in a way that smudged and spread the grey. The rain streaked down, invisible, until it hit the sodden ground. Like a flower after a drought, the thirsty floor slurped the steady plunging rain.

The window was partially open inviting the taciturn breeze to caress the warmth of her cheeks. The spineless gust carried a faint familiar odour; it was gone before she could identify it. A temporary sensation entered her mind, as if a mild zephyr ruffled through her thoughts. Did she notice the change in colour of her curtains and bedding?

Out of focus, like a poorly taken photograph, a golden skinned, white eyed – with sapphire in the centre – human shaped figure approached the bed. Strands of glowing blonde hovering above her waistline, swayed rhythmically as she loomed closer.

“What are you?” Maisie whimpered as she hid beneath her duvet.

However, it got closer. Then it spoke.

“Why are you behaving like this?” The pure, soft, feminine voice whispered.

Vague thoughts streamed shapelessly through her mind like long sad vapours through the twilight sky.

“Who are you? What do you want?”

“I want respect.”

“What? But I don’t know you!”

“I want you to respect Mum.”

The ghost-like figure faded into the void, as if it never even existed.

Maisie pulled her duvet down past her eyes so she could see clearly. She knew she was alone. Again. She picked up her phone and shone the torch around the room to make sure. She looked at her clock; it was 02:56am. She wanted to get some sleep before the morning, so she closed her eyes with fear and wrapped herself in her duvet. Small crystals rolled onto her pillow making wet tracks down her face.

She tossed and turned throughout the night. Restless.