Ghost In The Vestige's Shadow

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Zach’s POV – 9:00 pm

“What happened to him?”

“Don’t know. Just noticed he hasn’t come home yet, then heard that he was out cold down at the gym.

So I went to pick him up. He was already awake and looking alright when I got there, but when I brought him here an hour ago, he said he was tired so he’s taking a rest right now.”

It was already evening, around 7:00, when I heard news that Albert had passed out in the gym. I quickly drove over, picked him up, then brought him to Bea‘s place.

She’s a friend of ours, and we’re really close with her. Me and Bea have been friends since kindergarten, and she got along pretty well with Albert when they met.

I check my watch, noticing the time. Nine o’clock, already? Why don’t I ask Bea if we can stay over at her place?

And as if reading my mind, she tells me, “I see. It’s already late, so why don’t you two spend the night here? This place is pretty far from where you guys live. I also think it might be good for Albert to go get some extra rest.”

“Well, I was just about to ask you that! ” I reply “Though I didn’t think you’d allow it. Guess you missed us did you?” I nudge Bea lightly while letting out a light chuckle.

“Shut up you jerk. I’ll go check on Albert. Wait here, or better yet, just get yourself some sleep already. You’re sleeping on the couch by the way”. What?! Mean!

“Can’t you be a bit kinder to me? Or at least let me sleep on a bed will you?” Bea ignores me and walks over to the guest bedroom – where Albert is currently resting, giving me time to think about what took place today. I wonder what happened earlier. That sound, it was too loud to just be the everyday city noise. No, it was something else entirely. Nothing was out of the ordinary when I checked the apartment building. I continue pondering on earlier events, but can’t seem to think of any possible thing. But there was something really unsettling. Of course! I recall what I and Albert saw when we exited our apartment building. The people outside, they were just going about their day, as if they didn’t hear anything. I was certain that the noise earlier would be heard even until a few blocks away. But why – why were they unbothered by it? Did they even hear it? A lot more other questions without any answers swarmed my head. Then- “Hey! Zach!” Albert snaps at my face. “Heey, you there Zach? Thinking pretty deeply. That’s not like you.” He tells me. As if I don’t already know. “Doesn’t seem like thinking’s good for his brain either.” Oh, Bea‘s here too.

Albert’s POV – 7:30 pm

Sitting down on a bench in the gym, my back leaning on a wall – still pretty groggy, I watch Zach walk in, and see him looking for me. As much as I want to call him, I feel so tired I don’t think I have any energy to even speak. Because I was sitting in a corner far from the entrance, it took Zach a while to find me, especially since the gym was pretty crowded today. But when he did, his expression shifted from worry to disturbing concern. “You’re not looking too good there, pal. Like a walking corpse.” – but he said that last sentence jokingly. Why you? I can see you laughing you know! But at least it lets me know that someone probably told him that I’m alright. He lets out a sigh of relief and picks me up. “Though I don’t think you’re dizzy little head can’t handle a long drive home, so we’re going to Bea‘s place first, okay?”

Though the trip to her house was only supposed to take around fifteen minutes, heavy traffic had us stuck on the road for almost an hour. When we arrived, the house was empty, so Zach pulled some keys out of nowhere then we both helped ourselves in.

“Um, Zach, how’d you get those keys?” I ask, knowing Bea would never trust anyone with her house. Especially Zach. “Oh, I found them tucked away near the door outside.” Of course, you did… I walk around the living room for a while, admiring how neat and organized everything is. Her house has a modern and very minimalistic look. The walls are white, and adorned with simple designs. Indoor plants sit on windowsills, and there’s ample space to move around. The whole place exudes a relaxing ambiance. There are shelves, drawers, cabinets, and all kinds of organizers for her belongings. Everything she owns has its own specific spot here. Nothing is out of place, from the arrangement of chairs and tables to the tiny photos on the wall. Unlike my apartment, there’s not a single speck of dirt here. Well, Bea always did get ticked off from even the tiniest bit of mess.

I almost get lost in thought when I step on what I think is a banana peel. Before I even get to react, I slip, slamming so hard on the floor, that I feel pain shoot up from places I didn’t know existed. “Ow,” Zach runs over, helping me up – banana in hand.” “Woah there, you alright? You fell down pretty hard, cartoon style.” Not gonna lie, I was very annoyed at him, and all I wanted then was to throw a sucker punch at his face, but my hips hurt so much I can barely walk. “Huh? You’re looking pretty mad there Albert. Did I do something wrong?” Rolling my eyes, I sigh while pushing myself away. I go over to the guest room, which was the very last door along the hallway from the living room if I remember correctly. “Come on Albert! What’s the matter?” Zach calls out to me again, but I don’t hear it. “Tired. Gonna get me some shuteye.” Slamming the door behind me. Then, as the exhaustion of all today’s events catches up to me, I fall on the bed and drift off to sleep.

I wander through the murky darkness in my mind, my steps echoing through the empty void. I see and hear myself walking, but I don’t feel the steps I take. I don’t find the solidness of the ground as I normally would. I’m dreaming. I think to myself. Still aimlessly walking through, I hear the sound of a distant call, but I don’t know where it’s coming from. I stop momentarily, noticing that whoever, or whatever is calling me is getting closer. It’s slow, but it’s certainly going towards me, inching closer and closer. The call becomes clearer, not anymore a random echo, but still muffed when it reaches my ears. It’s already gotten close enough for me to know where it’s coming from. Desperately trying to make out what my ears are picking up, I get tired of waiting there and feel the urge to move toward it. Walking towards the call, I am stopped in my tracks when a bright light flashes in my eyes and I fall down. When the light fades, so does the sound. Still lost in the dark, fear starts to grow inside me. A fog draws in, quickly enveloping everything around. From the twilight I was in earlier, I now find myself shrouded in mist. Getting up, I see something in the distance. A silhouette of a person. Possibly a woman, judging by what I can see from here. But then, it changes. A man. Then again it changes. This time I can’t recognize what it is anymore. It’s not human, that’s for sure. Tentacle-like appendages extend from the mass of shadows. When I realize it’s reaching out for me, I break out of my stare. Startled, I make a run for it. But I haven’t even reached two paces when something grabs ahold of me. No! It’s got me! I was thrown down, and pinned on the ground. The phantom binds my arms and legs, rendering me unable to move. I struggle to break free, but my efforts are fruitless. The monster placed itself on top of me. Revealing its horrific jaws, monstrously large and lined with teeth so crooked and sharp sending horror down my spine. Then, gapes its horrific mouth to swallow me whole.

I lay in the creature’s binds waiting for the inevitable when – “Albert, Albert! It’s me, Bea. Can I come in?” – loud knocking wakes me up. I get up from the bed and take a short breather before letting Bea in. That dream.. What was that? Still confused, my thoughts were cut short when Bea suddenly entered the room.

“Albert, you alright? You’ve been resting for a while now.”

“Oh, hi Bea. I’m fine, thanks. What time is it anyway?”

I couldn’t think of any other response while still trying to get myself together.

“That’s good to hear. It’s late now, around nine, I think. I’m gonna go get something to eat. You look pretty starved yourself. Come on!”

Honestly, I couldn’t have been more delighted to hear that. I don’t think I ate anything the whole day. Following her out of the room, Zach immediately catches my attention. Sitting down, hunched over on the couch, like he’s actually thinking. THINKING!

Surprised, I try to get his attention – walking up right in front of him “Hey! Zach!” “Heey, you there Zach? Are you actually thinking – like, using your head?

That’s not like you.” He tried to ignore me, so I thought he actually was thinking about something. But before I could even say anything else, Bea lets out her own remark, with a slight chuckle. “Though it doesn’t seem like thinking too much like that could be good for his brain.”

Seemingly ignoring what Bea said, Zach looks up at us with a sigh. “So, Albert, I see you’re awake now. How are you feeling?” How am I feeling? I don’t know any word that could describe being tired, confused, and starving all at the same time. “I’m alright. Still kinda tired, and hungry too. Don’t think I didn’t eat anything yet today.” That’s all I tell him because I don’t want to worry my friend too much. Just then, Bea cuts back in our talk and almost literally pushes Zach off the couch.

“You heard him, Zach! Why don’t get us something to eat? You’ve been sitting on that couch since you got here I’m worried you won’t be able to stand anymore.”

Of course, Zach still wants to get some more time to relax, and hands over the work to Bea, and sits back down.

Well, he tries to at least “Can’t you cut me a little slack B.? You know, Albert‘s not the only one who’s got a rough day.” Visibly annoyed, Bea pulls Zach off,

taking his place on the couch. “Don’t give me that Zach. Just go get some food. How hard could that be?” Seeing that he couldn’t do anything else, Zach walks to the kitchen, Bea following him with her eyes until he’s out of sight.

Bea stretches out on the couch, resting her head on my lap. I just sit there, just waiting for Zach with food being the only thing I can think of. A few minutes pass, and Zach still doesn’t come back. “Long day huh?” Bea probes, breaking the silence. “You got that right. I don’t think I’ve experienced anything like this before.” I barely finished my sentence when my stomach unexpectedly growls. A flush of heat goes up my face. Visible embarassment. Really? Now of all times? “I can vouch for that. I don’t think I’ve your stomach ask for food so loudly before.” We both laugh at that and then Bea just pokes my face out of nowhere. “H-hey what gives-” “It’s annoying you know! You and Zach always are always too reckless! Do you know how worried I was when Zach called me when he said you got too exhausted and passed out? I get you to get into trouble all the time, but you gotta at least consider consequences!”