Haunted

- The state of being hunted by an unseen and supernatural force; a ghost

First Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye was approaching a wizened and old house. She didn't know why but the Colonel ordered her to investigate the area since a lot of disappearances have been happening near the manor of late. As Riza advanced on the house, she felt a sudden change in aura. There was something atrocious and secretive about the manor. Aside from its deteriorated walls of mahogany and broken windows, Riza could feel a presence somewhere. Somewhere she couldn't figure out.

To be on the safe side, she drew her gun from its holster and she began walking in a cautious manner. Riza surveyed the surrounding area. There were a lot of trees to one side and a dead end to the other.
Anyone could have made a good getaway by using the surroundings.

Seeing that no one was around, Riza walked towards the gate and yanked it open. It made a creepy sound that reminded her of horror movies. Pushing that thought aside, Riza went in and walked towards the door. By the looks of it, the house might have been abandoned for more than fifty years. The burnt umber doors with embedded gold were scratched and decayed. Riza turned the knob, expecting it to be locked.

Obviously, the whole manor was locked. Riza then aimed her gun at the door knob. A few shots and the door banged open.

Riza was stupefied by what lay inside. The floor was polished marble and the walls were painted a deep chestnut color. The ceiling was designed with different paintings by artists Riza never knew of. There were chandeliers made out of brass and clear glass. Lit candles were on top of tables of polished oak. Again, Riza was stupefied.

She had never expected the inside of a decaying manor to be as something extravagant and beautiful as a palace. Thinking that someone might lived here, Riza called out/

"Hello? Anyone here?"

And suddenly, a malicious voice rose out. It was deep and came from behind Riza.

"Yes..." Riza turned and shot. She was surprised to meet a blank wall. Had there been a door here? Where had it gone?

"Can't you see me?" The voice spoke out again. It had the same sadistic and nefarious tone as before.

The First Lieutenant reloaded her gun and began walking around the house. She passed by a hallway and came into what was a sitting room. There were tables and shelves filled with books and chairs.

"Who are you?" Riza called out. Her voice echoed through the empty and silent house. She felt the vile demeanor of the house getting stronger. The anomalous clutches of terror and trepidation creeping on her. Unable to face the impending fear, Riza shot a window. She was about to jump off when something wet and scaly caught hold of her free hand. She was pulled back and fell on top of a table.

Riza froze. She held her breath and tried listening for any trace of movement. Finding none, she rolled off the table. One way or the other, she has to get out of here. Everything that was happening was against all kinds of logic.

Running towards a grand staircase, Riza landed on the second floor. It was only filled with a tall mirror. Riza looked at her reflection. Face filled with sweat, hair in disarray, gun out. Riza saw a shadow pass by but only to find nothing.

"Who the fucking hell are you?" Riza called again. This house was driving her insane! Its like that wherever she went, she finds something new. And there was this phantom stalking her around the house. She was losing her mind!!

Losing all her control, Riza shot all over the place. She kept on shooting until all her bullets were wasted. Unable to escape the horror, Riza broke down and cried. She screamed at her phantom. She screamed and screamed until she was out of breath. She hated this person, this monster that enveloped her. This stalker who managed to control her every choice and movement. This shadow who manipulates her and everything else, making her lose her own sanity. Not even able to find any kind of escape, Riza fell unconscious.

5 years later...

Riza woke up to find a platter of food in front of her. It was the same as always. She slept and woke to find a plate of food barely enough to keep her alive. She sat up and began eating. A few minutes later and she was done. Riza stood up and walked around the manor. Once she entered the hallway, it all changed. As usual. She saw a shadow pass by. Riza left it alone, knowing it was her phantom. It was the same presence who continued to evade her detection. She would feel him at night in his cold embrace.

But Riza wasn't fooled by this. She had began to plot her revenge. She would find him and KILL him. She would make him suffer for her pain. She would cut his skin slowly by her own hands and force him to eat it. She would wound him and make him bleed slowly. She would mutilate him. She will rejoice in his pain and sorrow. She will have her vengeance.

But little does Riza know that this phantom has fell in love with her.

Little does she know that this presence has protected her in the dark when she sleeps. Protect her from
them. The true monsters. Those who wait in the dark, ready to torment her when she sleeps. Their blades sharp and their mouth hungering for her mind.

Little does she know that this stalker was not the one who manipulated her. Not the one who tormented her years ago when she first came here.

Little does she know that this man was the one who fought for her salvation. The one who bled for her peace. The one who hid for her security. The one who is blamed for her suffering.

And this man approaches Riza when she sleeps. He walks to her sleeping body and lie beside her. He wraps her in his arms and kisses her forehead to quiet her dreams. He lies there to protect her from those malevolent beings.

"Shhh..." He would say when she shook. He would wipe the sweat away when she becomes afraid. He would keep her warm and alive until daybreak. And when Night steps down from her pedestal and Dawn opens her gates for the Hours to escape, he would prepare food for her. And he would do this all over again for this was the only thing he could do to ease her sufferings.

This was the only thing that Roy can do for the one he loves.

And little does Roy know that Riza had began to love him.

A/N: Huh..this was fun...Anyway...I used the inspiration behind the song "Haunted" by Evanescence. I changed it at the end to make it a bit...well...angsty and supernatural.....Any way REVIEWS!!!!