Snow fall in the graveyard
The moonlight shown brightly off the fresh winter blanket of snow that fell just a few hours previous to me walking out here. Dark gray tombstones sprouted up out of the white seas, looking black in the dim light. The moonlight brought a calm smile to my face as I let my eyes wonder the frozen scene. Voices whispered to me on the cool breeze, that only I could hear. Shadow's and silhouettes dances amongst themselves, barely even noticing I was there.
I shifted slightly on the frosted over wooden bench, as my eyes watched the spirits of the children run back and forth. Even in the afterlife, kids loved snow. The winter wind carried their muted laughter to where I sat. A cold chill caused me to curl tighter into my thick zip up sweater. I closed my eyes letting the ghostly voices drift into my ears as the white noise of the crowd.
Most of the spirits didn't notice that I could see them, they haven't been around long enough to tell when someone is looking at them and not through them. The older one's stared at me with wonder and surprise, upon noticing I wasn't looking past them.
I liked it here, in the middle of the moonlit night. The ghosts had enough strength to look like shadows, and act like normal people. Talking and laughing like they really weren't dead. It made me happy to seem the torrent of souls seem to be oblivious of death from a while.
Frigid wind whipped my lime tipped, raven hair that stuck out from my black skeletal hood, causing me to open my eyes, and shiver slightly. A man lept through the graveyard nimbly, moving at blinding speeds with frost following in his wake, gliding on the winds when he needed a bit of a boost. He wore a navy sweater, and handmade leather pants. The frost from around his collar and on his sleeves reflected the dim light and shimmered slightly. His wooden staff, that he carried, was taller than him with a large natural hook in the end. Snow white hair stuck up at messing angels from his head and his piercingly blue eyes held a mischievous glint.
He slowed so when he was standing about 30 feet in front of me. The black silhouettes walked around and through him, barely noticing him. My smile grew wider when I seen him. 'I knew I'd see him tonight.' I thought to myself. A winter storm was supposed to hit early in the morning so I knew he'd be coming back after the small one hours before. I had seen him around town, or down the street playing with the neighborhood kids. He reminded me of the shadows that surrounded him now, the adults couldn't see him, as well as certain groups of kids, but I could. He never really noticed me either, but that came as no shock to me, people hardly ever did.
I lifted on the the strings to my sweater and stuck the ear bud, that was embedded in the jacket like veins, in my ear. New Year's Day by Black Veil Brides began to wail in my right ear. I always left one ear free in case any wayward or lonely spirit wanted someone to listen. Crossing my long skinny jean clad legs, I relaxed, slightly leaning my head back over the bench. Still able to see the scene as it played out through my long straight bangs, that fell to my jaw.
My liquid steel eyes, that often change from icy blue to a pale green depending on the light and my mood, watched the joyful winter spirit in the seas of shadowed souls. He stared up at the full moon as the large grin slowly receded into a calm look. The wind calmed with him, and the night seemed to still. He seemed to be having a mental conversation with the moon, staring at the celestial body with thoughtfulness I recognised. Though the sober face looked somewhat out of place on a face so often given to smiling and laughing.
A layer of thick frost that had grown around his bare feet reflected the light back to the sky, nearly looking like he was standing in a spot light. His pale skin seemed to turn translucent and his hair had a slight blue tint to it now. With angular features and a skinny frame, he truly was in his element.
The ghosts began to dissipate as the clock ticked past 4 am and the clouds began to move in, covering the moon in wispy fingers.
Smiling I yawned slightly as I stood up and stretched. My back gave a satisfying crack that echoed in off the tombstones. Jack's head snapped in my direction, just now noticing my existence. My stormy eyes watched him though he couldn't tell through the shield of bangs. I bit my at my lip ring that clicked against my teeth gently. My smile didn't waver as I turned to leave, my nightly routine was winding down.
I let my hood fall off my hair showing the neon green tips in my layered and messy hair. My black hair turned an unnatural blue in the dim moonlight. The length of it worked its way out from under my jacket and fell to around the middle of my back. My thin frame cast a long shadow over the snow as my converse clad feet crunched through the snow following my previous tracks.
I heard a low whistle come from behind me. I turned slightly looking at the man from the corner of my eye. His playful smirk was back on his face as he leaned against his hooked staff. Turning away again I continued walking with a grin on my face, "Have a good night, Jack." I whispered under my breath as I walked through the wrought iron gates that lead to the street.
I felt the chilly wind wrap around me from behind, causing my hair to fan out and ripple in the icy air. I turned completely around facing him now, the icy wind nipped at my face blowing the fog from my breath back behind me. My bangs shifted letting my eyes shine in what was left of the moon light. Looking in Jack's direction I smiled before lifting my hand up. I wiggled my fingers in a small wave before covering the wave by brushing my hair out of my eyes. After 18 years of interacting with things others can't see I have learned to hide small gestures like that on instinct.
As I turned to continue on my way I seen his crystal blue eyes grow wide, he even looked over his shoulder to see if I was looking at someone behind him. I laughed quietly and continued walking down the sidewalk.
A stronger wind blew past me and I looked up to see Jack clinging to a windowsill with one hand, his staff hanging in a loose grip as he leaned away from the building. His gaze bore into the top of my head causing my cheeks flare a little. Stuffing my hands in the front pocket I watched my feet as I made my trek home in the cold night.
Focusing on the blaring guitars and deep bass in my ear, I tried to distract myself from the guy who was gracefully leaping from roof to roof and building to building behind me. I could sense his presence licking at my heels like fire. It wasn't very different from being shadowed by the restless souls who needed someone to help or listen. The only difference is the person following me was alive as far as I know.
I stopped dead in my tracks when a haunting voice drifted into my open ear. Pulling out my ear bud I turned in the direction I thought it was coming from.
Seeing nothing out of the ordinary but feeling another presence fighting for my attention, I call to the spirit,"I'm here." my voice echoes down the deserted street and into the alleyway I was facing. "I can hear you, what do you need?" My kind voice was even and calm. I had done this countless times before.
I heard quiet hissing and moaning in responds. "That's it, just a little louder please" I said bending to one knee, even though the snow soaked my pant leg almost instantly.
"Who are you talking to?" I heard a male voice from up above me, sounding like he was talking to himself.
The hissing grew louder turning into short sentences, "She...sees...me?" The S's were drawn out sounding like a snake before the strike, though no matter how creepy voice sounded I had heard it before. Nothing could rattle me now.
"I can hear you." I say slowly, "But you have to come out of the shadows for me to see you." I focused my eyes peering deeply into the darkness trying to see movement that ghosts could manifest sometimes.
After a moment of silence I spoke again, "Try touching my hand. I'll help you." I stretched my arm into the blackness offering it to the soul. I felt icy icy air wrap around my hand, I smiled reassuringly. The air turned to a light touch of fingers and my eyes began to make out a shadowy frame. It was a that of a child. Based on the short hair I'd say a boy who couldn't have been more than 7 or 8. His arm was up like he was wiping tears from his eyes. "What's the matter sweetie?" I asked with a gentle smile.
Tiny fingers wrapped tighter around my hand, feeling nearly corporeal, before a shaky voice answered, "No one can see me." The voice sounded much more like a child's now, the hissing was nearly gone. "And I don't know why." The little boy began to sniffle again.
"Well I can see you." I said trying to cheer him up slightly. "What's your name?"
This seemed to side track the boy,"Michael." was his response.
"Hi Michael," I said with a pleasant smile, "I'm Aurora."
"Aroar..er..a? " he stumbled over my name causing my grin to widen a fraction. "Aurora." I pronounced slowly, "But you can call me Aura if you like."
"Aura." He said it slowly to make sure he got it right.
"There ya go." I nodded in approval. An icy wind blew up the back on my neck causing my to shudder.
Out of the corner of my eye I seen Jack walking up beside me, looking perplexed, since it looked like I was talking to air.
"Are you cold?" Michael asked concerned.
"Just a bit," I answered the kid. "Jack Frost is being rougher than normal tonight."
That comment earned a giggle from the child. I laughed with him quietly before speaking again. "Hey climb on my back, I wanna show you something." Spinning on the balls of me feet I turned so my back was facing him.
"Where are we going?" Michael questioned as he climbed up and wrapped his chilly arms around my neck, along with locking his legs around my waist.
Standing up, my hip popped under the new weight, I wrapped my arms under his legs to help support him, before I began walking back toward the graveyard. "Somewhere." I said with a sly grin looking over my shoulder.
Now that he was out of the shadows, I could see what he looked like. Chopped blond hair, and bright blue eyes stared back at me. With a chubby face and Superman t shirt he looked so innocent.
"Come on Aura," He whined playfully. "I wanna know!" He said excitedly squirming up and down.
"You keep that up and I'll end up dropping you." I said playfully scolding the kid.
"You wouldn't." His eyes got wide.
"I don't know," I said dragging out the phrase, "You are kinda heavy." I smirked evilly before I loosened my grip letting him fall a couple inches off my back. Before he could let out his shriek I caught him, turning his surprise into giggles.
"Don't do that!" he cried in my ear. I just laughed in response.
We traveled a block in silence, before Michael broke it. "I like your hair." his grip around my neck loosened as one hand began to fiddle with a few locks. "It has pretty colors in it."
"Finally someone appreciates my look." I chuckled quietly, "Takes a lot of skill and work to keep my hair looking like this."
"I thought it was cool." Came Jack's interjection. My face heated up at his complement, as I tipped my head forward to hide the flush of my cheeks. I had almost forgotten he was following me. A trail of frost followed him as he walked down the middle of the street watching me with a high level of curiosity.
To his credit, I probably did look a little insane talking to an invisible being named Michael and miming carrying a child on my back, but just a little bit. That's why I tend to stay inside during the day when normal people are out. I really didn't want to go back to the padded room, and yes I said back.
The tall archway appeared out of the dark, and Michael noticed. "Why are we going to a graveyard?" I felt him shrink down behind my shoulder.
"Why you scared?" I asked with a smug look.
"No of course not." He pulled himself up again trying to be tough. "Just wondering."
I crossed back onto the grounds and Michael's eyes grew wide. "So you can find some friends." I knelt down again to offer safe return to the snowy earth.
"How are there so many people here?" He asked in astonishment. I could make out some of the stronger ones, but not nearly as many as he could. This was his world, and I was only seeing the tip of the iceberg.
He slid off my back, but kept a hold on my hand. I smiled at him reassuringly, "Go." I said softly putting my hand on his back. "I'll see you around."
He returned a big toothy grin, before running off after the small shapes I could see. His body faded to a shadow as his laugh resonated around me.
Standing up, I felt slightly light headed from helping Michael find a semi-solid form, before I turned to Jack. Who was staring at me completely confused. I couldn't hold back the laugh that bubbled up from my chest.
He shook his head, which caused a small breeze. The hair that had been shielding my gaze shifted over letting one eye come into his view. When he seen it, he froze. I making focused eye contact with him, and I wasn't supposed to be able to even notice him.
His confusion switched to astonishment in an instant. I smiled sheepishly, before lifting my hand and giving a small wave. "Hi Jack." I nearly whispered.
His eyes grew wider than I thought possible and his mouth fell open slightly.
My small smile faded the longer he stared at me. I had seem the same stares all my life from people who didn't understand. I frowned pushing my hair back over my eyes and pulled my hood up. Creating my emotional shield, before I whispered, "Sorry."
Then turned to leave. My feet stomped through the inches of snow leaving the criss crossed pattern from the bottom of my shoes. I could feel his wide eyes on the back of me head, burning a hole in my scalp.
I quickened my pace steadily, so by the time I turned the corner I was running. The wind pushed my hood back and let my hair fly out behind me. My body felt at ease keeping up this pace, and fell into a comfortable rhythm.
I reached the alley that the road I was running down dead ended into, and ran at the red brick corner.
With practiced skill and agility that could only be matched by the spirit I had left at the graveyard I lept at the wall, taking a wall step up, and propelled myself upwards. Bounding back and forth between my feet, I scaled the 2 story building with ease.
Reaching up my hands caught the cement edge of the roof. My thin arms were stronger than they looked, and were able to pull my weight up and onto the gravel topped structure. The icy snow made traction hard to come by, but it never stopped me before.
I took off again at a dead run taking the quickest way back to my house. The parkour was necessary for this route. It was also necessary to wipe my mind clean of the memories of the mental abuse that Jack had awakened unknowingly.
After 10 minutes of jumping, rolling, and climbing I walked up the slate walkway to my two story house. The white washed building towered over me, unlocking the door, I was greeted by my living room shrouded in darkness.
A large black couch and love seat hooked together to form a 90 degree angle around a glass coffee table. The TV reflected the dim light from outside from its perch on the entertainment center.
Walking straight upstairs and down the short hallway to my room I collapsed on my bed sighing in relief. Helping Michael tonight had drained me more than I thought.
Rolling over, I pulled my Droid out of my pocket and plugged it into the charger, before turning the music back on. King for a Day by Peirce the Veil filled the room. I kicked off my shoes and curled up on my black and green comforter, not bothering to change out of my clothes.
I listened to the music that played in random order switching from screaming guitars to gentle piano, and everything in between.
I stared out the large window, watching the clumps of lake effect snow drift from the sky. It was almost hypnotic the way it moved.
My eyes widened when I seen swirls of frost grow on the window. It spread quickly covering nearly the whole pane obscuring my view. A shape moved behind it as a message began to appear where a finger removed the icy coating.
I'm sorry, Aurora.
JF
The arm retracted from my view as I shot up in bed. I crossed the distance to the closed window swiftly on my long legs.
I slid the glass up, letting in the cold wind. Leaning out the window I looked for Jack, knowing he couldn't have gotten away yet.
His eyes widened slightly not expecting me to be awake, I guess. A smirk worked its way onto my lips before I spoke, "You still busy with that blizzard, or can you come in so we can finally talk like civilized peoples?" I asked trying to hold in a laugh.
Xxxx Author's Note xxxX
I've been playing with this story in my head ever since I watched the movie . At this point what you just read maybe all there is to it, but I'm not sure. Let me know if I should continue it or just leave it as a short.
And yes I know I didn't get Jack's personality right. If I continue it he will definitely be care free and trouble making.
OK let me hear what you think. Don't worry about offending me. I take cirques seriously both good and bad.