The Little Boy

What the heck just touched me?

"Hey what's the big idea!" I yell as I turn around to see who's behind me.

I see no one. I look left, then to the right. I even span around but there is no one near me. Then I look down and notice a vibrant red bouncy ball. But where is the child? This couldn't have just came and hit me from no where.

"Maybe this is a sign." I draw my attention back to the long staircase. "Maybe someone is expecting me." That was all I needed to tell myself to start walking up. I picked up the ball and started to make my way to the place I've visited many times in my dreams.

As I arrived at the top I peek around but I don't see a soul. Everything has collapsed and was burned to an ugly black and gray by the fire. An overwhelming sadness takes over my body as I think of the innocent lives that were lost in their own home... How could this have possibly happened?

"Hello, is anyone there?" No response. I don't know why I expect someone to answer me. Clearly if a child did throw this at me they're hiding. "Are we playing hide and go seek? Would you like me to find you or can you come out?"

Suddenly the sound of a child's laughter echoed around me and a cold wind chilled me to the bone. The speed of the wind made my hair fly around uncontrollably making it impossible for me to see what's around me. Dear god, I'm so afraid that I can't even move. I'm holding the ball so tight it could pop in my hands any second.

And just like that the wind stopped and the child's laughter began again. I turned my head to the right instantly, following the sound, and noticed a small shack and a large tree that I didn't notice before. It was completely intact as though it wasn't even effected by the fire at all. It looked like there was a light shining inside the little house. I need to see where it's coming from!

I ran to the doors and yanked them open, nearly having a heart attack from what was inside.

"AAHHH!" I threw the ball.

There was a little boy who looked maybe 10 staring at me waving. He had light brown hair and bright blue eyes and he was wearing black pants and a white button down shirt.

I probably wouldn't be hyperventilating at this moment if it wasn't for the fact that the ball went right through him as if he wasn't even real.

"Hi, friend!" Friend?

"Who are you?" I feel so detached from my body that the words scared me when they escaped my mouth.

His smiled turned into a frown and the saddness in his eyes broke my heart. "You don't remember me Mina?"

"I'm sorry, I really don't remember who you are. I think you have me mistaken for someone else, my name's Amaya. What's your name?" The light I saw earlier started to shine brighter and it was coming from behind him. There was an old well and the strange bright light was shining from inside of it! What is going on!?

"It doesn't really matter, it's time to go. I'll see you later!" And then he jumped into the well and the light disappered with him.

"OH MY GOD. ARE YOU OKAY?" I screamed as I ran to the well. Looking into the well all I saw was dirt and darkness. The boy was gone.

Am I going crazy? I must be.

"Maybe the stories are true and that was a ghost" GAH. That gives me the creeps. "I need to get out of here." I checked my phone to see the time. "IT'S 6 ALREADY? SHIT. I WON'T BE READY ON TIME."

How did I spend so much time here and did not notice?

I started to run.

I raced the sunset all the way home thinking about a little bright eyed boy.