I can't tell you how many times I've seen the shock and terror on someone's face as they witness something they just can't explain. There was the time when my mom was horrified to find me in the kitchen with knives scattered around me, but I told her it wasn't me. There was another time when Rosemary was a toddler and both her mom and my mom freaked when they found us outside, playing with a disturbing toy, as they put it.
But nothing could compare to the shock as the DDR machine lit up as Cory's invisible friend took the platform next to mine.
" Mommy, that one is working by itself!" A little boy said, pointing at the 'empty' platform.
"I-It's probably just a computer opponent…" The mother stuttered, steering her child away from DDR machine. I grinned and stared intently at the screen in front of me, beats flowing from the machine as the arrows began to float towards the hollow arrows at the top.
'Cause the world might do me in.
Left arrow, right arrow, quick top then bottom.
It's alright, 'cause I'm with friends.
I knew the song by heart, so I snuck a glance at Jack's platform, seeing that he was getting perfect's and great's, hitting the targets almost spot on. My grin widened as I looked back at the screen again.
Had me feeling like a ghost.
Right, right, left. Both top and bottom then left and right.
And that's what I hate the most.
Hitting the top arrow, I did a small spin to hit the bottom arrow before hitting right then top again.
Guess I'm giving up again.
This time
Left, right, bottom, top. Hell, Jack wasn't a bad dancer.
This time I might just disappear… (Ah yeah).
I chuckled as I heard Cory cheering us both on, a few people crowding around the machine in wonder, shock, and amusement. They watched as the right platform flashed like someone was really there, hitting the buttons, murmuring to themselves. Some people thought it was just an AI playing, but the buttons on the platform lit up when hit and the AI would not have done that.
Try and hear me, then I'm done.
I grinned and spun on the platform, hitting the keys near perfectly and getting a nice combo, putting me in the lead.
'Cause I might just say this once.
I could hear Cory laughing in the background, but everything started to fade aside from the music. I began to let my body take the lead as my feet hit key after key in near perfection. Smiling, making twirls and spins as I tapped the keys, I let out a child-like giggle.
Tired of giving up the ghost
I felt something hit my leg, knocking me a bit off balance as I grabbed the rail behind me, eyes wide as I missed three notes.
It's you I hate the most.
" Jack!" I heard Cory gasp and I grinned.
" That was a dirty move, Jack!" I laughed, moving my leg out into the right platform. No surprise to me, my leg hit something.
This time I might just disappear…(Ah yeah).
The rail on the other side moved as if someone had grabbed it to prevent themselves from falling. Bystanders gasped in shock and fear, some taking their children because of our invisible friend.
This time I might just dis—
The song was almost over, the both of us trying our hardest to best the other. It was childish, but fun. The chorus repeated a few more times before the song ended with Cory clapping and laughing. I smiled at the screen and watched as the machine began to count up all our points, suspense starting to build as the final scores were shown.
0o0o0o0o0o
I whined loudly as we reentered the yard of the orphanage, Cory giggling as I pouted and crossed my arms childishly.
"That is such bull!" I cried out. " One point! One little point!" Cory's giggling turned into full blown laughter as we came up to the door.
" You're the one that challenged him!" The boy pointed out and I huffed.
"Yeah, and then he wouldn't go for a rematch! Jerk…" I muttered before feeling something hit the back of my head. Quickly spinning around, I realized that no one was there and rubbed my head, putting two and two together.
" Rude, man." I huffed, sagging my shoulders and glaring at the empty space as I continued to rub my head.
" Where have you been!?" A shrill voice barked, causing both Cory and I to flinch and turn towards the wicked witch herself. I rolled my eyes while Cory began wringing his hands, looking at his feet and at the woman.
" W-We went to the arcade-" He smattered, shrinking into himself.
" You did what!?" The hag screeched. " You went to that foul, sinful—"
" I'm going to shoot myself in the face if you don't shut up." I ground out, glaring at the woman. " It was just. The arcade. No 'sin' as you call it. We just played some basketball games, ski ball, a car game, and some Dance Dance Revolution, okay? So calm your crap." The woman sputtered out a few words before pointing at me with a glare.
" You are corrupting my children!" She accused. " They were well behaved and—"
" Oh shut it." I snapped. " They were terrified to look up at anyone and scared of being 'imperfect' and hated until I showed up. You make them feel like either complete failures or scared to death. If that's how you 'love' these kids, then I'd hate to see how you hate someone." The old hag looked at me as if she were about to blow a gasket, huffing angrily at me.
" You ungrateful wretch!" She howled just as my aunt came into view, looking at the two of us curiously.
" What's going on?" Valerie asked, eyeing me and Mrs. McOlsen. I shrugged and looked away while the old hag began to tell my aunt the 'horrible things' I made Cory do.
What a load of crap.
Regardless, my aunt eyed me with a look that said 'we need to talk'. I narrowed my eyes at my blood relative and crossed my arms in anger. Why was she taking miss Hitler's side anyways?
Valerie calmed Ms. McOlsen and told her that she allowed Cory to come with me to the arcade, assuring her that it was harmless. The old crow didn't seem to buy it, but let it slide anyway. Lucky us.
" Allie, take Cory up to his room please." Valerie said sternly and I looked up at the woman, blinking at her for a moment before nodding.
" Okay, come on Cory." I said softly, beckoning the boy to follow. He did so without a word, eyes glued to the ground. I frowned sadly, feeling pity for the poor kid before leading him upstairs and into his room. I watched as he shuffled into his room, gaze still at the floor.
" Hey, Cory?" I spoke up, causing the brunette to look at me, his eyes reflecting his sadness.
" Yeah?" He asked quietly, blinking a few times.
" I'm sorry, about getting you in trouble." I apologized, tilting my head a bit. " I just wanted you to be happy, even if it was only for a moment." Cory nodded before giving a faint smile.
" It's okay, it was a blast!" He replied, eyes shining with excitement. " Can we go again?" I grinned back and nodded.
" Hell yeah, kid. Just let me know and I'll whisk you away from miss Hitler and her evil schemes." Cory giggled and sat on his bed, swinging his feet lightly before looking up at me.
" Can you tuck me in?" He asked shyly. I laughed lightly at his question before nodding at his clothes.
" Well, you should get into your pajama's, right?" I chuckled, stepping into the hallway. Cory looked at his clothes before nodding in agreement.
" Okay, just gimme a mome…nt? Jack?" I looked over at Cory, confused. He sounded a bit confused as well, looking up at something in the space beside him. I furrowed my brows, going to walk back into the room and ask Cory what was wrong before I felt something shove me backward. Back hitting the railing, I winced and hissed in pain before staring at Cory's face of shock as he stared at me. He looked… terrified. The boy quickly turned back to his invisible friend to question him, but my view of him was cut off as the door slammed shut in my face. I heard Cory scream at Jack to stop, but that wasn't what kept me frozen there.
A deep, raspy voice growled into the air, startling me for the first time since I was little.
"Get. Out."
0o0o0o0o0o
The song used in this chapter is Ghost by Mystery Skulls. You should totally check them out!
