I want to give my apologies on being almost a week late on this chapter. Some stuff was happening...and now I'm a graduate of 2020! Nice!
Anyway, if you're fine with reading about lost souls of the innocent, then you're in the right place. I plan on boosting every chapter after this to around 3,500 words each in order to get past the 'short and sweet' aspect that has been demonstrated so far. It's not necessarily a long read, but I still hope it entertains nonetheless.
Stories of horror are often depicted as asinine tales of falacies. What's a work of art based on horror that you have enjoyed? Sorry, you can enjoy the story now.
"If there's anything to be thankful for, it's that the bedrooms are abundant." Sheik looked at Falco. He seemed to be in a spoiled mood and had no intentions of speaking to her. Robin, however, was more than happy to engage.
"It is the small things that count. Once we start to count up the positives, we'll realize that our situation really isn't as bad as we think. The lights are off now, but that doesn't mean we should be glum about it." He smiled, but not for long. He yawned and stretched out his arms. Sheik shone her mini flashlight on one of the many doors down the hall. Upon opening it, the group found a moderately sized bedroom, full of posters and technology.
"Come on Luke, this room should be exactly what we're looking for." she sweetly said. Sheik was dressed in a tight black top that ended right above the waist, leading to her soaked low-hanging skirt. The two entered the room with Robin sheepishly following them. Lucas immediately jumped onto the king-sized bed, despite still being in wet clothes. Robin studied the area.
"If I had to guess, I'd say that this room belongs to a teenage gir-" BANG! A boom echoed through the area. Sheik jumped up and Lucas rolled off the bed.
"What in the heavens was THAT!?" She cried out while covering her ears. Everyone else seemed to be just as confused.
"Could it have been the thunder?" Loud footsteps quickly echoed from the hall as Falco ran through the door.
"Tell me that I'm not the only one who heard that?"
"The boom?" Lucas asked while tilting his head.
"No, the ice cream tune. Of course the boom you little moron! I'm going downstairs to check. To think, those imbeciles destroying stuff after I've been gone for five minutes!" the feathered man ran off. Sheik was more alert than ever and Robin suspiciously looked around as the lights flickered on. I can't get the thought of that ghost from earlier off my mind. Their existence was always speculated, but to think that I would see one up close! Not to mention the book that Ganon burned...I just can't feel safe here! Frustrated, he looked for someplace to sit when Falco's voice sounded not too far away.
"Robin! Get over here! Quick!"
"Huh?"
Robin made his way out of the room to see what was wrong. Falco was standing where the stairs would have been; looking confused and frightened.
"Say, you're on the smart side, eh Robin?" he asked.
"If I had to answer, I would confirm, yes?" Robin scratched his chin. He peeked over Falco's shoulder to see what he was looking at.
"Well then, do stairs do that?" Pointing at the stairs, they seemed to have somehow disappeared, leaving only flat ground where they obviously would have been. "Because I couldn't help but feel that they don't."
"No, stairs don't normally do that-wait, what is going on?" he swung around. "Sheik! Lucas! Something strange is going on!" As he mentioned it, the lights flickered off and a hush swept the area. Only the heavy sounds of rain hitting the roof could be heard.
"Robin?"
"I don't think the lights are supposed to do that either Falco, no. I can't even see my hand in front of my face." he said, waving his hand in front of him. Falco tapped his wrist watch twice and a weak glow radiated from it. It wasn't much, but it helped lead Robin back to Lucas's room. He twisted the loose handle and slowly opened the door…
Sheik was clutching Lucas in the corner as a ghastly blue figure looked towards them. It spoke in a whisper and didn't even face the two men entering.
"More visitors? More poor souls lost to the curse?" it's quiet words hung endlessly in the air. Before anyone could speak, the door slammed shut and pushed the two inside onto the floor.
"Oof!" Falco grunted as he landed face first onto the wooden floor.
"Hey kid, would you like to hear a funny tale?" the ghost asked, slowly breaking a small smile. Sheik stared daggers at Lucas not to answer, but the boy nodded 'yes' in his fear.
"Yes, who wouldn't want to hear a story in times like these? There was a young girl who lived here once. Such a sweet and pretty girl. Older than you, but barely younger than," it's head turned around to stare at Robin. "Him. She stayed right here in this very room, oh she did. Her name was Florida. Florida loved company. Florida loved technology. She would search the web all day making new friends. But she didn't like school. Her father forced her into private school after she managed to get rid of all the private tutors he hired. Oh did she not like that. You see, Florida was bullied. Her hair was short and she never grew out of her dimples. Such a short and pretty girl got many eyes around her school. Half of the boys who bullied her did it out of love. The other half, though, hated her. Because she was richer. Because she was better than them. Because she got all the attention. Because she was popular. Because she was weak. They pulled her hair and called her names. Everyday was hell for Florida. The other kids had lots of fun pranking and poking at her. Everyday she came home crying to father, hoping that he would solve all her problems. But father was much too busy to meddle with affairs at school. And Florida's brother was too afraid to help. Such a skinny boy was never meant for fighting. Everyday, Florida went to her worst place on Earth, only to come home and tell how miserable she was to her online company. To the only people who were there for her. But one day, something had changed."
"Hey, I thought this tale was supposed to be funny! All I am is creeped out by the fucking ghost before my eyes." Falco growled. The spirit held still then snickered while slowly turning to Falco's direction.
"Hehehe, oh! You are bold. Normally people are too afraid to speak in our presence." the spirit's eyes hollowed out to black balls of nothingness. It's voice deepened and teeth grew sharper.
"THEN ALLOW ME TO SKIP TO THE FUNNY PART FOR YOU. FLORIDA WENT INSANE. SHE KILLED THEM. ALL OF THEM. AND SHE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE POLICE TOO IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE GUNS. POOR FLORIDA; SHOT DEAD FOR BRINGING JUSTICE. SUCH A SWEET GIRL. IF ONLY THAT KITCHEN KNIFE WERE SHARPER, SHE MAY HAVE GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT ALL...BUT IT MAKES ME SO SAD. SO SAD THAT NONE OF YOU FIND IT AS FUNNY AS I DO." it's dim lips spread into a small grin. Robin made a sick face and shook his head.
"You think what happened to that poor girl is funny!?"
"OF COURSE NOT. I AM HER AFTER ALL. IT'S JUST SO FUNNY TO SEE BAD PEOPLE GET WHAT THEY DESERVE. JUST LIKELY THE FILTHY MEN AND WOMEN WHO FIND THEIR WAY HERE, SEEKING OUT SHELTER. BUT I CAN'T COMPLAIN. THE MORE PEOPLE WHO COME HERE, THE MORE PEOPLE TO CLEANSE. WHETHER THEY CHANGE THEIR WAYS OR...HEHEHE...DIE." Lucas's heart began to beat faster.
"D-d-die?"
"YEAH KID. I WAS HOPING THAT YOU WOULD DO JUST THAT. IT WOULD BE LOVELY TO HAVE SOMEONE TO PLAY WITH. I HAVEN'T SEEN A KID IN SUCH A LONG TIME. IF ONLY I COULD TEACH YOU BEFORE YOUR MIND IS ROTTENED BY OTHERS. SAY, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE BEING A GHOST? IT ISN'T AS TERRIBLE AS YOU WOULD THINK…" Sheik stood up and pushed Lucas behind her.
"That's enough, evil being! I won't let you, or anything, lay a finger on Lucas. Guys, we're getting the hell out of here!" she signaled and Falco tried to open the door. It wouldn't budge.
"HEHE. EVIL? POOR LITTLE FLORIDA WAS NOT EVIL. FATHER WAS EVIL; ABANDONING POOR FLORIDA. BROTHER WAS EVIL; SUCH A COWARDLY BOY. MY CLASSMATES WERE EVIL AND I DON'T FEEL BAD ABOUT WHAT I DID. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO OUR SWEET GIRL?" Florida began to float into the air. The more Robin stared, the more he could make out the short black hair and freckles on the girl. This really was the person that she had described. "NONE OF THAT MATTERS ANYMORE THOUGH. ONE GOOD THING ABOUT BEING DEAD IS THAT I WAS ABLE TO MEET MOTHER. FATHER NEVER WAS QUITE THE SAME AFTER HE LOST HER. MAYBE IT'S HER I SHOULD BLAME FOR MY FATE. LUCAS WAS IT? WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET YOUR MOTHER?"
"Mum? You know my mum?" he perked up through his fear and Sheik blocked his view.
"You will not bring her into this! Her soul now lays to rest and I will watch over Lucas until I join her. I will be shaken by none spirit, apparition, nor phantasm!" she growled while throwing a book from the shelf. It phased through the ghost as if it wasn't there.
"OH! MY APOLOGIES. I HAD NO IDEA THAT I WAS SPEAKING TO YOU. WHY ARE YOU SO TOUCHY WHEN IT COMES TO THE BOY'S MUM HUH?" It's eyes quickly met with Lucas's. "DO YOU EVEN REMEMBER HER VOICE?"
Suddenly, there was a high-pitched shriek through the air. A chill darted through Robin's spine. Was that Corrin? He asked himself. The door that Falco failed to unlock suddenly swung open, knocking Robin to the floor. Lucas darted from behind Sheik.
"I think that was mum's voice! I'll save you mom! The bad man won't hurt you again!" he sprinted out of the room before Sheik could react.
"Don't just run off! Hey, stop you brat!" Falco ran out after him. The door slammed shut behind him, locking Sheik and Robin inside.
"Lucas!" The door slammed shut and was blocked by the ghost.
"THERE'S SOMETHING I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU. SOMETHING YOU CAN'T DENY. YOU DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT THE BOY, DO YOU?" The room went silent. Sheik looked down and balled up her fist.
"Just shut up! Don't speak to me, demon." her teeth gritted. Robin looked back and forth and began to back away from them. The ghost looked as if it would laugh, but didn't.
"FLORIDA WORKS JUST FINE, THANKS. JUST BECAUSE I'M PASSIVE DOESN'T MEAN I WON'T SPILL RED ONTO THE FLOOR LIKE I DID WITH THOSE EVIL BULLIES. JUST ANSWER ME; WHAT VALUE DOES THE KID TRULY HOLD? AND DON'T YOU DARE LIE TO ME." A frown appeared on Florida's translucent face. The only softness in the air was the rain that fell outside. Sheik closed her eyes and took a breath.
"Lucas...he's...not my son. That's obvious by now. My sister was a bank teller of a family owned business. She never was given the choice to chase her dreams because she was the oldest. Our parents forced her into their job. She never complained much even though it was obvious that she was miserable. But one day, a young customer who she had never met before asked her on a date. She went on many with the man and eventually, she ended up bearing the fruit of their love. But after the man found out she was pregnant, he told her that he had to leave for business reasons. She never saw him again. I watched my sister try to raise a child for nine years on a bank teller's salary. Mom and Dad weren't much help either and I did my best to help contribute to her living costs. But it didn't matter because after nine years since the man's departure, our bank was robbed. A brutal robbery…" Sheik coughed and slumped into the chair near the desk. "That resulted in my sister's death. They killed her. They all killed Peach and there was nothing I could do to stop it. The bastards got away with it too, and Lucas came to live with me and mother and father. I never could quite recall, but I believe that Lucas's father is the brother of Mansa Mario. I have to find him and make things right for my sister and for Lucas. Deep down, I realize that I care not for him because he is Lucas, but instead because he is Peach's legacy and I will do all I can in order to reunite the boy with his true father." she held her face in her hands. Robin sadly tiptoed near her to comfort her.
"SUCH A SAD TALE, ONE LIKE MY OWN. AND LUCKILY FOR YOU, YOU NOW REALIZE WHY HE IS SO IMPORTANT TO YOU. YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT HIM." Florida began to speak in a more soothing tone. "It seems like nobody cares about him...Keep your soul for now, woman. But I find myself only wanting Lucas with me even more. I'll be the one to make sure he feels loved." She began to float towards the ceiling as a chilling aura formed around her. Sheik locked on to her.
"He will not be taken by anyone!" She shot to her feet: knocking Robin over.
"Oof!"
"Then you had better hope that the boy is fearless, because I'll make it a nightmare until he is with me." She chuckled. The door slowly creaked open. "Leave this place. Cursed halls like these are dangerous for you lot. There's no father to be found here for me or Lucas or you, Sheik." Florida broke out into almost mad laughter and candles lit themselves along the wall. She slowly faded away as her wicked cries hung in the air.
"Pray to whatever you believe in that I am never seen again…"
Sparing Sheik's life, she was gone. Robin could hardly believe any of the things that he witnessed. He hopped to his feet and grabbed a nearby lantern, lighting it with an already lit candle.
"I can't believe those two...running off into a pitch black hall. Hey, are you going to be alright?" he looked over his shoulder at Sheik, who was shaking nervously. It shocked him how an intimidating lady like her could look so vulnerable at the same time. Her narrow eyes opened and she snatched the lantern from him.
"I don't feel like talking. Either follow me or don't. I need to find Lucas as quickly as possible, even if I have to leave everybody else here alone." Her quick footsteps echoed against the floor and Robin scratched the back of his head.
"Yikes, I was already going to help out as much as I could...Don't leave me behind!" he ran to catch up. "By the way, I take back what I said earlier." he said. Sheik's eyes pointed in his direction.
"Hm?"
"The abundance of rooms is going to make this significantly more difficult…"
And they set off down the haunted halls.
With another spirit to be added to the group, who is to say that anyone will survive?
TheShadowStarr23: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! You probably understand that?
14shiffna: Now that you mention it, I suppose poor Ganon did receive the Look-See treatment. Also, I enjoy the thought of messing with Lucas. You have brought an idea to my mind, but hopefully it doesn't tamper with our story...right? Who knows what could happen...
I hope to have anyone out there who is at least mildly interested back next week for more mapped-out story telling...Anything you enjoy? Anything you didn't enjoy? Want to give praise? Want to call names, subjugate and threaten me over the internet due to introducing a concept that you heavily disagree with? Use that pretty box below to tell me all of your thoughts and I will be sure to show the appreciation. Peace.