Isabella's Haunting

I am sitting comfortably upon my couch, inside the living-room illuminated by the sea of sunlight pouring into the room through the windows. The light is enhanced by the pastel blue coloured walls and the cream carpet almost smothering any darkness which may wish to creep in. My hand is sitting gently on top a computer mouse, the other being occupied by the keyboard as I sit and relax myself with a game, in which my mind lost itself in the creation of a mountain pass, the peaks of which poked above the clouds, and the path tormented by lashing winds alongside bone chilling rain. Just as work begins on the small river, nature calls to me, and demands I relieve myself. Thus I leave the computer and stroll out of the living room, into the somewhat narrow hallway, and into the bathroom. Upon relieving myself I take a look in the mirror for the first time today. My face appears slightly more smooth and feminine than the day before, my auburn red hair now sitting lavishly on my shoulders, In a way I still appear androgynous with a touch of sharp masculinity in the face. My long dark green dress sits comfortably on me, much as it feels to wear on a day like this. Calmly heading back to the living room, just as I am about to sit down a friendly 'ding dong' echoes through into the living-room as my mind thinks "who could it be, I haven't invited anyone over today".

Slipping out of the living-room back into the hall, I approach the simple white door and casually wrap my hand around the ball shaped door knob.Calmly I twist it until a 'tap' sounded from the handle followed by a heavy resistance preventing me from turning further. Opening the door smoothly with my arm reveals to my eyes, a moderate statured woman wearing a long dark blue clock covered in white stars and a single black pointed hat with a round rim jutting out around a hands length. Her face appears pale and youthful, with dark brown eyes, a bulky nose, long black silky hair, and a neutral facial expression portraying no great intent. They introduce themselves with a hint of flamboyance in their tone "Hello. I'm Kristova. I am fairly new to this place and have heard from the locals that you are a creative like myself, but let us not go too far yet, I simply wish to introduce myself".

I nod with an awkward smile taking a slight moment to process what she has said before replying in a friendly, but awkward tone "uh...uh it's nice to meet you Kristova. I'm Isabella and do a mix of 3D design and small prints, so uh....uh..... what about yourself Kristova?"

She replies cheerfully "oh that sounds wonderful. I personally love to make paintings and comic books in my free time, which I sell both online and at conventions whenever I can get a stall for one".

I reply to her "that sounds..very nice. I have been to a few conventions, but it has been a while since the last one and one day I look forward to going back".

Kristova gives a slight smile as she replies with an encouraging "oh you'll love gaming con next month assuming you're going to it, as there will be a few artists like yourself showcasing their work, and new games to be announced, but anyway work is on in a short while. It has been nice meeting you and I hope to see you later, goodbye".

I return the favor to her and also give a friendly goodbye wave, as she slips away. Slowly, gently I close the door, taking a deep breath alongside a moment to untangle my my mind "uggh I feel very awkward right now. She was very friendly I think, but eeerrm, I hope I wasn't too awkward with her. What if I was......no.....no, let us not go there. Anyway it's nice to meet a fellow creative to keep us company in this caravan park, and now she can join us weirdo's".

Returning to my computer once more my work continues on and off into night. Slowly darkness slowly falls upon us all, slowly consuming the visible world around until all that can be seen from where I am sitting are rectangular shapes of light, and spaces illuminated by the orange glow of the park lamps. The outside world appears calm and still, with only occasional movements of light in the distance or in the park. I take a momentary look at the clock which reads '22:50', "Time for bed" I think to myself as the clock presses onto '22:51'. I close everything down and return to my bedroom for the night as my eyes become slightly heavier by the moment. Slipping into my bed having swapped day wear for night wear, the sheets feel nice and comfortable to be wrapped up within, almost like being cocooned in a world of refined comfort. Slipping my headphones on, it seems appropriate to top it all off with a relaxation playlist. However no sooner as I lay my head down upon the pillow, when something odd catches my eye on the very edge of what I can see just by the doorway. Without hesitating I swing my eyes round to where the intriguing thing was. My eyes came to rest directly onto a ghostly white skeletal hand poking its way from behind the door. The hand gently moves and twitches the fingers as if to sense for something, yet still reveals nothing of who possesses them. Slowly the hand pulls itself back behind the door, until they disappear.

Feeling spooked without a thought passing to my mind, I creep along the width of my bed myself out of bed until I can see out of the door, but all I can see is the dark void staring at me without a single hint of whatever had just appeared. All that there is, is just darkness and silence. A thought occurs to me "check the living room", but my conscience states otherwise and almost demands the bedroom door be closed before slinking back to bed, slipping under the covers once more, surrounding myself in covers as a mild sense of fear fills my heart. Slowly I slip into the dream realm.