The Mausoleum

Chapter 3, Pages 25-26

Annie was walking out of the bathroom in Welmington Elementary School when a sudden feeling of dread and despair, a feeling of evil, came to her. She jolted back a step, seemingly out of fright, or so she hoped. She had no hesitation revealing herself as not being afraid of this ghost that had so sporadically appeared in her line of sight. She moved her lips, silently asking for strength. Calm and relaxation spread throughout her body, bringing relief to her arms and legs, keeping her from literally shaking at the unexpected appearance.

Annie raised her head to look at the eyes of the ghost, only to discover that there were none. This clarified the dread that she first felt, although this confirmation only enhanced the feeling tremendously. She felt her grip on relaxation slip a little, but she tightened it and steeled herself for what she thought must surely come.

“Help me!” cried the ghost. “Please help me!”

Annie wanted to cry for this poor soul who was so lost in so many ways. She held back her tear, wiping a hand across her eyes to free them of the moisture that was welling up. “I’m sorry,” she tried to say. “I can’t help you. What is your name?” Her voice became stronger as she asked the question.

“My name is Claire Elizabeth Beatty,” spoke the ghost, sounding rather sinister. “Help me!” A translucent white hand came up.

“I can’t help.” Annie ignored the hand. She had no desire to find out what would happen if she reached for the proffered hand. She was about to speak again when the ghost faded from her sight. On the floor, she found a picture directly beneath where the ghost had hovered.

Annie reached down and picked the picture up off the floor. She pocketed it, thinking of showing it to her mother later that day. She gave silent thanks in prayer as she walked back to class.