A Phantom Passion

by Jon Athan

  A Phantom Passion

  By Jon Athan

  Copyright © 2015 Jon Athan

  All Rights Reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Cover image used under proper license: http://www.morguefile.com/license/morguefile

  For more information on this book or the author, please visit www.jon-athan.com. General inquiries are welcome.

  Twitter: @Jonny_Athan

  Contents

  Chapter 1 – A Lonely Night

  Chapter 2 – A Bittersweet Fantasy

  Chapter 3 – A Coffee Shop Dilemma

  Chapter 4 – A Grizzly Crime Scene

  Chapter 5 – A Welcomed Haunting

  Chapter 6 – An Unconventional Love

  Chapter 7 – A Violent Crime

  Chapter 8 – A Friend In Need

  Chapter 9 – A Visit To The Morgue

  Chapter 10 – A Terrifying Revelation

  Chapter 11 – A Malevolent Guest

  Chapter 12 – A Broken Bond

  Chapter 13 – An Uncertain Finale

  Chapter 1 – A Lonely Night

  The rain drizzled softly as he sped down the unusually desolate streets of Tuncernia Valley. The hypnotizing saxophone of the smooth jazz echoed throughout the four-door sedan as it played through the radio. It was a moody night, the type of night that inspired nighttime cruising – the type of night that inspired deep introspection and contemplation. For Leroy Vellon, it was the perfect night. At least, it was perfect until the red-and-blue lights flashed behind him.

  Leroy pulled over to the right, as expected. He adjusted his black Eisenhower jacket and caressed his black curly hair as he stared through his rear-view mirror. A regular beat cop approached his vehicle, his flashlight barely capable of seeping through the misty windows.

  “You know why I pulled you over?” the police officer asked, curiously peeking into the backseat.

  “No,” Leroy replied.

  “You were going a little over the speed limit. Do you have your license and registration?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  The police officer retreated to his vehicle after Leroy handed over his documents. The anxiety flowed through his body as Leroy thought, please don't give me another ticket. He played with the camera that always dangled around his neck and sat neatly on his chest – his second heart. He anxiously tinkered with the lens and the shutter-release button. He wanted to stop himself from over-thinking the situation, he wasn't the confrontational type. After a brief moment, the police officer returned with a grin on his face.

  “Your name is Leroy?” the officer innocently asked, “Leroy Vel... Vellong? How do you pronounce this?”

  Leroy chuckled, “Exactly as it reads: LEE-ROY VEL-LON. Just call me Lee, everyone calls me Lee.”

  “Alright, Lee, can I ask what you're doing out this late?”

  “Just driving. That's all.”

  “Just driving?” the police officer said as he nodded and pouted.

  Lee nervously tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as the officer continued to inspect the vehicle.

  “Alright, I'm going to let you off with a warning today. Slow it down, though, okay? It's not a good night to be speeding with the rain like this. Enjoy your night and drive safe.”

  “Thank you, officer, thank you.”

  Lee sat in his car as he waited for the officer to leave. Overwhelmed by relief, Lee couldn't help but sigh and chuckle at his own dismay. Without much hesitation, Lee called it a night and headed to the Hill Apartment Complex, conveniently located on Hill Street. The Hill Apartment Complex stood three-stories tall, each floor filled with 12 symmetrical apartment units. Lee did not like spending time in his apartment. As a freelance photographer, he enjoyed being out and about – he enjoyed being free.

  Lee drove into the Hill Apartment Complex parking lot and parked in his regular parking spot. He grabbed a manila folder filled with photographs from the backseat – a folder full of rejections. He sighed loudly and scratched the back of his head. A disappointment, he thought, that's all I am. Lee moved quickly through the double-door entrance of the complex, waved at the security guard at the security window without a glance and walked directly to the lobby elevator. The slow elevator brought him up to the third floor – his floor.

  Lee's apartment was one of the first immediately out of the elevator – unit 302. Directly across the hall from his home sat unit 301. The only immediately neighboring apartment was unit 304, while unit 303 sat directly across said apartment. Lee warily stared over at his neighbor's door. He bit his lower lip as the keys jingled in his hand – the clinking and clanking sound echoed through the lonely hallway. He shook his head in disappointment and entered his apartment.

  “Why, Lee?” he whispered to himself as he locked the front door, “Why?”

  Lee threw the manila folder on the kitchen bar counter – the bar that separated the otherwise seamlessly connected living room and kitchen. He slowly stripped down to his boxers as he stared blankly ahead – he was lost in his contemplation. Once again, Lee felt alone and disappointed.

  Why can't I tell her, he thought. Lee had a deep-rooted unrequited love for his neighbor, Virginia Plots – or, as he would call her, Gina. The woman of his dreams. He constantly fantasized about Gina. He imagined himself hugging her, making her feel protected due to his larger stature. Lee stood at five-eleven and weighed-in as a light heavyweight, while Gina was fairly petite. He imagined caressing her straight brown hair – the hair that had a distinct red tint to it, especially in the light. His fantasies were lifelike, he could feel himself gently kissing the small speckles on her round face.

  Lee's fantasies were abruptly disrupted. Loud banging echoed through his apartment from unit 304. Lee followed the thumping noise to his bedroom. The neighboring apartments would mirror each other with every pair, so Lee rationalized the noise was coming from Gina's bedroom. He warily placed his ear to the wall over his bed – muffled voices and inexplicable thumping. Finally, he heard what he wanted to avoid – moaning.

  “Damn it...” Lee whispered to himself, frustrated and saddened, “Damn it, damn it, damn it!”

  The woman I love is with the man I hate, he thought as he covered his ears with a pillow. Lee's thoughts were dominated by the idea of Gina with her arrogant boyfriend, Doug Gruseld. The man had a jock-like persona, proudly strutting his gargantuan stature and arrogant personality anywhere and everywhere. Although Lee had very little personal interaction with Doug, he felt he wasn't right for Gina. Of course, he felt he was a better fit for her, but he was always too cowardly to speak up. So, instead of speaking up, Lee waited in bed, listening to the rhythmic moaning and thumping until he finally dozed into his slumber.

  His slumber was not peaceful, however. Lee found himself in a hot flash of peculiar images and memories. The few moments a day he would spend talking to Gina as they both departed for work. The day Gina introduced Lee to Doug – a nightmarish experience on its own. The many moments Lee had tried to confess his love, but cowardly and awkwardly fumbled in the process.

  Suddenly, Lee awoke gasping for air and drenched in sweat. A loud bang from Gina's apartment had echoed into his bedroom – much louder than the thumping from earlier in the night. Lee looked every which way as he contemplated. His mind, however, was preoccupied with the bizarre dream instead of the loud bang.

  Lee huffed and murmured as he dozed off once again, “These damn dreams...”

  His sleep was short-lived. Blue and red lights seeped through the blinds of his window
. A faint emergency siren could be heard from the parking lot on the opposite side of the building. Loud chattering erupted from the halls. Lee grunted as he stood up and nonchalantly dragged himself to the window.

  “What the hell is going on out there,” he whispered as he rubbed his eyes.

  From his window, Lee could see police vehicles scattered throughout the street. Some with their lights flashing, others parked regularly. There was a firetruck nearby, as well as an ambulance. Lee furrowed his brow as he pondered the situation. His train of thought was immediately interrupted by another loud bang next door. Gina's apartment, he thought. Swiftly, Lee threw on his sweat pants, a plain white shirt, and sneakers. As soon as he opened his front door, he could see emergency personnel crowding the hall, like ants walking in an orderly fashion.

  “Hey, hey!” Lee shouted as the grabbed the shoulder of an officer.

  “Don't touch me, sir,” the officer responded as he continued to move forward.

  “Okay, geez...”

  The police officers had been there for some time, the area was already being cordoned off and the investigators had already arrived. Lee stood at his doorway as he watched the police officers and paramedics walk by. From his doorway, he could see his neighbors doing the same. Simultaneously, they shrugged at each other. What the hell is going on, he wondered. As soon as he saw the grumpy officer leave the area, Lee seized the opportunity to talk to a younger-looking cop nearby – presumably a rookie.

  “Hey, what happened? What's going on?” Lee asked.

  “I don't... I don't think I can say anything, sorry,” the officer shrugged.

  “Come on, man, that's my neighbor.”

  The officer hesitated for a moment, cautiously looking over his shoulder before continuing, “Look, all I know is a girl was found in the bathtub of that apartment. She was... she was slaughtered. Some guy killed her and tried to chop her up, but he really didn't know what he was doing...”

  “Hey,” a man wearing a brown overcoat interrupted, “What the hell do you think you're doing? Shut your mouth. That's your only job today, okay?”

  “I'm sorry, I'm...” the rookie officer stuttered with his tail between his legs.

  “Shut up,” the man sternly repeated.

  Lee had already stopped paying attention to the officers and their bickering, though. He blankly stared forward as he came to his devastating realization: Gina was dead, and his unrequited love would never be fulfilled.

  As he watched a police officer rush out of Gina's apartment and vomit, Lee stuttered, “N–No...”

  Chapter 2 – A Bittersweet Fantasy

  The warm morning sunlight flowed through the bedroom window. The birds were chirping as they would every sunny morning. Children were speaking loudly, bickering and playing as they walked to school. A car with a coughing engine would drive by every now and then, but it wasn't disruptive – it was normal. Lee rested in bed, smiling incessantly with his arm around Gina. Gina, of course, snoring loudly like a boar as she slept. It was the perfect morning – the type of morning he had always wanted.

  The snoring suddenly stopped, Lee looked at Gina and chuckled as her tired eyes adjusted to the light.

  “Good morning,” Lee said as he smiled sincerely.

  “Hey,” Gina responded, placing a kiss on Lee's cheek.

  “Should I get breakfast ready... sweetie?” Lee nervously chuckled.

  Lee had little romantic experience – in reality and in his dreams. Either way, romantic banter was the most difficult to conjure. Sweetie? Babe? Hun? Lee had no idea what to call her, but he always liked “sweetie.”

  “No, you keep relaxing, I'll get breakfast ready,” she said as she tapped her fingers on Lee's chest.

  Gina emerged from the bed sheets, a large white t-shirt covering her petite body down to her thighs. She put on her baby blue slippers as she stretched out, adorably yawning in the process. Lee couldn't keep his eyes off her, she was perfect beyond belief. As Gina shambled out of the bedroom, she looked back at Lee, biting her lower lip as she smiled and waving with her finger tips.

  “But... you have to wake the kids,” Gina said before skipping out of the room and gently giggling.

  Lee chuckled and responded, “Sure, that seems fair.”

  A daughter and a son, it's what Lee had always wanted with Gina. A perfect little family, living in the perfect home, and waking up to the perfect mornings. Perfection was always the objective of his dreams.

  After a brief moment of constant smiling and lounging in bed, Lee finally stood up and stretched out. In his boxers, he walked over to the bedroom window and soaked in the sunlight. A warm and gentle feeling swept through him as the gentle sunlight caressed his body. From his bedroom on the second floor, he could oversee the beautiful suburban neighborhood. Lee shut his eyes and continued to soak in the sun. He could smell the bacon downstairs. He could hear his children chattering in the other room. Perfection, he thought.

  Suddenly, a loud shriek echoed throughout the home and the children's playful bickering abruptly stopped. The warm sensation from the sun had suddenly vanished, as well. Lee cautiously opened his eyes. To his surprise, a thick fog bank had suddenly engulfed the entire neighborhood – he couldn't see his immediate neighbors or the children walking to school.

  Lee stepped back – the fog was worrying, but he was more concerned about Gina and the kids. He tossed on his sweats and stepped to the bedroom doorway, where he warily looked down the hall.

  “Gina...” he softly said.

  There was no response, only an eerie silence dominated the home.

  “Gina!” Lee shouted, “Gina! Everything okay down there?”

  Again, there was no response. Lee cautiously departed the bedroom and started walking down the hall. He looked into the bathroom across the hall – it was empty. He looked into the children's bedroom next to theirs – it was empty. Finally, he peeked into his home office. As he expected, it was empty.

  “Where did everyone go?” Lee whispered to himself as he scratched the back of his head.

  Lee walked into the children's colorful bedroom – the room with the sky blue walls and a gray carpet. He tinkered with the toys on the baby blue kid's table that sat towards the middle of the room. He continued to shuffle the bed sheets on the bunk beds. Where are they hiding, he wondered. Lee looked out the children's bedroom window for a better vantage point. To his dismay, the neighborhood was still completely shrouded by the dense fog. It was a worrisome situation: there was no sign of life in his home or in the immediate neighborhood. Lee shook his head, he refused to believe everyone could vanish in a second. In that moment, the smell of burnt bacon swayed through the room. Lee swiftly walked out of the bedroom and rushed down the stairs.

  “Gina,” he shouted, “Stop playing already! I know you're here.”

  The first floor was equally silent, though. Lee jumped back – the dead silence was abruptly broken by the blaring fire alarm in the kitchen. With his hand on his chest, Lee sighed in relief. He rushed into the kitchen, turned off the stove and moved the sizzling pan. Immediately afterward, he waved a dishcloth at the fire detector to stop the obnoxious and unbearably loud noise. As he waved the dishcloth, though, the alarm became louder and louder. The alarm sound soon became distorted, like if it were malfunctioning – like if it were slowing down. Lee slowed his constant waving as he stared at the alarm in disbelief.

  “What the hell?” Lee began to whisper to himself as the alarm came to a stop.

  It felt like an otherworldly experience. Lee couldn't help but feel out of place. What the hell is going on, he thought as he contemplatively stared down at himself and his surroundings. His thoughts, however, were once again disrupted – the bathtub was running. Lee warily walked out of the kitchen and towards the bathroom on the first floor. Every other second, he'd cautiously look over his shoulder. From down the hall, he could see the bathroom door was wide open. He could hear the water splashing, but he could not see into the room – it w
as covered in an ominous, practically impenetrable darkness. As he approached the room, the silhouette of a person became more distinct. The silhouette was short and petite, it was facing the bathtub with its back to Lee.

  After swallowing the lump of anxiety in his throat, Lee murmured, “Gi–Gina... is that you?”

  The silhouette slowly swayed back and forth, ignoring Lee's calls. Regardless, Lee continued to move forward, running his fingers through hair ever so often and constantly looking over his shoulder – he was a nervous wreck.

  As he finally reached the bathroom doorway, Lee said, “Gina, talk to me. Please.”

  In that instant, he noticed the bathtub was filled pass its capacity and spilling a red liquid. Lee feared the bathtub faucet was spurting out blood instead of water. Although he tried to speak, Lee was incapable – he was speechless. He could not conjure the words to construct a comprehensible sentence, he could only grunt and hiccup as he struggled to speak. But, Lee was at least certain Gina stood before him – she was still wearing the same white t-shirt she always wore to bed.

  Lee found himself incapable of moving, his legs were locked due to the immense fear that swelled in his body. Gina slowly started to turn towards Lee. She was emitting a peculiar croaking sound. As she turned, Lee could see her inexplicably pale skin. Her eyes had blackened completely. Gina looked sad, she looked tormented. Lee tightly shut his eyes and covered his ears as he fell to his knees, the dreadful croaking became louder and louder...

  Chapter 3 – A Coffee Shop Dilemma

  “Here it is!” Lee's heavyset best friend, Georgie Gambit, exclaimed as he slammed a manila folder on the table.

  “Huh?” Lee grunted as he awakened from his peculiar daydream.

  “Here it is,” Georgie pushed the manila folder closer to Lee, “The job I was talking about.”