Haunted Melody: A Ghost Story

by Alyson Santos

  “Really?” Sure I’m surprised. Why would I smell like anything else? I glance around me for a clue. All I see is evidence that would make me smell like garbage. Definitely no roses down here.

  “Really. You smell…” Is she blushing? “Never mind. You’re right. I shouldn’t tell you.”

  Despite my all-around discomfort, a smile tugs at my lips as I watch her squirm. Rachel, Miss Put-Together-Know-It-All Rachel, suddenly doesn’t want to share? I lean back against the trunk, crossing my arms to wait her out. I watch her gaze move over me in the silence. My face, my chest, my biceps, my hands. Her cheeks redden, those crystal blue eyes darkening with something else as she studies me. My pulse starts to pound, flushing an ache of desire through my body. Her eyes reflect the same. Burning, pleading for what we can’t have. For so many reasons. Maybe she was sent here as a new form of torture. You spent your life taking whatever you wanted no matter the cost. Now you can’t have the only thing you want.

  “Do I smell like a rocker?”

  “What’s that smell like?”

  I shrug. “According to you, skulls? Snakes? Spiders?” The teasing tone of my voice sounds foreign to me. Maybe to her as well, the way her smile returns with a new light I want to devour.

  She shakes her head.

  “What then?”

  Something flickers in her eyes, turning them almost purple. “You…” Her chest rises with a quick breath, eyelids fluttering in warning. “You smell like sex. Not the dirty kind, but the necessary kind. Primal. Like, I have to be with you. Like we need to be one or the universe will implode.”

  I don’t move. Neither does she. Hungry we stare, her confession echoing around us. But she’s not alone in that need. Of course I feel it too. Felt it with every fiber of my being even if I didn’t realize it until now. I know exactly what she means. Not the wasted, violent sex of my past. This is the pure kind. The true gift of two souls uniting into one flesh. And in that, I’m a virgin.

  “You should go,” I say quietly. She holds my gaze, understanding and hating the same things I do. Nodding, she blinks away a wave of emotion, and I close my eyes. I can’t watch her leave.

  I’m almost finished cleaning up when I hear the footsteps on the stairs.

  “Milo! What the heck are you doing? Is she here?” Lena barks as soon as she reaches the floor.

  I glance over, confused, and drop the rag in the bucket.

  “Is who here? What’s wrong?”

  “You know who! You told me that ghost was causing the problem and Addie would be fine now. Want to tell me why she’s sick again?”

  Guilt crashes into me. Fury at the proof I didn’t want. “But… it was just for a second. She’s gone now and—”

  “I thought you said she’s dangerous! What about Addie?”

  “Not dangerous, just—” I stop, struck by her cold glare. She doesn’t seem to know my visions are back. If she did she’d be way more understanding. Maybe that’s a good thing. “I had a weak moment. I’m sorry.”

  “Maybe it’s better that she stays with me if you’re prone to weak moments.”

  I look away, not sure how to respond. She’s right, but for the wrong reasons. Still, we just played this game.

  “I promised her she could come back. Rachel is gone.”

  Just not gone enough. I massage my temples, trying to make sense of it all. Two weeks ago, I thought I understood our world. My path was clear. Miserable, but clear. And now? I’m as lost as the day I arrived. It is a dizzying cycle, but who’s the force in the center, sucking the currents around him into his black hole? There’s only one answer. It’s right here in front of us, but I’m too tired to deal with it.

  It’s then that Lena notices the chest on the floor. “What’s that?”

  I’m grateful for the distraction. “I don’t know. I was just about to open it when...” The visions hit. “You came down.”

  She kneels in front of it. “It looks old, but not.”

  “Agreed. It’s not locked either.”

  She shakes her head and brushes the clasp on the front. “Do you mind?” she asks, looking back at me.

  “It’s not mine. Go ahead.”

  At least I don’t think it is.

  She turns back, her fingers grazing the surface with reverence. I sensed the same when I touched it: apprehension, excitement. I’m not surprised when it takes her a moment to lift the lid.

  She gasps, straightening as she stares down. Concerned, I stride over and stop cold.

  “Oh my gosh.” Tears soak her eyes as she reaches in and pulls some invisible object from inside. Her face is downright radiant. She hugs the item to her chest, then lets out a sob at the next thing only she can see. By now I’m positive it’s not in my head; she’s glowing. Full-on light and sparkles project out and around her like some cosmic event.

  “Lena?” My voice shakes, and she doesn’t seem to hear me. “Lena,” I say, louder. Still nothing. She’s lost in that chest and whatever objects it holds. To me, it’s as empty as the void inside me. Whatever she has in her arms belongs to her.

  She’s so bright I have to shield my eyes now. What the hell is going on? The rays pulsate as they extend from her glowing silhouette to every corner of the room. It’s so intense, I have to turn away. Soon, I’m on the floor, arms shielding my head against the luminous assault. The only sounds are her soft exclamations of pure joy. Whatever this is feels right. Beyond all of us, and with one final dazzling explosion of light, the room goes still.

  I wait in the silence. The basement seems pitch black after the brilliance of the previous display, and the echo of light stains my retinas as I scan the room for any sign of Lena. I blink away the circles and stars, waiting for my eyes to adjust.

  “Lena?”

  Nothing.

  “Lena!”

  I stumble forward, reaching for her. When my shins crash into the empty trunk, I know the truth.

  Lena’s gone.

  Emotion swells in my chest as I sink to the floor. Relief and joy for her, along with the pain of being left behind. I always knew she wouldn’t be here long.

  I’m crushed by what I have to do next.

  Chapter Twelve:

  Home

  Minutes pass before I can function again in the darkness. Once my eyes adjust, I make my way back to my room and my blankets. The little girl upstairs, she’s oblivious to Lena’s departure. What do I tell her? A knot forms in my stomach at the rest, but I push it away for now.

  After composing myself, I return to the stairs.

  “Addie!” I shout. “Addie Rose!”

  I wait, straining for some sign of an approach. I shout again and hold my breath at the clap of footsteps. Without illumination, the stairwell is only jagged edges and outlines. I squint up, wondering what it’s like on the other side of that door. I’ve seen glimpses of course. Olive wallpaper, discolored and littered with fleurs-de-lis. A rusted sconce, bravely holding the twisted remains of a candle. That’s life beyond this basement for me. That and a light blue shaggy rug I can’t see. I push that thought away as well.

  Footsteps creak toward the door, but not the patter of little feet I was hoping for. When it swings open, the shadow blocking the light confirms it.

  “What are you shouting about?” Roy barks down the steps.

  “Nothing. I just need Addie Rose.”

  He huffs a dry laugh and crosses his arms. “I think she’s better off up here with us. Don’t you?”

  Drawing in a deep breath, I grip the bottom of the railing for support. “Roy, please. I need to talk to her.”

  “Pretty sure she’s with Lena. Take it up with her.” He moves to shut the door.

  “No! Lena’s not up there.” I can’t see the details of his face, but I feel the resentment spilling down the stairs to me. “She’s gone.”

  The figure stills. Just a solid mass of dark blocking the door and any chance I have at seeing Addie. He never says another word. Not when he drops his arms. Not when he b
acks away. And certainly not when he slams the door and leaves me alone in the dark.

  I curse, slamming my foot against the bottom step in my favorite futile protest. The old chest mocks me from the floor as I stare over at it. I know what happened to Lena. I’d just never seen it before. Locked down here by myself, I always assumed I never would. Then Addie Rose showed up and nothing made sense.

  Rachel.

  Shit, am I calling her? How do you control the subconscious?

  I stare at the boiler, waiting, hoping that maybe I did. But there’s no flutter of a dress in the air. No bare feet treading on the dirt floor. If I want her, I’ll have to make the choice. Choose love over love. What kind of fucked up choice is that?

  “I’m trying, Addie Rose. I’m so sorry,” I whisper.

  I can’t tell what time it is when small fingers press into my bicep.

  I shift toward them and force my eyes open. Long blond braids tickle my face, and I just about choke on a cry. “Addie Rose!”

  She laughs as I pull her into my arms and press her head against my chest.

  “You’re squishing me, Uncle Milo!” She wriggles free, lips spread into a grin. “Did you know that cows can be purple? Lena says that in my machination cows can be any color I want. Did you know you have a machination?”

  I let out my breath and nod. “I sure do.”

  “Where is Lena? The mean man says she left. When will she come back?”

  Fucking Roy.

  “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

  She looks confused, which brings me some relief.

  “Okay. Come here for a second.” I pat the blanket, and she settles in beside me. The trunk shouts obscenities from a few yards away, and I want to block them out. How can I possibly do this? Then again, what choice do I have?

  “What’s wrong, Uncle Milo? Why are your eyes so sad?”

  My throat closes up at her open, innocent stare. I’d gladly suffer a thousand visions to avoid this moment. “Um… Can I have hug, Addie Rose?” A brush of air, my voice is almost nothing when it releases.

  Tiny arms loop around my neck, and I bury my face in her hair.

  “What’s the matter?” she asks. I clench my eyes shut.

  Hold it together. Come on, you bastard.

  “Nothing, sweetie. Everything’s fine.”

  She smells like sunshine. All the more reason why she doesn’t belong in the dark with me.

  It takes everything I have to let her go. I quickly swipe an arm across my eyes to clear them before she notices I’m crying.

  “I have a present for you,” I say, forcing a smile. Her expression lifts with excitement.

  “What is it?” She claps her hands, eyes huge.

  I swallow hard and clench my hands at my sides. “It’s in that wooden box over there,” I force out.

  “Really?”

  I can no longer speak. I nod, my nails digging into my palms.

  She rushes toward it, nearly squealing in anticipation. I can’t stop the tears anymore. They flow down my cheeks, and I duck into the shadows in case she looks back. Shaking, I watch in silence as she approaches the trunk. What will she find? Whatever it is will bring her eternal happiness. Freedom from this darkness and into the light she deserves. She will be with Lena, wherever that is. Happy. So fucking happy.

  “Is this really for me?” she asks, turning back to find me in the shadows.

  I suck in just enough air to force out, “I know it’s for you, Addie Rose.”

  I brace myself as the lid creaks open. Her braids swing into the opening of the chest, and then swing back when she turns her head, confused.

  “Uncle Milo? It’s empty.”

  I push away from the wall in shock. “What?”

  “Are you being funny?”

  Funny? I can’t think of a worse word to describe my state. “You really don’t see anything?”

  I swat the rest of the tears from my eyes before crouching down beside her. This was supposed to be her gift. What the hell is going on? Is there another chest somewhere? I scan the room, squinting through the darkness to study every crevice and shadow. There has to be a mistake. I was so certain. So… my gaze lands back on Addie Rose. Maybe the problem isn’t the chest.

  Since the day she arrived, we always assumed the little girl was one of us. Sure it never made sense, never fit the narrative we’d built to explain our circumstances, but she was present and alive and real and… oh god.

  I force myself to face her, taking in every detail of her precious little being. Is there a reason she reminds me so much of my sister? That her fate is linked to Rachel’s? That her very presence doesn’t follow the rules confining the rest of us? The question crashes down with all the force of the last time I had to ask it: what is Addie Rose? For the first time since she brought her light into my life, I know she’s not like me.

  “Addie…” I begin gently. “I’m going to ask you a very silly question.” She quirks a brow and waits for her crazy uncle to continue. I swallow hard and take her hands. “What does this room look like to you?”

  Now she seems very confused. “It’s my bedroom, silly.”

  My blood runs cold. “Your bedroom, huh?” My breathing comes faster as I try to pull myself together. “And what does your bedroom look like?”

  She giggles and pushes my shoulder. “Uncle Milo. You know!”

  “Yes, but I’d like to hear you tell me.”

  She juts a hand on her hip and blows out a puff of air. “Fine. My princess bed is there. It’s not a real princess bed. They won’t let you have that in the hos-spits, but Mommy got me purple sheets so I can pretend. You always sleep beside me on the floor.” She points to the pile of blankets, and it’s everything I can do not to stagger back.

  “The hos… spits?” I whisper.

  She nods, then sighs. “That’s where my new room is. I didn’t like it at first, but then you came and I did. You’re my favorite, Uncle Milo. The others are okay, especially Lena, but I like you the best.”

  Tears burn hot behind my eyes as I study her. I can’t move, can’t speak. I can barely breathe as it all starts to crash down in paralyzing clarity.

  “Addie Rose…” I clasp my hands behind my back, fighting to finish my sentence. “Are you sick? Is that why you’re in… hos… spits?”

  She shrugs. “Sometimes. Not when I’m with you, though. Then I feel great! See?” Her little arms shoot into the air as she spins like a ballerina.

  My insides are lead, a weight anchoring me to the floor as I watch her dance. She doesn’t know. Of course not. I didn’t get it until this moment.

  Rachel.

  My heart hammers in my chest. Rachel! I need you. Please!

  We need you.

  I’m here.

  I look toward the boiler, and my world stops. There she is, beautiful as ever, compassionate gaze passing from me to the little girl twirling around the room. Her eyes rest back on me, confused and concerned.

  You weren’t making her sick, Rachel.

  I wasn’t?

  No. You were sending her back to her family. Tears fill my eyes as I will out the rest. She doesn’t know she doesn’t belong here. Please take her home.

  Chapter Thirteen:

  Walking Away

  How long does it take to return a sick human girl to her body? Forever, it seems as I wait on my blankets, head on my knees. I still have a lot of questions, too many to sort through right now in my grief, but at least that much is resolved. As soon as Rachel took Addie’s hand the two of them vanished. Two ghosts of light dissolving back to their plane. Home, that’s where they belong. Not here in a decaying basement with the remnants of a broken soul.

  I shiver. Who knew doing the right thing could be more fucking painful than any evil these hands have done? I deserve it of course, and maybe this pain is the cleansing kind.

  Is Rachel gone too? I didn’t say goodbye. Maybe it’s for the best. I’d thought she knew everything when she first started haunting me.
Now I can’t shake the feeling that she doesn’t know the most important part.

  I’m exhausted again. My lids are heavy, weighed down by the visions and grief. Maybe I can sleep just enough for the pain to dull and take me back to the comforting void. A few blessed seconds of oblivion and—

  My head shoots up at the flutter of sound, my pulse rushing to follow. Is it…? There she is. Beautiful, angelic, so fucking alive.

  “You came back.”

  She almost looks annoyed at my relief. “Of course I did.”

  “And Addie Rose?”

  A sad smile rests on her lips as she approaches and lowers herself to sit beside me. “She’s home. I’m sure of it.” She touches my arm, drawing my gaze to hers. “How did you know about her?”

  I shake my head. “I don’t know. The pieces fit. Somehow I knew once you touched her she’d go back.”

  “I guess you’re not allowed to have two rays of ghostly sunshine in your life.” Her tone is teasing.

  “Something like that,” I reply quietly.

  Her eyes darken with concern, but I can’t handle any more right now. Instead, I do the one thing I shouldn’t. I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. Her arms circle around my shoulders, clinging back.

  God, can I stand to lose her too? Because I know that I will. The connection I had with Addie Rose is nothing compared to what I have with Rachel. I will lose her, but I can’t tell her that. Not yet. I can’t lose both of my rays in one day.

  “I missed you so much,” she says against my shirt.

  “I missed you too.”

  More than you’ll ever know.

  I know.

  I smirk through the pain. Her hair is so soft as I run my fingers through it. I can’t believe I used to fear this flapping silk. Now I never want to let it go.

  “You don’t have to let go, Milo. I want to stay here with you. As long as I can. Maybe until the end?”

  I clench my eyes shut. It’s easy to be distracted when her fingers move over my back. Up my neck, into my hair, and soon they’re snaking into my curls. A sharp breath shudders from my lips. I should stop her, but after everything, that’s the last thing I can do right now. Instead, I pull tighter, forcing our bodies into alignment. I know I succeed when the gentle tugs at my roots become determined jerks. I let her pull my head back, our gazes locking through the tension. Her confession the last time we were alone blasts through my head, pounding with each gush of blood through my veins.