February 17, 2010 - 12:50am — Alecsander
"Mama..."
"What do you want?"
"I'm scared..."
"Of what?"
"There's a white see through man"
"For fuck's sake..."
The young woman removed the cigarette from her mouth and glared across the dimly lit kitchen to where the trembling pre-teen stood. What was he now..eight? Nine? Still running away from the monsters in his closet. Spoiled little brat probably was just doing it for the attention. Little bastard was fair skinned just like his father and had the same dirty blond hair. Same damn cowlick too. She took a long drag and flicked the butt into the garbage can before rising to her feet. "Again?" She strolled past the boy wearily and adjusted the falling strap of her tank top. This nightly ritual was tiring on her patience.
Fila had not always been a slave to a child's fantasies, but those were times long past. At one time she had been admired for her beauty and toted across the land as the traveling beauty. She stood in that spotlight, struck a pose, and flirted with danger for a living. And now..? She cast her reflection a scornful look as she passed. The once haughty smirk was a weary frown. Her flawless mocha skin was tanned deeply to show the wrinkles of her age. Her once prized long hair was cropped short and frazzled so badly that it stuck to her hair like a knit cap. She was disgraced to live the rest of her life laboring in the sun and because of what...a child that claimed that white people were in his room?
She grumbled under her breath and flipped on the light to the dingy room. Nothing. There never was anything. The child was delusional. She made a show of strolling around the room, peeking behind the curtains, and looking under the bed before she faced the young man and crossed her arms. "See? Nothin' Now you're gonna go back to bed and shut up, cause god help me if I have to get up again to look for the boogieman I'll get the belt." She walked past the child giving him a stern look and paused in the hall. "Ya'll want this light left on to keep the ghosts out?"
Finata frowned and shook his head as he knelt on his mattress. "N-no. The White Man said that the light doesn't b-bother him."
Fila shook her head and flipped off the switch. This was a battle for another day with another person who was trained in dealing with hallucinations. She retired to her room and closed the door before moving needle to record and singing softly along to the haunting sounds of Opera music.
Finata stared out from under his covers. The sun was just starting to set but he knew that the White Man would return regardless of what time it was. He raised the blankets over his head again and pulled out the small chapter book. He fumbled with the flashlight for a few minutes before clicking on the light and bending over to peer at the words. Occasionally the light would flicker and send his heart racing and his eyes darted wildly around the darkening room. Was that a lamp..or a goblin? Curtains or a banshee? He swallowed loudly and wet his dry lips before leaning back down to continue. Maybe mama was right. Maybe it was all just in his head. He kept his eyes glued to the words on page and bit his lip as he felt the sheet being gently pulled off his head.
It was just the wind.
He trembled silently causing his reading light to bob out of control.
It was just the draft.
He froze as a new shadow interrupted his light and hesitantly raised his head to stare into the soulless eyes of The White Man.
"...what are you reading?"
Finata trembled and raised the book up so the spectre could read the title.
"Treasure island? That's a good book. Do you like it?"
Finata whimpered softly and stammered. "Y-Yeah." He stared transfixed on the expressionless face. "W-Why don't you ever stop smiling?"
The White man looked thoughtful for a few seconds before he tapped his face giving a hollow thunk. "It's a mask."
Finata blinked and reached out to touch the solid jeering face. "W-where's your real face?"
For the first time he could recall The White Man recoiled hesitantly. "Under. I..it's not real pleasant."
Finata grinned and leaned forward pulling the mask off the spirit's face playfully. "Why, you dog ass ugly or somethi-"
The great reveal took thirty seconds.
The screaming lasted for thirty minutes.
Fila snarled at the phonograph as the needle skidded out of groove and glared at the door. Her frazzled hair announced the coming of the storm before it arrived and thunder rolled across the sky as lightning crackled in the gathering gloom.
It was going to be a very dark and stormy night.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Starting a new mini-series.
Some old and familiar faces will be making an appearance.
You know the drill:
Comment if you like it, have any questions, or just feel like leaving me a message.
Poor Finata! Very
Very captivating. <3
Oooo, a new series! Off to a
Great intro, I'll be watching
Finataaaaa -Kita cling hugs-
Beautifully written ^^ Can't wait to see where it goes!
This is going to be my on the
You'll see more appearances from Furfur (aka 'the white man'), Basil, Fina, Fila, Finata, and Rhys (This is his series after all.)
I might give cameos to deer I know have 'human' characters also provided the research is available to properly write them.
Awesome! ...And aw.
...And aw. ;-;
*gives Finata a hug*
I think that's great! I nice
...I am so tracking this. I