Awakener

At night in an abandoned school, the wind howls through the broken windows, and the sound of dripping water echoes. “So, you are telling me that you believe this place is haunted?” Kian asked. The security guard nods, motioning to a specific room. “In here?” said Kian asked, being cautious. He goes in, investigating the room, walking on the floorboards that creak under his feet. “Yeah… there is something here.” Kian said, tense and on edge.

He exhales, seeing his breath craning his head to look up at a spirit towering over him. “Hey there, big guy… you can’t continue to linger here.” said Kian in a shaky breath. The floorboards strain from the pressure, about to snap. “What if I say, please?” He gulps, his neck straining from having to look up. The walls reverberate and shake from the ghostly wail.

Kian covers his ears with his hands. “I guess asking nicely is out of the question.” he winces and hisses in pain. There is a ruffling of fabric as Kian begins his incantation, holding a charm with sigils made of paper. “Ashes to ashes, spirit to spirit, take this soul and banish the evil!” he chants, focussed and precise. The spirit lets out a distorted cry before vanishing.

A clink followed by a thud of something falling to the ground where the ghost was. The item glinted in the moonlight coming through the window. “What’s this?” Kian said aloud to himself, picking up a key. He showed it to the security guard. “Did you lose this?” Kian asked. He turned to the security guard, holding up the key, and they shook their heads.

“So you have no idea what it opens, huh…” Kian sighs. He begins examining the key. “I think it might go to the janitor’s closet on the second floor. The security guard nods and shows him the way. Kian stood frozen in front of the door, an old, dark pool staining the floor lay before it. “I found him… or what’s left,” he announced, fighting the urge to vomit.

Kian buries his face into the crook of his arm. “Could you call the police?” he asked, looking at the security guard who had fallen ill in the corner. “Well... after you’re done losing your lunch, of course.” Kian chuckled. Soon, there were sounds of tapping and ringing. He stepped away from the door, getting close to one of the windows. “May you rest in peace.” he slowly exhaled, turned, and headed down the stairs, hands in his pockets.

Footsteps on cement echo through the landing. Kian spots the security guard talking with an officer, who asks him some questions. “My name is Kian Sinclair. I am a Spirit Guide. I was called to cleanse the school of the ghost haunting the building. The deceased is whose spirit I just dismissed to the afterlife.” He says, introducing himself to the officer, who writes the information on his pen pad. The officer nods, thanking him for his time, and leaves. Kian looks in the security guard’s direction, arms crossed, tilting his head to the side.

“Do you always have a habit of running into spirits?” Kian asks curiously. “Other places I get assigned to are also haunted.” the security guard responds. “If that is the case, then… call me if anything happens again,” says Kian, handing over a business card. “Thanks for the help today.” the security guard accepts the card with a nod. “You’re welcome, and take care of yourself.” the spirit guide chuckles.

That spirit had been there a long time… so why did he awaken so suddenly? Kian thought to himself.

He gets into his car and makes his way home. The door opens and shuts as Kian enters his apartment, tossing his keys into a wooden dish next to the door. “I’m home,” he calls out to no one, plopping onto the creaking couch, and he turns on the tv. Kian stares up at the ceiling, closing his eyes and fighting the urge to sleep. There are muffled voices surrounding him, talking all at once. “For once, why can’t I sleep in peace?” Kian says aloud.

He stands, opening the closet door, putting on a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Kian sits down inside it, shutting the door. He pulls his knees to his chest and leans his head back, closing his eyes again. This was the only place he could find solace, the only place he could sleep. Finally… some rest, Kian thought to himself, finally going to sleep.