Reminiscence, Chapter 1

Running through the rain, back to the only shelter I know, I can still hear their laughter. That’s all that they ever do, laugh. They always tell me that I’m a freak, that I’m worthless, and that I’m not good enough to be around them. It’s all because my parents died when I was little and no one would take me in. So I have to live in the abandoned warehouse at the edge of town that everyone says is haunted. And it’s because of this rumor that I’ve been labeled a freak. Everyone says that I’m a devil-worshiper and that I use the ghosts of the warehouse to cause all of the disasters in town. None of the schools will let me in, so I don’t have an education, which just adds to the viciousness of the rumors.

There was a time, though, when I was happy. Or at least what I think is happy. He was the only friend that I have ever known. But, of course, he was considered a freak once he began talking to me. Aaron was the only person who ever acknowledged my existence. But he ended up committing suicide after a year because the other townsfolk were far too cruel for him to handle.

Which brings me to my current dilemma. Should I follow in his footsteps? I’ve endured all of this tormenting for so long that I’m not sure what to do. Suddenly, there’s a crash.
“Hello?” someone called. I instinctively cower in the darkest corner of the warehouse, the corner with darkness so impenetrable, even in the daylight, that it’s physically impossible to see. “Is anyone here?” They, or I should say, she, came around the corner. And her eyes locked onto mine. “There you are!”

“Who are you?” I step out of the darkness in order to get a clear look at her face. I gasp. She was absolutely beautiful.

“I’m Erin.” She replied. “I’m new to town and I heard that a complete weirdo lived in here, so I came to take a look. But you don’t seem so bad.”

“Thanks… I guess. Is that the only reason why you came here?”

“No, actually, it’s not. I wanted to ask you if you wanted to come into town with me tonight. I can show you around my place.” Well, this certainly is a surprise.

“But why,” I asked, “Would you possibly want to let a ‘freak’ like me into your house?”

“Because I don’t think you’re a freak at all. In fact, I think the exact opposite of you. I’m not like all of them. Even if they ignore me because of this, I’ll always stay with you. Always.” If she’s not lying, then I will be the happiest person ever, but I know she is. They always do. Plus, there’s something strange about her. No one has ever been able to see me in that hiding spot in the corner before, but she did. How is that possible? Either way, I’m going to keep a close eye on her. There’s something fishy going on here, and I’m going to find out what.

As we approached her house, I gasped in surprise. This was where Aaron used to live, and now she does. Perhaps it’s just a coincidence that they share the same name, though I doubt it, since I don’t really believe in coincidences. But she is awfully friendly. She’s prepared a nice meal for use and a delicious brew of tea. Perhaps the best I’ve ever tasted, though that isn’t saying very much.

“So, why exactly do you live in that old, dingy warehouse?”

“Well,” I don’t really know how to explain this but, here it goes. “When I was still a little kid, my parents were killed in a house fire. I somehow managed to be rescued and was, according to everyone who I talked to, escaped completely unscathed. I lived in an orphanage until I was sixteen, which is when I moved into my own place. However, I couldn’t keep it for long and was forced to move into the abandoned warehouse. But before that, ever since I was eight, I’ve been dubbed a freak because I was pushed off of a swing and landed on my head, but I wasn’t hurt at all. The kid who pushed me got into trouble and was mad because he didn’t hurt me at all, so he started saying silly things like I talk to ghosts and other such things. The adults though it harmless at first, but they soon, for whatever reason, decided that they believed the kid. It’s been eleven years since that all happened, and I’m still shunned throughout the town. And any chance I ever had at being adopted by an out-of-towner was shot because the townspeople decided to make it clear that I was ‘abnormal’.” There was a small silence after I finished speaking.

“The people in the town mentioned a boy that you befriended a while ago, shortly after you moved into the warehouse. Who was he, exactly?”

“His name was Aaron, and he was the only person who was truly kind to me. There’s nothing else to say about him.” Instead of responding to my rudeness like most others did, she simply took a sip her tea and looked at me thoughtfully. And for some reason, it’s making me mad. But why? Is it because she’s not giving me the reaction that I expect? No… that can’t be right… I hate it when people give me a reaction of pure idiocy. Then why am I so mad?

“Well then…” She gets to her feet, “How about you stay here for the night? I’ll leave you alone and you can leave tomorrow if you wish.” This isn’t an invitation, but more like a demand. Why?

“All right then.” I’ll stay, but only because I have my doubts about her. Something doesn’t seem right, and I’m going to find out what that something is.