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"Battle of the Spirits: Parts I-IV Uncut" *Xylanthia* |
*Posting all parts together for those of you interested in reading without having to search for all 4 parts..it's a long read, but hopefully worth it..I want to thank all who have already read and replied..your support has really inspired me to continue to keep writing again!! You are all great!!*
Battle of the Spirits....Uncut!!
Darkness, it was all around me....I felt a surge of fear throughout my body as I wondered where I was. The last thing that I could remember was trudging through the cemetery on another one of Lara's stupid ghost hunts. I had known Lara ever since Kindegarten, the girl was a complete paranormal freak. To look at her, one wouldn't classify her in that way though. Lara was quite the enigma in her own way. Although she was tall and shapely, with a face most supermodels would kill for, Lara just didn't seem to care about all of that. Her life's goal was to prove that life went on after the body died, it was almost as if she were consumed by some deep rooted *need* to prove it. I could still hear her words in my head "There *has* to be more Bree, I mean, I just can't accept that we are put here just to live so briefly and then poof..nothing. It doesn't make any sense". I didn't get her, for me it was enough to just be alive now.
Anyway, I needed to get up and get out of here, wherever *here* was. "Where is everyone?" I wondered to myself. I was relieved to hear Lara's voice above me, funny how I couldn't see her. I closed my eyes tight and reopened them, there, it was hazy but I could see her pale face looming above me, her jet black hair hanging down. "Bree, are you okay??? Talk to me Bree, come on...oh my God..." She was crying now, wow, I must have really scared her. I tried to answer but for some reason what I was trying to say wouldn't come out. Instead, as unbelievable as it may seem, I heard my own voice speak words that I *knew* I wasn't saying. "I'm fine, just give me a moment to collect myself". WHAT??? That wasn't even how I spoke...*what* is going on here? I was in a panic now as I tried to move, to scream, anything that showed that I was in control of my own body...but I wasn't. "Just sit back and relax little girl" spoke a voice inside my head. "I have long waited for this moment, and now, I am finally freed from this prison of non-substance...in you, I live again"
"Whoa" I thought, "I must have *really* hit my head or something". I was sure that I was locked in some nightmare and that once I woke up I would get a good laugh telling the story. I willed myself over and over to just wake up, but there I remained, locked inside my body looking out, as someone or something else controlled things. "This can't be happening," I thought. Just then the voice came back with a chuckle, "Worry yourself not, soon all that you are will phase out as I retain control. It won't hurt you a bit...you will just fade out and your soul will roam free. I have waited for centuries for this moment, and now that I have finally regained form, I plan to remain." "Who are you, why are you doing this?" I cried out within myself. "Who I am matters not, just resign yourself and stop fighting me..you can not win".
Lara grabbed my body tightly in a hug, "Oh my gosh...Bree, you scared me so bad. WHAT happened???" "I'm not sure," I heard my voice reply. "I don't remember much". Lara helped *me* stand up. "Well, we were walking along and you just started walking toward this headstone. At first I thought that you were teasing me again, you know how you just love to act as though you "feel" something and then laugh at me when I follow..." She was right, that was a favorite pastime of mine when I became bored with just sitting there watching and waiting, she fell for it every time. Lara continued, "well, I wasn't falling for it this time, only this time it was different. You reached out toward the stone..."
With her words prompting me, in a flash I was reliving those last moments before the darkness. I saw myself walking toward the grave marker, with this feeling that I just *had* to reach it in time. In time for *what* I wasn't sure, but I hurried my pace. As I stood there in front of it, a flash of light appeared and I thought I saw the face of a young woman, her expression imploring..reaching out for me. The feeling that she *needed* me was overwhelming, and I stretched out my hand to touch her face.....
".....and then there was this light from out of nowhere, like lightening, only there was no storm, no thunder..nothing..." I was jolted back to the here and now and overheard Lara's words. She continued, "As the light surrounded you, you just stiffened, reaching your hand out toward the stone, and then you fell to the ground. I thought for sure you were dead, prayed to God that you were joking and swore to God that I'd kill you if you were.." A laugh rang out from my body, "Well, thankfully we don't need to go that far...let's just get out of here, it feels as if I've been here for an eternity.."
"That was WICKED cool!!" Jesse yelled as he and Adam raced towards *us*. Lara was beaming, "Yeah, luckily Bree is just fine. Thanks for asking..." she added pointily. "Well DUH," Adam stated, "She stood up and is talking..it didn't take a rocket scientist". Jesse looked at *me*, concern showing in his blue eyes, "You are okay, right Bree??" My *imposter* spoke for me, "Oh, yes, sure..I'm just fine." "Good," he replied, a grin spreading across his face. "Because we caught it all on film ladies," "WHAT??" I heard *my* voice scream. Everyone looked puzzled now as *she* composed herself. "What's the problem?" asked Adam. "Yeah Bree, what's up?" Lara asked her voice full of confusion. "You KNEW we were trying to get ghosts on film tonight, so obviously the guys would have captured what happened".
I could feel my invaders frustration as she spoke again in a surprisingly even tone, "It's just that was really frightening for me and I don't know that I necessarily want others to see it, I'd really just rather forget that it ever happened". "Forget that it ever happened, are you out of your MIND?" Adam asked in disbelief. "That was the most amazing thing that I have EVER seen and I'm totally using it for my movie".
Adam was working on a documentary about paranormal happenings, and when he heard about Lara's weekly ghost hunting ventures he was quick to sign on to come along. The only stipulation being that he retained the right to use anything he captured on film, and Lara had been only to eager to agree. Film would be a great way for her to prove her beliefs should we be lucky enough to catch anything. Why was this entity so upset, had the guys caught something on film?? Obviously, she was afraid of that. The thought excited me, maybe if they caught whatever happened on film they could help me.
I was surprised to hear *myself* say, "Alright, fine..you're right. I'm just being silly to be embarassed. Can you show me what happened?"
I didn't understand, had I been wrong? She didn't seem worried at all now. Adam began to rewind and as the group gathered to watch, I felt *myself* falling forward and heard Adam curse as the video camera fell to the ground. I saw pieces of the machine everywhere, and inwardly heard the chuckle I had quickly come to recognize. "That solves *that* little problem".
"I'm sorry" *I* stated, "I guess that I must still be dizzy, is the film okay?"
Adam was still retrieving pieces of machinery from the ground. "The cameras pretty much shot, but hopefully I can still save the tape. I'm gonna run home and see what I can do".
"Oh, wonderful..." *I* said. "Do you mind if I come along? I'd still really like to see what happened".
"Sure, come on then.." Adam began. "What about you two, you coming along?"
Lara had a twinkle in her eye, "No, you two go on. I'm sticking around here for a bit longer. I just have this feeling that there is something strong in the air here tonight and I just want to see if anything else happens". I sighed to myself, of course Lara wouldn't come. It wasn't just the urge to stay for what might yet happen, although that *was* a part..Lara knew that I had been burning a secret torch for Adam for a few years now. She was likely thinking that I just wanted to be alone with him. I had to admit, had I been of my own sound mind and control that would probably be true. For now I would just settle for him realizing that *this* wasn't me at all.
The familiar voice within me chuckled evilly, "So, you desire this boy? How advantageous this information will prove to be.." I don't know why I was so shocked, if I could feel what she was feeling it made sense that she could feel my emotions and thoughts as well. But what would she do with that information?
"Jesse, what about you dog?? You coming along to watch the show?"
"Nah, man..." Jesse answered, "I think once in real life was enough for me tonight, and besides, we really shouldn't leave Lara out here alone."
"A'ight dude, catch ya tomorrow then...night Lara!!" Adam called out.
Lara was inspecting the tombstone, but looked up at Adam's call. "Oh, yeah..good night you two. I'll call you tomorrow Bree".
"Oh, yes, okay..." *I* answered. "We'll talk then.."
Adam wrapped his arm around *me*, and as we walked away I couldn't help but think of the irony. Here I was with Adam holding me tight, and I was finally going to be all alone with him like I had always wanted....only it wasn't really me, and I had no idea what *she* wanted with him.....I just prayed that she wouldn't hurt him...
"Well, here we are," Adam stated as we walked up to his house. "No need to be quiet or anything, the folks are out as normal".
"Perfect", *I* replied, walking in through the door which Adam held open.
Adam grinned slightly and turned towards me, "What was that?" he asked.
"Oh, " my voice sounded faintly embarassed. "Nothing....it was nothing".
Adam was walking toward me now, his smile wider and a new look in his green eyes. My heart leaped, and I felt a surge of longing. Why had this happened to me? Here we were, all alone but for this unwanted intruder that had taken over my body, and I was sure that I was reading some interest in his body language. "Oh Adam," I thought, "Just walk in the other direction, don't do this."
My fondest desire that had instantly become my worst nightmare was taking shape, Adam had crossed the short distance between *us*, simultaneously reaching for *me* and leaning in poised to kiss *me*. My body responded and I watched on as my captor returned his kiss. I was mortified and angry, the least she could have done was to let me have this moment. Just then she chuckled, "This may end without bloodshed after all, if your little boyfriend cooperates I may just end up not killing him."
Adam pulled back then, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Wow Bree, I kinda got the drift that you liked me...but I never guessed that you could kiss like that. It's like you've done that a million times.."
I heard my voice reply, " Well, I have a million times, in my dreams, with you...."
Adam looked down, he was actually embarassed?? When he looked back up he was wetting his lips and asked, "So how about we go to my room and make it a million and one?"
"You go ahead, " *I* replied. "If you'll just show me the bathroom I want to freshen up a bit first, and then I'll be along".
"Okay, " he replied hastily, and removing his jacket led the way. Once *I* was inside and the door was shut, I could hear his footsteps pounding quickly up the stairs. The entity then opened the door and slowly looked to be sure that the coast was clear, "Now," she thought, "If Adam was a dear and left the video inside his jacket.."
"Auuuurrgggghhh," came her angry growl, "Where IS that tape? He must have taken it with him....for his sake you had best pray that he is not watching it as we speak".
Ever so slowly and stealthily my body wound up the stairs and entered Adam's room. She need not have worried that he would hear *my* approach, for there he sat at the end of his bed, eyes transfixed upon the television screen. There, for us all to see, the events from earlier played out. As the light surrounded me and my body stiffened, a white fog-like mist rose from the grave marker and entered into my open mouth where it disappeared seconds before I fell to the ground. Adam hit a button on the remote control, rewinding the scene back and rewatching in obvious disbelief.
I felt the rage building within my visitor and felt helpless as she advanced ever so slowly, but determinedly toward the bed. Adam must have sensed something also, because just then he turned and I watched as the disbelief turned to horror.....
Seeing the expression on Adams' face was too much for me to bear, I started praying for it all just to go away; and somehow, it just did.
I don't know how it happened, but suddenly I felt a wrenching pain as I fully disconnected from my body. I found myself looking down upon the scene that played out the night that Adam died and helpless to put an end to it. I fled the scene before the girl that was now Bree actually killed him, I just couldn't watch anymore and I allowed myself to soar.
Eventually I found myself back in the cemetery, I couldn't really think of anywhere else to go. Visiting my family and friends seemed a pointless endeavour that could only cause me more misery and heartache. If I had to live this empty existence I wasn't about to hang around watching as those that I loved continued on without me. The thought just hurt way too much.
There I remained, for the longest time I was aware of nothing but my own sorrow and loneliness. In time I began to have an awareness of other lost souls surrounding me, yet it took me quite a while before I began to carry on any sort of interaction with any of them. Over the course of time I actually learned quite a bit from them, and I began to again have some hope that someday I might live again. Figuring out how to make that happen was another problem all together.
One day, I saw her standing there in the distance, all alone and looking so sad that I just had to approach her. It was inevitable that she would come, it was her only passion. She looked so miserable and alone, all I wanted to do was comfort her. I reached out to attempt to stroke her long black hair and suddenly, I don't know how, I found myself looking through her eyes. It was different than the last time, and not just because this time I was the invader...something was missing. It was Lara herself..her essence, she just wasn't there.
I don't know why it happened, or how really. At first I felt guilty, living again within her body and wondering where she was and if she was okay. Then I felt a thrill at knowing that no matter how it happened, I was back. I stuck around for a bit, trying to feel any semblance that she was there trying to contact me. When I felt nothing I went to my new home, and there I found it..her suicide note. I wept as I read it:
"To anyone who cares. I can't go on anymore, something happened a few monthes ago and I feel so guilty. My best friend had some sort of accident because she was with me pursuing my stupid fantasy of proving life after death. I don't know what happened, but it made something in her snap, and that's why she killed Adam and went to the mental institution. It's all my fault, if I hadn't dragged her along, none of this would ever have happened. I guess I'll have my answer now...I love you all and I'm sorry. Lara"
As I looked around, I found it, the empty bottle of pills. She must have taken them and then walked to the cemetery to die there. I can't really explain how it happened, or why her body continued to live after I took over for certain..but my guess is that I slipped in just as she slipped out. Although her body had consumed all of those pills, I think that the souls' will to live or not is the deciding factor..and since I wanted to live so much, the body kept on going when I slid in. I hope that for Lara's sake she found her answers and some type of comfort. But having been there, I don't really know. Maybe it's different for those who go willingly versus those who "slipped out" of our souls' home accidentally.
What I do know is that I have been given a second chance at life, and since I'm still not sure how often that really happens, I'm making the most of this one for *both* Lara and I. Through her, I live again and vice versa.
Well, time to lock up this journal and put it back in it's hiding spot. Jesse will be here to pick me up for our date soon. I just recently really noticed how beautiful his eyes are, and hey, I always did think that he and Lara would make a great couple.
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| Alias | Date | Reply |
| Rhaevyon |
10/16/2005 12:06:00 PM |
whooooooooa, thats awesome! its all, scary, sexy, and interesting! |
| Aine |
10/16/2005 1:34:00 PM |
Loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it |
| Aine |
10/16/2005 1:34:00 PM |
Loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it |
| Xylanthia |
10/16/2005 5:06:00 PM |
Thanks ladies!!!! I appreciate it!! ;) |
| Da Klown |
10/16/2005 7:50:00 PM |
Yet again wow. Excellent hook. Great rise in the dramatics of the story. The peak was just astounding. I could not stop reading and the climax was such a twist and unseen in my book. A perfect halloween short story. One of the best I have read in a long time. Thank you for the time and effort in writing this and giving me something so enjoyable to read. This story has been bookmarked and shall be read many more times I am sure. |
| Xylanthia |
10/17/2005 5:41:00 AM |
*Blushes* Milenko..you sure know how to make a gal feel good about her writing!! Thank you so soooo much my friend!!! ((HUGE HUGE HUGS)) |
| Hagatha |
10/17/2005 8:49:00 PM |
Xylanthia, I'm glad that you rediscovered how much you enjoy writing stories and if this is a taste of your style, you can be sure I will be reading what you post. Good story. |
| Xylanthia |
10/18/2005 7:43:00 AM |
Thanks so much Penny..I hope I can keep them interesting for you all.. |
| Invisible Entirely. |
10/19/2005 4:36:00 AM |
Bravo!! Bravo!! keep it up!! |
| Xylanthia |
10/19/2005 5:27:00 AM |
Thanks Devo..;) |
| PrincessJen |
11/6/2005 5:44:00 PM |
Wow this is an interesting story....are you going to write more? I want to see if laura comes back to life! lol :) |
| Xylanthia |
11/6/2005 6:31:00 PM |
Thanks Princess Jen...hmmm, I never thought about it but one never knows..that could be an interesting progression..;) |
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