ASWANG

Chapter 7

Eleanor walked on tip toes, scared her loafers would cause a ruckus and unsettle the unusual quiet of the town. She held onto Sita's hands and wished the witty Baloney was in her group. Mr. Blake had cast the small group into sections.

Baloney was with Molly and Ian -- which Eleanor thought was most unfortunate -- Guisseppe was with Hera and Kendrick, and Laurent was in Eleanor's group. Olga was with Mr. Blake and the driver.

Filthy, earth coloured rats peeped out of tiny holes to stare at the visitors, their usual timidity gone from them. They winked and sniffed at the air, and the bolder ones even scurried out of their peepholes to inspect the students as they roamed the town.

Eleanor and her small group scouted the west part of town. This side was extremely old and smelt of dust. The walls were made of yellow bricks that had chipped off as the years wore on. They walked through a narrow lane and Eleanor was the last behind.

Someone had painted words on a wall with charcoal. Eleanor drew nearer to inspect it. It was evident that the hand writing was that of a young child caught in the pleasures of play. The writing was wobbly and partly washed off by the agents of rain, time and dirt.

She was about to say the words when Laurent took the opportunity to look behind him and observe, "What are you doing over there beauty? Remember Mr. Blake said to stick together."

Eleanor sighed and turned. Her heart caught in her throat when upon turning, she saw a dark figure hanging about by a second floor window. The windows had been stained by dirt, but the dark shadow could not be missed. Eleanor couldn't move: the figure's red eyes burned deep into hers and she screamed when a hard core migraine slapped the right side of her face and the sore on her ankle clenched tightly like someone had struck a knife through it.

She buckled onto the damp floor, her arms cradling her head. The others rushed to her in alarm and fussed over her. Her head thumped like a hammer and visions passed through her mind. A battlefield filled with blood and gore, vultures eating the flesh of humans alive, sticky worms slithering in a mud of blood: she saw the old woman from the gas station too.

Just as the pain hit her, it disappeared like it had never happened. A calm luxury soothed her head and ankle. Sighing in relief, she opened her eyes and looked up the window. The shadow had vanished. Eleanor leaped up.

"Dang, you scared me," Laurent muttered and stared at her in disbelief, "What the deuce happened to you?"

"Yes," Sita cut in, "it looked like you were dying. Are you okay?"

Eleanor brushed aside their questions and strode to the door that housed the tinted window. She pointed up and asked, "Did you see that thing?"

Sita scrunched her face. "Which thing?"

Eleanor gaped at them in disbelief and yelled indignantly, "There was something at the window! I swear, I saw it!"

Laurent palmed his face and drew nearer to Eleanor. He stretched his arms across her shoulders and studied her. "I know you're feeling scared darling, most of the girls are," he consoled, "I promise we're going to leave this dreaded place soon. You're seeing irrelevant things that are not there because you're spooked. It's natural."

Eleanor slapped his hands away. "I'm not mad to claim to seeing something that isn't there. I say it's there because I saw it! I saw a ghost!"

Sita put her hands on her hips. "Cut the crap Lenny!," Sita's voice shook with fury...and fear, "what you're trying to do won't work. You know I hate wicked games and what you're doing now is past cruel."

Eleanor blinked, "I...," her voice was cut off when a shrill cry belonging to Ian filled the silent air. Birds screeched and flew overhead at the sudden disturbance.

The three gazed at each other, and as if by sudden agreement, bounced down the path.

They didn't see a dark shadow crack its knuckles and flicker away.

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