They Watch

Rhythmically, she breathed deep as she concentrated on her own heartbeat. Feeling every vibration of energy run through her extremities like an electric current, she exhaled. Her soul, her vibrant essence was connected deep within the earth, entwined with the trees, rocks, and animals. A peace filled her, calming her nerves, because she was one with life itself.

Ringing the small metallic chime, she announced to the people watching her with a steadfast gaze, “Thank you for your participation. Please continue on your journey.”

She rolled up the soft blue mat, blew out the scented candle, and began slowly walking towards the illuminated exit. Mentally and emotionally exhausted, she longed for a restful night’s sleep, one in which her nightmares ceased to exist. Despite all of her outward projection of inner peace and serenity, the word failure reverberated in her mind like a never-ending curse. If only she had the emotional constitution to finish her task. Maybe if she would have completed more assignments, boosted the company’s profits, and worked longer hours, they wouldn’t have gotten rid of her like useless rubbish.

Wiping her tears from her eyes with her cotton sleave, she spied a curious figure in the darkness. With a black hooded cloak covering her head, the specter approached.

“Would you like to join my class?” Karen asked the woman as she tried to regain some sense of composure.

The tiny woman shook her head. This was a quiet gesture, but somehow contained all the force of the universe itself.

Karen stammered, “What can I do for you?”

“There is nothing that you can do for me,” angrily stated the small figure. She continued with a mischievous smile, “So, this is where you hide from the world, huh?”

“I beg your pardon,” indignantly stated Karen.

The cloaked figure harshly stated, “You clearly heard me or have the inner voices proclaiming your failure interrupted your comprehension?” inquired the tiny girl with a sinister grin. As she tossed back her head, the hood fell, exposing her midnight-colored curls.

Locking her eyes onto Karen’s blank face, the ghostly spirit stated, “Do you really think tricking others out of money will fill the endless void within you, Karen? Did you think the universe didn’t know?” A smile encapsulated her face as she whispered, “We are always there.”

“Who are you?” nervously stuttered Karen. “Leave me alone,” she pleaded much like a helpless child would.

The woman giggled like a joyous child as her black eyes fixed on Karen’s skittish demeanor.

“Who are you?” Karen nervously inquired. “If you are the cops, I need to speak to my lawyer,” she continued, trying to sound self-assured and demanding despite her sweat-filled palms.

Extending her doll-like hands towards the cowardly woman, the mysterious visitor ferociously hissed, “Do I look like the authorities?”

Glowing with electricity, her sable eyes held steady to Karen’s blank face as an evil smile, that was almost beautiful in its sinister appearance, remained visible despite the shadows. Nervously, Karen looked for the exit in the way a scared and terrified mouse would attempt to escape a ravenous feline.

“There is no running away now, doll-face,” the little woman whispered as if Karen failed to exist in that time and place.

Karen’s mildly terrified countenance suddenly became ashen as her eyes widened in complete horror. Shadows encircled her, moaning a type of sad and tormented wail, begging to be released, and uselessly hoping for just one more simple chance to atone for all the suffering they caused.

The spirit walked ever closer to Karen as she stumbled, falling backwards onto the hardwood floor as she uselessly tried to scoot away from the perceived danger.

“Time to recount your many transgressions against your fellow humans, Miss. Let’s lay your empty soul bare in this room,” the ghost whispered in a silky tone that contained all of the disapproval of a disappointed teacher towards an incorrigible child.

“Who are you?” violently screamed Karen.

“That’s not nearly as important as who you are right now,” mocked the menacing spirit as she encircled the woman’s bare throat with her hand before abruptly letting go. Gracefully, the black-cloaked doll-like image skipped, with a type of demented elegance, to a darkened corner before, once again, turning to face the terrified woman.

“Let’s start simply, shall we?” asked the tiny woman as her eyes glowed, pulsing with adrenaline. “What about her? The one that was the unfortunate receipt of your vile actions. Explain to me how her soul broke when you exposed the fact that she wasn’t your family and never would be.”

“It’s true,” spat Karen in contempt as her voice raised in haughty anger. “She was a whore’s baby, but everyone thought she was so precious. They all just pitied her because she was worthless.”

Looking at her disapprovingly, the specter stated, “All she ever did was give you a home, but you despised her. Now, tell me why.”

“My father hated me, but loved her,” she exclaimed as bitter and hot tears fell from her saddened and rageful eyes. “There was nothing special about that dumb bitch,” she stated, voice shaking with emotion. “She thought her education and accomplishments made her so much better than me, but no one ever wanted her, not even her own mother,” Karen arrogantly laughed.

The tiny girl’s eyes clouded, not in a state of confusion, but with all of the knowledge and truth of the universe.

“Your own mother’s name was Lauren. Did she want you?” menacingly stated the figure.

“Leave my damn mother out of this,” screeched Karen as she lunged towards the unwelcomed guest.

The spirit vanished as the walls reverberated with one solitary sentiment, “Face who you are or be locked inside of your own torment for all eternity.”