Lost Soul by Forest Ostrander (red queen free ebook txt) 📖

to lose my sanity! I watched the woman as she disappeared back into the woods. I needed to find someone who can help me and fast. I needed an explanation for all of this. Books and movies that I have come to know have obviously been wrong. The other side is no picnic and clearly you do not always see a white light. Also, there are psychotic spirits walking as well, willing to chase you with their fingers curled like claws and their screams piercing the air. What else is there that I don't know? What else do I have to worry about besides screaming ghosts? No wonder why when I would come down this road I always felt like we were being watched. As if we were not welcomed. I turned around and continued on to Crystal's house, but I kept going back to the way that woman looked. She was more scary then a demon. Soon seeing my friend's house looming in the distance I ran to it. I could almost feel my heart flutter at the thought of seeing my babies again. A smile spread across my face, for once I could run and not get tired. I never even felt the pain in my knees though the pain in my chest was obvious. Maybe it will heal over time? Surely I can't be stuck with a hole in my chest? I ran to the front door and didn't even bother to stop to open it, I knew it would be futile. I gleamed when I ran through the door like it wasn't even there. Looking at the box that contained their dog Sandy, I stopped. Touching the box, I whispered.

"Hello Sandy. I'm here mama." I petted the box, for some reason I can touch things that hold the dead in them. At least that is something I guess. Maybe there is a way to touch the living too? I heard a light bark somewhere in the distance and smiled. Sandy. The name of my mama dog. The one who took me on as her puppy like she does to all the kids. I looked out the window and saw the golden retriever running my way. I ran out the door and ran right up to her. Sandy ran to me with a huge grin on her face and followed beside her must be Tigers, Crystal’s cat. I knelt down and welcomed them into my arms. I rubbed my hands through their soft fur and felt Sandy's tongue on my face. I laughed, finally, I found pets I knew! Well, one pet, I only knew of Tigers from Crystal always talking about him. I sighed.

"At least I found friends." I was now pleased to know that I wasn't the only one here. Obviously, Tigers and Sandy didn't move on either. I wonder what their story is? I know how Sandy died, she had tumors and something else. Crystal and I were at school when her parents took her and put her down. I looked into their eyes.

"You know? I think as long as we have each other, everything will be ok. But I must see my cat now." I stood up and headed back in the house, Sandy and Tigers following me inside. I soon spotted Cuddles curled up in a ball in the middle of Crystal's bed. I smiled, she looked so peaceful but I also felt heartbroken. She didn't know what happened to me or why she was left here. My face fell, I walked up to the bed and watched my baby sleep, her back rising and falling with her breathing. I wanted to touch her, to reach out once more and feel her soft fur. I felt a tear slide down my cheek. I'm going to miss her, I'm going to miss cuddling with her, kissing her, petting her soft fur and sharing my secrets with her. She was my closest friend and I had let her down by leaving her. I should have been more stronger, I shouldn't have let them hit me. I reached my hand out and gently laid it on her back. I imagined myself petting her, I imagined the feel of her fur which had been engraved in my mind for the longest time from our many cuddling sprees. I could almost hear her purring as I brushed my hand down her back, scratched under her chin, behind her ears and covered her in kisses. When I opened my eyes, I was startled to see that I was actually petting her. I could actually feel her fur for real. Lifting up her head, I smiled. Looking into her golden eyes I said.

"Hello Cuddles." She looked me in the eyes, I knew she could see me. A slight purr erupted from her throat as I rubbed her head. She closed her eyes and leaned into my hand. I then began to cry even more. Here I was, finally able to reach out to a living being, and she can see me.

"I'm so sorry Cuddles. I won't be coming back for you. I won't ever get to see you in full body." My voice cracked as I watched her, listening to her purr as I petted her. When I stopped petting her, I noticed her looking at me with the deepest eyes. I couldn't pull myself to look away from those eyes full of love that I have seen ever since she was a kitten. I instantly regretted standing up to the boys, at finding out what they were planning. If I had just kept to myself I would still be alive and with her. Yet a deeper part of me knew that even if I hadn't caught them in their planning they would have still killed me anyway. They were talking about me and had even received my folder. I knew, even if I had also given them the location of the key they still would have killed me as well. Either way, I was going to die, but that didn't mean I didn't resent myself for not seeing it sooner, I should never have accepted that damn key. I should never have sworn I would protect it with my life. My life was ruined now all because of that key. I heard a door open and instantly knew who was home. Looking at Sandy and Tigers who looked back at m in return, we headed out to the living room where a sniffling, tear filled Crystal stood taking her shoes off.

"Crissy," I said. Letting the words escape my lips as I watched my friend. We had known each other since 5th grade. Ever since then I have protected her from harm, from bullies and from harsh taunts. I was always by her side and she mine. We were two peas in a pod, inseparable. Our friendship is what kept us strong. She turned and headed towards me. I gasped at the warmth I felt as she passed through me, as if I wasn't there...oh wait, technically I'm not. Sighing, I followed her into her room as she plopped down on her sister's bed. I looked at Cuddles who was still watching me, following me with her eyes as she let out a pitiful mew.

"It's ok Cuddles." Crystal said, standing up she petted Cuddles and scratched her like I did. "You're mommy is in a better place." Cuddles never took her eyes off of me, even as Crystal scratched her under her chin.

"What are you looking at?" Crystal asked Cuddles and I smiled. Maybe, just maybe, there is a chance after all for me to communicate. Another knock on the door snapped us both awake. I followed Crystal like a lost puppy dog to the door where my grandmother stood.

"Hello Crystal," my grandma said, tears had also fallen from her as well. Geeze, is everyone going to mope around and cry me a river?

"Hi Brenda," Crystal said, her head lowered. "You're here to get the cats?" My grandmother nodded and Crystal led her inside. Getting the cat carrier, she managed to coax them inside and handed the carrier to my grandma who took it.

"I'm so sorry," she said to Crystal, her voice cracking only slightly.

"Me too. She will be missed."

"I'll call you when her funeral will be. It won't be long. Maybe this weekend."

"Ok. Thank you." With that, they said their goodbyes and grandma left. Great, there goes my chance at taking to her. As Crystal headed into her room and turned on her play station I sat next to her and the moment I sat down, the screen went fuzzy and I could slightly see myself in the static. Crystal looking at it confused slapped the TV and play station a couple of times but it didn't clear up. Shutting everything off, Crystal started to get up but I knew what I must do. I managed to turn the TV back on which scared Crystal. Oh, please don't hate me for this. She shut the TV off again and I only turned it back on.

"What's going on? Who's here?" I tried to make myself show in the fuzziness again and waved at her. Crystal bent down to look closely and screamed as she saw me smiling and waving. Hey, this stuff was getting pretty easy. I tried to show Sandy and Tigers in it as well and was pleased when they showed up beside me. Crystal backed away.

"Forest, if this is you doing this turn the TV off." I obliged and shut it off then back on then off. Soon Sandy got into it and kept slamming her paw on the power button and we both got into a little fight to stop. I noticed Crystal backing away even more.

"Forest, this isn't funny. What are you doing?" I touched the TV and managed to speak through the speakers.

"Blame Sandy! I'm not touching it half the time!" Crystal screamed and fainted. I shut the TV off and stood over her. Looking down at Sandy and Tigers I asked them.

"Now what?" I sighed, I couldn't get water, and I was amazed I was even able to work the TV let alone speak through it. I sat beside my friend, the only thing I could do was stay there and hopes she wakes up soon.

Chapter 4: So there is more?!

I sat there for hours it seemed just watching Crystal sleep. Sandy and Tigers had left me for a little while for an unknown journey but soon showed up a few minutes later.

"Nothing yet," I reported to them. I knew she was alive, she was breathing. I heard the door open in the living room. Could her mom or dad be home? Maybe her sister Aaron? I watched the door to see who would come in. Sure enough it was Crystal's older sister.

"Crystal!" she shouted bending down to lift her sister up. I watched, a little peeved off that she could touch her and I couldn't. It was my job alone to help Crystal and Aaron was taking my task away from me. I watched as she gently tapped Crystal awake before asking.

"What happened?"

"F...Forest w...was here." Aaron looked at her sister as if she were crazy. I scowled.

"Are you