Black Meadow

StaIn a quiet county, on the outskirts of a bustling city, sat a 4 story broken down barn. The red paint was faded and peeling off. Spider webs dangled from the rafters, as mice scurried across the hay.

In a quiet county, the outskirts of a bustling city, sat a 4 story broken down barn. The red paint was faded and peeling off. Spider webs dangled from the rafters, as mice scurried across the hay.

Rakes, hoes, and scythes hung on the walls. In the very center was a John Deere tractor.

The sun shone in through the cracks of the wood. Dust swirled in the wind.

On the 4th story laid a bed, a night stand and a pile of books. The dust laid thick on each book. The 3rd story housed the kitchenette a table and some chairs. The 2nd story featured dressers and closets of every size.

It may look like nothing and no one occupied the broken down barn anymore. But it was a home to a teenage male ghost. He spent his days reading the books and laying on the tractor.

How did he wind up in the barn you ask? He was killed out in the corn field, almost 10 years ago to the day. Why was he killed? He doesn't know. Maybe he witnessed something but he just can't remember; or perhaps he was part of a gang and things went south.

It had been years since another human being visited the barn. The teen thought he'd be alone for all of eternity, except for the occasional spider and mice. He would try to leave, but there seemed to be a force field keeping him inside the barn.

It was like any other rainy day, when a girl named Destine opened the barn doors. She walked in the threshold, and looked around. Coughing from the dust her boots kicked up.

She walked silently up the stairs, as they creaked from her weight. She reached the 4th story and sat on the bed, running her fingers over the sheet. The ghost teen watched her from a recliner in the corner. If he had a heart it would surely burst from his chest.

Destine sighed. "I wish you were still here, Damien." The name bounced around the empty barn. The ghost gasped. "Damien...thats….thats me…" Though for the life of him, he couldn't remember who the girl was.

Destine kicked off her boots and laid down on the dusty mattress. Damien continued to watch her from the corner, holding his breath.

Outside a storm was blowing in. Bolts of lighting lit up the sky and whips of thunder echoed through the fields.

A black kitten startled from the thunder, fell from the rafters and meowed out a cry, as it fell into Damiens lap. "Holy Whiskers!" Damien jumped up from the recliner causing it to rock, which in turn made Destine screams and look in his direction.

Damien looked back and screamed too, the kitten took off and hid under the bed. Destine stared at Damien. "Da..Da..Damien? h...how are you he...re?" Destine shook her head and slapped her cheeks believing she was dreaming.

Damien blinked. "I don't know. All I know is I can walk through walls." Destine ran towards Damien, attempting to throw her arms around his neck, only to fail and fall into the recliner.

Damien chuckles. "Did I mention, I'm a Ghost?" He stands in front of her and helps her to her feet. Destine sniffles. "I thought I would never see my best friend again. If I knew you were here the entire time, I would...I would.."

Damien pulls her into a hug, and rubs her back. "Its not your fault. No one knew i was stuck here." He gently pushes her back and wipes her tears away with a gentle motion of his thumb. Destine looks up into Damiens pale emerald green eyes with her sapphire blue ones. "I missed you so much." She wraps her arms around his neck.

Damien tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, "I missed you too." caresses her check and leans down and kisses her lips softly. A lightening bolt strikes down at that very moment hitting them both.

To be Continued…...