the inspiration for this story came from the subject of the contest. I enjoy writing things outside of my normal genre.

The Spectre

“Look at me!” the voice pierced through the crowded streets that Alexis was traversing. She stopped and looked around, trying to locate the voice, trying to see if anyone else had heard the piercing yell. Seeing the other commuters continue on with their journey, Alexis realized that she was the only one who heard it. Now came the chore of finding the source of the voice.

Alexis knew she was special at the age of 5, she had what her mom called “imaginary friends,” but Alexis knew them to be more than that. They were spirits from another time. They came to her for guidance and for help in understanding what they were and how they came to be alone and unseen.  Now at 16 she realized that it was her job to find, and assist all spirits that sought her help. It was a taxing job, but she found that she quite enjoyed it.

Looking around the crowded streets, Alexis looked for the source of the voice. Unable to locate this spirit, Alexis started jogging to where she thought the voice had originated. Going down a dark and deserted ally, she saw a glow. Not the glow of a regular spirit, this glow was different. As she approached the eerie glow, Alexis saw a sight she wasn’t accustomed to. There was a tiny little man, or she thought it was a man; he had rows of pointed teeth, sharp pointy ears, and was a strange shade of green. Wearing armor, Alexis wondered if this was the rumored Goblin that was known to roam the street of Alamor.

As she approached, the Goblin yelled out, “It’s about time little human, I’ve been yelling at you for hours. What took you so blasted long?”

Alexis examined him, and asked, “Why are you yelling for me? You are well armored and it doesn’t appear that you need my assistance.”

Goblin replied in a tone that would scorch anyone’s resolve, “You dumb human, you can’t see me on regular basis, but since I’m dead, I need you to find my murderer!”

Alexis timidly asked, “How is it you got murdered? Do you have any idea of who did this to you?”

Goblin scoffed, “I got murdered the same way you will if you don’t catch them first, and all I know about the murderer is that there are more than one of them wandering these streets, they are specteres, ghosts who are vengeful and hateful. They don’t want any paranormal entities wandering these streets besides themselves. Anyone who can see them are at risk of being decapitated as I was.”

“So, you want to me seek out your murderers, and then do what? I can’t kill them as they are already dead. So what exactly am I supposed to do?”

Goblin sighed, “Well human, what you need is the amulet of Armond, listen to me, and I will lead you to it. Well not lead you to it as I can’t leave the spot I was killed, but you get the gist. I hid the amulet in my abode, it is 20 leagues north. Leagues means blocks human. Once you reach that area, go west 16 leagues, and then in the mausoleum of Arian, enter and knock on the south wall 15 times. A door will open and you must crawl in, open the trunk laying there and look under the false bottom. You will find the amulet. Now hurry! They’re coming back!”

Alexis turned and walked out of the ally, listening to Goblin yell “Move faster human! Run before they figure out what you’re doing!”

Turning north, Alexis sped up, jogging at first. As she reached the 10th block, she was knocked down from behind. Jumping up, she turned and came face to face with the most distorted and frightening sight she had ever seen. Transparent, the things “skin” was sliding off its face and where the eyes were supposed to be, there were holes, not empty, but filled with red, emotionless “eyes” for lack of better word. Swallowing back a scream, Alexis examined this thing, this spectre. It examined her back with those red “eyes,” “Alexis,” it moaned, sounding more like the rustling of old, weathered paper, “you are making a big mistake, Goblin lies. We seek only to kill those who interfere with our purpose. You are upon one of those that are interfering, yet you are to be saved for last as we have plans for you.”

He loomed closer to Alexis, close enough that she could smell the decay that still lingered to him. “Look into my eyes Alexis. You will see all that we have been through.” Backing up, Alexis shook her head. She didn’t want to look into those eyes. The specter grabbed her, pulling her close and holding her head so she was forced to look. What she saw caused her blood to run cold.

Fire lit up the sky as people scattered around, running from the sounds of the dying. Three men stood, trying to fight the invisible forces that were dismembering other villagers that were trying to fight. Blood ran like rivers of red. The men picked up strange weapons and began swinging them wildly, hoping to hit the invisible killers. Two of the men watched in horror as the head of the third went rolling down the hill. They wanted to turn and run, but they needed to protect what was left of the village. One by one the men fell, one man watched in horror as his extremities were yanked from his body. The other watched as his body started to deteriorate, and then catch on fire. They both felt every inch of their bodies dying.

Alexis watched in horror, not realizing her eyes were burning in her skull. As the fire spread through her body, she finally felt the deterioration, her organs all began to shrivel, lungs burning as the smoke infiltrated them.

And then, she woke up!

The end