Another Haunting? [Open]

[Zia Williams]

Zia sighed in exasperation. She tried, in vain, to remind herself exactly why she had bothered to stay behind in the school library - never mind at 11:55 at night. Glaring angrily at the canvas where she had been sketching for the past hour, she muttered to herself how she could have done this just as well back at her dorm. Or not. She knew that there was one hell of a party going on down there now - everyone was moving in, and they all wanted to celebrate tonight. Zia, however, had been moved in for a good month or so. She had come to Salem early, and had moved in early as well, so she could check out the town, and not have to deal with those annoying parties, which almost always included booze. She hated alcohol, and she hated drunks - which meant, she was staying the hell away from that place - at least until 5, when everyone should have been passed out on the stairs. Zia started when the loud beeping of her wristwatch alerted her that it was midnight. She shook her head - she had been day [Or night, haha] dreaming for five minutes now - and her canvas sketch was still in the beginning stages. She got back to work quickly, her charcoal moving over the canvas in singular, steady strokes.

She had been working for a good ten minutes or so, when the lights began to flicker eerily. Zia glanced up, her brow raised. Maybe it's those ghosts that are rumored to be here, she thought, a bit of adrenaline beginning to rush through her veins, as she stood up from her table - leaving her canvas behind - and walked towards the front doors of the library - where the circuit breaker was - slowly. "Hello...Is anyone here besides me?" she called out, a bit spooked by how her voiced echoed in the large room. She mentally rolled her eyes upon the realization that she was being stupid. No one else was here - she had been here for over an hour, and not seen another soul. At least - not another living soul, a voice eerily reminded her in her head. Zia felt herself shiver, and she walked back to her canvas board. "Yeah, okay, I'm psyching myself out - I've read too many ghost stories and heard too many rumors about this place," she muttered to herself, as she got back to work on her sketch, the lights still flickering softly.

Not long after she had sat back down, she heard a loud thump - from over where the check-out desk was. Now, Zia was one to think that ghosts were poor souls that needed help and respect, and not to be feared, but by now, even she was a little freaked out. "Hello?" she called out again, from her table, the sound of her voice making her feel a tiny bit better. The thump was heard again - louder this time. Zia turned slowly towards the check-out desk to see - surprise! - nothing. She shook her head again, and got back to work on her sketch once more, muttering to herself that if she heard anything else in the next five minutes - or if someone didn't join her - she was getting her ass out of here.

[Jackson Daniels]

The noises in the dorm were making him feel sick to his stomach, making his head split painfully. He could hear ten times better than any other person here because it was a stronger sense, so things were usually ten times louder. And the blaring music, the yells and the other noises were hurting him more than anything. He couldn't sleep anyway, even if there hadn't been any noises. The nightmares had woken him up again, and he was left with a layer of sweat covering him, his grey tee sticking to his chest because of it. And then he had given up. He didn't know where Alex had been, if he was sleeping or not, for he couldn't see him. But he had needed to get out of there. Jack had been on the end of his bed instead of his own dog bed, and they both rose at the same time, for they both hadn't been sleeping with all of the noise. Jackson knew he had cried out more than a few times from the pain and the dreams, so he was just going to get out of there. He hadn't changed from his sleepwear, but it looked fairly normal. as if he was just wearing some clothes. He had clipped a leather leash to Jack's collar, and shoved on his sneakers, and soon the two had been traveling out of the room, closing the door easily behind them. He had put his sunglasses on because he couldn't see either way, and he felt more comfortable hiding his eyes than letting them show. They were black in color, matching the black of his adidas shorts and the black of his zip up hodded sweatshirt. His grey shirt was visible beneath the sweatshirt, but he was comfortable.


The two made it haphazardly through the hallway, with some of the drunks getting angry at Jackson for getting in their way. One had even gone as far as pushing him, but with warning growls from Jack at his feet, they had left the blind boy away. BUt that dind't mean they didn't taunt him. They held things in front of his face and tried shoving the alcohol at him, which he only tried pushing away. "What's the matter? Blind boys can't drink either? You can always join the party blindy...we won't let anything happen to you." And so Jackson had felt and experienced the first tormentings from the people in this town. He knew he got them all of the time, but it was never to his face like this, and it bothered him. He had reddene din embarrassment and lowered his eyes, his face facing the floor. Jack had done a job of clearing the hallway with his powerful barks and growls. They made their way to the stairs and Jackson climbed shakily down them, not wanting to be bothered with anyone else. He figured he could go to the library. It was close to the dorm, and it was the only building he knew. He ddn't know where anything else was, so the library seemed to be safe enough. Jackson counted the steps in his mind as Jack led him skillfully through the empty streets, knowing where he wanted to go. Jackson had muttered the l word to the dog, and Jack knew what it was. They went their way, and soon Jackson knew he was standing outside the older building. Putting his foot o nthe first step, he grabbed the railing with his free hand and started the small climb to the front doors.


He was surprised that the doors were still opened at this time of the night. It probably meant someone else was inside of it, but he didn't want to run into them. After what had happened back at the dorm, he prefered to stay away from all of the other kids around here, no matter what. But he didn't think that was going to happen because he was going into a library and he couldn't see to evade the other inhabitant or inhabitants. He fumbled to find the handle of the library door, and soon his hand enclosed around the cool metal. Pulling it open, he let Jack disappear inside first and then slipped in behind him, hearing the door close almost soundlessly behind him. Stepping forward, he kept going until he was right next to the check-in desk. As he stood there, there was suddenly a loud thump, and he jumped about a mile, with Jack repeating the same reaction. Jackson lost his footing because of the sudden movements, and he tripped over himself, falling none too gracefully to the floor. Landing with a thud, he groaned slightly and then sat up immediately, looking over as Jack sat off to the side, his eyes focused on the desk. Who had that been? The dog's eyes ran around the library and he recognized Zia. Going to Jackson hurriedly, he helped his owner up slowly and heard his muttered words. "Jesus Christ. Can I catch a break for once?" He whispered and then was aware of the fact that Jack was pulling him across the room to greet Zia.

[Zia Williams]

Zia emitted a little shriek as she heard the loud thud near the door. That's it I'm getting out of here as fast as - she thought, as she began gathering her canvas and charcoal into her black bag, ready to go back to the dorms and deal with the drunks and booze, until she looked up. She saw that the thud had been the result of Jackson's quite... Loud entrance. She noted that Jack had been trying to help his owner up in a quite comedic fashion. He was now somewhat dragging Jackson across the floor to where she was standing. Smiling, Zia made her way over to help. "Need a hand?" she asked, as she grabbed his forearm, pulling him up onto his feet. Now, that Jackson was here to accompany her, maybe she could stay, and finish her work a bit. And besides, now she had a companion to talk to - not to mention his dog - who could probably bite anyone or anything that tried to harm Jackson. "Please tell me I wasn't the only one who heard that loud thump by the check-out desk," she said, as she pulled him over to her table.

"I mean - that wasn't even the first weird thing that happened in here tonight," she continued, as she threw her canvas and charcoal back on the table, and took off her black bag, hanging it back onto the chair - where it had been hanging in the same position roughly 30 seconds ago. She took her seat at the table, and gently tugged Jackson's arm - beckoning him to do the same, "About 10 or so minutes ago, the lights were flickering in here too, and it randomly stopped about the moment you came in," she commented, peering over her shoulder at the check-out desk suspiciously. "D'you reckon that it's those ghosts that everyone's always going on about here?" she asked, a bit of anxiety in her voice. "You know, the witches that are supposedly buried under the school - the ones that were burned at stake some 400 years ago?" she continued, a shudder going down her spine. She was really psyching herself out now - it probably wasn't anything - and she had work to do. Shuddering again, she began to sketch, all the while still talking to Jackson. "You have heard the rumors, right? That the two main ghosts supposedly haunting the school are the Halliwell sisters - seeking their revenge on being unfairly killed for their religion. Though, I really don't see why they'd bug us - we don't have anything against them. At least - I don't. Do you?" she asked, nervously, desperate to keep some sort of noise in the room to distract her from the possibility of ghosts.

It didn't work. There was another distinct thud, this time a bit closer to the table. Somewhere between the check-out desk and the bookshelves. Zia bit her lip and gasped quietly, straining her eyes to see if there was anything out there. She noticed that Jack, too, had become alert, and was peering where she was. So, it wasn't in her imagination. These thumps and thuds were real. She shivered again. "Okay. Do you think we should get out of here?" she asked, ready to repack her belongings up in her bag at any given moment.

[Jackson Daniels]

Jackson arm was being stretched out as he sat haphazardly on the ground, and he wondered why Jack was being so overexcited. Struggling to regain his feet with his dog pulling him like he weighed as much as feather, Jackson had a feeling this wasn't going to be easy...or pretty. "Jack! Will you get over here?" He called out to his canine companion, and he felt the leash growing looser. Jack just lost his head apparently, what with the loud thumps and bangs, and Jackson on the ground. But he was helping him now, apologizing by licking his cheek and nudging him with his nose to make sure he was alright. It was obvious he felt bad. "It's alright Jack. Just stay.." He said, and went to use his dog for support. BUt then he heard them. Soft footsteps hurrying across the room towards them. He recognized those footsteps. A small smile lit his face and he spoke easily before she even said one word. "Late night Zia?" He questioned and then heard her offer. Nodding his head, he felt her hand take his arm, and he pushed himself up with her helping to assist him. Once he was firmly on his feet, he looked in her direction."Thanks. Jack was a bit overexcited. He must have seen you." He said good naturedly and then glanced around the library once more, although he couldn't see anything. He just wanted to know if someone else was here. He became aware that she was speaking once more, and his brow furrowed once he realized exactly what she was saying. When he had heard her approaching him on the ground, he had figured the thump was produced by her doings. Maybe she had put a book on the counter. But now she was saying it wasn't her? He looked down at her in question. "It wasn't you?" He finished, wondering who else it could have been. Who else was here?


And then she was pulling on his arm, tugging him in the direction of where she was sitting. He stumbled slightly with the quick action, but he regained himself just as easily and started after her, with her still clinging to his arm. He heard stop suddenly and he put on the brakes, then listened as she put her bag back on the back of the chair and took a seat. Another pull at his arm told him he was to do the same. But he was supposed to find it first. Jack sat in between them both, and he'd be willing to protect both of them if the task called for it. Jackson groped around in the darkness to find the chair, and finally his hand closed around the back of it. There it was. He shifted slightly around it and took a seat, pulling it in so he was closer to the table. He felt Jack's presence beside him and Zia, and he felt comforted, even when Zia had said it wasn't the only strange thing happening. The lights had flickered too? Furrowing his brow, he turned his gaze back to her and let her speak. Jackson didn't scare very easily, it took a lot to shake him. Unless there were loud, unexpected noises that appeared from no where. Then he would jump or flinch a little bit, but that was because he hadn't known who the maker was or that it was coming. The idiots in the dorm had taken to doing that to the poor guy, so he was making himself get used to it slightly. He always expected something to come. It was just easier that way, but it made him a little paranoid. But he now focused on the words that she was speaking, listening to the story. He was aware that there were said to be hauntings here yes, but he hadn't known the real reason. He and his mother and brother had just moved here, and were unaware of the complete history. But he supposed he was learning that now.


Leaning his elbows on the table in front of him, he heard her charcoal running over the paper absentmindedly, and he wondered what she was drawing. It was times like this he wished he could see. To appreciate the skill and the time put into sketches and works of art by their creator. He wanted to be able to see the landscapes and the paintings, everything that he could not. But this was stupid. He wasn't going to be able to see again, and he'd just have to live with that fact. The doctors said he could have a surgery that might help, but there was chance that it wouldn't. And if it did, the sight might only be temporary. And his mother couldn't really afford it, so they were stuck with what they had. But it didn't matter. He was alive. Sighing, he focused himself back on Zia and hung on her every word. His eyes were facing her for once because he trusted her, but they still held that same faraway look as if he wasn't listening to her. But he was, he just couldn't pinpoint her exactly. "I knew something was haunting here...but I didn't exactly know why. So no..no rumors.." He said with a slight shrug, and then listened to the rest of her statement. At her question, he shook his head hastily. "I don't have anything against them, no." He said quickly. Jackson wasn't a big believer in ghosts, but the happenings here didn't lead to any other explanations. And then suddenly there was a louder thump, closer and more distinct. He didn't jump, but his head turned in that direction as if he could see. His heart was racing, but he felt the thrill. He wanted to stay here to see what would happen. He was with Zia, and he was at ease for the most part. He trusted her and cared about her as a good friend, and he dind't mind staying in a haunted library late at night with her. He kept facing the sound, but suddenly there was a loud thud right next to his chair. The sound made Jack jump up from his alert position and snarl warningly at whatever was doing it. Jackson talked to him gently, calming him slightly. But Jack was up, his fur bristled, and he was alert for any more sounds.

[Zia Williams]

Zia shook her head and shivered. She was getting pretty freaked out at this point. She turned back to her drawing, surprised that in the corner of an empty page, she had begun to sketch Jackson's eyes, inadvertently. Blushing, she turned the page quickly, knowing very well that he couldn't see it, but still feeling pretty embarrassed all the same. "I - I just dunno about the rumours. Like, I believe in ghosts and all, but I guess I never thought that there might be any actual hauntings here... Nothing like, thumps and whatnot. If anything, I thought I might actually -" she paused, as she looked up from her drawing. She had suddenly gotten icy cold, goosebumps standing up on her arms and bare legs. "Do you feel that?" she whispered, talking about the sudden change in temperature. She looked around the room anxiously, rubbing her arms in an attempt to warm up.

At first, she didn't notice the slight bit of glowing light in the corner. She overlooked it, but for some reason, her eyes strayed back to that place by the bookshelves, where the previous thump had been heard. Gasping slightly, she couldn't pull her eyes away from that one spot, and she heard Jack's slight whine, as he lay down on the floor, his ears covering his eyes. Zia bit her lip, as she noted that the glowing form seemed to be getting clearer. The more she looked at it, the more and more it seemed to look like the silhouette of a.... Person!? "My god..

[/i]" Zia whispered again, still staring at the form, a bit of excitement rising in her stomach. "Jackson, we've got a guest with us in here,[/i]" she whispered to her companion, squeezing his arm. "I think it's one of the Halliwell sisters[/i]," she added, trying to get a better look at the glowing form.

She didn't need to, though. The form seemed to be moving closer to Zia, Jackson, and Jack. Zia gripped Jackson's arm tighter, as she watched the form advance towards them. Jack's whining increased, and Zia was ready to get up and run towards the door. Though, something seemed to be holding her down - perhaps it was simply the beautiful glow surrounding the form - or ghost.


[Pardon the short post. ^w^;;;][/blockquote][/size]