I’m friends with the monster that’s under my bed

Get along with the voices inside of my head

You’re trying to save me, stop holding your breath

And you think I’m crazy, yea, you think I’m crazy

Well, that’s not fair.

“You’ve seen and heard her. I think…I think their death broke her.” My Aunt Ari says.

“No, they haven’t. Ari, do you not remember seeing her on the video chats? She’s always seemed a little…different.” My Aunt Tilly tells her.

“So you’re saying that she has conversations with the air? She thinks she can talk to her mother! That isn’t normal, Tilly!” Aunt Ari sounds frustrated and I frown. I don’t want her to be mad at me.

“Ari, both her parent’s just died. She’s gone through something serious. Everyone copes differently…maybe it’s just her way to handle this. Or maybe…maybe she really can see them. There’re stories of witches that can speak to the dead.” Aunt Tilly says.

“Yea, and boogie men live under beds. Those are stories, Tilly. Besides, she isn’t a witch. She wasn’t born with powers, they don’t just manifest out of the air unless you take an elixir, and there’s no way she could have gotten ahold of one.” Aunt Ari sighs.

“I don’t know…what if- what if she just didn’t show them? What if she never had to use her powers until now?” I hear Aunt Tilly argue.

“She is a witch. I can smell it on her. There have been stories of powers being dormant, only to emerge in a life-or-death situation. I think you two had better keep in mind that she carries our blood and our name. Belles have always been defying the normal laws of magic. So before you go slapping titles on her and convincing her she’s crazy, you’d best remember that.” Autumn says in an even voice.

Autumn scares me, but she’s the only one that doesn’t think something is wrong with me. She’s old. I think my great-grandmother or something. Unlike most everyone else here she hasn’t said much to me, only watched. That’s more unnerving than talking to me though. I shudder, exhaustion from the past few days taking its toll.

I get up from the banister and go to my new room looking around at it. Tilly had someone in to redecorate it for me yesterday. I sigh and look at the pictures I set on my night stand. When Uncle Fenris made me go change my clothes quickly in my room I grabbed those. I wipe the tears angrily from my eyes and close them. I can’t lose my family. I’m stupid for trying to convince myself I can get by without them. What’s the point of my powers if I can’t use them to save my family? I climb under my covers and close my eyes, forcing myself to sleep.

As the cold creeps over my body I open my eyes. Death. I give my eyes a few moments to adjust to the lighting before looking around. Like always, nothing holds any color and the mist messes with vision, making everything a little fuzzy. I look back at the portal that leads back to life, to my body, before moving deeper into Death.

Miss Torrey told me of doorways that would lead to other areas. The water at my knees can grab hold of me if I’m not careful. If I was dead I would have much more trouble resisting the current and it would likely drag me through the doors. It isn’t until someone reaches the last area of Death that they are truly dead. Maybe I can find Uncle Fenris in time. Miss Torrey warned me not to bring anyone back, but she also told me she would reunite me with my parents. I reach the first door and take a deep breath before pushing it open.

As I walk through I’m greeted with an area much like the one I just came from, except there’s a warmer light to the area and the water feels more welcoming. Area two. Miss Torrey said it’s warmer and more lit than the first area, trying to get me to lay down and let the water take me. There are also holes in the ground that I need to watch out for. If I fall into one the current will surely take me with it.

I trudge forward, looking carefully each time before I step. After what feels like forever, I make it to the door that leads to the third area. Miss Torrey never took me past the second area. I haven’t seen Uncle Fenris here, so I push open the door and walk into the third area.

Its light is the same as before but the current is a lot stronger and the water black. I feel it pull at my knees, trying to suck me under. What does this area hold besides a much stronger current? I almost don’t continue. One wrong step and I could be swallowed and dragged away. But…I have nothing holding me to Life anymore. Not if I don’t get Uncle Fenris back. I take a deep breath and begin my way through the third area.

About halfway across the area, I’m struggling to keep the current from pulling me under. It’s getting strong and stronger while I’m getting weaker and weaker. It takes willpower to fight against the pull of Death and eventually, no matter the strength of the person, willpower wears down. Just as I go to take another step I feel the cold embrace of a ghost wrap around my ankle. My balance tilts and the black waters rush towards my face.

As soon as I’m under, the warm water turns freezing and the gray world I was in disappears. The darkness of the water hides it, as well as any other dead that might be lurking here, trapped. Soon, I’ll probably join them. I close my eyes and think of my mom, dad, and Uncle Fenris as the current pulls me this way and that. At any moment I expect to go through the doorway to the fourth area, but instead, I stop. A freezing touch spreads from my arm and I’m quickly pulled from under the water.

I cough out some water and wipe my eyes before looking up at my savior. The ghost of a man stands in front of me. I catch my breath and brush some hair off my face.

“Thank you.” I say.

He looks at me. “What are you doing here?”

“I-I’m looking for my uncle.” I tell him.

He shakes his head. “Amateur. Did anyone tell you not to raise the dead? What is your name anyway?”

“Uhm…Zoey.” I say, having trouble focusing.

“Well, Zoey. Let’s get you back to your body before you run out of willpower.” He turns me around and walks behind me, forcing me forward. I know I’ll regret giving up on finding Uncle when I wake up, but right now, I barely have enough willpower to get back.