The Awakening (2 page)

Thursday eventually arrived and Gavin appeared at my door in his training gear and muddy football boots “You needn’t think you are coming in with those on.” I joked, pointing to his feet as I opened the door. He reached over and kissed me and then slid his boots off and wondered into my flat. “How was your course?” I asked, as I went to the fridge to get a couple of cans of coke.

“Not bad, bit boring to be honest, but it’s part of the degree conversion course so had to be done. Glad I’m home now though, I’ve missed you.” He pulled me towards him and enveloped me into a big hug, I felt my heart beat faster and a huge smile spread across my face. We stayed like this for a few minutes chatting when I had an odd feeling like when you shiver and people joke someone is walking over your grave. I shuddered and straightened up slightly and then it felt like someone was whispering in my ear “Stay away!” I shook my head and looked around feeling puzzled and anxious “You ok?” Gavin said, “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Um…I’m fine.” I replied, but I had an uneasy feeling.

Gavin left just after 10 p.m. and I got ready for bed, went into my room, lay on my bed, and turned the lamp on. I decided to have a quick browse on Facebook so logged onto my laptop. However, as the laptop was loading, I saw a strange reflection on the screen and turned around, when I looked back I could clearly make out the outline of a face and screamed and jumped up and turned the main light on. I looked around and then quickly went to check the front door was closed and locked properly. Everything seemed fine and I returned to my room where the laptop screen had timed out and gone black. As I tapped a button it sprang to life, but rather than the normal homepage loading a word document was open with the words ‘Lauren beware’ typed over and over again. I shivered and quickly closed the laptop down and slid it under my bed. I decided it must have just been some junk mail spam and tried to put it out of my mind not wanting to think of any other alternative. I got into bed but left the lamp on and eventually drifted into a restless sleep.

The following day at work, I was chatting to my colleague Kerry and told her about the weird message I’d received on my laptop. She said she hadn’t received any weird emails, but we agreed it was probably just someone playing a joke or a spam message that had accidently opened. I couldn’t quite get it out of my mind though and had an uneasy feeling when I let myself into the flat when I’d finished work. I went into my room and checked the laptop and thankfully everything was normal and I finally managed to relax. I logged onto Facebook and Sophie popped up in the chat box.

Sophie: Hey, want to meet for lunch tomorrow?

Me: Yep sounds good don’t have any plans for the weekend.

Sophie: Not seeing Gavin?

Me: Yeah probably but not got any plans as he was in London most of this week so not really seen him.

Sophie: Ok cool, well we can meet tomorrow and have a proper catch up me want to hear how things are going with you guys.

Me: So far so good and I’ve quite missed him this week

Sophie: Ah, young love ha ha!!!

Me: Where shall we meet tomorrow?

Sophie: 12.30 Buddies?

Me: Sounds fine, do you want to ask Charlotte and Vicky?

Sophie: Yep I’ll message them now; right got to go someone’s at the door.

Me: Ok, bye.

Sophie: Bye, see ya tomorrow. X

I had a browse through peoples status updates and left my own ‘looking forward to lunch with the girls tomorrow.’ I logged off and decided to give Gavin a call. I dialled his number and after a few rings it went through to voicemail, so I left a message and decided to sort some dinner out. Gavin called me back a couple of hours later apologising and said he was stuck in London as the course had over ran and they wanted him to go in Saturday morning. “Oh that’s rubbish, you're coming home in the afternoon?” I sighed.

“Yeah hopefully, but I’ll have to let you know. Have you made any plans?”

“I’m meeting the girls for lunch tomorrow but that’s it, you want to come round Saturday night or after football Sunday?”

“Yeah sounds good I’ll let you know when I’ll be back. I’ve really missed you this week. This work placement is driving me mad. It’s like slave labour.” he said.

“Oh babes I’m sure it will get better and it’s only for a few more weeks. Hang on in there and I’ll definitely see you at the weekend.” I felt terrible that work was getting to him and I knew that the last few weeks workload had been hard. We then exchanged goodbyes and I spent the rest of the evening watching telly before having an early night as I was feeling really tired after my rubbish night’s sleep the night before.

The next day I woke up feeling refreshed and happy. I pottered about the flat doing some housework and washing and just before midday, I left my flat to meet the girls for lunch at Buddies. We had a brilliant time catching up on the gossip but really, everyone just wanted to know about Gavin “So how are things with you too?” Charlotte asked nudging me as she spoke

“Really good, it’s a bit scary actually I feel like I’ve known him for ages.”

“You two definitely seem very well suited,” Sophie said smiling.

“It’s a shame actually I wouldn’t have minded dating Gavin. He seems like the perfect catch.” Vicky joked. “But it seems he’s taken now.” She finished with a light-hearted smirk. We carried on joking and laughing and after paying the bill decided, we’d better make a move. As we were leaving the restaurant Gavin’s cousin Nathaniel came in “Oh hi Lauren. Remember me? I’m Gavin’s cousin we bumped into each other a few weeks ago when you were out with Gavin,” he said as we nearly collided in the reception area of the restaurant.

“Oh hi. Yeah course I remember you. How are you?”

“Yeah good thanks. Gavin’s been telling me a lot about you.” he smiled and I felt myself blush “Really. Well it’s probably all lies don’t believe a word.” I said, feeling my cheeks burn. We carried on chatting for a few minutes and I introduced the girls and nearly burst out laughing as Vicky started fluttering her eyelashes and giving a subtle pout (her well known favourite flirting technique).

“Well better let you guys get on.” he said and reached out and gave me a hug. I smile, but as I pulled away I felt a shiver and the odd whispering sound I’d heard in the flat a few days ago seemed to swirl around my head. “Stay away!” the voice whispered. It seemed to bounce off the walls and I was surprised no one else seemed to have noticed. I suddenly felt uneasy and faint. “Lauren you ok? You look a bit pale.” Nathanial said as he gently touched my arm.

“Yeah. Yeah I’m fine sorry, right come on girls lets go. Have a nice meal Nathanial see you around.” I quickly mumbled and rushed towards the door.

Once we were outside Charlotte grabbed my arm “You ok? What was that all about? You looked like you couldn’t wait to get away from him!”

“Nothing. Don’t worry. Oh, I don’t know it’s nothing to do with Nathaniel he's lovely it’s just some weird stuff has been happening recently. I’m not sure you would believe me anyway.” I paused and sighed feeling tearful. “Do you believe in ghosts?” I said in a frustrated voice. “Did you guys hear anything back there?”

“What? Why?” Vicky said with concern on her face.

“I didn't hear anything weird. Why what’s the matter Lauren?” Charlotte said looking equally as concerned and puzzled.

“It’s a long story.” I said with a sigh.

“Right lets go to yours and you can tell us all about it.” Sophie said taking charge as we linked arms and made our way down the road.

We got to my flat, I fetched some drinks, and we sat on the sofa. I told Sophie, Charlotte, and Vicky about the weird dreams I’d been having, the odd reflection, the writing on the laptop and the whispering voices. I felt so relieved to finally have shared it all with somebody and instantly felt better. “Oh my god!” Sophie exclaimed, “That sounds really odd.”

“But you have lived here for a little while, why would you suddenly start getting haunted? Perhaps the previous tenant doesn’t like your taste in decoration.” Charlotte joked.

“I have no idea what’s going on, but it’s starting to freak me out a bit.” I replied feeling my eyes water with the stress of it all. “I feel better now I’ve told you guys though. I thought I was going a bit mental, its been really weird.”

“I’m glad you have told us. No wonder you haven’t been sleeping properly; it’s probably why you have been getting headaches recently too. It’s probably stress related and because you are so tired.” Vicky said.

“What do you think I should do?” I asked the girls.

“That is the million dollar question. I have no idea.” Sophie answered.

“Maybe just ask whoever it is to leave you alone. Light a candle and do a séance or something it’s what they do in the films.” Vicky suggested.

“Yeah and in films people then usually die!” Charlotte stated throwing her hands in the air.

“Great that’s helpful Charlotte,” I screeched.

“Sorry, sorry. You know what I mean though. Perhaps it will just stop like it’s started and the ghost has got their wires crossed and is communicating with the wrong person.” Charlotte continued. “Yeah perhaps they wanted to warn the previous tenant about something.” Sophie said warming to the theme. “A séance sounds quite fun actually, perhaps we should contact Yvette Fielding and the
Most Haunted
crew and get them to set up those night vision cameras.”

“That would freak me out even more. Imagine if they played it back and there was someone in my bedroom.” I shivered “Girls I’m not sure this is actually helping.” I moaned.

“Sorry Lauren. It is interesting though. Look whatever it is will hopefully just stop and maybe it is something to do with your headaches or migraines stress can cause weird dreams.” Sophie said, giving my hand a squeeze.

“I do hope so.” I said, shaking my head.

“I agree with Sophie, I’ve just googled it on my phone and it does say migraines can cause weird dreams.” Charlotte said waving her phone in the air to prove her point.

“But that doesn’t explain the whispering I heard. Or maybe that is just my tired mind playing tricks on me.” I said.

“No it doesn’t explain it, but you might be so stressed and tired you are kind of imagining it. Not that I’m saying you are going mad!” Vicky said giving me a hug. “Remember Lauren we are here if you need us. You can always kip over at any of our houses.” Vicky continued.

“Ah thanks you lot, it feels better just talking about it. I’m sure you are right everything will be ok. Anyway, let’s change the subject. So, Sophie have you and Chris actually agreed on where you are going on holiday yet? My vote is definitely for Kos.” I said. Everything became more light hearted and I tried to push the last few weird events to the back of my mind.

Gavin called later that day saying he would be back late and he’d pop round Sunday afternoon. I offered to make dinner and decided to visit my sister Katie at my mum and dad’s house. I’d not seen much of her since I’d moved out ten months ago. We watched a DVD and chilled out. It was nice to spend some time with her and be out of the flat. The following day I was really looking forward to seeing Gavin, as it had been a few days. I was busily attempting to make a roast dinner. Gavin arrived just after midday, with a bunch of flowers, to the sound of the smoke alarm going off and me wafting a tea towel through the air. He laughed as he entered the flat. “What’s for dinner?” he smiled. “Its ok, its ok. It’s not burnt, I just spilt oil over the hob and nearly set fire to the tea towel mopping it up.” I laughed suddenly wondering what sort of state I looked as my hair was scraped back in an unflattering ponytail and I felt bright red and flustered. “Dinner should be ready in half hour.” I said as I glanced in the mirror and was relieved to see I didn’t look too bad. I took the flowers off Gavin and gave him a hug and brief kiss; he smelt lovely and had obviously been home and showered before coming round. “How was football? Did you guys win?”

“Of course we won.” he smiled. “Anything you want me to help you with?”

“Nope, all under control.” I replied as I promptly threw the burnt edged tea towel in the bin.

We had a lovely afternoon and thankfully my dinner turned out quite nice and not burnt at all, we chatted about his week away in London and my catch up with the girls, and then I remembered “Oh I bumped into your cousin on Saturday.”

“Yeah he did mention it. Were you ok? He said you kind of rushed off.” Gavin asked.

“Oh yeah I was fine. Just had to go, one of the girls had driven and we were worried about the parking meter.” I lied. “Nothing to worry about.”

“You sure everything’s ok.” Gavin asked looking concerned.

“Yeah, Yeah I promise.” I said, with a brief smile and wondering why I didn’t just tell him the truth. We had bonded so quickly I was sure he’d understand but had a nagging worry he’d think I was some weirdo and I didn’t want to ruin the best relationship I'd ever had. “By the way, I think Vicky quite likes Nathaniel.” I said; in the hope it would lighten the conversation and distract Gavin, as I didn’t want to have to elaborate on the previous events.

“Oh really that’s interesting.” Gavin replied laughing.

“We’ll maybe have to do some match making. A double date.” I laughed. “Knowing Vicky, we won’t need to do any match making, she’s probably stalking him on Facebook as we speak.” We settled into a relaxed afternoon when Gavin suddenly spoke.

“Oh I forgot to tell you earlier, I’m in London all next week again. I’m so sorry. It’s part of this bloody work placement thing. Apparently I was supposed to have received an email last week but I got missed off the list.” Gavin explained. “I wish I could stay in Northampton, but I haven’t got a choice.” “I understand its part of your course you can’t refuse or you won’t finish your law conversion degree.” I said. 

I was just about to ask Gavin if he would like to stay the night, as we wouldn’t see each other all week, when my phone rang. When I answered no one was there, it was just a strange crackling sound so I went to press the end call button. Then I noticed a text typed on the screen saying ‘Beware’ repeatedly. I jumped and threw the phone on the floor. Gavin picked it up and looked at me “You ok?” he turned the phone over and looked at the screen, which was black, as the battery had popped out as it had hit the floor.

“It was just a joke message.” I lied, for the second time that evening. “It made me jump. I’m ok.”

“Are you sure you look a bit freaked out?”

“I’m sure, it’s fine.” I replied wondering what on earth was going on. I felt I couldn’t really ask him to stay now, as he’d probably just think it was because I was freaked out about something; rather than because I wanted him too and I suggested he made a move. He looked disappointed but slowly gathered his things, thanked me for dinner and said he’d call me in the week.

After Gavin left, I put the battery back in my phone and scrolled through the inbox messages but nothing was there. I tidied up, got ready for bed, and tried not to dwell on things. However, during the night I kept drifting in and out of sleep and suddenly woke feeling hot and breathless. I snapped on the lamp and looked around the room. Everything looked normal. I checked my phone, and it was 5.35 a.m. I felt too wired and confused to get back to sleep so logged onto the internet and browsed through unusual activities and ghosts. Given the weird things that had been happening recently, I was concluding that I was being haunted for some reason; although I couldn’t quite believe I was giving it serious consideration. I just couldn’t explain the odd message on my mobile and laptop. In addition, the weird reflection I’d seen on my laptop screen worried me. Living alone I was always worried about security and it was the reason I’d chosen a block or flats rather than a house to live in, as you had the main security door and buzzer system before anyone could get to your own front door. As I looked through various websites, certain passages jumped out at me some giving comfort and others adding to my fear and worry.