Chapter Text
(COLBY POV)
Entry #136.
It's been over multiple days since Sam had died. No one knows how, but people had noticed his disappearance before I announced he was dead. No one knows what actually happened and I plan on keeping it like it, even as much as I want to say the truth. Also, I always felt a presence around me. Considering the fact I already might've had some attachment left from Farrar, this presence was different, if I'm not mistaken, then probably a softer one but it was still very stern and kind of cautious? But still. I miss Sam, more than I ever did. His death took a horrible toll on me, and at some points I could barely leave my room or apartment because of how much I grieved his loss. The funeral is tomorrow, too. Well, this is all for today, as if I didn't say practically the same things since entry.. #126 or so. Anyway, end of entry #136.
Colby put his diary away, putting it in a corner which was probably dusting, but the man didn't seem to really care about that. It was already getting near midnight, and the promised video he and Sam had promised to post today didn't come, which, of course, raised concerns within their community. How could he say that in those clips; his own best friend died right in front of him? Say less about posting. Colby was too far into the grief he never realized he should have at least given a sign something was wrong with the video where he can't post the outcome. Which he decided to do.
The brunette approached his computer, turning it on as the bright screen slightly blinded him, before going to YouTube to make a community post. People were already fussing whether the video will come or is it another hassle, with comments like: “Where's the video? I'm kinda worried,” or, “Does anyone know why Sam and Colby aren't posting their new video?” all those questions, yet all those mindless questions lead to one:
Sam
Is
Dead.
But Colby can't accept that fact.
He decided to make a simple community post, just a simple: “Hi guys! Sorry for the delay, most of the footage got deleted, and we doubt we'll get it back. We're trying to fix the problem!” And posted it. It was a good excuse to go with, but of course, the footage was all okay. Maybe, just maybe, they should have gone with someone rather than alone.
Because whatever Colby saw happen to Sam..
He'll never forgive himself for not being able to stop him.
FLASHBACK
“What's up guys, it's Sam and Colby!” Sam said with his happy grin, Colby, as always was waving as they introduced where they'll be making their video. New location, new things to see. It was the Kandelhill Mental Asylum; one of the most haunted, and if not the most haunted mental asylums in all of America. “This mental asylum had went through many things, counting doctors torturing their patients, as well as sexual assault towards both male and women patients.” Colby explained, already feeling very uncomfortable by knowing that information, “This asylum closed in 1978, but the activity never faded, maybe it even became even stronger as the years went by!” Sam added, before explaining some other very disturbing stuff about the asylum such as the owner being a weirdo, the ghosts haunting the area and the satanic rituals shortly after the place closed.
Colby felt a bit uncomfortable throughout the whole video, Sam often noticing during when he was recording, and when the guide stopped to give them a little pause, Sam turned off the camera and approached the tensed man. “Hey dude, you alright? You seem on edge.” Sam asked, placing a hand on Colby's shoulder, the action being a bit more comforting during the moment. “ ‘M alright, I just feel cold.” Colby gave an excuse, and Sam just slowly nodded. Of course, the excuse wasn't bought by Sam at all, but he didn't push further since the guide already came back, but Sam got closer to Colby. “If anything, we can take a break if you really need it.” He whispered so only Colby could hear, before letting the guide speak and turning the camera on. The rest of the video filming went okay, the guide talking about the building and the most active areas around, and both of the boys listening while Sam pointed the camera towards some stuff.
“And in this room,” the guide pointed towards the end of the long hall where it seemed a large operating room stood, closed tightly where no one could come in, “in that room, there resides a pretty aggressive spirit. It might even be demonic, so it's mostly always closed with multiple warnings put on the door. It even caused two deaths or so.” The guide calmly explained, both the boys staring at each other for a second before the guide sighed. “Be really careful if you plan to shove yourself there. Whatever it is, it doesn't like people trying to play games. I tried to talk to it, and I got pushed hard to cabinets with sharp needles. That's why I'm blind in my left eye.” Both the guys gasped at that information, realizing how dangerous whatever it is in there can be.
After the guide left and both the boys were waiting for the right time to come to do their first investigation outside in their Airbnb nearby, Sam approached Colby who was sitting on the couch, before sitting down next to him. “Hey, dude. You can tell me if you feel something is wrong, you know?” He said, and Colby just glanced at him before resting his head down on the headrest before sighing. “It's just.. maybe we shouldn't go to that operating room. There's a risk we can genuinely get badly hurt. Especially, throughout the tour I felt like.. well, like something bad will happen. Really bad.” Colby explained, looking at the ceiling, “we can do the video, go to the more active areas, but not there. Maybe even cut the footage of the guide talking about that room. Our fans will understand.” He said, and Sam seemed a bit puzzled. Usually Colby didn't comment on these, but it seemed that now he did. After a bit of silence, Sam spoke. “Maybe you're right, but how about we go there for a quick 5 minutes? It'll be really quick, I promise dude!” Sam exclaimed, his hands reaching for the brunettes' cold ones, but he didn't comment. “Please, Colbs. If something horrid happens, we're out of there immediately.” He promised, and that made Colby feel much better. Sam usually always kept his promises, especially dangerous ones. He trusts his best friend, he always does, so he just nodded before weakly smiling, and Sam smiled as well, but it was just much more bright.
“I trust you, Sammy.”
After a while when the night arrived, they did the usual stuff. Camera, film, catch noises, creaks, bangs, communicate with some spirits, just the usual. Most of the answers were, in fact, a bit terrifying.
*HE'S HERE.*
“Huh, who's here? Can you elaborate?” Sam asked, confusion evident in his tone as Colby held the camera pointing at the Alice Box Sam was holding.
*EVIL.*
“Evil?” Sam questioned, before glancing at Colby who had a puzzled look before realizing what it could've meant. “Maybe they mean the operating room? With that entity?” Colby suggested, and Sam immediately spiked up, smiling as he realized that's what it meant.
*CAUTIOUS, DON'T TRUST HIM, RUN.*
“Now it's spitting out words..” Colby whispered, zooming the camera to the Alice Box. “Cautious.. don't trust him and run?” Sam repeated, the air around the building growing more tense. “Guys, whatever that thing in the operating room is, it's probably up to no good..” Sam said, his head turning to the camera before the Alice Box spit out words again.
*FEAR, DEMON, TRAPPED.*
“Okay.. this is getting creepy.” Sam said before turning off the Alice Box and turning to the camera. “Well, guys.. seems we have no choice rather than to start our final investigation!” Sam said, and Colby could see that Sam was on edge. Maybe he was doubting if doing this was a good idea at all.. “Five minutes only.” Colby warned and Sam nodded. “Thankfully, the guide gave us the key to the operating room, so we can check out. Plus, we have some holy water to use when we leave the room!” Sam said, before using a flashlight to lighten up the eerie halls before hearing a loud bang coming from below which made both friends jump.
“Holy shit did you feel that?! It felt like the whole building just shook!” Colby exclaimed, almost dropping the camera, “Guys, this is absolutely insane..” But both of them didn't stop and went upstairs, where the operating room resided. Colby turned off his camera, pinching his temple which immediately alerted the blond guy. “Hey, hey, Colbs, you good?” He ran up to him, his hands on his shoulders to support him. “Yeah.. yeah.. I just feel nauseous. The energy changed so much.” Colby truthfully said, taking some deep breaths to calm himself down, which slightly alerted Sam. “I can go alone.” Sam said but Colby immediately violently shook his head, “What?! No! We're doing this together, Sam!” Colby yelled in a whisper, and Sam didn't protest, since when it came to Colby, it was quite hard to prove him otherwise. Sam just nodded before turning the camera on. “Okay guys.. we're gonna leave these parts uncut!” Sam said playfully, before finding the key to the room.
Click!
“The door opened!” Colby said, pointing the camera towards the room and Sam creaked it open, the dust and smell of rust and possibly decay hitting both the boys which made them go into a coughing fit. “Hell, this room stinks!” Sam mumbled before he and Colby took out flashlight and left the door wide open, putting a bag on the door so it doesn't shut so easily. The room smelled of rust, old things once meant for operating and the operating table itself, seemingly with blood stains on certain parts which made both of them shiver. This, surely, was terrifying. “Dude, this is horrific..” Colby whispered, zooming the camera in every corner. “Guys, this place stinks and feels weird.”
“Hey, Colbs, look!” Sam exclaimed and Colby looked towards Sam's direction, seeing Sam stare at something. “What is it?” Colby asked, and walked towards Sam who had opened a spare door which led to a tunnel with a ladder leading to the darkness, or the first floor. That alone looked terrifying. “This room gets more and more terrifi-”
BANG!
Both boys jumped, hearing a large bang coming from behind them, and when checking the cabinet with needles and other sharp stuff was moved towards the other wall. “Holy shit!” Colby yelled, both boys shocked by them seeing this, and hearing it. “Whatever's here, clearly doesn't want us!” Colby added and Sam nodded, and Colby went to check at the cabinet, putting it back to its previous place. “Alright, five minutes passed Col-” Sam wanted to say, before it cut off with a blood curdling scream which immediately alerted Colby, his head snapping to Sam who seemed to mysteriously fall to that pit.
There's no fucking way.
“SAMMY!” Colby screamed, immediately dropping the camera which was still recording, before running towards that darkness, looking down where Sam had fallen, but heard no answer. “SAM?! SAM! DO YOU HEAR ME?! SAM!” He yelled again, but no answer was given back to him. Tears prickled at his eyes, before running back to get his bag and get holy water out before spraying it everywhere before running out and shutting the door. This can't be happening, fuck.
“Sam.. you'll be okay! Trust me, you'll be okay.. please hold on!”
The brunette runs down to the first floor towards the basement, snapping the door open and going in, before seeing the blond's body being absolutely snapped. Multiple of his bones seemed to be out of place and his head was turned towards the side to the point where the bone was seeping. Colby's blood turned cold as he stared into the frame, paralyzed.
“Sammy..?”
The sirens of the ambulances arrive shortly after, carrying out the now limp body of Sam, while Colby is curled up outside, staring at nothing with wide and teary eyes. He can't get the picture out of his head.
Sam's already dulled eyes which were still wide, looking like every single aspect of life got sucked away.
His body being turned in the most horrific ways.
His scream.
And he didn't help him. He didn't stay near him and decided to just check. They could've gone together! But he just decided to do it alone while Sam stood near a long pit which led to god knows where. This entity took away his best friend. Just like that.
Maybe if he begged hard enough they would've just done the active areas and not that damned room. Sam could've been still here with him. But no.
He's dead.
END OF FLASHBACK
Colby groaned, feeling like shit after seemingly either passing out from not being able to sleep for days, or somehow fell asleep. But of course, he only had a nightmare about that night. That damned night which changed everything. “What the fuck..?” He mumbled, seeing the still turned on computer with the faint flickering light and the night was still going, and it was around 4 AM. Great. The brunette stood up, almost falling down from being in such an uncomfortable position and only that's when he realized he had a blanket put on him. “What?” Colby questioned, genuinely rattled because he lives alone and he wasn't gonna get any visits soon. And that's another point to Colby when his brain realized the funeral is today. He can't go out especially in a state like this, where his eyebags look horrid. He stared at the blanket which slowly fell to the floor, before slowly picking it up and placing it on his messy bed, before looking at the computer. The community post was gaining its usual attention like all their other posts they made, with likes and comments he didn't bother reading before exiting the tab. Just as he was about to turn the computer off, he saw a message from someone, or Kris, his friend.
“Hey, you okay man? I know it's hard after Sam died, me and others are here for you.” - Sent at 11.28 PM.
He stared at that message for a long time before he still shut off his computer, and flopped onto the bed, his eyes staring nowhere. If he just did something else, would Sam be here? Sitting next to him? Now he's dead and he can't do anything about it rather than sit on his bed and either grieve, cry, yell onto the pillow or see visions of Sam's body getting dragged out to the ambulance. The last option is the one he's having.
“Please! Let me at least hug him! He can't just die without me hugging him!”
He remembered. Colby shifted in his bed, running a hand through his hair while staring at the ceiling, or what he thought it was. The thought of that day didn't leave his mind, and he knew that getting out of this state would be near impossible for him. He hugged himself, trying to at least think that's Sam hugging him. Or whatever's left of the blond. Maybe he's alive! Maybe all of this is a prank, he knows Sam, he can be a prankster sometimes!
But he saw the trail of blood when the medics took him out. It was all real. And that's what he hates the most.
The morning came at an agonizing pace, Colby was still staring at the ceiling mindlessly while thinking of possibilities which could've prevented the death of his best friend. It was around 7 AM when he got a call from Kris, to which he got his phone which stood next to him and picked up. “Uh-huh.?” He said, not caring if he sounded like he didn't sleep for 4 days (he was, in fact, not sleeping for 4 days). “Colby! I'm glad you answered. Well,” Kris started, “Me and Celina will pick you up, and Brian will be in the car too.” Wait, already? Wasn't the funeral scheduled at 9? Before he opened his mouth to ask a question, Kris spoke again: “We'll pick you up in an hour. If you don't have the power to go, because I know how hard it is, that's okay. I get it.”
He wanted to say she didn't get it.
But he didn't and just said simply: “Okay. Got it.” Then, Kris hung up with a ‘goodbye’, and Colby sighed before unwillingly having to stand up to get ready, as much as he hated it. The room wasn't exactly a mess, just scattered clothes and the camera equipment on the floor, as well as the one which caught the footage he didn't want to see. The lens was slightly cracked. The current owner got it out for him because of the state Colby was in and his immediate refusal to take the camera the second the guide told that it was stuck there. That room. He sniffled away a sob before his hand went to his eyes, covering them. The sunlight was bothering him, but it's better than seeing visions of his best friend staring at him through the night light.
Going downstairs to finally eat some breakfast was rather hard, since his legs were feeling numb from barely walking, and suddenly he had to walk again. Reaching the kitchen wasn't a hassle, making food was, in fact, the difficult part. After some long choosing, he took out some simple cereal Sam used to love to eat, a bowl and some milk, before putting the cereal and pouring the milk into the bowl the blond once gave him. Colby sat down on a chair, the little screeching noise from the chair making the brunette frustrated. But he ate, and then imagined Sam sitting there, talking about some mindless and silly stuff while having a smile which was able to brighten up the entire room.
But where was it now? Where was this positivity now? The happiness of waking up and seeing some breakfast already made and stories he had to hear. He never got to hear them.
“I miss you.” Colby whispered to nothing, before his hands went to his face before a sob broke out. Another crying session for the day.. Colby didn't finish his breakfast and didn't take a single bite before crying again, the silence from his house didn't make anything easier, just made it like the house is mocking him for being so stupid. His sobs echoed through, his breaths coming in sharper to try to get air from the sobs he's letting out as well. He misses him so much. Sam was his best friend, and now he's just gone. Just like that.
When he finally looked up with his eyes already teary, he saw a photo of him and Sam being together in their old apartments, smiling together while having a glass of what seemed to be wine. They were so happy together, and now it's nothing more than a memory. They can't remake it anymore, can they?
After all,
Sam's dead.
His heart ached and cried, his whole body felt like just giving up and falling unconscious right here and there, but Colby didn't seem to pay mind to it while staring at that picture of them, so happy, so sweet. Like nothing will ever touch them. Colby never said a proper goodbye to Sam. That goodbye was him walking away to put something in place again before hearing not Sam's confident voice, but to his terrified scream, then silence.
Fucking silence.
When he looked back to the time, there was already 20 minutes remaining until Kris picks him up, so he ate like two spoonfuls of his cereal before going back upstairs to his room, and then the closet to find a black suit he horribly slowly put on, the picture still lingering in his mind, reminding him that he couldn't save him. That he just let Sam die, without Colby at least giving him warmth. “I'm sorry, Sam.” He mumbled, but he doubts he'll ever hear it. Maybe he will. He needs to believe that Sam is at least a spirit, something, anything that leads to the fact Sam is still somehow there, but only as an invisible being. Maybe Sam is there, somewhere, waiting for Colby to finally notice? After all, they've seen sightings of ghosts, of paranormal, of whatever was in the operating room. They've dealt with this stuff!
After a bit of a struggle and Colby wiping his tears and putting some make-up to make his eyebags not that visible anymore, he looked into his reflection in the bathroom mirror. It felt as if he wasn't even looking at himself. Maybe that is him, Colby Brock, but is it the Colby everyone's used to seeing? No.
“I'll believe. I'll make myself believe if that's what it takes to find out if you're here, Sammy.” Colby promised, the words hanging in the air like a promise he will keep. And he will keep that promise nonetheless, after all, he'll make sure to believe—
crreaaak!
A tiny creak. Almost as if it wasn't meant to be heard. Colby immediately snapped his head towards the bathroom door, it was closed. He looked outside the window to make sure if Kris wasn't early, and she wasn't. The car wasn't there. And he was completely alone, plus he was standing in place without moving an inch! Colby stared at the door before opening it and going outside of the bathroom, his mind conflicted as to where the creak could've come from. “What.. was that?” Colby asked himself, staring into the hallway. He had heard strange creaks or noises before, but only when he was with other people or at night. Never in the mornings.. what made Colby's mind ignite something.
“... Sam?” Colby faintly whispered, it was almost inaudible, but it lingered. And lingered until Colby just brushed it off as a side noise. Maybe he accidentally left a window open?
Even though his mind is conflicted. Maybe that was Sam, maybe it's really him! That can be Sam, it's not an impossible choice, he's just gotta believe that he's there. Maybe Sam's waiting for him, still there, still lingering. Maybe his spirit is—
Knock, knock!
“Colby? Are you here?” Kris asked through the closed door, and Colby snapped out of the trance he was long in, and opened the door, seeing Kris standing outside with the car parked, the shadows of Celina and Brian a bit visible. Kris seemed a bit worried, and hugged Colby, to which Colby didn't reciprocate to. It's not that he hated it, he was just too tired to give one back. “I was knocking for 5 minutes. You usually always answer.” She said, 5 minutes? Did he not hear? Colby nodded, sighing. He couldn't tell that he was zoned out once again thinking of Sam, so he thought of an excuse. “Sorry, I was just getting my hair brushed out.” He said, and Kris nodded, but the look in her eyes said that she doubted that was the case. “Let's go then. If anything you're free to leave, I know that it's hard to accept.” Kris said, leading him to the car and he followed, taking his keys and phone before closing the door, and then following Kris to the car where Celina and Brian were already waiting. He sat and buckled his seatbelt in the back of the car, staring at the window which faced his house. “Hey, Colb. Feeling okay?” Celina asked worryingly, and Colby just nodded. The words didn't come out of his mouth, even if he tried to. Brian glanced at him with a saddened face, but didn't say anything. Maybe he knew Colby just didn't want to talk.
But his eyes caught something.
When the car was already moving away from its previous place and leaving the house, he almost swore his eyes caught something almost to a shadow figure in his bedroom window. Was his own eyes deceiving him? That can't be true. But he didn't have the time to take a photo of the mysterious shadow because they were already driving away. He didn't say anything and didn't plan on doing so, but whatever he caught with his own eyes..
That wasn't a coincidence. Far from it.
After a quiet 50 minute drive to the place where the funeral will take place, they finally got there as Kris parked the car. Colby quietly left the car, as well as the other who stayed silent. The air which seemed so wrong and empty now invaded Colby's nose, even if it seemed fresh, it seemed like dull air now. He wants Sam back. But he's dead. Yet having to move on from it will be quite the task, and he knew that.
The rest of the ten minutes went quietly with people talking, but Colby didn't talk to anyone, he couldn't bring himself to. People sat down, as Colby stared at the coffin of his own best friend. His best friend. But he couldn't bring himself to cry, it's like every single of his tears just vanished in the air. The silence kept on, torturingly slow. He felt uncomfortable, he felt like shivering even though the temperature was quite alright at the moment, but the next moment he awoke from his zoning out, people were putting flowers and other stuff in Sam's grave before he's gonna get buried. Right. Colby stood up himself, and took out that photo he sobbed his eyes out before in the morning, and put it on top of the grave, before turning around to sit down, until he saw a black figure sitting down.
Is he seeing things now?
That thing or person wasn't exactly a person, but maybe near it. Its face was hidden and you couldn't see anything from its head, counting the body. Only black clothes. Was this a shadow figure? But why? And why can he see it in broad daylight?
“You alright?” A voice asked from behind which made Colby jump and turn around, seeing that it's just Amanda. He sighed and nodded. “I'm alright. I'm just taking it in.” Colby lied through his teeth, and Amanda nodded. He felt like she saw it too, but didn't know the approach to say it right here. After all this is a funeral, not an investigation.
And maybe that's what hurts more.
The funeral went quietly. People crying, the burial and which Colby couldn't get to because he just can't see his friend getting buried, and him leaving early because he kept seeing that shadow figure following. Like it was following him, not anyone else. It became too much for Colby, so now he's taking a taxi, now driving back. That was, until.
He saw that mental asylum.
Where Sam died in.
“Can you stop here?” His mouth spat out, staring at the building in front of him, it was already getting near sunset since it was around 3 PM, but it didn't matter to him. He didn't have any equipment either, but that didn't matter as well. The driver stared at him in confusion at the location change, but didn't comment on it for the sake of it, before stopping at the location, and Colby getting off and paying the taxist before the car drove off. Well, he was back in it, again. And that's when he saw the guide from that day, cleaning the main entrance. He approached her, and made his presence known when the guide turned around and recognized the brunette. “Oh, you must be from earlier, right?” The guide asked, standing straight and Colby nodded. “Uh, yes.” He said, and the guide sighed, like she was about to say something she was holding for quite a while.
“Well, after you have left and what happened here.. the activity seemed to get higher,” the guide started, going back to cleaning the stairs leading to the building in front of them, “but, we called some professionals over, and they said the sudden activity only comes mainly from one spirit.” The guide finished her explanation, and Colby stared for a while before getting a thought. Maybe it's not impossible?
“What if that's him?”
Colby thought.
After some silence, Colby asked if he could check. The guide seemed hesitant, asking if he actually wanted to do it, considering the events of the last time. Colby said he'll be alright, and if anything he'll call over. Eventually, the guide agreed to let him roam for an hour, but after he needs to go for his own mental health, knowing it's most likely at its lowest. Colby went inside, the cold air from the opened windows met his skin, making the male shiver. The asylum was unusually quiet, a surprise considering how loud it was if it were to get compared to that day, which made his emotions stir. Memories of that day flooded his mind, a vision of him and Sam walking around and laughing like everything was okay.
Maybe it was, but it's just a memory now.
The first floor was usually the calmest, as he remembered. He went further in, the floor creaking silently under every footstep made, making Colby feel uneasy.
He felt like something was almost watching his every move.
He continued walking, before taking out the flashlight the guide gave to him because it's getting dark, and being in the dark in a haunted and abandoned place isn't exactly in Colby's plans at all. He didn't even plan on going here because of how he'll probably get a panic attack faster than actually finding a clue that his best friend's spirit is still attached to the building somehow, but that was ignored by his own wish to believe he's still here. “Hello.?” He called out, turning the flashlight on before moving it to different hallways to see something, anything that gives a clue, but to no avail. No footsteps, no sounds, not even a creak. Only the birds chirping outside and the wind. The guide said it was active, so why wasn't that spirit answering him no more? Maybe he needs to go further, so that's exactly what he did.
His steps reached the room they did their first investigation in, or the room which was known for its children patients. He stared, and stared, and.. stared. Nothing. Until a little shuffle was heard from upstairs which made Colby jump, who already thought of giving up. He looked around the room, his head moving in every direction possible.
Maybe he's really here!
“Sam?” He called out his name, a bit more louder this time. “Sam!” Another call out to nothing, but nothing decided to answer, crushing his fire which was pounding in his chest. He looked around once more, but nothing, as of now. Fine, if it means going as far as to the last floor which killed his own friend just to get a tiny glimpse of him,
Then be it.
His steps echoed through the stairs, which led to the second floor of the building. A more open area, with some outdoor territories. He walked, somehow, even through his state, he had a determined look on his face. He'll do this. He'll find him and—
“I MISsed yoU.”
Colby stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with wither terror, shock, confusion and amusement. What the fuck just whispered in his ear? He turned around, lighting the flashlight to the hallway he was walking in, but there was.. nothing. Just abandoned equipment and walls and floors. His breath hitched, fear going into his body and it reacted, with newfound cold which occupied his body. He wasn't alone, he sure wasn't, but the spirits would've given more signs. They wouldn't have said that they missed him. “Sam? Sam!” Colby's cracked voice echoed, yet no answer. Again. “Sam? Was that you?” He asked, desperately searching for that answer. Maybe a whisper. But nothing came which made his hands tremble. This can't be a coincidence, he saw that shadow. In his bedroom window, in Sam's funeral, and now he might be hearing it. Maybe that's Sam! Hope isn't lost!
“Sam, please! It's me, your best friend — Colby!” He exclaimed, letting out a huff which sounded like a forced laugh when you're in a stressful situation. Then, he got an idea. After all, they're ghost hunters. “Sam.. if you're here and you can hear what I'm saying, can you.. can you give me any sign?” This was the last hope. If nothing comes, he'll just have to fuck it up and go to the last floor. He'll prove himself that Sam is here, somewhere. Maybe he just fears to scare him or make his mental state worse than it was. He stopped, and listened to every single sound to hear something. Maybe he should have taken some equipment, after all. But it doesn't matter, he needs to know if his friend is in here, somewhere.
shuffle shuffle
A little shuffle, making Colby jump before his focused grimace turned into a tiny smile. “Sam?” He asked once more, in a more hopeful manner than before. There's still hope. Even if the activity isn't high as of now, maybe it's really Sam. He sighed, and sat down, staring at the dusty floor before looking to the hallway which didn't show the way further because of the darkness. “If you're really here Sammy,” Colby started, he always had a photo of the both of them saved somewhere, and he took one out. It was a different one, both of them standing in front of a haunted mansion, smiling while having their arms on each other's shoulders. “I saw this photo of us, and I know we can't be like this any more,” he continued, staring at the photo with teary eyes. “But I believe that even after death, we can be friends. Isn't that true, Sam? I'm sorry I couldn't hug you for at least the last time.” He felt a little cold breeze, but at this point, he needed to get those feelings off of his chest. “I don't know what I can do without you, after all you were my best friend. You still are and always will be.” His grip on the picture softened, like trying to let go of the grief, but the grip intensified once more. “I'm so, so sorry I didn't get to help you.” Colby said one last time, before putting the picture back in his pocket, he couldn't let that picture just go, even if Sam was there. He probably looked like a fool to the spirits who were in the building for decades, but really, it didn't matter when the brunette had a feeling that his friend was with him. Then, after that emotional speech, he decided to maybe be just as brave as Sam was. Colby knew that Sam won't allow him in the current state he was in, but he just wants to see his friend.
“I'm sorry, Sam.”
He tiringly went up the stairs, even if he was determined to at least talk to his friend, he was tired. Not only from not getting sleep because of those visions he sees almost every day, but still. “You would've called me brave for this, or stupid.” He whispered, going up the stairs, as he listened how every step echoed or creaked under his steps. “But you would've done this too, wouldn't you? You were always curious about everything. You wanted to make yourself believe in it.” He said, reaching the last step towards the third floor. It definitely had a whole new energy to it, but not the same as that day. A whole new different one. Like something was lingering, a new energy. It didn't make Colby as nauseous as before, but he still felt slightly lightheaded when walking further in. He would not go to that operating room no more, he would probably actually get a panic attack. The sudden feeling of coldness occupied his body once again, an uncomfortable and unexplainable feeling settled in his gut. “I lost my fight with faith, didn't I?” He sighed, staring at the divided hallways leading to different sections in the asylum. “You were always with me when I was scared or stressed. Where are you now, Sammy?” The question hurt more than he expected it to be. He looked down, dropping his arm which held the flashlight, like he'd given up trying. But he won't, just for the sake of his best friend. At least one last meeting if that's possible.
“Here.”
Colby stayed silent, drinking in the whisper which came out of nowhere. Without saying a word he tightened the grip on his flashlight and held it on the hallway which was the way towards that room, but that's where he had heard it. At this point, he already forgot whether an hour passed as him and the guide promised he'll be in here, but he'll just pay extra money so he can stay longer, anyway. He continued walking, his steps growing either light, or heavy. “Sam? Was that you talking?” He asked, “Sam..” he trailed off. He reached the end of the hall, a large territory appearing with that room in the end of the hall. The brunette stiffened before facing away from it and going to another side, just anywhere so he doesn't have to face that room again.
“Are you in here?” Colby asked, looking around. “What the..” in the corner of his vision he swore he saw something, almost like it was darker than the shadows themselves. He turned around, the flashlight lighting the empty space before he swallowed his fears and walked in the middle between the operating room and the staircase, his gaze turned to the staircase first — nothing.
“Who's he-”
Once his gaze turned towards the operating room, or its entrance which was locked already, he saw it. A shadow figure which looked like it stared right through him. Colby couldn't move a single limb in his body, which told him: run away, just run away, but he couldn't. He felt paralyzed and his own limbs felt paralyzed, his eyes staring at whatever the fuck that was. His body grew as cold as ice, his hands trembling, the flashlight almost dropping down but his palm immediately found newfound strength. The staring remained, the silence of birds chirping and the wind blowing every minute a bit stronger, yet those minutes felt like hours. Colby took the first step, before another, and another before it turned to full on sprinting down the stairs with his breaths coming in short.
He can't believe this.
How the fuck was he so close to a shadow figure?
He ran, just didn't think and ran until he finally reached the bottom floor and bolted the entrance doors open, the cold, fresh evening air hitting him as a relief or a curse. Well, definitely more refreshing, but his ears rang, and he could barely balance himself as one of the workers noticed the man, and how pale he became. “Oh heavens, are you okay?! Come on, you can't stay in the cold like this,” the worker said, quickly approaching the trembling and pale man before taking him to the other wing of the building, the one which is for customers and just souvenirs and stuff like that. Mostly the lounge, another way to call it.
“I saw him- I swear I saw him!” His mind was going through a thousand words a second, and the worker sat him down before the guide from earlier came running, clearly distressed. “You were gone for an hour and thirty minutes! We searched for you but heard nothing!” The guide exclaimed, but Colby couldn't hear her due to his panicking state and how he still processed everything properly.
After minutes of calming the man down, he was finally brought home, which was already dark. He opened the door, and closed it when he entered back into the familiar walls and furniture, but now he just wanted to get some sleep regardless if he's gonna see nightmares for god knows what time, or see a shadow figure once again. When Colby had finally reached the living room, he crashed onto the couch, too tired and exhausted to even go to his room. There were some pillows and sheets around, and he picked one which smelled like Sam did, and instinctively pulled it closer and wrapped it around his body, to at least feel his friend's warmth, even if it's through a mere blanket. He shifted in his position a bit, changing every minute or so, before he found a relatively good position to fall asleep in, and closed his eyes, the exhaustion and tiredness finally reaching him, to the point that Colby immediately fell asleep, his breaths finally stabilizing after a day full of his breaths being either too short, too long or uneven.