Dead Loss (standard:horror, 3634 words)
Author: Hulsey	Added: May 27 2002	Views/Reads: 4294/2445	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Who are the ghostly characters Darren encounters and what are the reasons for their visits?

The sky turned black and the street was awash with bouncing hailstones,
which danced on the slate-grey pavement like jumping beans. The shabby 
cafe was an escape; not his usual choice of establishment, but it was 
dry. He removed his sodden raincoat and sat at an empty table. He 
ordered a cappuccino to while away the time and to await the cease in 
the downpour. 

Darren Armitage was fast approaching middle age. He normally ate lunch
at the office, but not today. Today was different. Today, he wished to 
be on his own. His experiences of the last three nights had disturbed 
him. He had not related his visions to his wife, Joy, believing perhaps 
that they may be nightmares. He browsed through the menu, the paltry 
offerings not inviting to his delicate stomach. 

What he did not notice, was the leather-coated woman, who was running
across the road to take shelter in the graffiti-covered bus stop. The 
downpour never relented, as the woman wrestled with her damaged 
umbrella against the cruel conditions. She cursed at the umbrella, as 
if it would obey her ranting. Her eyes turned to the cafe window. She 
had to take a second look to confirm her fears. Darren was sitting at a 
table, but who he was with bothered Melanie. 

A woman with long, wild, brown hair was sitting opposite her brother in
law. She looked so out of place, with numerous flowers in her hair, and 
John Lennon type spectacles resting on her pert nose. There were 
several empty tables in the café, but there had to be a simple 
explanation, surely. Darren would not cheat on her baby sister; not 
after all these years. Probably a work colleague, she thought, her eyes 
now focusing on her mobile phone. 

Again, she looked towards the girl, intrigued to see that no dialogue
was taking place. They just sat in silence, seemingly ignoring each 
other.  Melanie tapped in the numbers and hoped that she was doing the 
right thing. 

The twins were playing on their Playstation 3 when Darren arrived home.
He received his usual, “Hi, Dad,” off the boys, their eyes not leaving 
the television screen. He ambled into the kitchen and kissed Joy on the 
neck, as she was tossing the salad. She never responded, and Darren 
headed for the fridge to quench his thirst. 

“Something wrong, darling?” he asked, drinking the milk from the bottle.
He received no answer. He approached his wife, placed his hands on her 
slender waist and looked into her hazel eyes. “Have I forgotten 
something?” 

“Who was the girl you were with at lunchtime today?” 

Darren paused and released his grip.  “Girl, what girl?” 

“How many lunches do you have, Darren? The girl with flowers in her
hair.” 

“Hey, now slow down, Joy, I had no lunch. I went to a dingy cafe to keep
dry, and I certainly wasn't with any girl.” 

Joy lifted her hands to her face and shuddered. “You're lying, Darren.
You were seen.” 

“I was seen? What the hell are you talking about? I had a cup of coffee
alone.” 

“Since when did you start going out for your lunch?” 

“Only today. I had something on my mind and needed some time on my own.”


Joy began to weep, her hands shaking as she turned back to the salad. 

“Darling, I'm telling you the truth, I swear.” 

She slammed down the salad bowl on the worktop. “Melanie saw you!” 

“Melanie? She's mistaken, honey.” 



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