The enchanted journey

 

Here we are, the three of us, friends since the first year of high school, sitting on the porch of a house, drinking early  morning  coffee and tea. This house is listed as a haunted house, located in a famous haunted town in the southwest. 

"I can't believe we're here. And we have Erin to thank for that," Sam said, leaning on the porch railing. 

"According to the motion," Jamie replied. "The third," I said.  

Sam and Jamie are my best friends. Sam now has the distinctive green hair. If she were 250 pounds heavier and wore orange, she would look like a pumpkin. Jamie is a little nervous. I don't really know why she started this adventure. It is a little thick, which tells us again and again. But she seems I am the leader of the group. Dad wanted a boy, Aaron. You understand, Erin. 

It's funny how we met. In the first year of English. The teacher was British. He lost his pub quizzes so he created a pub quiz in English class using trivia. And all three of us were avid quizzers and unbeknownst to anyone, we all had  this knowledge and were sure to win. The friendship began. 

One of the pub questions was to name a haunted town in Arizona. I saw a documentary recently about a haunted mining town, so I took a chance and won! That's how this trip was planned. And now we are here  in this city. I rented a small two-story house with three bedrooms for a week. And I wrote in the contract, before I could put down a deposit: "If for some reason the spirits do not want you to stay here, you, the residents, will only be paid for the days/nights you stayed. The rest of the deposit will be refunded to you." Wow. It feels real. That sounds scary. That sounds fascinating. 

Great view from the veranda. This city seems to be embedded in the mountain, overlooking the valley floor. You can also see some high snow-capped peaks  in the distance.  "Well, did any spirits come to visit anyone last night," Jamie asked? 

 "Not yet," Sam replied, "The  owner said not to move  the furniture in the rooms, especially the rocking chair in the corner of Erin's room." 

“What happens if I move,” he asked Jamie? "I think the spirit that lives here will move the rocking chair against the wall." 

"And if the resident keeps moving the rocking chair toward the window, the mind does other things." 

"Like what," asked Sam? "I don't know. Do you really want to take that risk," I asked? Jamie smiled. 

"Don't tempt fate. This was one of the three  houses left for rent. I was lucky to have this place. This weekend is the first Saturday, artists show their products to the public, with free samples of wine and food  Sam and Jamie smiled. "My weekend kind of thing." » 

"Let's finish our caffeine and see where we can go for breakfast." I'm really hungry, - I said. There were signs of agreement.  

"I saw a  cafe on the map not far from here. "The menu looked good," I said.  

"We will follow you, big boss." The wait at the cafe wasn't that long. The breakfast was quite good and not that expensive. Croissant, ham and cheese, baked potatoes. Just enough and not too much. 

"I think we should go home and get some rest, I have things to do," I said. "Good idea." We returned home and climbed the stairs to our apartment. Upon entering my room, I saw that the rocking chair had been moved to the window. What you do ? 

“Hey, did one of you  move the rocking chair to the window,” I yelled. 

"Yes. "I did," Sam said. "The reason?" 

"I want to see if this spiritual thing is real or just something to attract tourists." I nodded and walked towards the porch. 

"Put it back  where it belongs, please," I said. "Yes mom." 

Sam and Jamie walked onto the porch after placing the rocking chair against the wall. 

"I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. It won't happen, I promise," Sam said. I smiled. "I have email to answer and voicemail to return," I said. "So do we." 

"Artists start at 4:00 p.m. Now it's 2:00 p.m. After work, why not take a short walk? I really need to walk and lie down, I said. I have to walk too. 

I sat for a long time. I have to get up and move. "I agree." 

We had the last view from the porch when the wind started to pick up a bit. Then we heard a creak coming from my room. Faint but audible. We looked at each other. "It's a little windy. These old houses creak, it's normal. We nodded in agreement. "Okay, let's go. Wait, I want to get my scarf,” I said. I ran to my room and grabbed the scarf. I felt the need to say something to the spirit. 

"Yeah, we're invited here, remember? Sorry my friends. We'll leave your rocking chair wherever you want, won't we," I said, "Aren't we?" "Yes". 

"Let's go now." I gave each of them  a stern look and then we went down the stairs. 

"This old mining town is completely walkable. Lots of restaurants, wine tasting, local artist shops. "And since it's built into the side of a mountain, walking uphill  is a given," I said. "It makes for a pretty good workout." 

"So spirits just float," asked Sam? 

"No, they sit on their porches and watch us alive walk by, or they watch us from their bedroom windows. Don't you see the curtains moving," I asked? Sam and Jamie were now scanning the windows for the slightest movement of the tent. Nothing. 

"That doesn't mean the spirits aren't there," I said with a smile. 

"That's right, they know we're watching them." We heard some laughter. "The spirits may be among us, here," I said, winking at Sam. The city was very crowded with tourists. 

 "That's enough." 

After several hours of  shopping and window shopping, the higher altitude was starting to take effect. 

“How about a glass of wine and maybe a snack before a later lunch or an earlier dinner,” I asked?  "Sure, hey, what about this place where those bikers are leaning against the threshold," Sam asked?  

"Why not"? 

"Really," Jamie replied? "Just kidding." 

"I do not know". I went in, passed the bikes. Jamie and Sam followed me. There were stares when we entered. This was a bit unusual for us.  

The place was half full of people. I saw a mix of bikers and non-bikers, young and old, drinking, eating and dancing to the sounds of a country  band.  

"There are  empty seats at the bar," I greeted the bar. There were two benches together, then a woman, then another empty bench. The woman turned, looked at the empty seat to her right. 

"I'm going to a place where you can all sit together," he said. "Thanks, I'll give you a tour," I said. 

"Maybe," she replied. We quickly took our seats before the new customers took them. 

"Hey girl, what's up?" asked the bartender. I have seen Malbec that I like.  

"A bottle of this Malbec," I said, pointing to  the shelf behind her. "Perfect, three glasses"? "Yes". 

 The bartender brought  the bottle of wine, opened it, adjusted the glasses, and poured some into my glass.  "Perfect. You can leave the bottle." The bartender smiled slightly into Sam and Jamie's glasses.  "Ready to order some tapas," asked the bartender? 

"Yes,  potato skins and  chicken livers," I replied. The bartender smiled and went to the computer to enter our order. 

“Chicken liver,” asked Jamie? 

"The liver is good for your health," I replied.  "Especially wrapped in bacon," Sam said. 

 "An added bonus," I said. He laughs. 

Tapas have arrived. - Do you want to try a tapa, I asked the woman who came for us. "No thanks." 

"These chicken livers are very tasty," said Sam. We ate, drank and chatted with our neighbors at the bar. I ordered another bottle of Malbec and another bottle for the neighbor. Sam turned in his chair. "Those bikers are always at the door," Sam said. "Is it raining today," asked Sam? 

"I don't think so," I replied. I turned to look through the door. "Look at this smell." Then Jamie  turned to look at it too. This mess really blew the leaves and pieces of paper flying out of a garbage can. They were blowing some very strong rivers. No one had rushed to close the doors. The motorcyclists didn't move either.  

Then a strong  wind blew the dust, sand and paper and carried it to the bar area. The motorcyclists moved this time to lock the doors. Too late. Dust and sand on  tables and floors, and pieces of paper floating around the room. The customers were very busy, dusting off the sand and picking up cards from their tables. 

“It was a great, fast wind,” I said. 

“Yeah, these wind gusts don’t happen often, but when they do, we call them  spirit winds,” said a woman at the bar. 

“Really?” 

The spirit wind stopped as soon as it appeared. Cyclists opened the doors of the bar. All was quiet now. An almost eerie quiet. Scraps of paper and leaves were waiting in the corners of the door. The maid was there, with her broom and dustpan cleaning up the rubbish. This happens from time to time. 

I wonder if it was spiritual trash. This would be a way for the spirits to clean up their mess. Clever, I think. 

"Another bottle? "A drink," asked the bartender? 

"No thanks. Two bottles was more than enough. Would you like another round?" 

"No. Thank you." I thought I'd ask his name. I didn't do it. 

"Just a check," I told the bartender. She nodded. Jamie took the check from the waitress when she returned.  "I see," Jamie said. We said our goodbyes to the other patrons, got off the bar stools, and headed out the door. Cyclists have always been like guardians of the century. 

Walking towards the door, Jamie stopped and turned around. 

"What is it," I asked. "I just heard my name," Jamie said.  

"I didn't hear anything," I replied. "And you, Sam?" 

"No." 

"Well, I heard," Jamie said, a little offended. He passed it on his way through the door. Sam and I followed, looking at each other and shrugging. 

Let's go the other way. This city has an entrance and an exit. Several shops on the road. Ceramics, cups and handmade plates in the shape of cats and dogs, but also cream and sugar jars. A necessity. 

The Christmas shop is, of course, great. Unique decorations, cacti, cowboy boots, cowboy hats, cows, horses, pigs. Hmm. Well, it's a city in the southwest! 

Blown glass shop, what a creative artist. I need to buy something. Some other shops. A few more purchases. 

"Okay, I'm getting a little tired, anyone else," I asked? Jamie and Sam nodded. 

 "We can go home, get some rest, then decide what to eat for dinner," I said. "I'm thinking about that Mexican restaurant we passed earlier. Did you see how crowded it was? That always means it's a great place. "Closes at 8pm." 

"Seats close soon here," said Sam. 

"So people can get up early to go for a walk," I said. "It makes sense." 

"I'm glad our place isn't that far away," Sam said.  "Nothing  is far from here," said Jamie. 

"Ah, home." We walked a little slower up the stairs and entered our apartment. 

"I'm tired now," Jamie said. "I'm going to put my things in the closet and collapse on my bed." There were signs of agreement. We went to our rooms to rest. 

 I carefully placed my purchases next to the suitcases in the closet. I don't know if I want to pack them in my suitcase or send them. I closed the closet door and collapsed onto my bed. What you do ? 

“Hey guys, come here,” I yelled. "What now? We haven't touched the rocking chair," cried Sam. 

"What you do". "Look," I said, pointing to the window. The rocking chair was behind the window. I looked at Sam and Jamie. They shook their heads, no no. 

"Didn't you come in and move the chair again," I asked?  "No"! "Hey, could the owner have moved the chair, just to annoy us," asked Jamie? "I doubt it." 

"Well, the spirit wind didn't blow  here and move the chair." 

“True, but the spirits that blew  with the spiritual wind might have moved. O friends of the friends of the soul that lives here. Remember, the spirits are allowed to move the furniture,  the contract says. 

"Well, we traveled this far, because spirits couldn't  travel that far," I said. 

 "Interesting I think," said Sam. 

"I don't know about you, but I'm not as tired as I used to be," I said. "Me neither," said Jamie. Sam nodded.  

We walked slowly to the porch, sat down and looked at the green valley.

By Taun17