Seeing the Light

Anna was inside the candle shop. Alone. Breathing hard, she rushed back to the open window and stuck her head out. “Courtney,” she called in a strangled voice. The outline of her friend's body was just visible in the dark. “I need the flashlight so I can get to the front door and let you in.” The flashlight bobbed as Courtney gripped it tightly. “No way. I'm not standing out here by myself.” “I can't see,” Anna replied in a panicked voice. “Give me the light so I can find my way. Then you can come inside.” “Just turn on one of the lights inside.” Anna peered at her friend's face, illuminated by the tiny flashlight. “If I turn on a light, someone might see and call the owner. We could get arrested if anyone knew we were in here.” She felt desperately afraid. Courtney was obviously looking out for herself, when at that very moment they needed to be a team. Courtney crossed her arms over chest. “Go on, I'm cold, “ she complained. Anna turned from the window. She knew Courtney wasn't going to give her that flashlight. Somehow, she had to fumble through the dark and get to the shop's front door. Her body trembling, Anna extended both arms and started to walk. She realized she stood in a backroom, and using her hands as guides, walked slowly and carefully. Creeping forward, she came to an opening in the wall. The front room was on the other side of the threshold, and Anna could see windows that faced out to the streets. The glow of the corner stop light shone inside, casting the room in blinking red light. It's quiet in here, Anna realized as she stopped walking. She tried to get her bearings now that she was in the front room, but she was too frightened to peer into the dark. She kept her gaze trained on the windows. This doesn't seem right, she thought to herself. The entire shop is perfectly still, but I feel like something could happen at any minute. Without warning, her pulse picked up speed and she began walking with jerky movements. I have to get to the door, she told herself silently. I don't want to be in this shop alone for another minute. She moved in the direction of the blinking light and saw the room was lined with candles on long wooden shelves. A heady mixture of scents caught her off guard - vanilla, cinnamon and honeydew melon. She stood at last in front of the window and walked to the right of it, feeling along the front wall. After several steps her hands hit a smooth surface. It's the front door, she thought. She groped wildly for the handle, desperate now to see Courtney. Finally her fingers slid along the brass lock and door knob, and she wrenched the door open as quickly as possible. There stood Courtney, with the flashlight safely in-hand and a bored look on her face. “It's about time,” she said and brushed past Anna to get into the shop. Anna chose that moment to snatch her flashlight out of the girl's hand. “Hey,” Courtney cried, but she was quickly silenced by Anna's glare. “This is my flashlight,” she said in a shaky voice. She was so overcome by a mixture of fear and relief that she nearly started crying. She drew a deep breath so Courtney wouldn't see her emotion. “I'm going to carry it.” “Fine. But you better stay close to me so I can see, too.” Anna pointed the flashlight ahead of her and began to walk. She could see the actual interior of the candle shop now, with its buttermilk-colored walls and wooden floor. The shelves she had seen earlier were more defined, candles of all shapes and colors met her gaze. She thought if she rubbed her hands over the shelves thin splinters of wood might pierce her skin. “This is stupid,” Courtney announced suddenly. “I don't even know what we're supposed to be doing. Are we just going to wander around in the dark all night?” Anna sighed and shook her head. She pointed the light toward Courtney's face and spoke quietly. “Let's go to the front room and wait a few minutes. If nothing happens, we'll leave.” She began walking without waiting for a response. “I would like to get home soon. I need a bubble bath.” “You're the one who wanted to do this.” Courtney shrugged. “Well, I don't plan to be here all night. If a ghost is here, which I'm sure it's not, it'll make itself known pretty quick.” Instead of talking, Anna decided to perch against the counter with the cash register. She faced the front room's expanse, Courtney waiting beside her and twirling a strand of hair. I hope this night ends soon, Anna thought suddenly. I'm uncomfortable being in here, and Courtney obviously isn't taking this very seriously. After several silent minutes, she began to sense Courtney's irritation. Anna opened her mouth to say something, but a noise stopped her. Senses alert, she listened with her head bent forward, instinctively waiting for something. Was someone in the candle shop with them? Without warning, a flat voice said her name. “Anna.” A pause followed, and then again the same word: “Anna.” Anna's head shot straight up, and she looked at Courtney in wide-eyed fear. “Did you hear that?” she asked in a strangled whisper. Courtney nodded, her face frozen with terror. “Yes.” Anna's body went rigid, and she felt hot and cold at the same time. She stared blankly at her friend. After a moment of silence, Courtney spoke rapidly. “Something's going on in here.” Suddenly, the air currents seemed to change. Anna stood frozen to her spot as her skin tingled. “I think someone just walked past me,” she whispered, goose bumps prickling her flesh. “Please tell me you felt that.”