Haunted

1

Colby

And that's why there should be more LGBTQ representation in video games that doesn't make LGBTQ characters the villains," Colby concluded as he took a victory bite of his sandwich .

No, I completely agree with you there, his coworker and friend, Keon, insisted as he dug into his own lunch. They both worked at a local video game store and were enjoying their lunch break together. "I'd love to play a game where we could be the heroes, you know?"

Colby drifted away in his thoughts. Despite his small stature, it was fun imagining himself swooping in and saving the day. As long as it didn't involve busting in doors and making a complete idiot of himself by breaking a shoulder or foot.

Anyway, have you played that game yet where you're a dad looking for love with another dad?

Colby snapped right back to the conversation, taking another bite of his sandwich. He finished chewing and swallowing before answering. Not yet! I just bought it yesterday. Don't give anything away. I've been avoiding conversations and play-throughs of it like the plague!

It's pretty sad that you're more excited about a dating simulator than actual dating, Keon teased with a grin.

Way to hit below the belt, Colby grunted.

It was true that Colby didn't date often. He was never big on it, even though he was in the prime of his life. He didn't feel like he connected easily with people and his general shyness often stopped him from venturing too far out of his comfort zone.

C'mon, man. It wouldn't kill you to hit the clubs now and again, Keon said.

But I hate going to clubs, you know that. The music is too overwhelming.

Then go to nerdy clubs, Keon countered. Book clubs or gaming groups. Stuff like that.

Colby straightened up in his chair. I'll have you know that I've recently joined several groups online that do regular meetups.

So... are you going to any of them? Keon pressed.

I'm just getting a feel for them right now. You know, doing some lurking... Colby insisted, his cheeks warming. The battle between wanting to be with people but not wanting to be around people was real.

If you need someone to hold your hand, I'll go with you on one of your outings, Keon prompted.

Colby laughed. I appreciate it, but I'm really going to try this on my own.

You should. As much as I love hanging out with you, man, I think it's time for you to find... more.

The pause and implication of the words made Colby's chest tighten. Although Keon's words were sweet, they made him lonely at the same time.

Colby cleared his throat before wolfing the rest of his sandwich down. All right, break time's over, he announced before tidying up and hurrying out of the break room. Even as he returned to his place behind the counter, Keon's words echoed in his head and heart.

Ahh, home at last, Colby groaned after entering his apartment. It wasn't the biggest place, nor the smallest he'd ever had. He liked it because the building was right next to a grocery store and a subway entrance. Aside from the proximity to easy shopping, the apartment didn't stand out. He didn't even bother putting anything up on the walls since he was almost always ready to move. No apartment truly ever felt like home.

Perhaps it'd be different if he shared an apartment with a special someone.

A twinge of sadness hit him then, though he shook it off and went to feed his fish. Although his apartment didn't allow for larger pets, it did allow fish. While he liked his little wiggly butts, a whole bunch of guppies, they still weren't like puppies. He'd love to be able to go to the local shelter to bring home a cute, furry friend to keep him company.

Maybe the next apartment will let me have pets, he murmured as he grabbed himself a drink to unwind. He often talked to himself simply because it was easier to keep track of his thoughts when speaking aloud.

As he flopped on the couch and tossed his feet up onto the coffee table, he eyed his laptop on the cushion next to him.

After a couple of big gulps of his drink, he grabbed the laptop and opened a website that showcased a number of different groups and their listed activities. Depending on the city, there could be hundreds of groups. It was ridiculous that he was so nervous of getting himself out there. He envied people that could easily go out and make friends without batting an eye.

He scrolled through the various events and groups listed on the website: a meetup at a dessert bar, salsa dancing, life drawing classes, hiking...

Then a paranormal group. He snorted as he clicked on their group and scrolled through their listed events, which mostly consisted of dinners where people met up to chat and some ghost hunting night outs. One of the newest discussions was about how effective spirit boxes were, whatever those were.

"And Keon think I'm the nerdiest of nerds," he mumbled to himself before navigating away from that group. No, he didn't believe in any of that nonsense. Instead, he found a casual hangout group where people met in a nearby park every Sunday for a game of frisbee. That sounded simple and fun, and it was after his Sunday shift.

He hovered the cursor over the RSVP button, but couldn't press it.

I'll just go and watch them play first, Colby insisted as he closed the laptop once again and grabbed the television remote instead.

It was easier to lose himself in his favorite shows than dwell on his fear of commitment.

2

Colby

The next day, a hot and sticky Tuesday, and Colby dreaded peeling himself off his secondhand pleather couch to get to work that evening. He wanted to stay in the airstream of his living room fan, even if it brought him little relief .

He couldn't believe it was this hot since it was fall now, although he figured it'd be the last of its kind for the year. Considering his apartment building was old, it lacked air conditioning. According to his lease, he couldn't get window mounted units either, unless installed by a professional, and he didn't have the money for that. Instead, he had a handful of fans going at all times. Sometimes he was convinced that the fans only pushed the hot air around and made things worse.

Just before he was out the door, he got a call from his mother, Holly.

Good afternoon! Holly greeted.

Hey, Colby greeted in kind. It was unusual for his mom to actually call. They didn't live in the same town, Riverside, and kept most of their conversations to a weekly video call. They sometimes chatted through the week through text messages. What's up?

I just wanted to let you know that your Grandmother Della's will has finally been officiated.

Grandmother Della, his maternal grandmother, was a dear old woman, even though his relationship with her hadn't been particularly strong. She once lived in the same town, but moved elsewhere to be put into a nursing home. Colby used to see her on family holidays, but that was about the full extent of their relationship. His Grandfather Malcolm had died years ago.

Oh? Colby questioned. Of course he was curious about his part in the will, but didn't want to seem too inappropriately excited.

There's some paperwork you have to do with a lawyer, but I just wanted to give you a heads up that you've inherited her old house and property.

Colby was not expecting that. He was stunned as he kept the phone to his ear, but remained silent, words failing him.

His mind raced. He supposed getting the house made some sense since he was the only grandchild living in the city, but it still floored him.

I... I can't believe it! he exclaimed. Seriously?

I'm dead serious! Oh, honey, I'm so glad for you. I know you want out of apartment living.

I do. While starting with my grandparents' old house wasn't exactly my idea of how I'd get my first home, I'm not complaining! I've gotta get to work now, though, Mom, so I'll catch up with you later, all right? Have a good day.

As Colby hung up, his world was still in a haze from the surprise.

This was a sure sign that everything was going to change.

The next couple of weeks were intense. Colby saw the lawyer about the estate and signed the papers. The place was inspected and deemed safe for him to move into. He was flat-out ready for the move the moment he had the go ahead. He spoke with his current apartment owners, found someone to take over the rest of the lease, booked a moving van, and packed everything he had once again. If he was really lucky, this would be the last big move for a while.

Each time Colby moved, a few too many times in recent years because of university and the economy, he hated the entire process more and more. He always underestimated how terrible actually moving house was until he was buying yet more boxes to put random things in. It was truly amazing just how much crap he had, even though he didn't have much in the way of material possessions.

When the movers came to collect his furniture and boxes that cool morning, Colby stayed out of the way. He could've rented a van without the movers, but he knew his own limitations. He wasn't a large, burly man by any stretch of the imagination.

He was the most anxious about the movers handling his fish aquarium, and just couldn't stay away. He hovered, wringing his hands and fearing that the bottom would fall out even though he'd removed most of the gravel and decorations. His guppies were safely bagged and tucked away into a small cooler he'd take with him.

When one of the movers gave him an especially pointed look, Colby finally backed off to let them do their job in peace.

Once the apartment was nearly empty, he gave Keon a call. Hey, man, the movers are almost done.

I'll be over in a few minutes.

When Keon pulled up to the house behind the moving van, he stared. Damn, that's a nice-looking house! Still not too far away from work either.

The house was tall with old, off-white siding and a sharp, triangular roof. It had two floors, an attic, a basement, and lots of yard space. The fence around the front was low and the lawn was home to several large trees.

Nah, the subway's not too far from here and I can bike, too, Colby agreed as he climbed out of the car with his cooler of guppies in hand. I have to admit, this is kind of exciting.

Understandably. You're the only friend I have right now that actually owns a house, hah, Keon mused. Looks like you have a backyard, too.

I do. It's going to be great for having people over, Colby agreed, his chest fluttering. I have extra bedrooms and everything. Actually having this much space to call his own was empowering. Perhaps with this new home, he'd be much more open to actually making more friends.

The next few hours was filled with Colby directing the movers with what little furniture he had. While the house he inherited had some furniture, the pieces were so not his style. Most of it would likely end up in the basement. In fact, the whole house needed some updating, but until he magically came across buried treasure or won the lottery, it'd have to wait.

Thanks for helping with everything, Colby said to Keon once the movers had gone.

Sorry I couldn't help with the actual apartment part. I'm not much bigger or stronger than you, Keon laughed.

Don't worry about it! You helped me plenty! It's time to chill now, though, so if you want to run out and grab a case of beer, I'll pay.

How can I turn that down? Keon laughed. I'm going to pick up some burgers, too, since I'm starving.

Yeah, that sounds good. I'll just stay here and start putting things away. I gotta get my fish back in their tank. With having to be right there with the movers, he hadn't had a chance to actually get the fish squared away.

After Keon left, Colby was alone in the house. It was such new territory and it was going to take time to get used to. It was unfamiliar to him now, but it was easy to