Rays of morning light crept softly upon my face, awaking me from my slumber.
I grabbed my phone from under me to check the time– but expectedly, my phone was dead. I'd been up 'til the early morning hours, scrolling on social media to distract myself from the inexplicable.
I made my bed and placed my phone on the charger before heading downstairs to start my day with my laptop in hand, hoping it still held some residual energy from the night prior.
I poured myself a cup of fresh brew and plated the waffles I had just prepared, opening my laptop as I took a sip.
The battery was at 45%; just enough to get some work done.
The time read 1:22 p.m.
"Damn.." I spoke to myself aloud, a mixture of shock and apt enveloping my voice.
I slept in really late, meaning I only had a few hours to get myself ready for our newest excursion at 5.
I navigate to my messages and send a text to Theresa.
Me:Hey, I just woke up, but I have a question– have you made our supervisor aware of the project?
A few minutes tick by with me scrolling through forums, gathering more information on the background of Whisperfalls to begin the report, before I received a response.
Theresa:Oh, hey, Sleepyhead. Now that you mention it I don't think I did. Would you mind handling it? I'm kinda busy right now gathering up the equipment for tonight.
Me:Oh, yeah– sure. I got it; See ya later!
Theresa:Thanks, you're a lifesaver. See ya soon!
Clicking over to my email, I begin to draft something up.
"Subject: New Research Project: Whisperfalls Ruins
Good evening, Marissa,
I wanted to make you aware of the new project Theresa and I have begun preliminary research on.
Last night, Theresa came across an article detailing an abandoned site known as the Whisperfalls Ruins. Although the location has been dismissed by many as either inaccessible or insignificant, I've identified several gaps in the existing research that I believe warrant closer examination– particularly regarding its origin and the symbolism reportedly found in the heart of the site.
I've started gathering background research to begin a report, and we would like to move forward with a more in-depth investigation. Given its status as an under-documented ruin, I believe this project could yield valuable findings. This evening, we plan to case the grounds to obtain visual documentation and onsite observations.
Please let me know how you would like us to proceed.
Best regards,
Malia."
"That should be good enough" I say to myself out loud.
Send.
Afterward, I closed my laptop, leaving it on the counter, and finished up my breakfast, loading my dishes into the sink.
I took a moment to do all of my dishes as I have a tendency to allow them to pile up, something I am personally working on.
Subsequently, I went upstairs and let the shower run, knowing it would take a while for the water to heat up in a house this old. While it warmed, I stepped into my room to check the time on my phone and my battery percentage.
2:58 p.m., 79%.
I'd expected it to be fully charged by now, but I blamed my slightly older charger.
Good enough.
I had to hurry to get ready and presentable. I gathered all of my clothes and showering equipment to indulge in a long hot shower to prepare for tonight's adventure.
Before I entered the shower, I played some music from my playlist on this new music app Theresa introduced me to at work.
I took my robe off and hung it on the rack by the shower.
As I entered, the hot water tattered on and off my body, puddling at my feet. All the unknown stress and tension that I've been carrying melted away. A sense of ease and euphoria washed over me, another safe space of mine. The alleviation of uneasiness allowed for me to become comfortable enough to begin singing along to the music.
I finished washing up and stepped out of the shower, my damp hair dripping down my back.
After drying up, oral hygiene, facial care, lotioning up, and getting dressed– I rushed downstairs, just in time to hear the doorbell ring.
It was Theresa.
She was carrying various black equipment cases full of recording gear for our expedition.
I opened the door and invited her in.
"Hey, girl! How are you?" she asked.
"I'm great, just finished getting ready."
"You smell amazing! What perfume is that?"
"It's actually vanilla-scented body lotion."
"Smells delicious."
"Thank you! So.. Do you need any help setting up the equipment?"
"Yes, please– it's a little heavy."
"Right– Sorry!" I said as I rushed to her aid.
"It's okay." She responds, with a small sigh of exertion.
I grabbed a few of the bags from her and sat them on my dining room table, the padded fabric thudding softly as I unzipped them, pulling out the production gear. Inside was a camera and two clip-on microphones. I powered on each device to make sure all was in working order. Everything functioned accordingly.
Theresa unzipped two separate cases, revealing a portable ring light panel and a small speaker.
The last item to be uncased was the spirit box.
I picked up the camera and attached the ring light, then clipped one of the miniature microphones to my shirt. While Theresa checked the connections and adjusted the setup, I clipped the second microphone to her shirt as well.
"Alright," Theresa said with the sigh of mild accomplishment as she finished up; "Let's get this show on the road!" She exclaimed with slight enthusiasm.
She grabbed the camera and the speaker, whilst fishing for her car keys.
I hesitated before reaching for the spirit box. As it was the only thing that hadn't been tested, I flicked the switch. The device crackled to life, cycling through static in sharp, uneven bursts. I adjusted the volume, letting it run for a few seconds– long enough to confirm it was working.
As my thumb caressed the switch to turn it off, a voice briefly cut through the noise.
It was faint and distorted, gone almost as soon as it appeared. I frowned, leaning closer.
"…ready."
Theresa glanced up. "What?"
"Nothing," I said, already turning the dial. "Probably a radio bleed."
The static swallowed the sound, exploding back with full force. I dropped the device in a small panic, startled from the eruption of noise spilling from it. As it clattered to the ground, the device powered off. I bent down to grab it, inspecting it for any physical damage. After regaining my composure, I clasped it tightly in my now sweaty palm.
Theresa shrugged, with her keys finally in hand. "It always does that."
I nodded uneasily, heading toward the door. The explanation settled in and the moment passed.
When everything was accounted for, I grabbed the doorknob, already twisting.
"Ready?" I asked.
Outside, the evening light was already beginning to dim.
"Ready."