i’m driving a car. it’s late evening and jason and hazel are in the car with me. i’m pulling into a parking lot, and its asphalt has been broken up leaving only a dirt path in. there is activity in the church, but nothing is very clear when i peer into the windows as i pass by. blurs of movement reveal nothing, but i am unconcerned.

we drive into the back parking lot that is not very large, but has a feeling of vastness. i don’t notice if there are any other cars. my view and focus are on the houses that surround the perimeter of the church and parking lot.

still in the parking lot i drive in the opposite direction of the church. jason tells me how there is ghost here and that it’s been haunting for years. i reply in jest, and he argues still that this is the truth. there is doubt in my voice as i look around. jason tells me to be careful, otherwise his sister will get scared. i look at hazel in the back as she peers out the window, her eyes full of curiosity and agitation with the situation at hand.

i look back to the right, and see light in one of the back windows of a house. the light isn’t clear – it’s like the soft blue glow that a television gives off, its shades and contrast transforming the light as each image changes. there is a silhouette blocking the light, peering at us.

“is that the ghost?”, i question. there is neither confirmation or denial. i look closer at the figure. it feels like i’ve been driving by for hours. the figure seems to be looking back at me. the silhouette appears to be male. as i stare at him, his features seem to come into focus, while still being unclear. his hand is above his eyes, as if to get a better look at his. he seems transparent, his stare penetrating. he is old with ice blue eyes, white hair and a fine beard. he stands half naked.

i drive far enough so it appears he can’t see us. i turn the car around and approach his line of vision again slowly. for some reason i am doubtful that he knows we are there, even though i saw him looking at us. i test this by travelling back and forth, and yet his gaze continues to be upon us. i drive forward and pick up speed, in the direction of the church again. i am worried.

i bring up my camera in front of my face (which just happens to be in my hand) and peer at the window. there is no man. there is no light. just blackness within. i pull the camera away and what was once there is gone. i am frightened.

i pull into a parking space and hazel bounces out of the car and skips into the church seemingly without a care in the world. jason follows in after her as i stare at the window. i turn the car off, exit the vehicle and proceed in after them.

** upon waking, the first thing i noticed was that my window was open.