Arthur and the Djinn: Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Arthur sat in the otherwise silent lounge room, eyes closed, concentrating. Words echoed in his mind 'Things will never be the same, so you have to make the best of what you've got'. He focuses as he tries to reframe his own thoughts, his very mind, while he vocalises his concentration on being less negative.
'I'm not sick of things' he said 'I just want things to be different'. Arthur, taking a deep breath then concentrates as he exhales slowly and even deeper. 'This isn't stupid and a waste of my time. It will help me focus and relax. I'm not too busy for this.' Then through gritted teeth 'This only annoys me because I don't want to do this'.
Annoyed, Arthur opens his eyes and throws a cushion across the room. As it lands, the TV in front of him turns on. The news reporter looks solemn as she speaks, pictures of a burnt building present on the screen in the upper corner.
'Damn remote' said Arthur as he begins to look around him.
'Today marks the one year anniversary of the mysterious burning of our former Performing Arts Centre' says the reporter. 'One year ago today, during what had been a community fundraiser to raise funds to restore the building, several fires began in various parts on this building. While local Fire departments and our local Police have not yet been able to determine the exact cause of the fires, arson has not been ruled out as a possible cause. Several witnesses who had attended the fundraiser have provided statements but they have been just as helpful as they have been confusing. Many who were present in areas that the fires presented and spread have come forward but for some the stories still don't add up. There are no known injured from the night but one person has since been identified as missing and she remains missing to this day.'
A picture of Isabelle appears on the screen.
'Local woman, Isabelle Irvan has not been seen since the fires but was reported to have been seen leaving the event earlier in the evening but then by others also to have returned again in the hours that followed. Witnesses have confirmed that she was seen as present at the time of the fires. While some have speculated that Isabelle was involved in the arson of this once loved building, others have also informed that she may have triggered the fire alarm and had also been seen in the upper floors of the building urging others to leave, warning them of the fire. No body has been found in the building and Isabelle's has never been found. Her whereabouts have remained a mystery. Local authorities have said they are not yet able to comment or share information about their progress and are still asking anyone with information to please come forward. If you know anything about the whereabouts of Isabelle or about the events that had happened please contact the Police Assistance Line on 131444. You may provide information anonymously'
Arthur rolls his eyes and continues to search around him. Finding the remote, overlooked in his lap he hurries to turn the TV off but instead presses another button as it slips from his hand and drops to the floor in his rush. Arthur groans, annoyed as another news channel comes on. The reporter stands with an umbrella as light rain blows on to her, the former Performing Arts Centre in the background, surrounded by construction fencing. Arthur picks up the remote and looks for the batteries that have now fallen out.
'Local authorities are asking parents to speak to their children following reports by the community that local youth have been seen exploring the rubble of the damaged building behind me. School teachers and neighbouring homes have reported their concerns for children and teenagers that have slipped behind these barriers after after hearing about and seeing what appears to be ghost hunting(!) has occurred at times within the building. Legend has it that rumours of a shadowy being has been seen at times within the remains of what's now left of the Centre, including a dark figure that peers from the remnants of the roof. The local community has now demand the building be recognised as a serious hazard and a petition is circulating that the building is torn down. For the last year the fragment of the skeleton of this building has remained behind these barriers in an attempt to preserve any possibility of concluding what occurred on the night of these mysterious fires. However, the community appears to declare that they don't want answers. They are saying that they want safety and they say that they want the building torn down.'
As Arthur places the last battery in to the remote the TV turns itself off. He pauses and looks at the TV which now reflects his blank expression back at him, it's screen now dark.