Scratches on the Mind – Arcade

The young teen hid quietly, a grin spreading across her face as the boisterous sounds of the arcade machines were silenced one by one. She squeezed a little tighter into the gap between two machines as the owner walked past, doing one last check before closing shop. The hum that rippled through her shoulders died out, first the right, then the left. The owner coughed and muttered some complaint about kids that was more profanities than coherent words.

Stay still, stay silent.

Her bravery would be rewarded. She was already constructing the epic tale in her head. One where she was found and then eluded capture, before staying up all night eating all the popcorn and stacking all the prizes into one giant pile. She would lie on it like it was a dragon’s hoard.

The footsteps of the owner faded away and then she heard the shutter close and she was plunged into darkness. She had a split second feeling of regret at her choice that she overpowered with promises of glory.

She exited her hiding spot, holding up her phone screen to light the way. The faces on the machines seemed different, suddenly garish in the dim lighting and skewed angles, their eyes fixated solely on her. Ignoring them the best she could, she walked through the aisles looking for the prize counter.

That’s when she heard a noise that made her freeze. A low utterance. The terrible thought crossed her mind that she might not be alone.

But that was nonsense, she convinced herself. One of the machines was clearly still on. She just had to find it. Another sound, this time a dull thud. Perhaps it was rats. She followed the noises. After all, today was about facing her fears and proving that she could have fun regardless.

More noises. All very muted, like there was something in the wall. Just the pipes? She grew closer and closer. It was somewhere at the back of the arcade, near a cluster of machines. Then whatever it was fell silent. But she was close. She eyed one arcade machine tucked into the corner. “Rock and Rooster” it read in heavy metal font, with a chicken strumming a guitar on the front. She had been here many times, but she had never seen this one turned on. The owner had claimed it was broken and not worth fixing.

She pressed her ear against the cool plastic siding. For a moment, all she heard was her own heartbeat beating against her head. Then, crystal clear, a voice groaned from within.

She fell back, shoving at the floor with her legs, pushing herself away. Another groan, louder this time and it was followed by a strange sloshing. She turned and ran, stories washed away by fear. Eventually she found herself next to the metal shutter, on the other end of the arcade. She used her hands to find the corner and slid down into it, pressing her knees to her chest.

Then she waited, staring into the dark, ears straining for any sound. 

Unwittingly, her prey instinct was followed religiously.

Stay still, stay silent.