Chapter One

This story is still in the writing and editing process, thank you for your cooperation and patience.
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Tammy looked out of the car window, which was spattered with raindrops trailing across with the gravity of the moving Sedan. “We should be arriving there in a little while.” Her mother said, breaking the melancholy silence. Soon, they passed by a sign that said Blackwater 150 miles. Tammy continued staring out the window as she saw shrubs and other foliage pass by in a blur. Then, she began to remember what happened two days ago.

When Tammy’s mom knocked on her bedroom door, she told her to start packing her things. Right then, she knew that things have taken a turn for the worst. “I know this is difficult on you, but you must remember that the divorce is not your fault, it has nothing to do with you, sweetheart, okay?” Tammy already knew that though, her mom was telling this to a seventeen year old for crying out loud! But nonetheless, Tammy couldn’t help but feel like an anchor has dropped in her stomach. Once they loaded up their suitcases in the car, Tammy quietly said bye to her father, knowing that he was the cause of it. Her father squeezed her shoulder comfortingly before she ducked into the backseat. One final glance between her mother and father and then the black Sedan drove away.

Soon, the car slowed to a stop, jerking Tammy from her flashback. They pulled up in front of a grey-blue house and a wooden front deck that had posts to hold up the roof above it and to brace the fencing against. “Alright Tam, let’s get our things and take a look inside our new home.” Her mom said. Sluggishly, Tammy got out and got her suitcases from the trunk and walked up to the wooden front steps, splashing a little water in the process.
Dripping wet, Tammy set down her suit cases, examining her surroundings. In front of her was a winding staircase of wood and to her left was an antique dresser with a dusty mirror hanging above it. There’s a door a few feet away, most likely leading to the kitchen and another opening across the room which seems to open into a lounge room. A crystal chandelier twinkles above the balcony and the corridor that the stairs lead to fade into darkness. “Nothing to it, just some dusting...maybe a few refurbishes here and there....” Her mom nods, inspecting everything with Tammy. Then she looks at her daughter. “Oh, Tam, if you would like you can take your clothes and choose any of the rooms upstairs. Not the master bedroom though, you know the rules!” Tammy looked up at the smiling woman, she knows that beneath those rose colored lips and chalk-white teeth, she’s hiding the hurt that was gnawing deep from within. lifting her suitcases once more, she trods up the stairs, soles thudding against the steps beneath. Walking through the darkness, she looks at the long hall of doors. Her eye suddenly catches the third door on the left. She opens it and walk in the empty space. Rain patters against a window across the room, light thunder rumbling through the rolling monochrome of the sky. With a sudden inexpectancy, Tammy drops her suitcases as she falls to her knees and cries. Tears flowed, matching the falling raindrops pulled against the glass pane. After what seems like moments, she thinks to herself ‘Crying isn’t going to solve anything. What’s done is done....Mom’s out there being strong for me, the least I can do is be strong for her. Be strong....’

With a final shaky breath, she wipes her eyes and nose on her sleeve then starts unpacking her clothes.

Evening came and the rain finally stopped. The movers had arrived with the heavier furniture, so Tammy decided to be out of the way and sit on the steps in the spacious back yard of the house. A gray squirrel scampers across the lawn and up the willow tree a few ways off. ‘Maybe...living here won’t be so bad. I might make some new friends...maybe even meet a boy.’ Tammy thinks to herself, wind whipping against her mahogany colored hair. She shudders suddenly and then freezes. The feeling of being watched had heavily sunk on her. She looked up at the window that lets into her room, but no one was peering out of it. She just shrugged it off, dismissing it as a symptom of trying to get used to her new home. Starting to feel the nip of the autumn air, Tammy gets up to shower and change for bed.

Striding in her room with a towel, she dries her hair and then drapes the fabric on the back of a chair, over a heater. She then makes way to her writing desk and starts writing a story she had been working on. The hours tick by and soon she looks at the clock and it’s 11:38. Yawning, Tammy puts her notebook back in her drawer and turns her lamp off, retiring for the night under the covers.

Chapter Two

Sunlight filters in through the window, casting a delicate light against the rug beside Tammy’s bed. She stirs and swings her legs over the bed. She then looks over at her desk. The drawer was open, and her notebook was laying on the desk. ‘That’s odd...I thought for sure I had put it away last night...’

She makes her way over to investigate and the notebook was open to the page where she had left off. She then put the notebook back in the drawer and closed it. Tammy then makes way to the door and noticed the towel she had dried off with had fallen to the floor. She picked it up, thinking it must have slid off of the chair while she was asleep and placed it in the laundry room.

Bare feet padded down the stairs and headed in the kitchen. “Hey, Tam. Eat your breakfast and then get ready for your first day of school.” Tammy’s mother said. “That’s today?!” Tammy groaned, biting into a granny smith apple. “Yes, now hurry up and get ready.” Her mom called from over her shoulder. The teen finished her last bite then tossed it in the garbage before bounding up the stairs once more and down the stairs once again, all changed. She waited by the bus stop not far from the house.

Tammy suddenly had that chilling feeling like she was being watched again. ‘New school angst....that’s all it is...’

She tried telling herself, but the feeling won’t go away as she looked nervously to the left and right. Suddenly, she hears a loud honk, jumping her from her state as she turns and sees yellow. She had somehow gone into the road without her realizing it and the bus had stopped inches from her face. Blushing, she climbed on, the bus driver giving her a nasty look. The feeling of eyes on her didn’t leave, but this time there were actual eyes on her. Staring, studying her up and down as she passed down the aisle. Not making eye contact with anyone, she picked an empty seat and sat down, bus driving off.

Classes came and went as if in a dream: fast and blurry. Unfamiliar faces laugh and gossip with their friends. Tammy sat at an empty table, away from the masses, mashed potato sticking to her mouth as it leaves a cardboard taste. Suddenly, a muscular guy about 6’8” walks over to the table. “Hey, there. You must be the new girl.” He says with a revolting smirk. Tammy wrinkled her nose as she smelt dog all over him. “It’s Tammy.” She corrects. “Well, since you’re new around here, maybe I could show you around the town sometime.” “No thanks.” “Y’know, I hear that there’s a movie playing at the Trion Cinema, maybe we can check it out?” The guy persisted. “Look, why don’t you go and take some little kid’s lunch money, I don’t want anything to do with you.” Tammy snaps, getting a little uneasy. “Huh? You’re going to regret that...!” The guy snarls. “Leave her alone!” A female voice says. The hulking guy turns around and inspects a girl about Tammy’s age with orange colored hair and a complementing blue t-shirt. “Hmph, whatever Ginger Root!” The bully grunts, walking away. The ginger shook her head. “Nick Butzcreak....He must’ve taking a particular liking to you to confront you so quickly.” “Yeah, well he can kiss my Butzcreak as cheesy as it sounds.” Tammy muttered miserably. The ginger giggled, “Erin Hawthorne.” “Tammy Sinclair.” The ginger then sat down.

“How do you like it here so far?” Erin asks. Tammy shrugs indifferently, “So far everything seems to be happening so quickly. I miss my friends back in Redwood Falls, I moved here only just yesterday so I haven’t really been exploring.” “If you don’t mind me asking, why did you move?” Erin asks. “My parents divorced. They tried to work things out, but dad was always away at work and didn’t really put the family first” “Oh I’m so sorry to hear that...” Erin says sympathetically, taking out a pen and writing on a napkin. “Here’s my number, add it to your mobile when you get the chance.” “Thanks.” Tammy sighs. Suddenly the lunch bell rings. “I look forward to getting to know you better.” Erin smiles.

Maple leaves blew across the air as the bus approaches the stop. Tammy strides out, walking slowly to her house. “So, how was school?” Tammy’s mom asks as the girl enters the house. “Went by fast, nothing to really say.” Tammy calls, pounding up the stairs. Plopping the backpack on the chair beside the door, Tammy makes her way over to her bed and buries her face in the pillows. She then glances over at her left hand, Erin’s number still folded within and adds her number to her cell phone. Suddenly, Tammy feels eyes on her again. “I’ve got to stop being so paranoid.” She mutters, getting up and digging out her homework. As Tammy’s day goes about her usual routine, that eerie feeling wouldn’t leave her. When the sun sets, Tammy retires to her room to write. A sudden chill against her shoulder causes Tammy to whirl around. “Must be the window...” She sighs, shutting the glass pane downward. A sense of exhaustion waves across her as she makes her way to the bed lethargically, drifting off the instant her head touches the pillow.

Midnight flashes on her clock and Suddenly, Tammy feels the bed sink from a weight, causing her to stir and turn over to the left. A cool breeze wafts against her hair and face when suddenly a freezing sensation on her lips causes her to gasp and shoot up from her slumber. Panting, her eyes dart around. The weight disappeared but no one is seen, her room is in a normal state. Same darkness, with only the luminescence of the clock to cast shadow. Although, something seems out of place. Tammy looks over at her desk and her notebook was there once again. Swinging her legs over her bed, she gets up and looks at the page she had left off on. She closes it, clutching it to her chest. ‘What is going on?’

She seemed to think to herself. She puts the notebook back in the drawer and goes back to sleep. The time is twelve-twelve.

Chapter Three

Rain pattered on the window once more, awaking Tammy from her slumber. She stretches and walks to the door, pausing for as she walked something caught her eye. Her notebook was out again. Slowly, she approaches the desk, swallowing back the sickening feeling that instilled upon her. Closer inspection reveals that the notebook had been turned to an empty page. On it was writing that she did not recognize as her own. Upon reading what it enclosed, she began to feel faint and sat down, suffocating in dread and fear.
“I am sorry for scaring you. It’s just that it’s been years since a human has set foot here. Since my death, I haven’t been able to have contact with one. You wouldn't believe how lonely I’ve been...I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t believe what you are reading at this moment. Before you jump to conclusions, this is not a prank, this is not a hallucination or newbie syndrome. Sadly, this is real as is my being. My time is almost up, if you wish to contact me then whisper my name. Or you may dismiss this message and leave me without resignation, it’s up to you. If it be of your will, I really look forward to meeting you....Tammy.
-Michael”

Tammy’s heart runs cold as those three words stood out from the others...“Since my death.” A crash was heard, jumping Tammy from her trance. She looked down and the notebook slipped from her hands and landed on the floor, pages curled under the spine. Shaking, she swallows and from her lips she whispered “Michael.”

Suddenly, a cool breeze blew against Tammy’s legs and the notebook slowly started to rise, causing her to suddenly bolt up from her chair and to the side a little. A pencil from a cup was lifted up as the book was set down. Despite instinct screaming at her to run, she slowly approaches the table as a new page is turned and the pencil starts to write letters, then words. “It relieves me that you have chosen to hear me out after all.”

With a shaky voice, Tammy quietly croaks out “Who...are you? What....are you?” Once again the pencil moves. “I already said, my name is Michael. I was once fully known as Michael Leason, back when I was living. I am now a spirit that inhabits this house, never to leave...”

“Why can’t you leave? And can you please at least talk? You’re writing all of this in my story book.” Tammy snapped at the last sentence.

“I’m really sorry about your notebook...you have some good stories in here, but unfortunatley I can’t speak. This is the only way I’d be able to make contact with you. As for why I can’t leave....I can’t say at the moment. All I can say, though it pains me, is-...I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

“But you said you wanted to talk.” Tammy insisted. “I know-....look we can talk later. Bye for now Tammy...”

and then the pencil is set down and the notebook shut, the sudden draft disperses and all is quiet. “Michael....Michael!” Tammy hissed, with no answer. She makes her way to the bed, the ends of her long sleeves balled up as she crosses her arms and plops on the bed with a sigh taking in what just happened. ‘Great....now I find out that our house is haunted. Fan-freaking-tastic! At least it’s a Saturday....’

She thinks sarcastically to herself in her head.
Head place against the cool glass of the rain-speckled window, Tammy waits for Michael to return. So many thoughts rush through her head as she tries to make sense of it all, was Michael the one watching her? And what happened last night, what was that? It wasn't until a light thunder rumbled that she realized her fingertips were against her lips as she remembered the ice-cold sensation. Suddenly, she heard her notebook flip open, she turns around. "Michael?" She whispers. "Yes, sorry about that."

Michael had written. Suddenly, Tammy blurted out, "Were you watching me?" Michael hesitated before writing. "I had to, I needed to know what you were like. As I had said before, it's been a long time since I've experienced human company."

A lump formed in Tammy's throat. "What were you going to write before?" Tammy demanded. "Even though it pains me to say this, but your mother and yourself need to move away from here. Leave, as fast as you can and don't come back."

"Are you serious? Mom's going through a lot right now and we just got here. We can't just up and leave!" Tammy scoffed. "Look, you don't understand. Both of you are in grave danger. If you stay here, you'll die!"

Chapter Four

Upon reading that final sentence, Tammy's heart quickened. "What are you talking about? Michael, you're starting to scare me." "You should be scared. I wasn't supposed to say anything, but the reason why I am stuck like this is because of my uncle. My parents had died in a fire and so my uncle took me in, however as days passed I noticed that he started changing. He would be more cold and distant. Then one night he comes into my room with a gun and he killed me. Realizing what he had done, he had then killed himself. However, as we continued to haunt the place, my uncle keeps saying how it wasn't enough, that he actually wanted to take more lives. That is why I have to stay here to guard anyone who dares to try to make a life here until they get the hint to move far away from here. That is also why I keep disappearing like that. My uncle has a funny way of being here. It's almost like he's in a limbo, just drifting through the halls carrying on as if he was still living. If I am gone for too long, he becomes suspicious. And if he finds out that you and your mom are staying here, he'll wake up and do everything he can to make sure that he will be able to possess over a body so he can commit more crimes."

Tammy let this sink in, but then says. "I'm sorry, but this sounds all too good to be true." "Trust me, Tammy, there's nothing good about it. You have no idea how much I wish you could stay here, but if you do, you and your mom will suffer."

Tammy then says, "Wait, all hope might not be lost. I've seen plenty of ghost hunter shows to know that in order for a ghost to be at peace, just ask them to leave you alone or walk into the light." "I wish it were that simple, Tammy. If you confront him, he's going to target you. And I can't go into the light until he does, and the only way he will is if he terrorizes more people. I do not want that to happen, so we are both stuck here until the end of time, don't you get that?"

Clearly Michael's upset from leaking all this out. Tammy decides to try to change the subject, but the first thing that comes to mind is the first thing she blurts out, "Can you show yourself?" The pencil doesn't write anything. "I mean, I'm more comfortable when I can put a face to whoever I'm talking to." She continues uneasily. "It's a huge risk, but last I checked, uncle was napping in the living room."

The pencil was placed down and suddenly an apparition becomes apparent, slowly fading into view. Facing towards her was a young man about nineteen with faded onyx-colored hair contrasting against the stone-grey of his skin. Eyes the same monochrome color as overcast skies look upon her with such loneliness and pain. He was wearing some ripped jeans and a faded olive-green shirt. His stubbled jaw didn't pick up in a smile, but remained set as he waits for her reaction. "You're....I don't know what to say." Tammy breathed. Michael turned and picked up the pencil once more. "Don't say anything, really. This was a mistake. You have seen me and now you'll be attached to me and won't want to leave."

"We weren't planning to leave anyway. Michael, whether you like it or not, we're staying here. Even if it means going through a big bad ghost, Mom and I came here to start a new life. And that's what we're going to do." Michael looks over at her before continuing again. "I've warned you, that's all I can do. Your stubbornness might be the end of you. But I hope that won't be the case."

Michael then starts to fade out of sight with the pencil laying on the desk once more and the notebook closed.
Tammy sighs and then makes her way downstairs onto the back deck. She knew her mother wouldn't believe her if Tammy told her about Michael and what he just confessed. She stares up at the rafters of the roof overhead, rain pattering against tile and rolling down into the overflowing gutter. 'Michael said that his uncle is in a limbo, so it can't be that bad as long as he stays like that while we're here.'

She figured. Then, Tammy' mind begins to wander to when Michael showed himself. He was so young and had his whole life ahead of him. "Tammy, what are you doing out there? You'll catch a cold!" Her mother scolded. Tammy got up from the porch swing she was sitting on and went back inside. "Is everything okay?" Her mother asked. "Yeah." Tammy replied indifferently. "You don't sound convincing, Tam." "Look, I'm fine. Just the weather bumming me out, I'll get over it." She protested.
As the day dragged on, Tammy did her daily routine and when she had free time left, she sat on her bed and tried to read with no avail. "It's no use...all of this is going on way to fast! I have so many questions for him...." At the corner of her eye, she sees the book opened and the pencil scribbiling away. "Questions for whom?"

"For you, Michael, I just don't know where to begin!" Tammy said in despair. "Ask away."

"Well, do you still wish you were alive? What were your parents like? How long will your uncle stay in limbo?" "Okay....where to begin? There are times when I do wish I was still alive. I died young, so I wasn't able to experience what other people my age get to experience. My dream was to be a reporter, but so much for that. My parents....they were great. My father worked as a lawyer and my mother was any normal stay at home mom. We were pretty well off, we would take the occasional vacation to Arizona, Wyoming, sometimes even outside the states. We both agreed though that the best place to be was Ireland. It was so beautiful and inspiring. As for my uncle, who knows? He could be like that for a century, a decade, or even for as little as a few weeks. The most important factor is if we don't interact too often, that's basically the only way he'll be able to find out that there are living people here."

Tammy hesitated before saying, "I have one more question," When Michael made no reply, Tammy continued, "The night before you started writing to me, were-were you on my bed?" Suddenly, the book closed and the pencil dropped harshly with a clatter on the wood of the desk, startling Tammy. "Michael? Are you there?" No reply. "Did I say something wrong?" Tammy wondered out loud. That night, Tammy laid on her side, facing the window from which the faint singing of frogs could be heard. 'I hadn't meant to scare Michael away...I just hope it won't be for good.'

Tossing and turning, she was unable to get to sleep until three in the morning.
It had been a week without any interaction with Michael. She continued onward in school and at home like a normal teenager, but she was even more distant than usual. Tammy continuously thought about him, when he showed himself to her, when he wrote, and then finally to the question that startled him and she would finally come back to reality. The effects of her many sleepless nights soon took its toll on Tammy as she skips many days of school due to a bad cold, which didn't fair in her favor of sleep as she coughs from her sinuses draining to her throat. However, as time slowly progressed, the nuisance faded away. When Friday night came, she laid in bed when she suddenly felt the bed sink. She looked behind her, the weight was still there. "Michael?" She whispers. No reply the weight unchanging when she suddenly feels something to the feeling of a current of cool air wrap around her waist, causing her to gasp in surprise. Then she suddenly felt the effects of her many sleepless nights sink in and falls into a deep slumber.
That morning, Tammy slowly wakes up with the weight of the bed gone as well as the cool air against her waist. She got up and saw her notebook open and the pencil lying there. "Good morning."

was written on the page. "Michael, I'm sorry if what I had said a couple of week ago hurt you." Tammy apologized quietly. "You didn't hurt me, I was just afraid that what my reply would be would only endanger you more."

"You're not putting me in danger, Michael, how many times do I have to say that? If you have something to say then just say it." Tammy said. Suddenly, three little letters made the room spin and made Tammy's heart jump to her throat. "I love you."

Chapter Five

"...What?" Tammy skeptically breathed. "I know it's sudden, at first I thought I was just confusing this feeling with the sudden social interaction after my years of loneliness, but as I watched you this week in your insomniac states...tossing and turning because you were concerned for me, plus your illness causing you grief and I couldn't do anything...I couldn't bear it. I wanted to do anything in my power to comfort you...and so, that's why I was by your side last night."

"You're right, Michael, this is too sudden! I've only been here for three months now, and you just now come out with this. I'm sorry, but I find this all hard to believe." Tammy said, shaking her head. "...That doesn't surprise me, usually you have a hard time believing anything. That was a stupid thing I said, so just forget it."

"You're not going to leave me again, are you?" Tammy asks quickly. "No. I said it was a stupid thing I said, not that it was false. I don't want to see you like that again."

"And what about your uncle, huh? You're so scared of him, what will he think about this?" "...I don't know, Tammy, I really don't know."

Was the last thing that Michael wrote before he disappeared again. Suddenly, Tammy's cell phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. "Hello?" Tammy sighed. "Hey, Tammy, do you want to come over and watch a movie?" Erin asked. Tammy wasn't sure how to reply. She didn't want to be bothered, but probably getting some air would help clear her head from all the drama with Michael. "Sure, why not?"
Erin opened the door a few minutes after Tammy knocked. "Hey, come on in!" Tammy followed Erin into the living room and sat on the beige couch silently. "So, what do you want to watch?" Erin asked. Tammy shrugged, "Surprise me." Erin then pops in the DVD and grabs the bowl of popcorn that was on the coffee table in front of them. "So, where's your parents?" Tammy asked. "They went shopping, we have a whole hour and forty-minutes." Erin replied. The film contained the usual horror movie elements: vengeful ghost demons and a lot of jump-scenes to spare. Tammy started becoming queasy in the stomach as she watched the ghosts kill their innocent victims. Not taking her eyes off of the TV, Tammy swallows back some bile before asking "Where's your bathroom?" Erin looks over at her and gestures with her right arm. "Upstairs and to the left." Tammy got up and practically ran up the stairs, stockinged feet thudding hard against the carpeted wood.
Shutting the door behind her, Tammy gripped the edge of the sink firmly, letting out sharp heaves of breath before running some water and washing her face to try to calm herself down. Suddenly, she hears a knock and from behind the door emanates Erin's voice. "Tammy, are you okay?" "Fine. Just give me a minute." Tammy croaks out. She then looks at her reflection in the mirror ahead of her, the same chocolate-brown eyes staring back at her, the same deep brunette hair flowing down her back, but her skin is pale and her face looks somewhat aged with the many nights of restless sleep. Her heavy breathing decreases to slow, deep breaths. "Tammy, I'm coming in." Erin said before opening the door. She then sees Tammy crouched on the floor, legs hugged into her chest across the room. "It's only been three months...I can' believe how much it's changed me..." She whispers as if she didn't notice Erin coming in. "Tammy?" Erin asked nervously, causing Tammy looked up at her. "What is going on? You've been so distant and tired lately. Plus those many days you were out sick-..." Tammy shook her head. "You wouldn't believe it if I told you." Erin sighs then stated seriously, "This looks like a job for a sleep over."
That night, Tammy sat across from Erin on her bed wearing their night clothes as she told her all that's happened up to now. Erin remained silent for what seemed like hours before she said, "So that's why everyone keeps moving out of that house so quickly...I heard rumors but thought that's all they were." "What am I supposed to do, Erin? Mom and I can't just move out, but if what Michael said was true, then we will be in serious danger." Erin shook her head. "You shouldn't have to go through all of this." Was all she could reply. "What's worse was that now, Michael said he was in love with me. I know it sounds pathetic, but it just makes everything even more confusing." "Well, do you love him back?" Erin asked. "I don't know...I haven't even had enough time to even consider that." Tammy said. "Let's consider the facts: You had many restless nights while he was away, you think about him all the time, and you want to do everything you can to stay." "And?" "You're so in love with him." Erin replied. "You can't be serious, Erin, a human in love with a ghost." Tammy said skeptically. "Love is love, isn't it? I know, why don't you invite me over so I can help you with the make up work, then when we have time to spare, you can introduce me to your pen-pal of yours." Erin shrugged. "I dunno...It sounds too Twilight to me. And besides, Michael would be worried that his uncle might take you over." Tammy said shaking her head. "Tammy, I'm your friend and I support you all the way, but if you keep being skeptical and pesimistic, then I can't help you." Tammy looks at Erin for a moment then she sighs. "Michael's not going to like this..."

Chapter Six

When Sunday came, Erin and Tammy took hours to finish the piled-up late work. Between snacks and eye breaks, they didn't finish until 4 o'clock PM. "I think that's all of it. Now, let's meet the lover-boy!" Erin exclaimed. Tammy rolled her eyes as she whispers Michael's name. Just like that the pencil lifts and words appear on the page "Tammy, what is she doing here?"

Tammy hesitates, "This is my friend Erin, sh-she wanted to meet you." The pencil then writes rapidly "What are you thinking!? Do you know how much danger you just put her in?"

"Yes, I know, but she wants to help. Erin came here of her free will." "She still shouldn't have come. The more people here, the more at risk my uncle is of waking up."

"But Michael, if I may, I can help! I know a girl at school who might be able to make your uncle cross over without any harm being inflicted on anyone else." Erin spoke up. "No, Erin, you being here is risky enough-let alone Tammy and her mother being here as well. No...No one else can know of us."

"That's kind of late for that. Your scaring families away from here led to rumors around town. Most people don't believe in it, but there are some people who do. Including the girl that can help us." "...fine, but know this, you're making a big mistake, Tammy. When my uncle wakes, it'll be on your head."

Then Michael disappeared. "...So much for a boyfriend. He doesn't treat you very kindly." Erin says. "He's not usually like this, he's just really worried for me." 'Because he loves me.' Tammy added in her head. "That seems to make sense...Anyways, tomorrow we start on operation into-the-light!" Erin crows triumphantly. "Yeah, Erin, who is this girl we're going to see?" Erin smiles at her sadly. "She doesn't have many friends because she's considered an outcast, and lots of rumors had spread about her over the years...-" "Just get to the point, Erin." Tammy said irritably. "Okay, okay...We're going to see no one other than Victoria Blackwood."
Just as Tammy and Erin start to spot the dark-lipped goth in all her blackened glory, Tammy looks at Erin. "Why am I not surprised?" Erin ignored her as they made way to the table she sits, Victoria was doodling in a notebook when she looks up. "Mind if we sit?" Erin asks. Victoria shrugged and looked back down before saying "I don't care." Erin and Tammy then took their seats timidly. After a moment of awkward silence, Erin glanced at Tammy before elbowing her which caused her to jump before hesitantly asking, "So, you're an expert on...death, right?" Victoria looked up at them with ice-blue eyes "Among other things," "Well...we have-...a...special case we need for you to look into." Tammy continued. Victoria stared at them for what seems like moments then pointed to Tammy. "Yes, I can sense it. Death hangs around you, you carry its stench wherever you go." Tammy and Erin look at each other. "So...will you help us?" Erin asks. "I will, for a small fee of course." "A fee?" Erin questioned. "Yes...your souls." Tammy and Erin blanched before Victoria cracked a smile. "I'm kidding! I may be a goth, but I have a sense of humor you know." Tammy and Erin sigh in relief. "All I'm asking for is $35, this will go towards any supplies I might need to help you." "Done." Tammy and Erin agreed. "Okay, so when should I get started?"
"Mom, this is Victoria, she's just going to help us with some studying." Tammy lied. "Nice to meet you, Victoria, if you girls need anything, don't be afraid to ask." Tammy's mom said before they turn and head up the stairs. Tammy's mom looks on and shakes her head at Victoria's appearance before returning to washing the dishes.
As they walked into Tammy's room, Victoria looks around then says. "There are ghosts here." "We know that, what we need help with is getting rid of a certain one, an evil one." Victoria nodded, "I thought I felt a sense of darkness here, thing is that evil spirits are the hardest ones to get rid of. They usually stick around, much like other spirits, because they had a goal that was unfulfilled. This means that the only sure way to get rid of them is to let them fulfill that need and they'll go into the light." "But we don't want that, this ghost's goal is to kill people." Victoria looked on with sad eyes. "If that's the case, this'll be harder than I thought. What is the state of the evil one?" "Well, according to Michael, he's in a limbo." "Michael?" Victoria inquired. "He's the other ghost that lives here. His uncle is the evil spirit we want to get rid of. Victoria nodded. "I thought I sensed two. My guess is Michael's the poltergeist, completely harmless. It's the uncle that needs to be attended to." "The only problem is..." Tammy slowly sat on the bed. "What is it, Tammy?" Erin asked. "If we get rid of Michael's uncle, then we get rid of Michael as well." Victoria's already pale skin turned a sickly paler shade. "A bloodline cross-bond." "A what?" Tammy asked. "These are rare, but it happens whenever the spirits are related as niece/nephew and aunt/uncle. It's a curse that is casted whenever one kills the other before committing suicide. Usually when this happens, the murderer didn't intend for the curse to be casted, and rarely is. But if the murderer did so out of rage and did kill the parents of the victim, then the curse is immediately casted. The reason it is a rare occurence is because whenever-say the aunt kills the nephew and it was actually an accident or that the aunt wasn't in a rage when the killing occured and she commits suicide in grieving disbelief of what she's done, then there was no ill intentions to do so and therefore the aunt and nephew would be spared. But in this case, it's not just an evil spirit we're talking about here. We're talking about actual black magic and the forces of evil themselves." Victoria explained. Erin's jaw dropped while Tammy's skin becomes an ashen color. "Michael, did you hear me?" Victoria calls out. "...Yes, I heard you. What you said mostly does relate to how I came to be this way. My uncle was in a rage when he killed me."

the pencil scribbled excitedly. "How did you end up living with your uncle?" Victoria asked. "My parents died in a fire."

"Think back thoroughly, this outcome is very crucial to break the bloodline cross-bond. Would your uncle have any motives to kill your parents?" Victoria implored. "...No, I can't think of any real- Wait! I remember my uncle kept looking for something whenever he would join us for family reunions."

"What was it he was looking for?" "I'm not sure...There were arguments over a key, but I was never let in as to what the key was for."

"Okay, Michael, I'm sorry to have to say this, but I believe that your uncle may have killed your parents to get that key." Victoria said. "What does this have to do with the curse?" Tammy demands. "The key is what binds Michael's uncle to the bond. If we find the key, we can perform a ritual to sever that bond and deal with the uncle without risking Michael's soul." Victoria explained. "But how are we going to find the key? Michael said that his parents died in a fire. If that's the case, then the key would be melted." Erin pointed out "Whenever my parents argued with uncle about it, they keep telling him that he'll never find it. That it wasn't on the estate."

"Then the key is still alive." Victoria states. "Well, where are we going to start? We can't just search the whole town!" Tammy thought out loud. "True...Michael, we're going to need a list of places your parents went to, places they liked." The page turned and the pencil busily bullets places and locations in detailed addresses.
Once the pencil stops at two pages worth of locations, Victoria hovered over the notebook. "Okay, looks like we'll need to split up. Erin, you cover from here to here, Tammy here to here and I get the rest." she said, placing a black painted nail and gesturing through the bullets in even thirds. "Sounds like a plan." Tammy nods. "Wednesday I'll get the supplies necessary for the ritual whether we find the key by then or not. We should begin immediately, time is running short and I doubt Michael's uncle will be in limbo for long." Victoria states.

Chapter Seven

Impressum

Texte: H.L. Dyer
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 07.02.2012

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