Twisted Short Stories

Chapter 24

2009-08-29T10:21:00.000-07:00

The sound of a single gun shot rang out as it sliced thru the air and pierced her skin. She cryed out in pain, her eyes wide with shock as the blade fell from her hand, clattering to the floor. He'd only shot her in the arm. Only to scare her, slow her down. She held her right arm with her left hand, blood sliding down the length of her arm.

"I..I cant believe..you shot me", she said slowly as she moved backwards, stumbling into the table behind her.

"I cant believe you dont take me more seriously", he said.

Leaning against the table she began to slump to the floor, still clutching her arm.

"Too much blood...my blood..not my blood", she stammered.

Jackson walked over to her slowly. She leaned over to the side, her head hit the floor. Switching on the safety Jackson pocketed his gun and kneeled over Orchid. He lifted her head. Placing two fingers on her neck he took her pulse. She was fine. Apparently she had passed out. He eased her head back down and stood up. He looked around the room for something to tie around her arm. He had to stop the bleeding. Not having any luck, he rip the sleeve of his shirt to use to tie her arm. After that was done he picked her up and lay her on the bed. Taking a seat in what he was beginning to feel like his chair, he prepared himself to wait, until his cell phone rang.

Chapter 23

2009-08-06T20:12:00.000-07:00

"No!", Orchid said as she jumped up.

"What now", Jackson asked.

"You think Im stupid dont you. I fall back and you tell Amy everything I just told you! I worked way to hard to keep this little duo in tact and I am not about to let you come along and ruin everything I dont care how sexy you are!"

Jackson stood up, thrown off by her sudden out burst. He watched as she walked quickly to a table on the other side of the room, pulling open a drawer, she started to toss things onto the floor until she found what she was looking for. She turned around slowly, a switch blade she held tightly in her hand. His breath caught in his throat. Reaching in his pocket he pulled out his gun, stopping her in her tracks as soon as she started towards him.

"Stay right where you are!", he demanded.

She looked surprised, yet she still held on to her weapon.

"Drop the blade or I'll shoot."

"You wouldn't shoot me. You may not like me very much, but I think you have a soft spot for Amy. You hurt me..you hurt her."

"You dont know me as well as you think you do. Make one more step in my direction and I'll shoot you."

Orchid laughed. Clearly testing him, calling his bluff. She moved towards him again. Jackson pulled the trigger.

Chapter 22

2009-08-05T17:16:00.000-07:00

"Im listening", Jackson said.

She scooted back until her back was leaning against the head board, pulling her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her knees.

"Amy has had a hard life. Terrible things have happened to her. Things so horrible that the only thing that kept her from completely loosing it was to basically create someone who could handle the things she couldn't."

"She couldn't cope, so she created another person in her head?"

"Yeah..I guess you can put it that way. But its much more complicated.

She unfolded her legs and turned towards him, leaning in as if she was about to tell him a secret.

"You see Amy was so severely traumatized that she became catatonic. She just...checked out. But I fought for her. Ugh..how do I put this so you can understand? I guess you can say I have always been a part of her..that strong part of her that fights and never gives up. But some how she lost that part of her. She gave up. She stopped fighting. Even tho she lost sight of that part of her, it never died. I was not about to die, so when she checked out, I took over. She truly did wake up another person. Everyone kept using the word amnesia. But they didn't realize Amy was still asleep. Her family..well, I guess you can say our family kept doing things to try to jog her memory. The more they pushed and reminded her, the more that old part of her started to wake up. I wasn't very happy about it. For awhile, I fought it. I was afraid once Amy was back, she'd remember everything and push me away again. I had lay hidden deep inside her for so long..I was afraid if shoved down again, this time I would truly die. But thankfully for me and her both, she never remembered those horrible things that led her to that point. She doesn't even remember being hospitalized. Maybe now you can understand why its better that we keep Amy in the dark."

Jackson just sat there for the longest time, not sure what to say or do next. Snapping back into focus when he felt Orchids hand caressing his face.

"I think Im ready to talk to Amy now", he said.

Chapter 21

2009-07-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

Jackson frowned. He knew she had given in too easy. She was still playing games. He hated games, especially head games.

"Look, Im not in the mood for games", Jackson told her.

"Then, what are you in the mood for?"

"You really dont want to try me", he said threw his clenched teeth.

Orchids eyes grew wide then. Finally, the fact that he was dead serious was finally sinking in. She took a step back, her eyes narrowing. You really are dangerous aren't you?

"Was their ever a doubt", he asked.

"No..not really. Thats probably why Im so turned on by you".

He clenched his fist at his side. But eased up when she walked toward the bed and layed down, her back turned towards him.

"So its that simple", he asked. "You just lay down and go to sleep, and you wake up another person?"

"Not another person really, just a different personality", she said

He sat on the bed beside her, starring at her in amazement.

"When you wake up as Orchid, what do you do?"

She closed her eyes and said, "I thought you wanted to talk to Amy."

"I do..eventually, but Im thinking I'd probably learn alot more by spending more time with you. Amy seems to be lost and confused."

"And I'd like her to stay that way", Orchid said.

"Why?"

"The less she knows the better."

"I dont understand", he said.

She sat up and looked at him. "I can make you understand, if you want."

Chapter 20

2009-07-22T11:45:00.000-07:00

She got up from the bed and walked over to Jackson.

"What a nice surprise. Did Amy leave me a present?", she asked stopping a few inches from him.

Jackson stepped back a few paces. Not yet sure of what was happening.

"Amy?", he asked.

"Amy's asleep", she said.

"And you are?"

She shook her head from side to side and said, "Dont tell me you've forgotten me already. "

"Humor me", he said.
"I remember you", she said. "Jackson...right?"

"Right..and you...".

"Orchid."

Jackson nodded slowly.

"Why is Amy sleeping? Can you wake her back up?"

"Now, why would I want to do that?"

"Because I need to talk to her."

She walked closer to him, placing a hand flat on his chest, letting it travel downward until he caught her hand with his own. She looked him right in the eyes and smiled. He let her hand go and folded his arms across his chest.

"Oh come on! Why would you want to talk to a boring nobody like her when you can talk to me. Im here. Dont you want to get to know me better? You seemed pretty interested the other night."

"That was before.."

"Before what? Before you knew I was one half of a head case?"

"Thats not what I mean."

"Then what?"

"Amy knows. Thats why I need to talk to her."

"Well, whatever you need to tell her, you can tell me."

"It doesn't work that way", Jackson said as he walked around her and took a seat in the chair.

She followed behind him. Stood over him while he sat in the chair. Her hands on her hips. Still holding a sly smirk on her lips.

"Then tell me how it works."

"You bring Amy back so I can talk to her and then we go from there."

She shook her head. "No..no, no..I dont like being out of the loop."

"I promise to fill you in later."

"Why dont you fill me in now", she said as she straddled him in the chair.

Jacksons breathing was getting heavier. He closed his eyes, trying hard to keep his composure. She wasn't playing fair. But who does? Did he? He opened his eyes when she started to grind in his lap. He quickly lifted her off him as he stood up and sat her down on the bed.

"Ooh! Your so strong!"

He rolled his eyes and went back to take his place in the chair.

"You stay over there", he said to her.

Now she was the one folding her arms across her chest.

"Why are you being so mean", she asked while pouting.

"I'm nicer when I get what I want."

"So am I", she said.

Jackson sighed loudly. His frustration getting worse. After a few minutes of silence, he stood up and walked toward the door. Orchid jumped up.

"Wait! Where are you going?"

"Dont worry about it", he said as she reached for the door.

"Ok! Ok! I..I"ll.."

Jackson turned slightly to look at her, his hand still holding on to the door.

"You'll what?"

"I'll let Amy come back."

He released the door knob and walked over to her. The smile on his face fading as soon as she said..

"On one condition."

Chapter 19

2009-07-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

Jackson sat in a chair across the room, watching Amy. She hadn't moved since he'd laid her down on the bed. He found himself checking her pulse again and again, sometimes leaning over her slightly, watching the rise and fall of her chest. Only to make sure she was still breathing. At least thats what he kept telling himself. Yet, he found himself fighting back the urge to touch her. He wanted to reach out and caress her skin, run his fingers thru her hair. He wanted to lay beside her, wrap his arms around her and protect her. He had been there over an hour now. He grew tired, impatient. Pacing back and forth across the room was something he did when he was anxious or nervous, and right now he was both. He stopped mid pace when he heard the bed creak. She was turning over, but she wasnt awake. He cursed under his breath. This wasn't right. What he was doing was wrong. Why was he here trying to help this strange woman when he was hired to end her life? Then again, wasn't it wrong to kill someone? Wasnt what he did for a living one of the biggest sins? What could she have possibly done to deserve a death sentence? Clenching his fists so tight his finger nails dug into his hands. He had never let anything or anyone get in the way of doing his job. He should leave right now. Go. Better yet, he could take her out right now. Over and done with. So easy. Maybe the easiest job ever. So why was he still standing here? He was stupid that was why. In the middle of the argument he was having in his head, he heard the bed squeak again. He turned around quickly, surprised that not only was she sitting up, she was smiling at him.

Chapter 18

2009-07-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

"I dont know", she said.

"Its the only way you'll be able to figure out what happens."

Amy tapped her fingers on the table. Unsure what to do. When she didn't respond Jackson

interrupted her thoughts.

"So, what do you say?"

"You said that Im in danger?", she asked.

"Yes you are."

"Why? You still haven't told me what Im in danger of. And how do you know? Better yet, why do you even care?"

"I really cant devulge that information at this time. I just need you to trust me, Im trying to help you."

"How can I trust you when I dont even know you?"

"Its up to you. But if you value your life, you'll work with me."

"I dont know. This is too much. I cant.."

She leaned over holding her stomach.

"I feel sick", she said.

"Let me walk you back home", he said.

She stood up but her legs wobbled beneath her. Jumping up quickly, Jackson ran to her side. Grabbing her by her waist he held her up. She leaned against him as they walked slowly out of the resturant. Half way up the road she started to slump, her feet dragging across the pavement as he held her up.

"Amy", he called to her.

He realized that she was out. He stopped, lifted her up and carried her the rest of the way home. Once he was at the apartment he sat her down on the steps and tryed to wake her up, but she wasn't budging. Reaching inside her pants pocket her pulled out her keys. Picking her up again he put the key inside the lock and turned. He was thankful that she only had one key on her key ring. He pushed the door open and walked inside, closing the door behind them.

Chapter 17

2009-07-08T17:05:00.000-07:00

"Well, for about a year I've been experiencing black outs. But in the last few months, its been happening more frequently. It started out just being maybe once every few months. Then it went to be about every few weeks, to every other day and now in the last week Ive been blacking out every day. And when I say blacking out, I mean Im loosing full days. Sometimes its only an hour or two but more often than not, I wake up not knowing what I did the day before."

"When you wake up from these blackouts, do you notice anything different", Jackson asked.

Amy pulled at her short hair as she said, "I used to have shoulder length hair. I woke up one morning this way."

"Red streaks?"

"Yeah, I woke up with that surprise too."

"Looks good on you."

"Thank you. Its not too bad. I'm still trying to get use to it."

"Any other transformation happen during a black out", he asked.

"No...", she said slowly.

"But something else did?"

"Yeah a few things have been happening, things Im not proud of."

"Like.."

"Like waking up with a strange man in my bed. Waking up in strange places I dont remember going to. I've woken up sore a couple of times."

"Sore? Where were you..."

She quickly shook her head.

"Oh..you mean..."

"Yeah lets not get into that ok, I'd rather not."

"Its fine, none of my buisness anyway", he said

Jackson cleared his throat and leaned back in his seat.

"So, anything else?"

"No, thats it. The strangest thing thats happened recently is when you showed up at my door calling me Orchid."

"Right. Well, I have an idea of how we can get to the bottom of whats happening with you, but your going to have to keep an open mind and work with me."

"How open minded?", she asked.

"What do you think about me staying with you for a few days?"

Chapter 16

2009-07-02T20:51:00.000-07:00

"First thing I need to know, what is your name?"

"I told you, Amy."

"Do you sometimes go by a nickname?"

"No. Everyone calls me Amy."

"So, you've never been called Orchid?"

"Never."

"And you dont remember anything about lastnight?"

"I remember singing at that club. I went out to eat with my friend..but after that, I just cant remember. Was I drunk lastnight?"

"You seemed pretty sober to me", he said.

She nodded her head but said nothing more.

"Does that happen often? Forgetting things?"

"Sometimes", she said as she looked down at the table.
By that time a waitress had come over but he waved her away.

"Amy, do you have any enemies?"

"Not that I know of. I mean, Im sure im not everyones favorites but.."

"Anyone who'd want to hurt you?", he asked.

Her eyes grew wide.

"Not that I know of, why?"

"Because I think you might be in danger", he said.

"Now your starting to scare me. What aren't you telling me?

"Do you think someone is out to get me?", she asked.

He looked her in her eyes and nodded slowly. She sat back in the booth, sliding down as if the air was slowly seeping out of her.

"Amy, this is serious. I know this comes as a shock to you, but you need to be completely honest with me. Has anything strange happened to you? Even if it seems crazy, I need to know. Even the smallest detail could be important."

She sat up straight, smoothing back a strand of hair that had fallen out of place.

"Something strange has been happening for awhile now. But its going to sound weird."

"Im all ears", Jackson said.

Chapter 15

2009-06-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

"Ok, this is weird", Jackson says to her.

He didn't know what to say. He had seen this woman lastnight. Given her a ride home. Realizing the next morning that she was his next target. Now here he was trying to get to the bottom of this and she was standing here looking at him like he was crazy.

"Theres a coffee shop right up the road. Its a public place, lots of people. Please do me this one favor and sit down and talk to me. Give me 30 minutes of your time at least and I promise, I wont ask you another question."

She continued to look at him strangely but she slowly nodded her head.

"Ok. 30 minutes and thats it."

"My cars right there", he said as he pointed across the street.

" I think I'll walk, its not that far."

"Well, can I at least walk with you?"

"Yeah, thats fine."

They walked in silence. He wanted to wait until they were seated to ask her anything. He wanted to be able to look into her eyes to see if she were lying. Five minutes later he was holding the door open for her. He was thankful that she walked toward to back and sat in the booth in the corner.

Apparently she didnt want what she said to be heard either. Sliding in the booth across from her, he leaned forward. Crossing his arms on the table in front of her, he cleared his throat. Readying hisself to do the most difficult line of questioning he ever had.

Chapter 14

2009-06-18T21:48:00.000-07:00

Jackson was standing at Orchid's door. Still struggling with the questions that rang out in his head. Knocking hard on the door he waited. A few seconds later he heard shuffling behind the door. A soft voice whispered,

"Who is it?"

He was thrown back for a second. He looked around, making sure he was at the right place. Certain that he hadn't made a mistake, he lifted his hand to knock again, but stopped when she asked again, this time a little louder,

"who is it?"

"Its Jackson", he said loudly.

It was quiet behind the door for a moment and then he heard the lock on the door being turned. He looked up as the door eased opened slowly. She didn't open it all the way, only slightly, yet wide enough to see her face. It was definately her. She had sounded different thru the door.

"Hey. You said that I should stop by today."

She squinted her eyes at him.

"What?", she asked.

"You remember lastnight, I gave you a ride home.."

"Oh! Lastnight. Im sorry...I...I dont remember. Lastnight was..I think..who are you?", she stumbled.

"Jackson. I mean we dont really know eachother but we met lastnight."

"Lastnight is kind of a blur", she said.

"You mind if I come in?", he asked.

She shook her head wildly.

"No, no..you cant come in."

"But you said lastnight.."

"I already told you I dont remember lastnight!", she yelled.

He held his hands up quickly as in surrender.

"Look Orchid, I know you dont remember me but I really need to talk to you, its very important."

"What did you call me?"

"Orchid."

"Are you sure you've got the right person? My name is Amy."

Chapter 13

2009-06-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

Jackson was back at the hotel now. Not long after arriving he was fast asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He woke up the next morning to a knock on his door. Looking out of the peep hole he didn't see anyone. Grabbing his .22 from the dresser drawer, he held it close to his side as he slowly looked around the corner. Noone. But a package was sitting outside of his door. Snatching it up as soon as he saw it, he rushed inside. Ripping it open he quickly read over the information on the top sheet. Name, Address, location, directions. He stopped when what he had just read sunk in. It was the name. Not a name a person could mistake. In big bold print the name read "Orchid". He didnt want to see anymore, but he had to look. The picture. There was always a picture, identifying the target. Maybe there was a slim chance that it was someone else. He took a deep breath and flipped to the next page. It was exactly what he was dreading. There in black and white, a photo taken of Orchid. The girl he had just met. What cruel act of fate was this. He was starting to feel like the butt of somebodys sick joke. A joke he didn't find funny at all. He didn't know what to do. His first thought was to call Killer, but he decided against it. No, he'd deal with him later. First he needed to talk to his next mark. He had been looking forward to taking her up on her invitation. Now he was confused, but anxious to get to the bottom of things. He wasn't sure how soon he should go over, yet he didn't know how long he could wait it out. In the span of 2 hours he had smoked 3 ciggerettes and itching for a fourth. Deciding he couldn't take it anymore he rushed out of his room taking long strides down the hall, rounding the corner so fast he almost knocked two women over. As soon as the elevator opened he was pushing past a chubby bald guy and a tall lanky fellow that seemed to be taking their time figuring out if they were getting on or off. He counted to 10 in his head and exhaled.

"Is this your floor", Jackson asked the men.

"I dont think so", the bald guy replied as he pushed the button for the 1st floor.

Jackson didn't wait for the men to move, quickly shoving them aside, he bounded across the lobby floor, people in his way scattering left and right. He fingered his .22 nuzzled snug in his pocket as he went. He didnt know what he was going to do or say but he had to see her now. This was one thing that just couldn't wait.

Chapter 12

2009-06-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

Orchid Caressed the blade in her hand. Gentely, careful not to cut herself. She liked to cut. Clean straight lines opening skin so seemlessly. The slow forming of red leaking thru. She liked to cut other people, not herself. It would be a shame to mark up her pretty skin. So she used other people as her canvas. Most of her subjects were willing, sometimes not. She cringed as she thought of the mess she'd made with the last one. She had gotten a little carried away, it was a mistake. Everyone made mistakes right. She shook her head, trying to shake away the memory. She had to move on. There was nothing she could do to change what happened. Apparently saying Im sorry wasn't good enough. Tossing the blade onto the table she sighed. The inspiration was gone now. No longer feeling like looking for a new toy to play with, she started to fumble with her clothes. Too many buttons. She rolled her eyes as she finally shrugged out of the ugly brown top. Slidding off the matching skirt, she bundled up the clothes and tossed them in the laundry basket. Smiling as she looked down at herself, checking herself out in the mirror on the bathroom door. "At least she has cute bra's and panties", she said to herself. Going back to her room she lay across the bed, tucking a pillow under her head. The last thing on her mind before she passed out was Jackson.

Chapter 11

2009-06-12T14:29:00.000-07:00

Jackson was smiling as he drove down the road. Thinking of the strange but unique encounter he just had. He had the strongest urge to turn around and go back. He didnt know why but he felt compelled to satisfy this urge. So he turned around and drove back to Orchids house. He was surprised to see her squatting down on the side of house. He couldn't see what she was doing. He decided to get out of the car to make sure everything was ok. He walked up behind her. She must have heard him coming because she jumped up, holding her right hand behind her back.

"Is everything ok?", he asked her.

"Why are you still here? I thought you left."

"You didn't answer my question."

"Well, I wasnt aware that I had to answer to you."

Jackson laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "You dont have to, I was making sure you were ok."

"Im fine", she said.

"What are you hiding?", he asked.

"You ask alot of questions."

"Well, you do alot of questionable things."

"This is probably true, but we already decided that I dont have to answer to you."

"We did. Its just so obvious that your hiding something."

"It should be just as obvious that Im not going to tell you what Im hiding."

He watched as she slid something into her pocket. It was too dark to see exactly what it was but it was definately something small.

She walked passed him and he followed her up the stairs.

"Did I invite you in?", she asked.

"Not yet."

"Then I wouldn't hold my breath. Its late and I dont know you well enough. You could be an axe murderer for all I know."

He laughed and said, "Your right, I could be."

She squinted her eyes at him as if she were trying hard to see him clearly.

"Are you..an axe murderer."

"Do you really think I'd admit it if I were?"

"No. But answer the question anyway."

"No, Im not an axe murder."

She tilted her head to the side and squinted her eyes again.

"I dont know if I believe you. You seem like the dangerous type."

"Right. So you should probably stay away from me then."

"Probably.

"But you wont", he said.

"No. Not if I can help it."

"Are you inviting me in now?"

"No. Your a stranger and its late.."

"Stubborn."

"As a bull."

"But cute."

"I know."

He laughed again and turned to leave.

"Wait. Where are you going?", she asked.

"Doesn't make sense to keep standing here since your not inviting me in because Im a stranger and its late."

She laughed this time.

"You should stop by tomorrow, maybe I'll invite you in."

"Maybe I'll stop by."

He turned again to leave. Silently hoping that she would stop him again but she let him leave. Stopping at his car, he looked back to see her closing the door behind her. As he got into his car and drove away he thought how weird it was that he felt so good about something so simple, when his life was anything but simple. Maybe, that was exactly what he needed.

Chapter 10

2009-06-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

Orchid smiled at Jackson flirtatiously. He looked kind of cute. But it was hard to tell in the dark. He seemed to be the mysterious type, and that she definately liked.

"So where are you headed", he asked her.

"Home. I need to get out of these clothes".

"And into what?"

She laughed at his two sided remark.

"Wouldn't you like to know."

She folded her arms across her chest as the wind began to make her shiver from the chill.

"Here", Jackson said as he took off his leather jacket and handed it to her.

She waved it away at first, but after he insisted, she accepted it. The over sized jacket swallowed her in, warming her instantly in its cocoon.

"Thank you", she said as she pulled it tightly around her.

"No problem. You need a ride home?"

"Actually..I do."

She followed Jackson back to his car. Once inside she thought for a second that maybe she should just walk back. In the very next second, she thought how exciting this was. Accepting a ride late at night with this mysterious stranger. Definately a dangerous thing, yet she wasn't moving. Before she could think again he was pulling off, asking her what direction to take. The ride back home seemed to be really short. She sat inside his car a few seconds longer than necessary. Hoping he'd say something. Starting to feel silly, she told him thanks for the ride and opened the car door.

"Maybe I'll see you around sometime.", he said.

"Maybe."

Before she closed the door she remembered that she had on his jacket. Before she could take it off he shook his head and told her to keep it. She smiled and thanked him again, carefully closing the door. She walked away, trying very hard not to look back.

Chapter 9

2009-06-05T20:54:00.000-07:00

"Ugh! Not again!", she said to herself as she got up from the floor.

Once again she had woken up in one of the most unlikely places. She felt disgusting as she looked around.

"Gross..is this a bathroom? When was the last time anyone cleaned it?"

She was annoyed. She didn't enjoy the lapses of times. So many things she missed out on. So many things she had to make up for. But, she did love a challenge. She looked down at herself, turning her nose up at the clothes she was wearing. The first thing she had to do was take a shower and change out of these dreadful clothes. She walked over to the sink and washed her hands careful. After drying her hand she used a paper towel to pull the door open. He eyes widen when she realized where she was.

"Great, I would be in the one fastfood joint I hated".

Walking as fast as her legs could take her she sped to the door. Using her paper towel to open yet another filthy door. Once she was outside she dropped it on the ground. She stretched as the cool breeze danced around her. She felt as if she'd been asleep for days. She turned as she heard a car door open in the parking lot. She couldn't see clearly who it was but she could tell it was a man. He wore dark clothing and dark glassed covered his eyes. He was walking toward her. She knew she should be leaving. This was the last place she wanted to be. But she was curious to see who this person was. Instead of walking passed her, he walked right up to her and stopped.

"Do I know you?" she asked

"No. Not yet anyway. Im Jackson."

"Nice to meet you. My name is Orchid."

Chapter 8

2009-06-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

Amy sat in a booth across from Kasey at Brusters Burgers. She watched her friend devour a burger, large frie and a pecan pie. All she had was a large Cocoa-cola. She was still to nervous and on edge to even think about trying to digest anything solid. Looking at Kasey stuff a hand full of fries into her mouth was starting to make her stomach turn.

"You ok?", Kasey asked her.

"I dont know. I think I need to run to the bathroom."

Kasey nodded as she continued to eat. Amy walked as fast as she could to the bathroom. Not wanting to make a spectical of herself. Pushing her way into the bathroom, she looked around, checking to see if anyone else was there. Certain that she was alone, she leaned back against the wall, slowly sliding down to the floor. She was feeling dizzy now. Holding her head between her legs she tryed to steady her breathing. It wasn't helping. She held her hand up to her chest, her heart beat was racing. She inhaled one last time before she passed out on the floor.

Chapter 7

2009-06-03T22:21:00.000-07:00

The last song had ended. And now she was gone. He looked around hoping he'd catch her on her way out. But it was hard to see with all the people crowding around the dance floor as the music blasted louder from the DJ's booth. He noticed a girl getting up and walking to the door. He remembered that she had come in about 5 minutes before the singer walked out on stage. Thinking that maybe they had come together, he got up, pushing past the crowd of people, fighting his way to the exit. A burst of cool air hit him as he stepped outside. It was a welcomed feeling compared to the stuffy atmosphere he had just left. He looked around quickly, hoping that she hadn't left already. He spun around when he heard the engine of a car. He spotted it just as he was pulling off. He raced to his car and jumped inside, waiting a few seconds before pulling off behind them.

Chapter 6

2009-06-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

Jackson sat out in front, sipping on a gin and tonic. The guy playing the saxophone looked familiar, but he couldn't place him. It was probably best that he didn't. The people he knew were usually people not worth knowing. Feeling on the edge of boredom, he was about to leave when this girl walked out on stage. You didn't expect to see a girl like her in a place like this. There was something different about her. The intensity in her eyes as she stared into the audience. It seemed as if she were startled by the spotlight that surrounded her. But that only lasted a moment. When she opened her mouth and started to sing, he couldn't help but stare in amazement. An angelic voice singing Mariah Careys "My All". He hadnt heard that song in so long. But hearing it now, the words tumbling from the lips of this gorgeous stranger, it was like hearing it for the very first time. He didnt like what he was feeling. Yet he couldnt stop it. He didn't usually get caught up, his job didn't allow it. He knew he should just get up and leave now before he did something stupid. But he didnt move, couldn't. All he could do is sit and stare as she sang the words that seemed to pierce his heart.

Chapter 5

2009-05-26T18:42:00.000-07:00

Kasey had picked her up on time for once. She did say much, just asked how she was doing. Amy got the feeling that Kasey was worrying about her again. If that was the case it was a good thing she was keeping it to herself. It was the last thing she needed at the moment. She was already as nervous as it was. It only took them 20 minutes to get there but the ride seemed much longer. She went in thru the back, Kasey dropped her off and parked in front. She talked to the manager for a minute or two. He didnt ask her many questions, just asked for her id to make sure she was legal. She was waiting back stage now. Listening to this musician play his saxophone. She closed her eyes and wondered how her voice would sound with the sound of a saxophone playing along. She was startled out of her day dream when the manager suddenly appeared behind her and told her in his very rough sounding tone, "Your on in 5". Her knees suddenly got weak. She wondered if she could really go thru with this. She still had time to leave. She could walk out of the door right now and never look back. But she'd never forgive herself for not trying. She had to try, just once. Before she knew it, she was being pushed out on stage, the spotlight shinning on her. For a split second she felt frozen in place, until she heard the sound of the piano playing softly in the background. She closed her eyes and sang from her heart as her body swayed to the music.

Chapter 4

2009-05-25T21:04:00.001-07:00

Amy had no idea where her day had went to. She didn't meet up with Kasey like she usually did. So she had no way of knowing what had happened. She had woken up on her bed, still in the same clothes she had wore the day before. She ran to the bathroom to check herself out in the mirror. Nothing looked out of the ordinary. Besides her hair being a little messy, nothing seemed altered or out of place. She rolled her tongue around in her mouth, searching for a distinguishable taste. Lifting her hand up to her mouth she blew and sniffed. Certain that she hadnt been drinking, she sighed in relief. Still annoyed that she couldn't rememeber the missing hours, she quickly pushed that from her mind when she remembered, she had a job to do. She crawled across the bed, picked up her cordless phone and dialed Kaseys number.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Kasey..its me."

"Is everything ok?", Kasey asked.

"Yeah..at least I hope so. We didn't go out today did we?"

"No. I came by. You didnt come out so I figured either you weren't home or still sleeping."

"Oh..not sure what I was doing."

"Another black out?"

"Yeah, I think so. But I know this time it wasnt from drinking. I seriously think something is wrong with me."

"I think you should see a Dr.", Kasey urged.

"You know I dont like doctors. I'll be fine."

"Sure..just trying to be a friend."

"I appreciate that Kasey, really I do. I just dont think this is something a Dr. can help me with."

"Well..Im here, you know."

"I know...hey, you still picking me up right?"

"As far as I know. What time?"

"8:30pm. I gotta be there at 9."

"Alright. I have to run and do a couple things first but I'll be there by 8:30. See you then, ok?"

"Yeah, see you. Bye."

"Bye"

Amy hung up the phone. She was nervous. She loved to sing but she wasnt used to singing in front of people. She decided to go ahead and get ready. Sitting around thinking about it was making her nerves worse. After she got dressed she would stand in the mirror and practice singing with her hair brush while she waited for her friend to pick her up.

Chapter 3

2009-05-24T19:05:00.000-07:00

Jackson stared out the window of his hotel room. Always another hotel. But with the line of work he did, he couldn't afford to even begin to built a foundation or even hope to settle down in one place. He lit another black and mild as he watched the clock. In five minutes he should be getting a phone call. The calls always came on time. He felt on edge. The aniticipation driving him to smoke one cigarette after another. Along with the anticipation came excitement. The thrill of the next chase. The ritualistic dance of the hunter and its prey. The phone rings. As always he let it ring twice before picking up. It was his contact, Killer.

"Jackson", he said after picking up the phone.

"You in?"

"Yes, Im in."

"Your package will arrive tomorrow morning. Inform me when its recieved."

And that was it. The dial tone sounded in his ear. Killer was never one for small talk. Straight to the point as always. He liked it that way. No bull..just buisness. He got up from the bed after putting out his cigarette on the bedside table. He had to get out of these four walls. Seeing as he had to wait until the very next day before he could begin his next job. He might as well find something to do to help pass the time. He had spotted a decent looking night club on his way into town, he thought he'd stop in there. He could definately use a drink.

Chapter 2

2009-05-23T15:05:00.010-07:00

After she had taken a quick shower, she got dressed in a plain white tee, tight blue jeans and white tennis shoes. Pulling her maroon curtains back she looked out the window, tapping her right foot impatiently. She was waiting on Kasey. And she was late as usual. Every morning Kasey would come by and pick her up. They'd go to star-bucks and drink ice coffees and Kasey would tell her all the things she couldn't remember. Altho she trusted her friend, she sometimes wondered if Kasey told her the full truth. Wondering if her words were sugar coated to protect her feelings. Today was no different than any other. She sat at a table across from her friend. Nestling her throbbing head in her hand. Waiting on the verdict Kasey was about to render.

"Lastnight was rough, you got really drunk", Kasey said.
Amy looked at her, waiting for her to finish the story. She hated these dramatic pauses in between.

"I tryed really hard to stop you, honestly I did, but you just wouldnt listen. You kept hanging on to this guy Joel the whole night. I didn't leave you alone tho, everywhere you went I went. "

"Kasey, what did I do", Amy sighed.

"Well, there was this one time..I left you, only to use the bathroom, I mean I really had to go or I would have pissed all over myself. Anway..when I got back you were gone. I asked Deon, the guy Joel was with, were you were and he said you had snuck off to the back with him. So I went looking for you. I ended up getting lost back there. By the time I found my way back you and Joel were stumbling out of the broom closet.

"Great, so I screwed another random guy?"

"Possibly", Kasey said.

"I really should stop drinking."

"You should stop doing alot of things", Kasey pushed.

"You should mind your own buisness!"

After Amy snapped on Kasey, she immediately felt sorry. But she didn't apologized. Her days lately have been full of apologies. Full of things done and things said that couldn't be taken back. So she did what she did best and quicky changed the subject.

"So I got that job at that dance club down town."

"No!"

"Yeah I did. I start tomorrow actually. Im scared girl!"

"And your gonna be doing what?"

"Singing..whatelse?"

"Theres other things.."

"Things I definately wont be doing!"

"Im just saying.."

"You say too much."

"So what are you singing?"

"Haven't figured it out yet. But you'll be there right?"

"Of course. How long will you be singing?"

"Well..Ive only got one night gauranteed so far. I guess its like trying out or something. But I sing three sets, so I need three songs. Im not sure how much I'll be getting paid but I gotta start somewhere right?"

"Yeah. Your right. So Im picking you up for this?"

"How else will I get there? You know I dont have a car."

"Im just checking to make sure."

"Im guessing we should go. I need to go home and practice."

They left Star-bucks. Kasey took her home. Made her promise to call her later and sped down the road to whereever she went when she left her. Dropping her purse in the middle of the floor she sprawled across the bed and began to sing to herself as she planned tomorrow in her head.

Orchid

2009-05-21T14:56:00.000-07:00

Chapter 1

Amy lay back against the headboard sipping on a miller light. She looked at herself in the mirror across the room. Wondering if she was truly loosing her mind. Lastnight was something that she couldnt quite remember. She woke up the next morning on the bathroom floor. Her hair damp and matted to her head. It was shorter now..she had obviously cut it but why. It had hung slightly over her shoulders but now it was just pass her ears. Black hair with red streaks was the colors she sported now. She still wasnt sure if she liked the change. But there was nothing she could do about it now. She chugged the rest of her beer from the can and sat it on the bedside table. Laying on her stomach and stretching across the bed she continued to stare across the room. Not at anything in particular. More of a blank stare. She hated these black outs. Not knowing what had happened. What she had done, where she had been or even who she had been with. It was kind of scary. But she didn't know how to stop it.

Part 55 The Conclusion

2009-05-18T15:53:00.000-07:00

Hours later Melanie Starkwell happened to be driving by and spotted Andrews apartment, or what was left of it. Her heart beat rapidly increased as she quickly turned and drove up to the blackened building. Andrew sat in the corner by a wall, legs pulled up to his chest, rocking back and forth. She got out of her car and walked over to him slowly. She didn't want to alarm him. The state he was in seemed so..fragile. She squatted beside him, trying to catch his eyes, but he was so far away.

"Andrew, its Melanie. Do you remember me, from the support group months ago?"

He said nothing. Just continued rocking. She wondered what had happened here. It had been awhile since she had seen him. Back then she could tell he was going thru something, and he didnt seem to want her around. So she had backed off. Now, she wished that she had stuck around. Fought harder to help him. But there was no going back. There was only now. And in that moment. She vowed that she would do whatever it took to help him.

To Be Continued....

Part 54

2009-05-17T19:48:00.000-07:00

When Andrew arrived back at Ryans apartment, he pulled his .22 from the glove compartment. In all the years he had the thing he never once used it. He only had it with him for protection. Just in case. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined he would even think about using it for revenge. Yet here he was, making sure the safety was on before slipping it into his pocket. He didnt have to knock on the door or attempt to force it open. It was unlocked. He wasnt sure what he expected when he walked in but he was greeted with an empty room. For a split second he thought that Ryan had run. But then he heard the clinking of glasses coming from the kitchen. He moved quickly across the floor and pushed thru the double doors that led to the small kitchen. Ryan sat at the table a glass full of ice and a bottle of bourbon in front of him. Ryan looked terrified as he looked up at him. Andrew only smiled, a half smile. He walked over to the cabinet and retrieved a small glass.

"Mind if I join you?", he asked as he held up the glass.

"Be my guest", Ryan said with a tremble in his voice.

Andrew took the bottle from Ryan and began to pour them both a glass. Ryan lifted his glass and chugged it back in seconds. Andrew chuckled to himself. He slid his own glass over to Ryan.

"You look like you need it more than I do".

Ryan only nodded and chugged back the glass Andrew had originally poured for himself. They starred across the table at eachother for awhile. Before Andrew finally broke the ice.

"I just have one question. Why did you do it?"

"She was killing people Andrew! Can you honestly sit here and say that you think that was ok?"

"So your saying its wrong for her to kill other people but its ok for you?"

"Its not like that Andrew and you know it."

"Well, please enlighten me, how is it?"

"Im sorry Andrew, I dont know what else to say."

"Your sorry? You killed my girlfriend, and all you can say is your sorry! You saw what I went thru when I lost her the first time and then you do this to me? How could you!".

Andrew stood up and threw the bottle of bourbon at the wall. Ryan jumped as the glass shattered into pieces behind him, splashing the back of his head with the luke warm liquid. He pulled the gun from his pocket, released the safety and aimed the gun at Ryans head.

"Give me one good reason not to blow your brains out."

"Because your not a murder."

"But you are.", Andrew told him.

Ryan was shaking now. There was nothing he could say or do. This was it. He had taken action, and now he had to suffer the consequences. He wasn't going to beg for his life. He knew he didn't deserve to be forgiven. He looked Andrew right in the eyes and said,

"Im sorry Andrew. I know its not enough. And if it will make you feel better to take my life then, do what you gotta do."
Ryan closed his eyes as he waited for the inevitable.

"A life for a life", Andrew said as he pulled the trigger.

One shot to the head. Ryan toppled backwards in his chair. His body hit the floor with a thud. Andrew starred at his cousins lifeless body for so long his vision began to blur as he watched the pool of blood spread across the floor. Finally snapping hisself out of the daze he was in, he lay the gun on the table and walked away.

Part 53

2009-05-16T19:41:00.000-07:00

Andrew flew down the road in his car, speeding thru stop signs and stop lights, hoping that a police cruiser was nowhere in sight because he would not stop, would not slow down for anyone. He had to get home. He had to see her. He refused to believe his cousin, who used to be his best friend would do something so horrible. He would not believe it until he saw it with his own two eyes. He almost ran into an on coming car but they swirved in time. Andrew didnt even flinch. He dared anyone, anything to try to stop him. Because if what he feared had occured, he welcomed death. No world could be so cruel as to take from him the only thing he lived for...twice. And if indeed it were true. If what Ryan said was possible, he didn't want to live in a world where this was allowed to happened. He couldn't, no..he wouldn't go on without her. Altho it only took him 15 minutes to get home at the speed he was going, he felt like an eternity had passed. When he made the turn on his street and saw what was left of his apartment, his heart stopped. Fire trucks were pulling away as he stepped out of his car. He walked slowly to the charred building. He fell to his knees in front of the left over walls covered with ashes and soot. Tears fell from his eyes as he inhaled the smoke that billowed in the air. He absent-mindedly ran his fingers thru the ash on the ground. He lifted his hands to wipe the tears away, leaving a smired black trail along the side of his face. His legs shook and his knees buckled as he struggled to stand. He forced himself to leave. To move his lifeless body in the opposite direction. There was nothing left here for him. Nowhere to live, noone to love, noone to love him, no reason to go on. But first. He had some unfinished buisness to take care of.

Part 52

2009-05-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

Ryan sat out in his car for so long that his legs began to cramp up. Realizing that he couldn't avoid this forever, he finally got out of the car and went inside. Andrew was still passed out on the sofa. He wondered if he should try to wake him up. Or wait for him to come around on his own. He paced back and forth across the room. Still not sure what he should say to him. A simple, I killed your girlfriend, didn't seem like the right way to go. But what other way could it be said. Ah, sorry..but I accidently set Tracy on fire wouldn't fly either. No..it would be a flat out lie and Andrew would know it. Lost in his own thoughts he didnt realize Andrew was awake until he saw movement in the corner of his eye. Andrew sat up slowly, holding his head. Ryan just stood there, eyes wide. All thoughts ceased and his mind was a blank. A canvas only to be painted spontaneously.

"What happened?", Andrew asked groggily.

"Alot actually", Ryan said as he walked over and sat beside him. Unsure if he should be sitting so close to him.

"What did you do?"

Andrew could always read him like a book. He always knew when he was in trouble, or when he had did something he regretted. There was no surpise that he would be able to sense that something was horribly wrong.

"I drugged you."

"Why!"

"I had to. I knew that you wouldn't let me..".

"Let you do what?!" Andrew screamed.

Ryan got up from where he was sitting and walked across the room. He had the feeling that Andrew was about to flip and he didnt want to be in the way when he did.

"If you would give me a minute to explain", Ryan said as he started to pace back and forth again.

"You better start talking, and fast. So help me, if you laid one hand on Tracy...".

"I didn't touch her".

"What is that suppose to mean? What did you do you idiot? I know you did something...and you better spill it..Now!"

Andrew was on his feet now and walking toward Ryan slowly. Ryan backed up until he hit a wall. His eyes wide with fright. Andrew grabbed him by his shirt and lifted him up and asked him in the most calm and scariest voice he'd ever heard,

"What did you do to her?"

"I...I...a fire...she...burned...I...Im so..sorry", Ryan stuttered.

Andrew slammed Ryan into the wall, grabbed him by his neck and began to squeeze.

"I should kill you for this.", Andrew said thru clenched teeth.

"Please...dont! Im sorry! I had to, you should have seen her..she was eating someone."

Andrew had released him now. His back turned to his cousin.

"Is she dead?"

"I...I think so."

Andrew turned to face him again. The pain, hurt and anger in his eyes tore Ryan from the inside out. He didn't say a word. But his eyes said it all. He hated him, like he knew he would. And he couldn't blame him. He watched Andrew walk out the door. Wanting to ask him where he was going but too afraid to speak. So he watched him leave. Part of him hoping he'd come back, another part hoping that he wouldn't. Because now..he was afraid for his own life.

Part 51

2009-05-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

Ryan almost retched right then and there but he held himself together. The sight before him was enough to confirm to himself that the decision he was about to make was the right thing to do. This poor soul who this creature was now devouring had lost his or her life, because of the monster that he and Andrew had created. Ryan knew what Andrew clearly couldnt see because he was blinded by love. Tracy was gone. She wasn't there any more. All that was left was a hungry animal willing to kill whoever and whatever in order to satisfy its insatiable hunger. That is why, this all had to end. Ryan took a deep breath and stepped toward the bed. Opening the gas canister he doused the bed with gasoline, splashing Tracy as well. She looked clearly confused as he emptied the can around her. He took three steps back, struck a match and tossed it on the bed. In seconds the bed was engulfed in flames. Wild screams escaped from Tracys throat as she thrashed about. She tumbled off the bed, rolling around on the floor, trying to fight off the flames that licked at her body. All Ryan could hear were her high pitched screams as he ran out the door, dropping the empty can to the ground as he went. He jumped inside his car, started and up and took off down the road so fast he almost ran into an on coming car. He managed to swirve out of the way in time. His heart thudded a thousand times a minute. Steadying himself on the road, he slowed down to a normal speed. Concentrated on breathing deep as he focused on the road again. He didn't know how he was going to tell Andrew, or what he was going to say to him. But he couldn't afford to think about it now. His nerves were shot, his mind racing. His hands shook and his heart pounded in his chest. His only goal at the moment was to concentrate on the road until he made it home safely. Once he got there..well, he'd deal with that road when he came to it.

Part 50

2009-05-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

Ryan left his apartment with a gas can and a book of matches. On the drive to Andrews place he battled back and forth in his head on what options he could take that would do less damage to him and Ryans relationship. But he always came to the same conclusion. Tracy had to die, and Andrew would hate him. When he was in front of the apartment, he shut of the engine and took the keys out of the ignition. He sat there for what seemed like an hour to him but could have been less. When he finally drummed up enough strength to move he did so with a quickness. As if he believed the faster he moved, the less likely he would change his mind. Once he was standing in front of the apartment, gasoline and matches in hand, he couldn't decide what to do first. Should he set the house on fire from the outside and leave, hoping that she doesn't escape. Or should he risk his own life by going inside and attempt to set Tracy on fire. Not willing to chance that she might escape, he kicked in the door and ran inside. He stopped inside the door way startled by what he saw before him. Tracey sat in the middle of the bed, naked, covered in blood. Bits of human remains surrounded her as she chewed on what looked to be a finger.

Part 49

2009-05-12T18:53:00.000-07:00

Ryan struggled to stretch Andrews slumped frame out on the sofa. He had hated to drug him like that, but he didnt know what else to do. He knew Andrew would never let him get close enough to do any damage to Tracy. When Andrew had said he'd die before letting him harm her, he believed him. He knew his cousin would fight him tooth and nail to keep him away from her. So he had to get him out of the way. It was his only shot at fixing this mess. He felt partly responsible being that he was the one to give her that first taste of blood she was now craving for. He had known it was wrong when he did it, but he had no idea..not the slightest that things would go this far..if he had..he paused as he heard a car outside, but relaxed when it passed on by. Now he was paranoid. He couldn't live like this. Constantly on edge, always looking over his shoulder. He was doing this as much for himself as for Ryan. Maybe more so for himself. Yeah it seemed selfish. But he needed to be able to live with himself. He needed to be able to sleep at night. He hadn't gotten a decent nights rest since he'd stolen that blood from the blood bank. But would killing Tracy silence his guilty conscience? Or would it make it worse, by adding murder to his list of offences. No..no, he was doing the right thing. He knew it. By setting things right. Back to the way things should have been. He'd not only be saving Andrew but countless other people who are in danger of being harmed by Tracy if left to continue as she is now. His mind was made up. He was doing this. He didn't want to, but he had to. He didn't know how he would find the strength to do it, but he would. He didn't doubt that. He knew that his and Andrews lives depended on it. The one thing that made him hesitate..was the fact that once he did this. He'd loose Andrew for good. He knew that. There was no going back after that. He stood over Andrew for what seemed like forever in his mind. Remembering all the things they had went thru together. The good, the bad, the ugly and the down right embarrasing. He laughed to himself as he thought of all the good times. All the memories. He'd always keep them close to him. In his heart and on his mind. He'd never forget, the strong bond they had. The one he was about to sever, the moment he murders Andrews one true love.

Part 48

2009-05-10T18:01:00.000-07:00

Andrew shook his head slowly. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Refused to believe his cousin, his closest friend would suggest he killed the woman he loved. Especially after loosing her once already. And all of the things he went thru, to bring her back to him. Did he really think he could ever do anything to harm her. He watched as Ryan paced back and forth in front of him.

"What are you thinking?", Andrew asked

"You dont wanna know."

"You dont have to say it. I already know. I wont let you do it."

"I dont know what your talking about."

"I'd die before I let you harm a hair on her head."

"You dont mean that."

"Can you really be so sure?"

"The only thing Im sure of is that this has to be stopped.

And you obviously dont have the balls to do it."

Andrew stood up slowly, finally feeling some stength in his legs again, he walked passed Ryan.

"Where you going?"

"Home."

"Wait...dont leave. Not yet. Not like this."

Andrew turned and looked at him. "Theres nothing left to say."

"Yes there is. Im sorry Andrew. I shouldn't have said those things. Im just freaking out here."

Andrew paused in the front of the door, not sure what to do next.

"Hey man, at least let me make you a cup of coffee before you go. It'll help you build your stength back up. Wouldn't want you passing out behind the wheel."

Andrew nodded and walked back over to the sofa. He waited as Ryan went into the kitchen. He tapped his left foot impatiently. He was worried about Tracy. Wondering what she was doing. Hoping she hadn't gone anywhere. Ryan returned a few minutes later with two cups of coffee. They sat in silence as they drank. Andrew drank the coffee faster than he normally would. He was anxious to leave. But didnt have the strength to fight with Ryan anymore, so he stayed for coffee, hoping it would pacify him. When he was done he sat the cup down on the table across from him and stood up but his legs felt wobbly. He sat back down. His vision started to get blury.

"What did you do?", he asked Ryan as he looked over at his empty coffee cup.

He slowly laid back against the sofa. Eyes rolling slowly back, he murred "I...I...cant..believe...you..p..poisoned me", before passing out.

Part 47

2009-05-09T20:02:00.000-07:00

When Andrew finally made it to Ryans apartment. He was dizzy, blood dripping down his wrist like a slow river. Ryan must have saw him coming because he was at the door before he could stumble out of the car. He must have seen the blood because he stopped suddenly on his way over. Not sure what he was walking into. But when Andrew fell to the ground, Ryan wasted no time running over to him. He must have passed out because his next lucid moment was opening his eyes to Ryan standing over him, with a worried look on his face. He looked around slowly. It took him a minute but he began to finally realize where he was. He was inside Ryans apartment. Layed out on his sofa. He tryed to sit up but regretted it immediately when his head began to spin.

"Woah, buddy..take it easy, you've lost alot of blood", Ryan said as he eased him back down.

"What happened?"

"You passed out! Must have been from the loss of blood."

"Right...Tracy...", Andrew mumbled to himself as he looked at his bandaged wrist.

"She did this didn't she?"

"You dont understand Ryan, she cant help herself."

"Are you out of your mind?! She bit you!"

"Ryan..really, its not as bad as it looks."

"Your delusional man. I can understand wanting to defend your girl, but when she starts chewing on you, its a little bit much, dont you think?"

"Well, since your such an expert, what do you think I should do Rye?"

"Hey, I never claimed to be an expert at nothing..Im just saying.."

"Your just saying what?"

"Just forget it Andrew."

"No! Spit it out, this I gotta hear."

"Im just saying..maybe you should have just.."

"Just what?"

"Maybe she would have been better off staying dead!"

Andrew went to jump up and fell onto the floor. Ryan tryed to help but Andrew pushed him away. Moving slowly he managed to pull himself back up. He sat back down on the sofa and layed his head back against the cushions.

"I thought you were my friend man. Not just my cousin..but a real friend", Andrew said.

"I am your friend. And I didnt mean it the way it sounded. I was just saying, its not right..bringing people back. You gotta know that was wrong."

"Easy for you to say. You didnt have your dead girlfriend haunting you."

"Im not saying that I understand Andrew, cuz I dont. I'd be lying if I said I understood. But one thing Im sure of, is that you cant keep going on like this. Luckily she only bit a chunk out of your wrist. Next time you might not be so lucky. Its gonna get worse man...and then what? She's either gonna end up killing you or someone else, thats what!"

"What am I suppose to do? Its done. I cant take it back."

"Your gonna have to set things straight. Back to the way it should have been in the first place."

"Now your the one thats sounding crazy. I cant go back in time."

"You dont have to. The end result would be the same."

It took Andrew a few seconds before he caught on to what he was saying.

"Your not thinking..."

"Your gonna have to kill her man."

46

2009-05-05T20:43:00.000-07:00

Andrew must have fallen asleep after watching her for hours. He woke up when he felt a deep sharp pain in his wrist. He struggled to focus his eyes as the pain shot thru his wrist more intensely. He began to jerk his arm away, finally zooming in on the source of his pain. Her gripped on his arm was tight and strong. Her teeth piercing deeper into his skin. He could hear the low growl deep within her throat as she clenched tighter to him. Finally able to pull away, he stumbled backwards, not sure what to do next. Her eyes were wild. Crotched on her hands and knees she resembled an animal about to pounce on its prey. He continued to stumble backwards until he found the door. He kept his eyes on her at all times. Her wild eyes never left him either. He fumbled with the door as he watched her. Not sure what he'd do if at any moment she decided to spring forward. When he was finally able to get the door open, he flung hisself backward and closed the door behind him. He dashed to his car, thankful that he always kept his keys in his pocket. He hopped in, cranked it up and sped off as fast as he could to the only place he could think of to go. His friend Ryans apartment.

Part 45

2009-03-30T19:59:00.000-07:00

Andrew stepped back. Watching her closely as he slowly moved away from her. Looking at her was like looking at a totally different person. She almost looked wild and animalistic.
She continued to growl at him. He didnt know what to do. He didnt want to leave her out there but he couldnt go near her. Not like this. He quickly went back inside closing the door behind him. Locking the door and leaning against it he took a deep breath. The only thing he could think to do was to call Ryan. But he didnt want to involve him again. Things were beginning to spin out of control. The less people involved the better it would be for everyone. He paced back and fortth across the room. Weighing his options. His thoughts were interruped when he heard a loud pounding on the door. Walking to the door he asked who it was, but no answer came. He leaned against the door and asked again.

"Who is it?"

"Its me."

His heart leaped in his chest. The quivering voice on the other side was Tracy's. He didnt know if he should let her in or not. Just a few minutes ago she was viscously growling at him.

"Please let me in!"

His heart was pounding in his chest. As scared as he was he was more in love than scared and that feeling ruled over everything. He slowly opened the door and watched her as she stumbled in and fell to the floor. On reflex he ran to her and wrapped his arms around her. Thankfully she didnt resist him. She clung close to him, her nails digging in his back, her tears soaking his shirt.

"I dont know if I can do this", she said to him.

"You dont have to if you dont want to", he said.

"I dont know what I want anymore."

"How about you just rest for now. We can figure things out later".

Andrew went and got a thick blanket from the closet and covered her with it. She quickly curled up into. Her shivering seeming to lessen. He left her for a few minutes to make her a warm bath. When he was finished he picked her up and carried her into the bathroom. Helping her out of her clothes and into the water. He left her to soak in the water while he found a pair of her favorite pajamas. A few minutes later he came back to check on her. He helped her lather her body with soap, and helped her rinse and dry off afterwards. He watched as she got dressed in her pjs and helped her into bed. He layed beside her for hours and watched her sleep. Altho he tried his eyes just wouldnt close. He couldn't stop thinking about what had happened earlier. Wondering, when she woke up...what would would happen next.

Part 44

2009-03-20T22:56:00.000-07:00

"Tracy, your freezing", he whispered in her ear as he held her close.

"Tracy!"

Andrew shook her hard by the shoulders. But she wasnt moving. He rolled her over on her back and took her pulse in her neck and her wrist. Relieved that she was still breathing, he relaxed.

"Maybe she's in one of her deep sleeps again", he said to himself.

He must have drifted to sleep after some time had passed. Because when he opened his eyes she wasnt beside him anymore. He looked up and the door was open slightly. He jumped up and ran to the door snatching it open. He quickly looked around outside, but he didnt see anyone, didnt see her, until he stepped further outside the door. On the right side of the apartment, down in a corner behind a bush, he saw her, down on her knees in the dirt. her head was down and her hair covered her face. He called to her but she didnt look up. So he slowly walked over to where she was. He reached out to her and she growled at him.

Part 43

2009-03-19T16:01:00.000-07:00

She woke up shivering from the inside out. So cold. So unbearably cold. She couldnt move. Was afraid to move. Scared that her skin would crack and break into a million pieces. Shatter like glass under a steel toed boot. She wanted to call out to Andrew but she couldn't find her voice. Could bearly feel her lips. But she imagined they were chipped and cracked, possibly blue. So there she lay in a fetal position, trembling. Screaming inside her head for someone to give her some heat. To stop the cold that burned her inside. She started to regret the decision she made. She wanted to take it all back. Maybe she wasnt strong enough. And if Andrew knew the pain she was going thru, he wouldnt want her to put herself thru this. But was it too late. Was this the end for her. Would she die right here on the bed next to the love of her life while he slept. Then she felt him move beside her. She felt his arms wrap around her. He was so warm..almost hot. She needed more body heat. He held her tighter. She heared him whisper something in her ear. But right at that moment, she passed out.

Part 42

2009-03-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

"Its your choice. Do whatever you think is best", Andrew said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Im sure. I'll go along with whatever you want. Thats the way you like it right?"

She laughed a little, and nodded her head.

"Well then, I think I've made a decision."

"And.."

"And I think Im going to see what happens when I dont drink blood."

"Is that your final answer?"

She laughed again.

"How can you make jokes, this is serious."

"I know. Just trying to lighten the mood a bit.", he said.

"It might be a good idea to hold me now, before I..".

He pulled her into his arms before she could finish her sentence. They made love then, slowly and passionately. Like it was the last time they would be able to touch eachother.

Chapter 41

2009-03-03T18:48:00.000-08:00

"Come on, please dont cry.", he said as he held her tightly.
"If I had known that doing this was going to come between us, I never would have."
"Its not going to come between us ok."
"I dont want you to be afraid of me."
"Im not."
"What about before. The way you looked at me. Its like you were.."
"I was caught off guard. I wasnt expecting to get bitten."
"I know its my fault. I wish I could take it back. All of it."
"Dont say that."
"Maybe Im better off dead."
"Dont talk like that."
"We should have known better. You cant just go around altering life and death. Somethings bound to go wrong."
"Is that what you think is happening? Reprecussions of playing with death?"
"Yes. This cant be right what were doing. Look how its changing me."
"So, what do you think we should do?"
"Well..Im thinking in order for me to stay in solid human form, Id have to keep drinking blood. So maybe if I dont drink anymore, I'll go back to being a ghost."
"Is that what you want?"
"Not really. I dont want to..but I think it would be for the best."
"I dont know what to say."
"Then dont say anything. My minds made up anyway."
"So then what? You go back to being a ghost and we go back to not being able to touch and feel eachother."
"Andrew!"
"What?"
"Your not making this any easier."

Chapter 40

2009-03-01T21:42:00.000-08:00

Andrew snatched his arm away from Tracy's mouth. But not before she got a taste of his blood. She was frozen in place, licking the blood slowly from her lips. Her eyes rolling back into her head as if she was having an orgasm. He backed away from her slowly, not taking his eyes off her for a minute. He bumped into the wall, moving to the left and turning slightly, his eyes still on her, he opened the bathroom door and backed in quickly closing the door behind him. He yanked off a wad of toilet paper and held it to his wrist. Leaning against the bathroom door he closed his eyes.

"Think, think, think", he said to himself.

"Andrew!", Tracy called in a sing song voice.

"I'll be out in a minute, Im taking a piss", he yelled.

"I dont hear any leakage!"

"I said I'll be out in a minute", he called back.

"I'll be waiting."

Andrew inhaled and exhaled. Was this what his life had come to? He was hiding in the bathroom from his once dead, but brought back to life girlfriend, who seemed to have a increasing craving for blood. He couldn't hide in here forever. He had to be a man. Stand up to her. He didn't know what she could do, or what she would do, but he had to face her. For better or for worse, he had to do something. He removed the tissue from his wrist and looked at the bite mark. It wasn't too deep and the bleeding had stopped. He tossed the bloody tissue into the toilet and flushed it, washed his hands and opened the door. Tracy was standing there, smiling at him.

"I thought you wanted to go outside", he said.

"I do".

"Then go. I wont try to stop you."

"I'm sorry. I got carried away", she said.

Andrew said nothing. Just looked at her. She moved toward him, reaching for his arm. He moved his arm and backed in the other direction.

"I just want to look at it".

"Nothing to see. Shallow flesh wound, Im fine", he told her.

"I'm sorry."

"I heard you the first time."

"Your scared of me now!"

"Im done fighting with you Tracy. You can do what you want, I wont stand in your way."
Tears started to form in her eyes and her lips quivered.

"Are you mad at me?"

"Yes! You freakin bit me Tracy!"

"I said Im.."

"Yeah I know, your sorry. But that doesnt change the fact I've been trying to do everything to keep us together, trying to make you happy and I feel like your turning on me."

Tracy walked over to the bed and sat on the bed. Hiding her face in her hands she started to cry. Andrew sighed, sat beside her and wrapped her in his arms.

Part 39

2009-02-28T19:14:00.000-08:00

"You know your becoming a royal brat', Andrew told her.

"Whatever gets me what I want."

"You never used to be this way."

"I never used to be dead either", she snapped.

"Fine, what do you want me to get."

"Well, I'm gonna need a wig, probably sunglasses, lip stick.."

"You dont wear lipstick."

"Thats why its called a disguise dummy, to make me look,

well..not like me."

"Whatever, is that all?"

"Probably new clothes and shoes..I dont want someone recognizing me by an outfit I usually wear..you should be writing this stuff down."

"Sounds like an excuse for a shopping spree to me."

"If your gonna be a pain about it just forget it, I'll go outside just like this."

"Not if I stop you."

Tracys eyes widened.

"Is that a threat?"

"More like a promise. Im not letting you go outside!"

Tracy jumped up and walked toward the door. Andrew grabbed her arm and pulled her back. She tryed to pull away but he had a tight grip on her arm.

"Let me go", she said.

Instead of letting her go, he held on tighter. So she grabbed his wrist and bit him.

Part 38

2009-02-24T17:31:00.000-08:00

Andrew quickly picked up the phone, eager for a distration.

"Hello?"

"Hey Drew, its Ryan."

"Hey man, hows it going?"

"Hows it going? I could ask you the same thing!"

"Oh yeah..well, Im not sure."

"What do you mean? Did she drink it?"

"Yeah she did."

"And?"

"And...I dont know."

"Come on Drew, I can tell by the sound of your voice that something is wrong."

"Look, I just dont want to freak you out anymore than you already are."

"Thats all well and good but Im already involved and Im gonna continue to freak out knowing your hiding something from me, so you might as well just spill it!"

"I really dont know how to explain it. Its something you'd have to see to believe."

There was a pause on the other end of the line.

"Well...do you wanna know whats going on, or dont you."

"I'm still thinking about it", Ryan said.

Andrew rolled his eyes.

"Andrew!", Tracy screamed

He spun around, almost dropping the phone. His heart sped up as he watched Tracy's body spasming out of control. Putting the phone back to his ear he said..

"I have to go, I'll call you back."

As soon as he hung up, he ran over to Tracy, grabbing hold of her body and pulling her close to him. She seemed to slowly calm down, the spasms coming less and less until they stopped completely. When it was over, he let her go. She turned away from him and curled up into a ball on the bed. He leaned over and put his hand on her shoulder, but she pushed him away.

"Dont do that?", he said.

She rolled over and looked at him. Then looked down at her arms.

"It stopped."

"Thats good right", he asked.

"I guess."

"I'd say so."

He pulled her close to him, kissing her softly on her neck.

"I want to go outside", she said.

He pulled away quickly as he said, "Are you crazy?"

"No..not yet anyway."

"Im serious Tracy, its getting light out."

"And?"

"And..what if someone sees you?"

"Fine, I'll put on a disguise."

"You dont have a disguise."

"Then I guess your gonna have to get me one because I want to go outside."

Part 37

2009-02-12T19:38:00.000-08:00

Andrew watched as Tracy lay back on the bed and started to stretch. She moaned as she wiggled around on the bed.

"Is it me or is it getting hot in here", she asked as she lifted up her dress, pulled it over her head, slinging it to the floor.

"Um..well..Im not sure."

"What do you mean?", she asked..still wiggling around on the bed.

"Well I wasnt hot until you started to put on a show."

"Baby! Im burning up!", she said as she ran her hands over her body.

Andrew moved closer to the bed and leaned over to look at her.

"Tracy, look at your arms!"

She looked down at her right arm. It looked as if the blood was pulsating back and forth inside her arm. She looked at her other arm and noticed the same thing. She looked at Andrew, the shock in his eyes mirroring the shock she was feeling inside.

"This cant be good", Andrew said.

"This is starting to scare me. My whole body feels so hot..from the inside out."

"So, what do you want to do?"

"I dont know. Theres nothing I can do, but wait it out."

When the phone rang, they both almost jumped out of their skin.

Part 36

2009-02-11T18:11:00.000-08:00

As the cold thick liquid eased down her throat, Tracy felt her whole body tremble from the inside out. A surge of energy coarsed thru her body as she hungry gulped down every drop of blood. Pulling the cup away from her mouth as she slowly licked her lips. Andrew watched her with his eyes wide and his mouth hung open.
"Mmmm, that was delicious.", she said.
Andrew could only stare.
"Oh, no. You must think Im discusting!"
"No..no, its not that, Im just..in shock. This is not something I see everyday."
She breathe a sigh of relief.
"Im glad. The way you were looking at me, you had me scared for a minute."
"Come here.", he said.
She walked over to him and he wrapped his arms around her, the quicklly pulled away.
"Whats wrong?", she asked.
"You feel...warm."
"Really? I guess its working already!".

Part 35

2009-02-10T16:03:00.000-08:00

When Andrew arrived home, Tracey was at the door waiting for him. He walked passed her and sat on the bed.

"Well?", she asked.

He handed her the gym bag and she snatched it from him, pulling the zipper back so fast she almost broke it. She tossed the bag on the floor and held the bag of blood in her hands.

"So what now?", he asked her.

"I drink it...I guess."

"Do you need a cup or something?"

"I guess..I mean, it would get kind of messy trying to drink from this plastic."

He just sat there looking at her.

"Will you go get me a cup? Please?"

"Sure".

He left and went to the kitchen. The wait seemed so long. She felt the strong urge to just rip into it with her teeth but she resisted. She held on to it tightly. It felt so heavy, and cold.

"I got you your favorite Garfield cup and a pair of scissors", Andrew said as he walked back into the room.

He handed her the scissors. She careful cut along the top of the bag. Dropping the scissors to the floor when she finished, she held the bag with both hands as Andrew held the cup out to her. She slowly poured the blood from the bag. Andrew's hand shook slightly and so did her own. When she was finished she took the cup from him and stepped back.

"You dont have to watch this is you dont want to", she told him.

"Its ok. I want to. I need to."

"Ok...here goes.."

Part 34

2009-02-01T17:06:00.000-08:00

Ryan sat outside on the steps as he waited for Andrew to get there. He was eager to do away with the blood in his gym bag. It was beginning to creep him out. Andrew arrived 15 minutes after he did. Ryan stood up as Andrew got out of his car. They met eachother half way.

"Took you long enough", Ryan said as he handed over the gym bag.

"Sorry, traffic is unforgiving tonight. I got here as fast as I could."

"No problem, Im just anxious to get this over with you know?"

Andrew nodded and unzipped the bag enough to peek inside.

"Hope it doesnt matter what blood type it is", Ryan said with a nervous laugh.

Andrew smirked. "I doubt that matters."

"So what happens now?"

"Well, I take this home to Tracy and let her have at it".

"Once she drinks it what then?"

"I have no idea. This is all new to us too. I guess we just wait and see what happens."

"You'll let me know if something changes?"

"Yeah, I"ll keep you posted."

The hugged eachother briefly.

"Thanks man..this means alot", Andrew said as he walked off with the bag.

After he left Ryan went inside. He laid on the sofa and starred blankly at the tv for hours. Wondering what was happening with Andrew and Tracy. He thought about calling them but didnt want to intrude. So he waited..and waited for the phone call. But it never came. Not that night anway. So he laid there starring at the tv until he finally fell asleep.

Part 33

2009-01-30T21:23:00.000-08:00

Ryan was nervous all day long. He wished he hadn't agreed so quickly. He suddenly wanted to take it all back but he knew he couldn't. He had been waiting around later than usual trying to make sure noone was around when he grab the blood. It seemed like everytime he was about to make a move, he would see someone walk by or he would hear foot steps coming in that direction. So he stayed until he was sure he could make his move. He knew the people for the next shift wouldn't be in until the next hour, and the only people left there besides himself was Rebecca and Jason. They wouldnt be a problem because as soon as they got the chance they'd lock themselves in the office together. Everyone knew Jason and Rebecca were screwing, but he unfortunately heard it every day. Sometimes he got the feeling they wanted him to hear them. They were always loud. Sometimes it sounded as if they were tearing the room apart. Usually their reckless sexcapades annoyed him but tonight, he was glad and took full advantage of the fact that they'd be too busy to walk in and catch him. He had brought along his gym bag to carry it out in. He locked up and was on his way out the door when he saw Rebecca and Jason tripping over eachother, laughing as they stumbled out of the office. He didnt even think they noticed him. And even if they did, so what..the job was done. And they were none the wiser. As he slid into his ride he turned up the music in his truck. He felt a rush of adrenaline as he drove. He turned the music down and reached for his cell phone on his hip as he waited at the stop lights. He dialed Andrews number. Someone picked up on the 4th ring.

"Hello?"

"Andrew? Ryan."

"Hey Ryan..I hope you got some good news for me buddy."

"As a matter of fact I do", Ryan said.

"Good..so, we should meet soon."

"Yeah, thats why Im calling. Meet me at my place, Im on my way home now."

"Sure thing. I"ll leave now."

"Right. See you there."

Im on my way. And Ryan?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks again."

"No problem.", Ryan said and he hung up the phone.

Part 32

2009-01-29T19:46:00.000-08:00

Andrew and Ryan had talked all night about his situation with Tracy. He tried to fill in all of the gaps as much as possible. Ryan had seemed nervous, which was understandable but he took it alot better than he thought he would. Andrew felt a little guilty for not trusting his cousin enough to tell him about it from the beginning. He apologized over and over for shutting him out, but he knew he couldn't take it back. Ryan had left around 1 that morning. He needed to get some sleep before having to be to work at 10am. Ryan had agreed to take one bag of blood for them. He said he'd call them as soon as he got off from work at 6:30p.m. Andrew was exited, nervous and scared all at the same time. Tracy seemed happy. She had been dancing around the room since Ryan left. Talking a mile a minute about how good their lives could be together, all the things they could do. He'd drift off to sleep from time to time. He'd wake up and she'd still be talking.

"Shouldn't you be trying to get some rest", he asked her.

"Im too wired to rest."

"You should save your energy."

"If Ryan comes thru I wont have to worry about that anymore."

"Your right, if. I think you should put the celebration on hold until we know for sure if he can do it."

"Ok..I'll rest, for you. So you can stop worrying."

She laid her head on his chest and said, "I love you."

"I love you too baby".

He drifted off to sleep then. Dreaming of a new life with her.

Part 31

2009-01-28T18:29:00.000-08:00

Andrew opened the door and stood back to let Ryan walked in. His mouth dropped open when he saw Tracy sitting on the bed. She was still in the white dress she had been buried in. He walked over to her and reached out to touch her shoulder. He gasped when he touched her.

"I dont understand", he said.

"Its not really something that can easily be explained", she said.

"How long has this been going on", Ryan asked Andrew.

"For months now."

Ryan shook his head. He sat on the edge of the bed and stared at Tracy.

"And your telling me this now because.."

"We need your help with something", Tracy told him.

"With what?"

"Well..for me to continue to stay here with Andrew, I need human blood to survive."

Ryan looked puzzeled at first but then it came to him.

"Oh no, you dont expect me to.."

"Come on man, were cousins. We used to be close..I could tell you anything. We looked out for eachother. This is something that means so much to me. I would never ask you to do something like this if it wasn't a life or death situation. This is the love of my life...without her.."

"Ok, I'll do it!"

Tracy laughed..."See, I told you he'd help."

Andrew walked over and hugged his cousin tightly.

"Thank you man. I owe you."

Part 30

2009-01-27T16:13:00.000-08:00

Andrew picked up the phone and dialed his cousins number but quickly hung up.

"Dial again", Tracy said.

He dialed the number again. It ringed twice before Andrew picked up.

"Hello?"

Andrew just stood there holding the phone.

"Say something!", Tracy hissed.

But he just stood there frozen with the phone to his ear. Tracy reached up and snatched the phone from Andrews hand.

"Hello..Ryan?", she asked.

"Yeah, who is this?"

"Its....Tracy."

"Tracy? I dont know any..wait, Tracy who?"

"Tracy Bartlett."

"Who is this? This is not funny", Ryan yelled into the phone.

"Its Tracy..dont you recognize my voice Rye Bread?"

Ryans hand shook as he held onto the phone tightly.

"It cant be..Tracys dead", Ryan said.

She looked over at Andrew as he held his hand out. She passed him the phone.

"Ryan..its true, its her", Andrew told him.

"It cant be."

"I know this sounds crazy. I can hardly believe it myself at times."

"But she died!"

"I know. She did die. But somehow, she's still here. Ryan, do you believe in ghosts?"

"No!"

"Well, I didn't either until..this."

Andrew took the phone away from his ear and whispered to Tracy, "Will he be able to see you?"

"I think so."

He put the phone to his ear again.

"Hey Ryan."

"Yeah?"

"Wanna see a ghost?"

Part 29

2009-01-26T15:51:00.000-08:00

"I cant", he said.

"Why not?"

"He'd never believe me. He'd think I was crazy!"

"Give Ryan a little credit. You guys used to be so close. I know you've distanced yourself from him since the accident. But cant you remember how it used to be."

"I remember. But this is different. This is not something that happens everyday."

"I know. But you have to trust somebody", she said.

"I trust you."

"Well, if you trust me, then trust me when I say your cousin will have your back."

Part 28

2009-01-25T15:51:00.000-08:00

"Well..Im mean theres other ways you can get human blood", she said.

"Where?"

"The blood bank."

"And how would I do that. I doubt they'd just give it to me because I asked for it".

"Would you steal for me", she asked.

His eyes grew wide as he looked at her, wondering if she was serious.

"You said you'd fight for us".

"I know what I said."

"Then you'll do it?", she asked.

"Just give me a minute to think it over ok."

"Fine. Just remember I dont have alot of time."

"How much time do we have", he asked.

"Im not sure. But Im starting to feel tired."

"Can you still see the light."

"Yes, but its faint. Im getting farther away from it as we speak".

"This is crazy! How am I suppose to do this. Its not like I know my way around a blood bank. I wouldnt even know where to go."

"I do. I did some research. Your cousin works at the blood bank across town", she said.

"How'd you.."

"I have my ways."

He shook his head.

"Your something else you know that", he said.

"I know, but you love it."

"That I cant deny. So what I am suppose to do, just call him up and be like, Hey Ryan, do you think you can spot me a few bags of blood."

"Be serious Andrew."

"I am being serious. What do you suggest I say?"

"Just tell him the truth. The whole truth."

Part 27

2009-01-24T16:14:00.000-08:00

Tracy looked at him and smiled.

"I dont want to hurt you", she said

"Hurt me baby, please hurt me", he said holding his hands together like he was praying.

"Your a bad boy", she said.

"So punish me."

"There is something I've always wanted to try", she said as she straddled his waist.

She reached down and took his shaft into her hand and began to stroke him slowly. She felt him start to grow in the palm of her hand. Bending over she took him into her mouth, sucking him slowly, taking time to lick the head before devouring him again. He came so fast and hard, his body convulsing beneath her. Andrew struggling to catch his breath watched in amazement as she licked up the remaining cum.

"Mmm, your taste so good", she said.

"Wow..that was great! But why'd you never try it before", he asked.

"I dont know..scared I guess", she said.

"And now?", he asked.

"I guess now that Im dead..theres really nothing Im afraid of..no inhabitions anymore."

"That makes sense", he said.

"Yeah I try. Wouldn't want to be a dumb ghost."

The both laughed.

She layed on top of him, and he wrapped his arms tightly around her. Rolling onto their sides, she wrapped her leg around him.

"We really need to do something soon tho..if we want this to last.", she said.

"Ok..so what do I need to do", he asked

"Well I was reading that book and it said consuming human blood can revitalized the body."

"You mean you want me to kill someone?", he asked.

Part 26

2009-01-22T19:24:00.000-08:00

That night they had sex for the first time since she died. He laughed to himself at how strange that sounded, even in his head. She was laying beside him now, still naked, her head laying on his chest. Being with her again that way was so amazing. As a matter of fact it was better than it had ever been. But she was different. The way she rode him hard and fast took him by surprise but it really turned him on. Being inside her again was like heaven on earth. The taste of her breast in his mouth, the feel of her nipples hardening from the touch of his tongue. It took everything he had in him not to cum within the first few minutes. The way she was riding him so hard made it even more difficult to hold on. He wanted to take it slow, make love to her, it being the first time in so long, but it felt so good he didnt want to ruin it by trying to slow her down. The way she was so wild and rough with it made him wonder where it had all come from. She dug her nails into his back hard, and bit him on the neck and chest several times as she orgasmed. But nothing surprised him more than when she begged him to pull her hair and spank her. He did everything she asked, and enjoyed every last minute of it. Still he wondered. She had always been so gentle and sweet when they made love. Now she was starting to wake up. She looked up at him with her big brown eyes and smiled.

"Hello", she said.

"Hey sleepy head, did I wake you."

"No...I've rested enough."

"So..you ready for round 2", he asked.

Part 25

2009-01-21T15:11:00.000-08:00

"What do you mean you'll be gone soon?"

"I was reading in that book about the energy of spirits. That in order to survive they have to get a source of energy from somewhere, or the spirit can fade away. I also read if the spirit gets too far away from the light, it can be trapped in between worlds and there would be no way for me to get back."

"And you believe all of this stuff your reading?", he asked.

"Yes! I certainly think its worth a try. I know you dont believe in stuff like this. But what if its real, and I end up trapped somewhere because you wouldn't help, could you really live with yourself?"

"No."

"Well then dont you think we should do something?"

"How do you feel", he asked her.

"I feel tired, and cold. And the light...it seems so far away now."

"Your moving away from the light?"

"Every second I stay here doing nothing but fading, Im getting further away. Sometimes I here my grandma calling me."

"Do you ever want to go..when she calls?"

"Sometimes."

"What about now?"

"I want to fight to stay here with you. But for all my fighting in the world it would be no use if your not fighting for us too."

" I'll fight for us. Just tell me what I need to do."

Part 24

2009-01-20T14:41:00.000-08:00

"Tracy, you know that I love you. More than I love myself. I could never be better without you. But you have to be honest with me. Something is just not adding up."

"I dont know what you want me to say."

"I want you to tell me the truth", he said.

"Im telling you the truth", she said as she looked down at the floor.

He reached over and lifted her chin, looked her in the eyes and said, "I know when your not being honest with me."

"I did it for us. So we can be together", she said.

"What did you do?"

"What to book said.

"What did the book say?", he asked.

" It said to did up the grave of the one you want to revive, and place the carcass of a goat and put it inside the grave and to drizzle goats blood all over the grave."

She said all of that without once looking at him.

'Please dont be mad at me", she said.

"I cant believe you did that. You know how I feel about this kind of stuff."

"I know but I had to do something, to keep us together."

"We are together", he said. She shook her head..her right leg boucing against the edge of the bed.

"You know what I went thru with my mom. When she got into witch craft..some cult had her so brained washed, she committed suicide, because some lunatic convinced her that the end was coming and she had to sacrifice herself to be saved."

" I know. But this is different", she said.

"Different how. Once you get mixed up in this kind of stuff it does something to you. It chances you. I watched my mother go from a happy vibrant woman to a sad useless shell of a human being. I was to young to help her but theres noway, Im going to watch you go thru the same thing. I've already lost you once. I cant go thru that again."

"But you dont understand. If I dont do something. You really are going to loose me all over again. I'm loosing energy. I feel myself being pulled toward the light, and I dont think I can fight it any longer. Im scared that if I cant become human soon..I'll be gone, for good."

Part 23

2009-01-19T20:01:00.000-08:00

When Andrew arrived back home, Tracy was sitting in the same spot he left her in. She looked worried. She didnt say a word when he walked in. Just waited for him to speak.

"I just came from the grave yard with Ryan", he told her as he sat down beside her.

"And."

"And..the headstone on your grave was moved, blood was on it. The dirt had been dug up. Do you have any idea why?"

"Why would I? I haven't been anywhere near the grave yard. Well...since...you know."

Andrew shook his head.

"You dont believe me do you", she asked him.

"Honestly I dont know what to believe. I mean you tell me that you've been dealing with some sort of witch craft...."

"Its not witch craft!"

"And all of asudden my cousin calls me..."

"Why was he even there anyway?", she asked.

"He was putting flowers on your grave."

"Oh."

"So your saying you had nothing to do with this?"

"I'm saying I haven't been near the graveyard.

"What did you do exactly?", he asked her.

"I went to a blood bank, I read some stupid words, thats all. Its not like I killed somebody. I wasnt' standing over my grave with some poor humans blood dripping down on my headstone, chanting like some manic pyscho path. Is that really what you think I am. Is this really who you think I've become?"

"Like I said before, I dont know what to think anymore."

She folder her arms and pouted her lips.

"Dont do that.", he said.

She ignored him and continued to pout.

"Your not being fair you know", he said.

"And you are? Your accusing me of being some sort of freak. You should see yourself. I dont like the way you've been looking at me since I told you. I thought we were closer than that. Thought I could tell you anything..everything. Now..Im beginning to think, maybe I should just go away."

"Go away? What do you mean by that."

"Maybe I should just fade away. Stop holding on. Go into the light or whatever dead people are suppose to do."

"Thats not funny", he said.

"Im not laughing. Im serious Andrew. I'm starting to feel like it would be better off if I just gave up, and let you move on. Maybe you'd be happier.

Part 22

2009-01-18T20:24:00.001-08:00

When he arrived at his cousins house. He was surprised to see his cousin pacing the room, back and forth. His eyes were weird almost frantic. he was almost afraid to even ask him what was going on. So Andrew just stood there in the doorway. His cousin Ryan had left the door open. He almost turned around to go back to his car, but Ryan spotted him. He ran over to him and pulled him inside, slamming the door behind them.
"Andrew! You wont believe what I just saw. I was at the cemetary. You know, to leave flowers on Tracys grave..because I know you haven't been there since the funeral and her family...well, you know how they are..but I go to leave flowers and the head stone was moved and the grave had been dug up..dirt all over the place. Blood was on the head stone and there was this smell..."
"Hold on, slow down Ryan! Take a deep breath. When did all this happen? Were you alone?"
"It had to have been about 30 minutes ago. As soon as I saw the mess I left and drove straight home. Thats when I called you. And I was alone."
Ryan was still pacing back and forth across the room. Andrew put a hand on his cousin's shoulder to stop him.
"Are you gonna be ok?", he asked.
"I dont know man. I gotta be honest, Im a little freaked out."
"I need to go check it out for myself. Are you up for going back with me?", Andrew asked.
Ryan started to pace again.
"I'll go with you..just to make sure nothing happens to you. But you gotta promise you'll only stay a minute".
"Im just going to look around. I need to see it for myself, thats all..and we will leave".
"Ok, well lets go before I change my mind", Ryan said.
15 minutes later they were in the graveyard, standing in front of Traceys grave. It was just as Ryan had described. But worse than he had imagined. The dirt was definately dug up recently. The blood on the headstone fresh. The stench almost unbareable.
"I've seen enough, lets go", Andrew said as he walked away.
Ryan was right behind him, quickly catching up with his pace.
"I told you man! its sick! I mean who would do something like that? What are you going to do? Should we call the police?"
"No! Were not going to do anything. Forget you ever saw that. Tell noone."
"Are you crazy! Some sicko is out there. Just messed with your girlfriends grave..and did who knows what to it and you want to do nothing?"
"Its not as simple as you think. Look, I appreciate you going to put flowers on her grave, or attempting to, and I thank you for calling me to let me know what happened, but just trust me and let me handle this ok."
"Hey! You aint gotta tell me twice. I know when to back off. You dont have to worry about me saying anything."
"Thanks. Your a good egg."
"And your a cracked one but your not only my family but your my friend."
"So what did you do with the flowers?", Andrew asked.
"Their in the back seat."
"Mind if I have them?"
"Eh, whatever floats your boat".
Ryan drove back to his house. Andrew got into his car and drove home to confront Tracy. He had a bad feeling that she had something to do with this.

Part 21

2009-01-17T18:34:00.000-08:00

He quickly put down the phone and jumped up, almost knocking Tracy over.
"Im sorry..but I gotta go", he said.
"Where are you going?"
"That was my cousin, he sounded really strange, I have to go see whats wrong."
"I"m coming with you", she said.
"Can people see you?"
"I dont know..I..hmm."
"You cant just go out in public, unless your sure noone can see you but me..your dead remember."
"Yeah, its not something I'll easily forget".
"Look, I have to go, I promise I wont be long, just stay here. Please!", he said with a pleading look in his eyes.
"Ok. I'll stay. But please hurry back. I'll worry about you until you do".
"I Promise."
He leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips and rushed out the door.

Part 20

2009-01-16T20:13:00.000-08:00

"Dont you like being able to touch me", she asked him.
"Of course. But something like this..its, I dont know".
"You think too much, just go with it", she said.
"Im trying."
"Try harder!"
"Harder?", he asked.
"Yes. Harder."
"Thats what you always say".
"I like it hard", she said.
He reached over and ran his fingers over the ancient looking book.
"I just have a bad feeling about this".
"There you go thinking again."
She straddled him and pushed him back on the bed.
"Dont you want me?"
"Of course I want you. I just.."
Just then the phone rang. Eager for a distraction he answered it on the first ring. It was his cousin.
"You gotta come quick, somethings happened.."
Then the line went dead.

Part 19

2009-01-15T15:11:00.000-08:00

She sat up and bent over to reach over the bed and pulled out a thick book.
"What is this", he asked as he took it from her.
"Im not really sure but I read it, and if what it says is true, I can be human again".
"Thats impossible", he said.
"Before I died, did you believe it was possible to talk to ghost?"
"No".
"Did you not just touch my skin?"
"I dont understand, what are you saying? How is this happening?"
"This book is called "Reclaiming the Spirit". There are things I can do to slowly become whole again."
"What kind of things?"
"Well...different things?"
"Like what?", he asked again."
"Well, I dont want to scare you."
"Have you been doing things..from that book?"
She nodded
"Tracy...what did you do?"
"Well..before I tell you, you have to promise not to get mad."
"You know I cant promise that, I have no idea what you did."
"Well...at least promise me you'll forgive me."
"Of course I'll forgive you, but what do you need forgiving for?"
"Well..the book said...drinking life blood...blood from the living can replenish..."
"You drank someones blood!?", he screamed.
"No...not someone..it was an animal."
"You drank blood from an animal? While it was alive?"
"It wasnt so bad", she said.
He frowned at her and asked, "Are you serious?"
"Why would I lie? Come on, forget the gross part..feel me, see what it did..it actually worked!
He shook his head and said, "I dont know if I like where this is going.

Part 18

2009-01-14T15:35:00.000-08:00

He leaned over the bed and reached over to touch her. He gasped and jump back when he felt her skin. It felt warm, it felt..real.
"Its ok baby, dont be scared", she said.
He just stood there, his eyes wide, mouth hung open.
"Come over here silly", she said.
He sat down on the bed beside her, still keeping his distance. She reached over and touched his cheek. He jumped.
"Its ok", she whisperered in his ear.
"This cant be real", he said.
"Trust me..this is real. Im real."
"Your skin...its so warm", he said as she rubbed the side of her face against his.
"Feels nice doesn't it?"
"How are you doing this? Is it that..recharge thing?", he asked
"Actually, its something different. Theres something I want to show you".

Part 17

2009-01-13T16:58:00.000-08:00

"Ah", its a free country, you can sit where you like".
"Thank you", the woman said as she sat in front of him.
"I've been watching you since you came in. You intrigue me, thought id better introduce myself before you got away".
"I intrigue you", he asked
"Yes, is that so hard to believe?"
"Actually yes. "
"Why? Your a very handsome man. Very mysterious", she said.
"Thanks for the compliment, that really is flattering, but my lunch break is over, and I need to be back at the office in 5 minutes".
"Let me give you my card. You could call me sometime, we could hook up".
"Thanks, but no. Please dont give me your card", he said with a laugh..thinking of the last time a woman gave him her card.
"Whats so funny?", she asked.
"Nothing..just...nothing."
"Too bad, I could have rocked your world", she said as she got up from the table and walked away.
He left soon after she did. Back at work, watching the minutes tick by slowly he could some how speed up time. When it was finally time to go home he felt like doing a back flip, not that he ever could. His heart sped up when he walked in the door and saw Tracy laying across the bed. From where he stood, she looked solid..human..alive. He was almost afraid to walk across the room. He took a deep breath and walked toward her.

Part 16

2009-01-12T16:14:00.000-08:00

He had fallen asleep laying beside the spirit of his girlfriend. When he awoke she was still there. Her form simmering as if she was breathing. He had decided that if this was going to work he needed to try to have some type of a normal life. So he got up and took a shower and got dressed for work. He decided to let her rest..or recharge. He would try to make it as best he could without her. But knowing she would be waiting for him when he came home helped to get him threw it. The work day was long and drawn out, and his mind was not present. It was hard to focus but he tried. He kept thinking about the way her hands felt on his chest. The way her lips and tongue tasted. In a weird way it was better than when she was alive. Or maybe it was all in his head. He found himself masturbating in the mens bathroom on his lunch break. The release felt so good. He wanted so bad to go home during his break, but he knew if he did there was a good chance he wouldnt come back. Not wanting to risk it, he went to Subway to eat. After sitting there for 15 minutes starring out the window as he ate, he realized people were starring and him. He suddenly felt self conscious. He was about to leave when a woman walked up to his table. "Mind if I join you", the woman asked.

Part 15

2009-01-08T16:31:00.000-08:00

"How long can you do that?", he asked her.
"Not long. I guess it takes practice. Right now it drains alot of my energy quickly. Im pretty new at this ghost thing you know..Im still learning".
"Well, could you learn a little quicker if you dont mind. Im really horny. Its been how many months now?"
"Theres nothing wrong with either of your hands", she said with a laugh.
"Ha ha, very funny".
"Seriously tho, if its even possible for a ghost to have sex..im guessing its gonna take me awhile to figure out how it works."
"Hopefully not too long."
"I think we should start out with something more simpler anyway, dont you think?"
"Like what?"
"Hmm, a kiss.", she said.
"Kisses are good", he said.
She leaned forward. He closed his eyes and leaned into her. He opened his mouth and felt her tongue enter his mouth.
"Mmmm", he moaned as his sucked on her tongue.
Their tongues danced together for a moment. He felt a gentle tug on his bottom lip as she tasted him one last time before her heat faded and it was cold again.
"How was that", she asked
"Delicious".
She laughed.
"Are you ok", he asked her.
She seemed to be fading away. And it scared him. Was a simple kiss too much, too soon?
"I'm ok. I just need to...whats the word?"
"Recharge?", he asked.
"Yeah, something like that.

Part 14

2009-01-07T19:01:00.000-08:00

Tracy closed her eyes and sat very still. She reached toward me, her hands seeming to go thru my chest. Then she opened her eyes and focused hard on her hands until I could start to feel her hands pressing against me. Her hands were freezing cold but they felt so good. She contunured to focus until she was actually pushing me. I quickly grabbed her hands and placed them on my face. I shivered from the cold but I didnt mind at all.
"Surprise!", she said as she caressed my face.
'When did you know you could do this", I asked her.
"Just today. Earlier, when I was resting. I just thought Id try to see what I could do when I really focused my energy".
He laughed.
"I wonder what else you can do?"
"You have a dirty mind Mr.!"

Part 13

2009-01-06T13:27:00.000-08:00

He closed the door quickly, leaning back against it. Wondering if it was safe to come near her. But when he looked at her he couldn't be afraid of her. She looked so beautiful, even when she was mad. He walked slowly across the room and sat beside her silhouette.
"Are you still mad at me", he asked her.
"No".
"Good, because I want to show you something".
He stood and took a small box from his pocket. When he sat back down he opened the box and placed it on the bed.
"Is that what I think it is", she asked him.
"Its an engagement ring".
"Your proposing to me now?!"
"No. Not now. I was going to before you....died. I've been paying on it in installments. My last payment was today. I was going to propose to you on Valentines day."
"Wow", she said.
"Yeah, wow. Im showing this to you because I want you to know that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. You were my life...and now..theres really no reason for me to go on without you."
"Dont say that..Im still here".
"But for how long", he asked. "We cant live like this forever...I mean, is it really living? This isnt normal. I haven't been right since...since..and people already think i've lost my mind".
"If living like this makes us happy then who cares what anyone else thinks", she said.
He picked up the ring and examined it.
"I have no idea what Im suppose to do with this, its not like you can wear it".
"Keep it, maybe one day.."
"Maybe one day what?", he yelled. "Maybe one day I'll forget you and move on, find someone else to replace you? Do you really think I could move on? Could you? I mean you obviously haven't because your still here".
"Why are you getting mad at me? Im only trying to help".
"Im sorry Tracy. Im not mad at you. Its not your fault, Im just frustrated, thats all."
"Im sorry If Im making things harder by being here", she said.
"No..you make me better. If it werent for your refusal to move on...I would have..
"You tried", she said.
"And you saved me."
"Hey, I never said til death do us part".
"Never got the chance", he said.
"Even then. I dont think I could move on..I dont see how I could ever let go."
"Well this is depressing", he said.
She laughed. Music to his ears.
"Hey..what happened earlier. Why'd you leave so suddenly".
"My energy was drained. I needed to rest".
"Do you get tired or something", he asked.
"No..well, it takes alot of energy to move something. Even more if its angry energy".
"I was gonna explain..that girl Melanie, I dont even know her. Nothings going on between us if thats what you were thinking.", he said.
"I know. I mean yes I was jealous for a split second. I flew off the handle too quickly and Im sorry."
"Its ok. Come lay beside me so we can both try to get some rest".
"In a minute, but first I want to show you something".

Part 12

2009-01-05T17:47:00.000-08:00

The drive back home seemed longer than the ride up. Probably because she wouldn't stop asking about the ring. Like he owed her some explaination. He regretted even letting her come along. But the closer they got back to his apartment, she started to talk less, until she wasnt talking at all. He should have been grateful but the sudden drastic change in moods unnerved him a little. Once he was back home, she quickly left his car and walked toward her own. He just stood there looking at her, wondering what he had said or done to finally shut her up. Maybe he could use it again. No, that would be just mean. He was pulled back from his thoughts when he heard her say, "You dont have to worry, I wont bother you again". She hopped into her car and speed off down the road as if she couldnt get away from him fast enough. Puzzled, yet relieved he went inside and was shocked when he saw Tracey's beautiful transparent shape laying across his bed.

Part 11

2009-01-04T20:28:00.000-08:00

When he walked outside, he noticed she was waiting beside his car. He rolled his eyes and went to the passenger side and unlocked the door. Once he got in he unlocked the other door and she jumped in way to quickly for his liking. On the way to the mall she talked the whole entire time. He found hisself tuning her out. Day dreaming of Tracy, wondering if she had come back to his apartment looking for him only to find he wasnt there. He'd hate for her to show up and he missed her. But she was a ghost, couldn't she be anywhere. Would she be able to find him. Suddenly he started to wonder about many things. Could she be in the car with them right now. Was she able to be near him without being seen by him, without him being able to sense her presense. But he quickly wiped that thought away. Seeing how she acted earlier when Melanie had called. He'd definately know if she were around. He was glad that the drive to the mall was a short one. He felt uncomfortable being alone in a closed space with this woman. Once they were inside the mall, he walked fast with his hands in his pockets. Melanie stuggling to keep up. Finally he stopped at this Jewelry Kiosk in the middle of the mall.
"Why are you going so fast..it wouldn't hurt you to slow down", Melanie said as she gasp to catch her breath.
"Do you nag everyone you know this much", he asked her.
"No, only the people I like", she said with a smirk.
When the sales rep came to the counter he handed him a receipt.
"I came to pick up a ring".
He paid the guy the rest of the money and quickly put the ring in his pocket. Melanie was looking at him strangely. He ignored her and turned to leave. She followed quickly behind him, faster than before, as if she'd caught her second wind.
"Who's the ring for", she asked.
"Dont worry about it, its none of your buisness."

Part 10

2009-01-03T17:54:00.000-08:00

I was a little worried after Tracy left so suddenly after the phone call. I didn't know what to do. My first instinct was to retreat back into the hole I had buried myself in the past few months, but I didn't have time because there was a knock at the door. It startled me because I wasn't use to people coming over. I looked thru the peep hole. It was that girl..Melanie. How did she find out where I live. For a few seconds I contemplated just ignoring the knocking until she gave up and went away. But my curiousity was much to stong, so I opened the door.
"What are you doing here?", I asked her
"Thats a nice way to greet someone when they come over to make sure your ok", she said.
"How did you find out where I live..what are you stalking me or something, first the phone call and now you show up at my door."
She gasped and put her hand on her hip as if I had said something shocking to her.
"Excuse me but we get disconnected in the middle of a phone call and after that I couldn't get an answer..what was I suppose to think", she asked.
"You didn't have to think anything, I dont even know why you care so much, you dont even know me", he told her.
"You ever stop to think that maybe I was interested in getting to know you better", she asked.
He rolled his eyes
"I hate to burst your bubble but im not into dating right now".
"Who said anything about dating? You have something against having friends", she asked.
I didn't know what to say, so I just stood there, looking at her.
"You should come out with me sometimes, maybe see a movie or something", she said.
"That sounds like a date to me".
"Ok, well we can hang out at the mall or something", she tried again.
"I dont hang out".
"Why are you being so difficult! Ok, you pick something".
"I'd rather now", he said.
"Well, since your being so stubborn, Im just gonna drop by everyday to check on you."
He rolled his eyes again.
"If I agree to go out with you will promise to back off and give me some space".
"I promise!", she agreed happily
"Just this once..you can ride with me to the mall, I need to pick something up anyway".
"Great!"
"You mind waiting outside in your car while I change", he asked.
"Oh yeah..but dont keep me waiting too long", she said.
"If I do, will you give up and leave", he asked.
"Ha ha..so not funny, its hot outside and I have no ac in my car. So a decent human being wouldn't leave me waiting to long".
She turned to walk away, and I quickly closed the door. I really wasnt ready for this but this chick just wasnt letting up.

Part 9

2009-01-02T15:19:00.000-08:00

I looked up at Tracy. Trying to find the words to quickly calm her down. Hard as it is to admit, I was scared. What does a ghost do..what can they do, when there pissed. I've seen movies of course, but that stuff isn't real..at least..no, the movies definately are not real. The ground began to shake. At first I didnt notice, thought it was me trembling from the inside out.
"Tracy, calm down. She's nobody..just a girl from the group".
"How did she get your number", she yelled.
"I dont know, I didnt have a chance to ask before.."
"So your blaming it on me?", she screamed.
"No...Im just trying to get you to see that its no big deal".
She seemed to be calming down.
"Im sorry, I shouldnt have blown up that way, I have to go", she said.
"No! Please dont leave!"
"I have to be I promise to be back soon."
I felt a light brush of wind against my check, and then she was gone. And once again, I was alone.

Par 8

2009-01-01T19:45:00.000-08:00

Once we were home I was so relieved. Its crazy how scary the world can be when you shut yourself off from it for so long. As I put my house key inside the door I turned to look at Tracy but she wasnt there. My heart stopped for a split second. I quickly pushed opened the door and looked around..breathing a sigh when I saw her hoovering near the stereo system. I turned on the radio. Our song was playing. I watched as she spun around the room. For moment he was lost, just watching her, until the phone pulled him out of his daze. It took him a second to figure out where the ringing was coming from. He made it to the phone in time. Almost out of breathe, he answered. "Hello, is this Andrew", the voice said on the other line.
"Yes", this is Andrew".
"Hey! Im so glad I got the right number", the woman said.
"Uh, who is this? Do I know you?"
"Oh, Im so sorry, this is Melanie..from the support group. I haven't seen you there in awhile..and well..I know I dont know you all that well but I was kinda worried".
"Ah..right, the support group", Andrew said as he looked over at Tracy. She was suddenly still. Her eyes seem to be glowing, or maybe it was in his head.
"Andrew, are you still there?"
"Yeah, Im here...sorry, was there something you wanted", he asked as he turned his back to Tracy.
"Well..no..not really, just wanted to check on you I guess. Make sure you were ok", she said.
"Oh, well im fine, thanks".
"Thats good to know. When do you think you might make it back to one of the meetings", she asked.
"Ah, I dont think I'll be coming back", he told her.
All of a sudden he felt a stong wind and the phone was knocked from his hand and the cord was pulled from the phone jack. He looked up at tracy and saw the anger in her eyes.

Part 7

2008-11-04T19:20:00.000-08:00

When he woke up, he was pleasantly surprised that Tracy was still there. He looked up at her lovingly as she hovered above his bed. She floated toward the closet and reached for one of his suit. It dropped to the floor. She turned to look at him and finally she spoke. "You have to go back to work". I shook my head. "You have to", she said. "Im not ready", I told her. "Please, for me". So for her, I took a shower, brushed my teeth, combed my hair and put on a grey suit. He didn't know if he could handle it, if he could face the world again with out her, but she had said, "I'll go with you". At first, he had been thrilled at the idea but once he was at work, he realized it wasnt such a good idea. He felt closed in sitting inside the small cubicle. The only thing distracting him, and keeping him from freaking out was talking to her. She was sitting on top of his desk, her white dress flowing as if some invisable wind were coming from some unforseen place. "People are looking at you strangely", she said. He frowned. He knew he had been talking but he didn't realize how loudly. He often forgot that he was the only one who could see and hear her. "Everyone's going to think your crazy", she said. "I dont care", I told her. "But I do, so please, use your keyboard". It took me a few seconds to realize what she was saying. She wanted me communicate by typing instead of talking, which made since, but little added up easily for me these days. So I began to type.
How do you expect me to concentrate, when all I can see and think about is you
"I could leave, if that would help."
No!
"I'd be waiting for you when you got home."
I'd never make it thru the day without you
"But you haven't even tried."
All I do day in and day out is try, and Im tired
"I'm only tying to help".
You being here with me helps
She dropped the subject after that. I stared at the folder in front of me. Not really sure what I was suppose to be doing. Still I was here trying for her. We spent the rest of my work day in silence. I concentrated on my work...mostly. Occasionally glancing up at her, making sure she was still there. She sat still only her dress flowing in her imaginary wind, her eyes intense and focused, watching our surroundings. I silently wondered what she was looking for. Relieved when the work day was finally over, I drove home, my ghost riding shot gun.

Part 6

2008-11-02T19:03:00.000-08:00

The moment he popped his first handful of pills, he felt a sudden tightening on his stomach. Squeezing him hard, over and over until the pills came back up. He fell to his knees, head down, palms down on the floor, trying to catch his breath. At first, he didn't understand what had happened until he thought about Tracy. She was never far from his mind. She had saved his life. He looked around the room frantically but saw nothing. He closed his eyes to free all his senses but the room tempeture felt normal. There were no unusual sounds in the room. He hadn't even realized he'd been holding his breathe until he exhaled loudly..startling hisself. He sulked off to the bathroom to get cleaning supplies to clean up the mess he had made on the floor. When he was finished he put everything back in its place and laid across the bed. He had closed his eyes and was drifting off to sleep when he felt a cool sensation against his neck. His eyes opened immediately. She was there, laying beside him. Her ghostly silhouette, so trasparent and beautiful. She watched him silently. Her hollow form tryed to stroke his face. He could feel something like the cool breeze of an ocean against his cheek. The Silhouette of her hand hovered above his head, her eyes intense as if she were concentrating. The instant she touched the hairs on his head he felt dizzy and lightheaded, almost high. He smiled and closed his eyes. He wanted to talk to her, tell her he was sorry, that he'd missed her. But his throat was dry and scratchy. Worried that he wouldn't be able to form the words, and possibly ruin the moment, he kept quiet. Then she began to hum, the most beautiful melodic tune he ever heard. He drifted off again and slept the most peaceful sleep he'd had in months.

Part 5

2008-10-25T21:41:00.000-07:00

Tired of waiting for her to return, tired of living without her. He contemplated suicide. Shooting himself was out. He was just too chicken. Besides where could he get a gun so quick on short notice. Hanging himself...no, that wouldn't work either. Slicing his wrist...anything thing too painful or slow was out. The only thing he could think of was an overdose of pills. He searched his medicine cabinet for whatever he could find. Advil, Tylenol...he needed something strong. Sleeping pills...pain pills...In the very back he found some anxiety meds Tracy had been taking. He pulled it all out and carried as many bottles as he could in his arms back to his room. In the end he had 8 bottles. Not sure how many would do the trick, he decided to take them all. He couldn't afford to make a mistake. Didn't want to find himself waking up in a hospital with his stomach being pumped. He went to the bathroom one last time to fill a cup with water and brought it back to the room. Sitting it on the table after he sat on the bed he wondered if he should leave a note. There was noone he wanted to say goodbye to. And he felt no need to explain. As far as he was concerned, his actions would tell the story. Pausing for a breif moment, for one fleeting second he thought of changing his mind. But before he could chicken out, he began popping the pills into his mouth.

My Girlfriends Ghost (Part 4)

2008-10-24T17:24:00.000-07:00

Andrew was in pain. Not physically, but emotionally. He didn't know what to do. It had been 4 days and she hadn't been back. Since that night she went away, he hadnt done anything. He hadn't eaten, hadn't bathe or brushed his teeth. He was still in the same clothes from the night she left him. He hadn't been to work, hadn't left the house at all. Phone calls went unanswered. The number 5 blinked on his answering machine over and over. Sometimes he found himself starring at the number until it blurred over. He'd known she was angry, but to just disappear for four days and not return..he was beginning to think he'd finally lost her for good. Had she finally crossed over..seen that light, or was she hiding in some unseen darkness, seething in her anger. He just wanted a chance to explain, to reason with her. But how do you reason with a ghost? He began to think back 6 months ago, to the day she died. It was all his fault. They had just finished making love, when he decided to turn on the tv to watch the end of a game. She had asked him not to. Said she just wanted to cuddle with no distractions, but he wasn't hearing it. She jumped up, started screaming that he never spent any quality time with her. Told him he was selfish and unromantic. He ignored her and continued to watch the game. In a fit of rage she threw on her clothes and shoes,ran out,jumped into her car and took off. She had been driving when a drunk driver cam barreling down the road right at her. She had been driving too fast and couldn't stop, wasn't able to swerve fast enough. ..her car collided with the other. The doctors had said she had died from the impact of the crash. He blamed himself..still, he should have just held her, should have turned the stupid game off, should have apologized, should have ran after her, stopped her from leaving. He should've done so many things, but all he did was lay there. And now he may have lost her forever.

Part 3

2008-10-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

When Andrew arrived back home, the house felt empty. He didnt feel her presence. Gone was the chill he felt when she was around. He laid across the bed for hours hoping she would come, until his eyes grew so heavy he could no longer force them open. He wasnt sure how long he was out, but he awoke immediately when he felt a sudden chill brush across his chest. A smile slowly crept across his lips, welcoming her arrival.
Imagine if you can a weight pushing down on your chest. Nothing painful or forcefully, but a gently push against it, as if someone was bracing themself up on you. Apparently, she was playing one of her games again. Sometimes she showed herself, tonight..she wouldn't let him see her, but he could feel her. He imagined her straddling his waist, her hands pressed down on his chest as if she was ready to take a ride. He could feel a brush across his cheek. He wondered and silently hoped that she had given him a kiss. Suddenly he felt a stinging clench on his chest and seconds later the card he had taken from his pocket and put on the table fell to the floor as if someone had knocked it off. Then he heard a scream. And just as quickly as it came, the chill was gone. The room back to the normal temperature. His heart ached. He sat up and picked the card up from the floor and ripped it to pieces. Why didn't he just throw it away? She'd be back. But not tonight. But when she returned, he'd be waiting.

Part 2

2008-10-11T11:33:00.000-07:00

Andrew looked across the room at the lost faces, feeling more helpless now than he did when he came in. He stood up and turned to leave, regretting he had ever come, when someone grabbed a hold of his arm. He turned around to see a brown skin girl with curly black hair and big brown eyes starring back at him.
"I could be your sponsor", she said to him as she handed him a card.
He looked at it for a moment. It had her name and number on it.
Melanie Starkwell
235-748-6984
He didn't know what to say, so he just stared. He wondered why he hadn't seen her before now. Breaking his train of thought she said,
"I hope to see you at the next meeting. If you have any trouble before then, feel free to call me".
And just as quickly as she came, she left. Only the scent of her perfume left behind. He sort of felt guilty for even noticing, how pretty she was. He looked back once more at the faces in the circle and walked away. Not sure if he'd come back or not. He glanced at the card in his hand and back at the trash can outside the door, debating wether to toss it or keep it. He put it in his pocket, deciding to hold on to it for now. Once he was inside his jeep he felt a little less jumpy. Felt his heart beat began to slow. He sat there for a few minutes before cranking up the vehicle and driving off. He felt the excited me build as he neared home. Hoping for a visitor when he got there.

My Girlfriends Ghost

2008-10-10T11:04:00.000-07:00

She's been gone now for 6 months. I miss her more and more each day. Some how it feels unfair that she's gone and Im still here. I miss her smile, I miss her laugh, I miss the feel of her body wrapped around me at night. I miss the way she'd steal the covers. I miss the smell of bacon on those rare mornings she felt like cooking. I even miss the fights we had every now and then. I miss the make up sex even more. Excuse my manners, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Andrew Vigerson.
He looked up at the faces that surrounded him in the small circle.
I still cant believe my cousin convinced me to join a support group. Im grieving just fine on my own. I think I'd better go back a little bit first. My family thinks I haven't properly grieved the loss of my girlfriend because...sometimes..I still see her. I still hear her, I even talk to her. You might say I'm having a relationship with my girlfriends ghost. I know this may sound crazy, whats even crazier is that Im sitting here telling this to a bunch of strangers. My family says I need to let her go. But I dont want to. The only reason I agreed to come here is because Im starting to feel like I do need help. I've started to miss work alot. I dont talk to my friends or family anymore. I just sit in my apartment, waiting..hoping for another encounter. I know that I cant go on like this. I dont know what to do or where to turn. How do you let go of the one thing that keeps you holding on?

Doesnt Hurt Enough

2008-08-15T20:11:00.000-07:00

Im tired. And I dont know what to do. I know what I want to do, but I know I shouldn't. I caught my best friend Mulanie screwing my boyfriend Blaine.

"How could you do this to me", I asked him.

"Tracey, it was an accident", he said.

"Oh..right...you fell and slipped inside her, is that what happened", she asked.

"Im serious..she came on to me. What was I suppose to do, she took all her clothes off and jumped on me", he said.

"So she raped you? Is that what your saying?"

"No! She didn't rape me, are you crazy?", he asked.

"No, your the crazy one. You cant even keep your lies straight".

"You know what Im sick and tired of you anyway. Thats why I did it, are you happy now?", he yelled.

I ran out of the house at that point and went home. Locked myself in my room and cried until I couldn't anymore. I was doing so much better until I ran into that jerk. I had stopped cutting. My arms and legs were healing. Now Im sitting here with a razor blade in my hand, trembling from the inside out. As she rolled up her sleeve and ran the blade across her skin a thought came to her. Why am I hurting myself when its him I should be hurting.

So later that night when she figured he'd be asleep, she went to his house, grabbed the spare key from underneath the welcome mat and snuck inside his house. Creeping up the stairs slowly so he wouldn't hear her coming. When she was finally in his room, she stood over his bed for a minute or two listening to his loud annoying snoring. Not wanting to waste too much time she climbed on top of him and laid on his chest. When he started to wake up she leaned over and kissed him on the lips, pulled a knife from her boot and slit his throat. Felt so much better than cutting herself.

Rain

2008-08-10T18:41:00.000-07:00

Sitting on my bed, looking out my window. It looks like its gonna rain. I want to go out and soak in it so bad. But it would be a bad idea if I did. For most people getting rained on was nothing serious, but for me its different. The rain does something to me. Its something that Im not fully able to understand but what I do know is, the rain is not good for me. Not many people know about this problem I have but many people have to deal with the way it affects me. Altho the feel of the rain is so good, it changes me into someone, not so good. Its like im a totally different person. Thankfully, we dont get rain much around these parts but when it does rain, it pours. Sometimes Im only affected by the rain for a few hours, or the whole day at the most. But there have been times where its lasted for days. And the longer im under my rain cloud, the more trouble I seem to cause. Sometimes Im aware of whats going on, other times its like I blacked out and I dont remember anything. Those are the times I hate, and also the times it seems Ive caused the most damage. The one person who knows about my condition other than my brother and a close cousin, is my girlfriend Katelyn. She's usually the one who delivers the bad news when I wake up from one of my black outs. The last time I was told that I went on a rampage, vandelizing peoples cars. Throwing bricks thru windows. Im surprised I wasn't arrested. I dont even remember any of it. But the part that hurt me the most is that I tryed to strangle Kate. At first I thought maybe she was making it up, trying to scare me until I saw the marks around her neck. Everyone has been trying to get me to take this new medication thats suppose to help me but I dont want to. I tryed it once and I dont like the way it made me feel. It makes me feel numb, it depresses me. I want to feel alive. And the rain does that for me. But for now, I'll stay away from the rain. But for how long will I be able to resist it.

My life before you (The Initiation)

2008-07-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

I never thought I would find myself in this situation. Not me, Natasha Mallory? Yeah right. I was branded a trouble maker before I even hit my teen years. With the kind of life I lived, I was destined for struggle. But she had met someone who had changed her life. He saw past the hard, tough exterior and into her heart. So she left that part of her life behind. She didn't think she'd ever have to think about her old life ever again. Until her past came back to bite her in the butt. No pun intended. On her wedding night. Her new husband Marcus was a Christian man. They had dated for a year and a half before they had gotten married. he believed in waiting until marriage before having sex. When he told her that, at first she thought it was a joke. But she quickly realized that he was serious. He had often tried to get her to talk about her life before they met, but she had always some how steered around the subject. Being the sweet, gentle and loving man that he was he didn't push or pressure her about it. That was one of the reasons why she fell so madly in love with him . He didn't push her or pressure or try to change her. He just accepted her for who she was. But she had always been afraid that if he knew about her past, who she used to be before him, that he wouldn't want her anymore. But on their wedding night when they were about to make love, he saw the branding on her right butt cheek.
"I didn't know you had a tattoo", he said.
Her heart pounded in her chest. Her first instinct was to lie. It would be easiest. She had spent most of her life lying. But she was different now. She loved this man and she didn't want to start off their marriage together with a bunch of lie. If..they even still had a marriage after she confessed. She turned over on her side, and grabbed his hand and held it tightly.
"Promise me you wont judge me for what Im about to tell you", she asked.
"Natasha,you know I'll never judge you..lots of people have tattoo's", he said.
"Its not a tattoo. I was branded.", she said.
"What?", he asked.
"I was branded with the name of the gang I used to be in when I was a kid", she said.
The fact that he hadn't let go of her hand gave her the strength and courage to continue telling her story.
"I grew up in a rough neighborhood. My mother was a crackhead. I had no sisters or brothers. I was always left home alone with no food to eat. So at the age of 8 I started to steal food from stores just to eat. I'd steal money out of the pockets of the guy my mother was currently screwing for drugs. She was always strung out and high. And when she couldn't get her fix she was a raving lunatic. So when the guys I stole from would come back to pound her in the face when they realized they'd been robbed, I didn't feel bad at all. At the age of 12 I left home and never went back. I was living on the streets for 2 weeks when a girl everybody called "Smithy" took an interested in me. Said she had been watching me the last few days and felt sorry for me. She was 15 at the time, offered to let me stay with her and her crew. But when I got there, I was told by Franko, that if I was gonna stay there I had to be a part of their family. And if I was gonna be family, I had to make it thru the Initiation. I was ganged banged by all the guys in the group. 8 to be exact, and then I was branded with their sign. Me and Smithy were the only girls in the crew. She kept telling me that she was so happy I was there because she wasn't the only girl anymore. We had to have sex with whatever guy wanted us on demand. In return, they gave us a place to stay, fed us, stole clothes and jewelry for us. Now that I think back on it, I guess we were their ho's. Anyway, I've watched people get beat down, shot, stabbed, raped, killed. But I've never physically hurt anyone..and I've never done drugs. Having to watch my mother day in and out, I promised myself I'd never even touch the stuff."
"But how did you get away from them. Did they just let you walk away", he asked
"No. They got caught trying to rob a bank exactly two weeks before Imet you. Me and Smithy had been saving money together on the low just in case of an emergency. The minute we found out they were all locked up, we started looking for an apartment together. We had enough cash to get us thru 3 months without a problem. It took me a week and a half to find a job. I finally lucked out and got hired at "The Candi Shop" where you met me at. Smithy had met some guy and took off with him, but she left me all the money. So, when you met me, I was just starting over. And you helped me to become a better person. I know I should have told you sooner, but I was afraid that you wouldn't want me anymore."
Marcus held her hands tighter and smiled at her.
"So you really thought I could be scared away that easily", he asked. "I love you for who you are now. I dont care about your past. Yes, Im sad that you had to go thru the things that you did. But I promise you, you wont ever have to live that kind of life again."
He kissed her then, passionately and slowly. And they made love for the very first time. And it was beautiful. She fell asleep in the arms of her husband that night, happy and peaceful, believing that sometimes, dreams really did come true.

A New Life

2008-07-26T19:07:00.000-07:00

Angelica had met Jessie one night when she stopped at a nearby convience store to get a bottle of Gin. She was bored, lonely and wanted to numb herself. He tryed to make small talk while standing in line but she wasn't in the friendly sort of mood. That didnt seem to bother him tho because he kept right on talking. She didn't say much, just nodded and smiled a little. She payed for her purchase and hurried out of the store, hoping to make it to her car before he came out behind her. But he was fast. Before she could turn the keys in the ignition he was tapping on her window. She sighed as she rolled down the window. He handed her a card with his name and number on it. "I think you forgot this", he said. "No, I didn't", she said. But she put it in her purse anyway. "Well, in case you ever need somebody to talk to..", he said. "Thanks, I gotta go", she said. "Wait!", he yelled right as she started to pull off. "You never told me your name". "Its Angelica". He smiled and said, "A pretty name for a pretty lady". She rolled her eyes and drove away. Later that night she had laid back on her bed polishing off the bottle she had bought earlier. She was drunk but still bored and lonely, so she decided to call Jessie. Til this day she couldn't remember the drunken conversation even if she tried. But she was sure she didn't tell Jessie that she was a married woman. She should have, but she didn't. Her husband, "Christopher" was hardly ever around. All he did was work. He cared more about money than he did her. She didn't even fully understand what it was that he did, but what she did know was that he made alot of money and he always used "work" as his excuse for being gone all the time. She was almost positive he was cheating on her, so she didn't feel bad about cheating on him. After two months of being with Jessie, she finally told him that she was married. She didn't tell him at first because she didn't think anything would happen between them, and if it did it wouldn't last long. But now that she was starting to care about him she knew she had to tell him. He took it better than she thought he would, altho he was mad, he didn't hate her. For awhile she had been thinking of taking half of Chris's money and leaving him. But then it had only been a fantasy until she met Jessie. She told him of her thoughts and he told her he thought she should go thru with it. Then they could go off somewhere and start a new life together. The idea sounded good in theory but wouldn't be so easy to pull off. Chris popped in and out whenever he felt like it so she didn't know exactly when she should plan it all. But one morning she woke up and she knew it was either now or never. She packed as much of her stuff into her two suit cases, loaded up the car and called Jessie from her cell phone letting him know she was on her way to pick him up. But Jessie didn't answer his phone. Still she went to his house, hoping he was home. She tried blowing the horn, when that didnt work she went up and knocked on the door. Still no answer. She had no time to wait, cuz Chris could show up anytime and she couldn't afford to let him see her. She made it to the bank and withdrawed half of the money in his account. Immediately afterward she drove to a hotel on the other side of town and checked in using cash. She continued to call Jessie until she finally got an answer. The sound of his voice made her stomach tighten. He started giving her excuses about how it was too soon, and he needed more time, she was moving to fast.
"So everything you told me, all the plans we discussed was all a lie right?", she screamed into the phone.
"No, I meant it at the time. But now..I dont think I can go thru with it", he said.
"I cant believe your chickening out on me!", she screamed.
"Calm, down...look, you dont have to do this now. We can still see eachother, and maybe sometime down the line we can.."
"Bull! I cant turn back now! Its too late!"
She hung up the phone. Trying to fight back the tears that were stinging her eyes. She grabbed her bags and checked out of the hotel. Loading the car up again, she was on her way. To where she didn't know. But there was no turning back now. She was going to start a new life. She didn't need a man. All they brought her was pain anyway. She could picture Chris now when he walked in and realized that she was gone for good. He'll probably tear up the house in a fit of rage. And once he realizedhis money was gone...well she didn't even want to think about that. She just hope she never laid eyes on him again. For the first time in years she was excited. Excited about all the possibilties of starting a new life.

Hot Stuff

2008-07-23T15:12:00.000-07:00

"Kaylie, you really need to quit girl".

"Belinda, get off my back will you. Im tired of you always throwing salt on my game. You need to stop sippin on that hater-aide and start participating, then maybe you'd get some play."

"You know what, I aint even worried about all that,"Belinda said. "I got more important things to worry about than what guy Im gonna let run up in me next."

"Yeah right, spoken like a true hater."

"Whatever", Belinda said. "You think your hot stuff now, just wait til you get burned."

Kaylie, threw her hand up, and walk away leaving Belinda there to watch her tracks make dust. She got so tired of these little girls hating cuz she was doing her grown woman. Guess when your life is boring you aint got nothing better to do than try to pull someone else down to your level. The reason why she never kept any female friends is because women were always jealous of her. When she was 16 years old in highschool, the guys nicknamed her "Hott Stuff". She liked it, lived it, loved it, and now..she planned to own it. She had a hot date tonight with this mocha-chocolate brother with some pretty baby soft hair and hazel eyes. Mmm, just thinking about that chocolate with nuts made her blood boil, her mouth water and her panties wet. She had just the cute and sexy outfit picked out too. A cute pink and black top with the plunging neck line and a tight black mini skirt, and a pink and black thong too match. She didn't need a bra, but she was definately going to wear her black high heel hooker shoes.

Dewayne showed up at her door at 7pm. They were suppose to be going out to dinner and drinks and then hit the clubs. But as soon as she opened the door he was on her. Part of her wanted to tell him to slow down but the other part of her was ready. Before she knew it they were on the floor and he was on top of her ripping off her clothes. They didn't even have time to use protection. 15 minutes later it was over. She laid there wondeing how she had let this happen to her again. She watched as he quickly threw on his clothes and mumbled some lame excuse about having to work early the next morning, and he was gone. What happened to romance and dating. She didn't even get her dinner and drinks. She would have been happy with a stupid movie. She felt hurt, dirty and used. But she wouldn't let that stop her grind. Tomorrow was another day.

The next morning she had met up with Belinda who had invited along her friend Chante'. They sat by a window in the corner of a small cafe eating breakfast when Chante' said,

"Girl, look who just pulled up across the street!"

"What? Aint that the guy you went out with awhile back?", Belinda asked.

"Yes it is! And it wasn't that long ago either, I wish I never even met Dewayne".

Kaylie looked up at the mention of the name and her eyes grew wide when she saw him all leaned back against his car, laughing it up with one of his home boys.

"Sho dont look like work to me", she mumbled to herself.

"What?", Belinda asked.

"Nothing. So, you know him?", she asked Chante'

"Yeah, I know him alright. Low down nasty dog game me an std".

All of a sudden she felt sick to her stomach. Maybe Belinda was right. You play with fire long enough, your bound to get burned.

Its Not The Same

2008-07-22T17:07:00.000-07:00

"I want a divorce", my husband of 8 years was telling me.

"David please! Give it a chance. I know this is hard but you cant just throw away 8 years of your life just like that".

"8 Years that I dont even remember", he said.

"Baby, you were in an accident. You have amnesia, the doctor said..."

"I dont want to hear what the doctor said," he screamed. I'm sick of the doctors, Im sick strangers in my face day in and day out, telling me stories, trying to get me to remember things."

"David, baby..its only been a year."

"Thats easy for you to say. It hasn't been a year of living with a stranger for you. You still have all your memories".

"No its not easy for me! How do you think I feel knowing the man I love with all my heart, doesn't even remember me, or the love he once had for me. What happened? Huh? Did your love for me die in the accident? I go to bed everynight hoping and praying that you wake up and remember what we once had."

"Thats just it. Exactly what I've been trying to tell you for the last few weeks. Its been a year now and nothings change. Its not the same. I've tryed to remember. Your always so quick to throw in what the doctor said. Well, the doctor also said, theres a chance I'll never get back those lost memories".

"I understand what your saying David".

"No, you dont understand Emily! My life is gone! The life we once had is over! Im not the same person anymore!

"You dont have to scream at me", Emily said, trying to hold back the tears.

He stopped pacing the floor for a minute and took a deep breath. Reaching for her, he took both of her hands in his, looked her in the eyes and said, "I know this is hard for you to accept. Hard for you to let go. But Im not the man you fell in love with. And it hurts me to even say this, but the man I am today is not in love with you".

She snatched her hands away. Tears flowing down her face faster than she could wipe them away.

"I'll never understand why you couldn't try harder. Why you gave up so easy. But if your this unhappy being with me, I'll give you a divorce".

She ran upstairs, falling face down on the bed, buried her face inside her pillow and cryed herself to sleep. When she woke up 2 hours later she noticed the closets were open and all of Davids clothes were gone. She quickly went thru all the rooms, doing a quick inventory of the house. Her husband was gone. And he wasnt coming back.

Pay Back

2008-07-21T18:36:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with my boyfriend Anthony. He's so sexy and he has the prettiest eyes I've ever seen on a man. And you know what they say. The eyes are the window to the soul. I thought we were Soul Mates. We were almost always together and when we weren't, we were on the phone yapping it up. I truly thought I had found "The One". He said all the right things. We had so much in common. I thought we'd always be together. Until I found out that he was just like all the other men I'd come across. A fake! A user and an abuser. A liar, wanna be player. Little did he know. He'd met his match. Now dont get me wrong, I didn't see it coming. Hit me head on like a Mac truck. Im not like alot of women. I never snooped thru his phone, or checked his pockets. Never followed him or eaves dropped on his phone calls. Never accuse or suspected him of anything. Not because he was good at hiding it, but because not only did he have my love, he had my trust. I find myself thinking back on our relationship, wondering if there were signs that I should have seen but missed. But I always come up with nothing. So I was living my life, thinking that the man I loved, was loving me the same way I loved him. Oh yes, he had me fooled. Until I decided one morning to give my sister a surprise visit. I was suppose to be at work that day, but I over slept and decided to call in. Thinking my man was at work, spending a little time with my sister seemed to be a good idea.
Arriving at her door that morning, I knocked for a few minutes but got no answer. I dont know why, but I decided to turn the knob and the door opened. Dummies were so in a rush to bang eachother I guess they forgot to lock the door. Closing the door behind me I could hear the steading rhythm of the headboard banging against the wall, along with loud intense moaning. Even at that moment, I didn't know what I was about to walk into. My first thoughts was that my sister was screwing some random guy she had met at the club. Cuz well, she does things like that. I started to just sit on the sofa and wait til they were finished, but something inside me kept urging me to go look. So I slowly walked up the stair, turning the corner and walking downthe hall to my sisters room. The door was wide open. My mouth hung wide open at the site of my sister riding my boyfriend. I stood and watched for a minute as she held onto his chest and rode him hard. I must have unconsciously made a noise, because they both turned to look at me at the same time. At that moment I bolted. I ran out of the room down the hall and down the stair, flung the door open and left it that way as I headed to my car. I could see them both running down the stairs as I started up my car and pulled off. That was 5 hours ago. Im sitting at the bus stop because I wrecked my car. Anthony and my sister had jumped in the car and drove after me. But I wasn't about to let them catch me. I put the pedal to the metal, going as fast as I could. I was doing a good job at loosing them until I veered off the road and some how ended up on some train tracks. I heard a train approaching in the distance so I tryed to hurry across, but one of my tired got stuck. Knowing I didn't have much time, I opened the door and jumped out of the car and ran over to the side. Just then Anthony and my sister drove up on the other side, seeing my car on the tracks they must have thought I was still inside. I watched as they leaped out of Anthony's car to run toward my car stuck on the tracks. I was about to yell for them, but something inside me kept me from doing it. Once they realized I wasn't inside the car, it was too late. The train was on them. The sound of the impact was so loud, I went deaf for a moment. Im not sure how far I walked or how long I've been sitting at this bus stop. Its all a daze now. Believe it or not, I still love Anthony. I dont feel angry anymore, and I dont feel sad. I believe everything happens for a reason. And I believe in pay back.

I Cant Take It Anymore

2008-07-20T21:20:00.000-07:00

My name is Rebecca, and I hate my life. I hear noises. At night, in the morning, during the day. Its beginning to drive me crazy. At first I thought it was the house, the one I grew up in. I lived with my Aunt Meranda since I was 8. With her and her boyfriend Andy. Im 19 now. An adult. So I decided to move in with my boyfriend Ted. I call him my Teddy Bear. I thought that moving in with him would stop the noises, but it didn't. Whatever it was, followed me here. Noone believes me, they all think Im crazy. Even Teddy Bear, altho he pretends to, I know he doesn't believe. I can see it in his eyes, it scares him. It all started when I was 10. I'd hear noises at night. Not normal noises. Hissing, growling, moaning, clawing, foot steps, glass breaking, banging on the walls. I'd tell Meranda and Andy but they'd just tell me I was hearing things. For my 11th birthday, they bought me a portable cd player so I could drown out the noises and fall asleep, and a night light so it wouldn't be completely dark. It helped at first, but then I started to hear things during the day. Voices. Most of the time, it was so faint, I learned to ignore it, but as I got older, the voices became clearer, darker, more persistant. In 8 years it gradually moved from whispering here and there, to murmuring, a word hear and there, to talking, conversations, to shouting, screaming, and now..the voices are talking to me, telling me things, sick dark things and I cant take it anymore. I've tryed to talk to people about it, but it does no good. I've become a burden for Teddy. He looks at me with this pitiful look in his eyes. Like he wants to save me but he doesn't know how. So I decided to do what the last voice I heard told me. "End it all". So here I sit in front of my video camera, telling my story, for anyone who might wonder, what happened to me. Why Im about to do, what Im about to do. To my sweet Teddy bear, Im so sorry, about all the pain I caused you. I just want you to know that its not your fault. There was nothing you could have done. I truly feel that this is the right thing to do. I know you will hurt at first. But eventually, you'll move on, you'll meet someone else, you'll love again. I know that by me being here, Im only holding you back. You'd never willingly let me go, so I had to do this for us. Please tell everyone, that Im sorry and that I love them, or you can just show them this video. Please dont feel sorry for me, as you've probably notice, Im smiling. Im at peace. The pain is about to end.
She didn't stop the video. She wanted everyone to see her, in her last moments. What the voices had driven her to. She wanted everyone to know that despite what people believed, this was real. This was her reality. She emptied her bottle of anxiety meds in the palm of her hand and swallowed them all with the help of the luke warm water that sat on the bed side table. Next she emptied her depression meds into her palm and swallowed them all. Lastly, she emptied her bottle of pain meds into her hand. Her Doctor had given them to her for her migraines and frequent chest pains. She dropped the last bottle on the floor and laid down and closed her eyes. Waiting for her life to end.
Ted arrived home a half hour later. He had left to go buy some ciggerettes. He had asked Rebecca to come along, but she complained that her head was hurting and she just wanted to sleep. So when he walked into the room and saw her laying there, he thought nothing of it, until he saw the empty pill bottles. He immediately check her pulse. Tryed CPR when he couldn't find one. He dialed 911, screaming into the phone that his girlfriend had taken 3 bottle of pills and wasnt breathing. He told her that he tryed CPR but she wasnt responding. Holding her hand he realized Rebecca's hand was freezing cold. He dropped the phone, knowing it was too late. he stood there in a daze, for how long he'll never know. He noticed the video camera was on. He stopped it and rewind to the beginning of the tape. He sat on the end of the bed listening to his girls last words. Tears flooded his eyes as he watched Rebecca eyes light up as she talked of ending it all. He could hear the loud siren of the ambulance in the background now. Coming to take her away.