Sanctuary Fighting back the darkness with style.

*Warning* This story contains graphic depictions of violence and deals with sexual abuse.
We recommend that you do not read this story if you are under the age of 17, or are bothered by depictions of attempted rape. *Warning*

When we left Laura she had only just survived her encounter with the supernatural, her friends - Mark and Carrie - weren't so lucky. Now Laura has questions, like some heavy burden being the sole surviver has placed on her shoulders and she is determined to get anwers.

My head swam and my vision blurred. My legs were unsteady but still I threw my head back and swallowed another shot. I leant on my pool cue and tried to focus on the coloured balls on the table, there was no one playing with me. Everyone pretty much left me alone now. I’d scared them all away with my ghastly tales of how my friends were ripped apart. I was now the crazy customer that was always drunk and best avoided. Time was those customers were old and well lived, not seventeen years old and school drop outs.

Everyone knew the story of what happened, how three stupid kids went into the condemned factory just outside of town and were brutally murdered by some psychotic homeless man who was, of course, never found. How the sole survivor went insane from the trauma of it and started spouting stories about ghosts throwing things around, impaling and beheading her friends. The factory had been searched many times and more and more kids trespassed on the grounds hoping to catch a glimpse of the evil ghost, but no more deaths occurred and no spectres were ever seen.

But I knew there was nothing to see - I had seen the ghost burn up with my own eyes and some how I just knew it had been destroyed. Destroyed by that dark figure, that man I never quite got to see. I don’t know what he did but I knew he was responsible for saving my life.

The pub was still busy, but I was out of money and knew no one would buy me any drinks…I wasn’t even sure I’d get served any more. I thought about the cans of beer waiting for me in my fridge at home. Seeing as I also couldn’t focus on just one pool ball anymore, I decided to call it a night and go drink my self into oblivion at home. That seemed to be my nightly routine recently, ever since watching Mark and Carrie die.

I grabbed my jacket and waved my hand carelessly in the direction of Steph, the Bar Manager. She smiled at me, approving my decision to leave. She was a good woman, and had made sure I’d gotten home safely on more than one occasion, when I’d been unable to stagger there myself. I’m not sure she believed the fake ID I’d put together but she served me anyway, I have no idea why.

Outside the streetlights reflected off the ground. It had been raining since I was last out here and there was a brisk wind that would’ve chilled me to the bone had I not had so much alcohol in my system. I threw my jacket on and started home.

I stumbled through the front door of my little studio flat with no real recollection of the journey, as per usual. Throwing my jacket on the floor along with a pile of unopened mail and an assortment of trainers and boots, I headed straight for the fridge. Pulling out a cold can of beer, cracking it open and, taking a long swig, I collapsed in front of my computer. From my jacket my phone beeped, I squinted at the clock on my desk - it shone 00:00, and I raised my beer in the air.

“Well. Happy Birthday Laura,” I toasted my eighteenth, alone and just a little crazy.
My eyes fell on my computer; it was still on from earlier in the day, the screensaver now running slowly. Little fish swam their way around the screen in a very hypnotic way; I stared at them and gulped my beer. I don’t know how long I’d been staring at it for when the can fell from my hand jerking me awake.

“Oh for…” I cursed under my breath.

I couldn’t be bothered to go and get a towel so I pulled off my jumper, leaving just a small black tank top to cover my body, and threw it onto the spilt beer, caring more about the fact that I’d lost some alcohol than the wet carpet. I rubbed my face and eyes, smearing black mascara down my cheeks. I looked up at the serene fish and angrily hit the mouse. They disappeared, leaving behind the search engine still throwing out all the weird and wonderful stuff it could find. Blurry eyed, I tried to focus on its results. There was one about murders at a newly renovated hotel, but as I tried to read it my eyes slowly lost focus and closed. My head fell against my arm and all thoughts of the search were forgotten for another wasted night.

He screamed. I wondered how he managed to make any sound at all with the table leg protruding from his gut. What did he scream? Over and over. I couldn’t make it out. But still he screamed. The warm wetness on my legs and chest drew my eyes down. My entire body trembled.

“Carrie.” Mark’s cry came through loud and clear as my gaze met Carrie’s blood, it pulsed from her headless neck, drenching me with the red dye that had taken forever to wash off. I could still see it, every day. Still feel its sticky warmth.

“Carrie,” Mark screamed again, he was always screaming now. I could hear him whenever I closed my eyes. With tears filling my eyes I looked to him. His eyes were glass, dead, they couldn’t see anymore.

With a trembling hand I reached to wipe a tear I’d never noticed before from his cheek. Then his eyes were on me, still glass, still dead, but focused on mine, boring into my soul and ripping out my heart. Carrie’s hand grasped my wrist, she squeezed tight as I tried to pull away. A scream bubbled from my chest and rose into my throat. I fought free and backed away. My reanimated friends moved closer to me, pinning me in the corner. I pulled my legs to my chest and cowered in fear. I squeezed my eyes closed; I didn’t want to see it coming. The terror in my being threatened to tear me apart. I screamed.

It was light when I opened my eyes, sweat dripped into them causing me to flinch and blink it away. I sat up, my head exploded and I scrunched my eyes shut again.

“Urgh,” I groaned and wiped the sweat from my face. Slowly I opened my eyes and arched my back. I was aching all over, still sitting in front of the computer. The fish were back to their swimming but this time their hypnotic movement did nothing but make me feel sick. Fighting the nausea, I staggered my way to the bathroom and splashed my face with water, the coldness made me gasp and sent shivers down my spine.

Within minutes I was saturating myself in a steaming shower, letting it run over my face, cleansing my bloodshot eyes and aching body. I closed my eyes and leant into the downpour. The back of my eyelids became a screen where images of a burnt charcoal man stalking towards me played with perfect clarity. I snapped my eyes open letting the water run into them, my breath came in short gasps. I shut the water off and stared blankly at the wall. The numbing despair I felt slowly consumed my insides as my heart gradually turned to stone. The sound of Mark’s scream distantly echoed in my ears.

I was practically dry by the time I forced myself to move, I pulled on a black top and some grey trousers before making a boiling coffee and plonking myself in front of the computer again. I looked into my black coffee.

“I gotta remember to buy some milk,” I mumbled lifting the steaming mug to my lips. I sipped the coffee, burning my lip as I did. I revelled in the pain that scorched my mouth; I embraced the feeling, any feeling. The stronger the better.

The fish continued to swim, mocking me with the peace they lived in, knowing I would never experience that peace again I shook the mouse and obliterated their serene world. There staring me in the face was the article I’d been reading, I was just about to shut it down when something caught my attention. It read:

“…friends of the newlyweds commented that the pair were the happiest they had ever been and that Bartlett wasn’t the sort of man to attack his new wife let alone take his own life.”

I scanned the rest of the article and decided it was worth a try, it had to be better than the dozens of busts I’d come up with so far.

“Maybe he was possessed,” I laughed at my wild idea but hoped this time it wouldn’t be a waste of time, maybe this time I’d find him. No matter what, I was determined to get the answers I was searching for.

I jotted down the hotels address, grabbed my jacket and the money I had in my desk drawer and abandoned my coffee to go cold.

I pulled my little Peugeot 306 into the hotel car park and made my way into the posh little bar. It was open to the public and yet it was practically deserted. I went to the bar and waited. Eventually a man probably in his twenties came out from the back carrying a crate of beers, seeing me at the bar he came over and looked at me expectantly.

“Pint of lager please,” I said smiling pleasantly.

The bartender – whose name tag read Bray - eyed me carefully through his dark hair that needed a cut, probably trying to figure out if I was old enough to serve; he appeared to think I was and started pulling a pint from the pump.

“So, I hear this place hasn’t had the great opening it was hoping for,” I tried to sound casual but wanted to get straight to the point, I wasn’t really sure what I was looking for so figured asking out right was the best way to start.

“You could say that.” Bray handed me my pint, I gave him a note.

“So, what happened? I heard a guy killed his wife on their wedding night, what’s up with that?” Bray visibly tensed so I quickly added. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. It must be horrible to work here after that.” Bray’s face softened and as he passed me my change he sighed.

“It’s just weird, you know. They were so happy when they checked in, talking non stop about what they were going to do and where they were going to go, they were saving up for their honeymoon.” Bray suddenly looked guilty, like he shouldn’t be talking about them.

“Were you here when it happened?” I probed gently. Bray nodded his head, his eyes turned distant.

“I found her. God she was a mess, beaten black and blue and the guy, he was a babbling idiot in the corner, mumbling about how he wasn’t in control.” My face must’ve lit up at this last comment because Bray suddenly looked at me suspiciously. “You’re not a reporter are you? Cause I’m not allowed to talk to reporters about this.”

“No,” I held my hands up. “I’m not a reporter, honest.”

“I’ve already had a grilling for talking to that guy,” he nodded to a table by the window where a man sat with a shot of something; he was staring out the window so all I could see was his short dark hair.

“Is he a reporter?” I enquired.

“Yeah, keeps asking questions about the killing,” Bray told me.

“Why don’t you just ask him to leave?”

“Can’t. He’s a paying guest in the hotel and we need as much business as we can get,” Bray explained. “Like you said, our grand opening didn’t exactly go as planned.”

“I’m sorry, that’s really gotta suck,” I said kindly. “Things’ll pick up though, right?”
“I hope so, or I’m out of a job, we’ve already had to lower our prices.” Bray looked over at the crate of beers still waiting to be put away. “Look, I’d better get back to work.”

“Yeah, sure. No problem.” Then as an after thought I said, “Hey, it’ll be alright. I’m sure of it.”

Bray smiled and gave me a nod in thanks before going back to his work.

I leant my back against the bar and took a long swig from my first legal drink. My eyes fell on the reporter by the window…had he just been looking at me? Seeing as I didn’t get much out of Bray I figured I’d try my luck with him. I picked up my drink and sauntered over to his table.

“Mind if I join you?” I didn’t wait for an answer. Putting my drink on the table I sat in the chair opposite in him and looked out the window.

“Bit bold aren’t ya?” the man commented. I shrugged carelessly.

“Gotta be in this life, you never know when you’re gonna be ripped apart.” It had kind of become my philosophy. The man chuckled. “That’s very true.”

From my position opposite him, I looked him over. He was older than me, but probably not by much, and he was actually very handsome…for some reason I hadn’t expected him to be. His clean shaven face was regarding me with interest, a small smirk played over his lips. On impulse I stuck my hand out to him.

“I’m Laura.”

“Simon,” the man took my hand firmly and shook it. His hand was warm yet slightly rough, they had obviously worked hard in their time.

“So you’re a reporter?” I kept up my boldness and jumped straight to the point.
“I am,” Simon remained cool, but it was obvious that he wasn’t going to give anything away.

“So how come you’re doing a story on the murder?” I leant back in my chair and sipped my beer. Simon raised his eyebrows questioningly. “The barman,” I nodded my head in Bray’s direction and Simon gave a knowing look.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Simon asked simply. “It’s a good story.”

“But it’s already been told. You must’ve found out something new to be writing about it again.” I surprised myself with this insight which made me desperate to find out what this reporter knew. He could know something important without knowing it.
For a second Simon looked as though he’d been caught out but he quickly hid it behind a smile.

“Don’t miss a thing do you?” He leant forward and spoke quietly causing me to also lean to hear him. “Why would I tell you? You could be trying to scoop me.”

With that Simon swigged the rest of his drink and left the bar leaving me gob smacked with no new information.

I cursed myself for my carelessness. He thought I was a reporter, now he wouldn’t tell me anything. I slumped in my chair and went back to staring out the window at the cars sauntering past. Suddenly my jacket rang, damn that was loud. Grateful that there was no one about to disturb, I quickly pulled out my phone, the screen flashed ‘Mum calling’ at me - I put it on silent. I wasn’t in the mood for birthday wishes followed by ‘when are we going to see you’ and ‘have you sorted yourself out yet’ comments. A minute later my phone beeped to tell me mum had left a message. I thought about listening to it, but didn’t think I could handle the lecture or the guilt trip, depending on what mood she was in, so I pocketed the phone and went back to staring out the window.

I was alone again, just the way I liked it. Alone with my grief and misery. I knew my mum was only doing what she thought right, but didn’t she understand that her pushing all the time was only making things worse - she was pushing me away, as it was I couldn’t bring myself to see her. She’d been so protective of me after everything happened, she didn’t leave my flat for a week. Eventually we had a huge row and I’d thrown her out telling her to stop interfering, that I didn’t need her help, that I didn’t want her in my life and that I never wanted to see her again. I wasn’t sure I meant any of it and I knew I’d broken her heart, but I’d been so claustrophobic, I couldn’t breathe with her there.

A car horn beeped at someone outside and brought my thoughts back to the here and now. I was at a loss, what was I supposed to do now? I figured my best bet would be to take a look around the place, maybe I’d find something or someone that could help me. I downed the rest of my drink and wandered out into the lobby. The place was beautiful - they’d only used pastel colours the pure wood banister and reception desk was newly polished and wreaked of class. I made for the stairs that twisted out of view.

“Hey, you can’t go up there,” a familiar voice called. I turned to see Bray behind the reception desk. “Guests only.”

“Oh.” I stepped back to the lobby and leant on the desk. “I thought you worked the bar.”

“Yeah well, with things as they are I have to do a lot more around here,” Bray sighed and I noticed how tired he looked.

“That sucks, how long have you worked here?” I enquired leaning over the bar and fiddling with a pile of leaflets.

“Since it reopened a week and a half ago, we’ve had nothing but trouble since our first guest arrived.” Bray was trying to fill in a book but eventually closed it in defeat.
“Oh god, you mean, other than the murder?” I faked my concern and forced my eyes to soften.

“Yeah, in the first couple of days some guy tried to… well he… he attacked a female guest, let’s put it that way.” Bray shifted uncomfortably and averted his eyes.

“Oh,” I understood. “You mean… sexually?” I whispered the last word and Bray gave a pained nod. “That’s horrible. I didn’t hear anything about it in the paper or anything.”

“No, the woman didn’t want it to go public; the guy was arrested so that was good enough for her.” Bray explained.

“So what stopped him, did she fight him off?” I pushed my luck for more information.

“No, I got complains of noise from another guest and pulled him off her, I was lucky I was in time, she was pretty beaten up.”

“Well, aren’t you the regular hero.” I grinned at him and saw him blush slightly. He was sweet; his shyness crept out even though he tried to hide it. “A good guy to have around.” I allowed myself to flirt a little, might be good to have him onside if I needed anything. He was a good looking guy so it wasn’t as if it was hard to do.
“I was just doing my job,” he said modestly.

“Oh come on, having you behind the counter gives a girl the incentive to check in.”

“You’re checking in?” Bray’s eyes noticeably lit up and I was stuck with what I’d just said. I hadn’t been planning to check in but it made sense - I wasn’t going to get to see the rest of the hotel otherwise and I wasn’t prepared to go to too many lengths with Bray to get a tour.

“Erm, yeah, sign me up.” I smiled trying to look confident, but inside I was afraid I was throwing myself into the lions den without any weapons.

“How long?” Bray was suddenly all business as he pulled out the register.

“Well, let’s start with a day and go from there,” I said, more to myself than to him.

After I’d paid, I’d gone to my car to get a bag of clothes I always carried, usually in case I got the urge to go to the gym like I used to with Carrie, when I’d been shown to my room I collapsed onto the bed.

What was I doing? Was I crazy? If there really was something evil working here, how the hell was I going to do anything to stop it? Then again, I was probably wrong and there was nothing going on, just me getting my hopes up that I would find the man that saved my life and get some answers. All the research I’d done had come up blank, I had no idea what to look for, and I’d just got a load of sites that looked like they were run by crazy people.

Groaning, I rolled onto my front and buried my head in the soft, sweet-smelling pillow, my head a whirl of confusion. As my phone rang again, I covered my ears and tried to shut out the noise of it and the rest of the world.

When I jerked myself awake, Mark’s screams were still so loud I thought my ears would bleed. I lifted my hands to see the blood that saturated them but it was too dark to make anything out. Stumbling off the bed and felt my way around the unfamiliar room until I found a lamp on a little table. I clicked it on and squinted as it blinded me. As my vision finally came into focus I checked my hands again - they were clean, but they shook beyond my control. I released my breath and clenched my fists, forcing the memories of the nightmare to the back of my mind where they belonged. I went to the little en-suite bathroom the room provided and washed up as much as I could. Feeling refreshed and more alert than I had earlier that day I slipped out into the hotel hallway.

In between every door there was a dim light, it was like going back in time - without the bad wallpaper and dodgy carpet - I half expected to see a bellhop or something but the hall was deserted and there was no sound coming from any of the rooms. Bray wasn’t kidding - this place really wasn’t doing any business.

I walked the entire length of my floor and didn’t see a single soul or anything out of the ordinary, so I took the stairs to the next level. I should have found out where the murder took place, that would’ve been a good place to start. Sighing, I pushed the door to the second floor open and immediately knew there was something going on. Something bad. Further down the hall I could hear noises, I thought there was a man’s voice but I couldn’t make out what he was saying. Slowly I crept towards the sound until I came to room seventy-three. My heart pounded in my chest as I listened to the definite sounds of a struggle coming from inside the room. Gathering up as much courage as I could muster I put my hand on the door handle. Flashes of Mark and Carrie zipped through my head but I shook them away along with my fear.
Slowly I turned the handle but before I could open the door something slammed into it with such force I nearly jumped out of my skin and the door split down the centre.
“Urgh, you bitch, you’ll pay for that,” a man yelled from inside. I recognised the voice and without anymore hesitation I pushed the door open.

No sooner was the door open and Simon came flying out of it and hit the opposite wall in the hallway. On the floor inside the doorway was a packet of salt and a torch. Disregarding them, I ran to Simon who was slumped on the floor, a trail of blood trickled from his head.

“Simon!” I called shaking his shoulder firmly. He didn’t move but I could see his chest rising and falling so I knew he was alive.

“Simon!” I said more urgently.

I heard a sound from the room behind me. Fear gripped me as I turned, expecting to see another man coming to finish the job but instead there was a girl, she must’ve been about my age but it was hard to tell with all the bruises distorting her face. Her clothes were ripped and bloody as she slowly moved toward me. I turned to look at Simon, anger bubbling to the surface.

“You sick bastard!” I spat, repulsed that Simon could attack a young girl so viciously. Dismissing him I moved to the girl to see if she was alright, I stepped into the room and held my hand out to let her know I was a friend. She didn’t appear to be scared at all…the poor thing was probably in shock.

“It’s ok,” I told her gently, edging closer. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

The girls stopped moving and simply looked at me. I reached out to her.

“Just take my hand and I’ll get you somewhere safe,” I promised.

Behind me a heard Simon stirring and I tensed, afraid of what he might do when he found me interfering.

“Laura?” he said confused.

“Stay back,” I warned him. “Don’t come anywhere near us.”

“Laura, get away from her.” He sounded urgent and there was real fear in his voice. I turned to him.

“Why? So you can finish what you started?” I said testily.

All of a sudden, the door between us was slammed closed, and I looked around in surprise - there had been no one there to close it, and there was no wind either.
I turned back to the girl, she flickered in and out of existence and like a sledge hammer in the head, everything became clear to me. She was a ghost; Simon had had nothing to do with her wounds. My legs went weak and they fell from under me as the terror of facing a ghost again struck me down.

“Laura, Laura?” Simon shouted at me, pounding on the door.

I couldn’t speak; I just scrambled away from the spectre until my back was against the wall. I pulled my legs up to my chest and my head span from the enormous rush of fear. My nightmare was repeating itself, I was trapped cowering in a corner while what would be the death of me approached.

Would it be such a bad thing? I found myself thinking. To have it all over, the nightmare’s gone, the numbing fear at an end, to allow it to consume me and finish me. Would it really be so bad? There was nothing for me here anymore anyway, I didn’t speak to my family, and my friends had already gone ahead without me. You never know, they might be waiting for me on the other side. If ghosts exist then an afterlife was a real possibility. It couldn’t be any worse than what I suffered everyday with only my screensaver fish to keep me company.

“Laura!” Simon’s yelling brought me back out of my despair and I faced the ghost. I wiped away the tears I hadn’t felt fall and set my jaw in determination. No, I had a job to do. I was going to find those answers, I was going to find that man who saved me and if I had to seek out every spook from here to the end of the world to do it that was fine with me.

The ghost sneered at me as I climbed to my feet, all fear and confusion drained away. I wouldn’t say I felt confident…I wouldn’t say I felt much of anything, but I wasn’t afraid. Then my feet left the ground and I was propelled into the door, it cracked some more under the force of my weight. With the wind knocked out of me I struggled to stay on my feet, and I could taste blood in my mouth from where I’d bitten my tongue. Still the ghost advanced on me. I looked around for a weapon but how do you hit a ghost?

“Laura! The salt!” Simon yelled.

Slightly confused I looked at my feet. Just in front of me was the packet of salt, quickly I snapped it up and held it forward - what the hell was I supposed to do with a packet of salt?

I was just about to ask as much when I was thrown backwards again. I cracked my head on the doorframe and was dazed for a second. Pain shot through my head and I stumbled forward disorientated. A sudden wind swirled around the room and the freshness of it combined with the continuing pounding from the door brought me back to my senses.

“Piss off you little bitch.” Without really thinking I slashed the packet of salt in her direction and a stream of it showered the ghost. Instantly she disappeared like smoke blown away in the wind.

The door behind me smashed open and Simon staggered into the room.
“Where is she?” he asked, his eyes scanning the room, his body tense and at the ready. I could see the muscles in his arm twitching with anticipation.

“She… disappeared,” I muttered, I was in a kind of shock. I just stared at where the ghost had been, still holding the salt out in front of me like it was a sword or something.

Simon noticeably relaxed, an impressed smile formed on his face as he carefully laid his hand on my arm, his other hand taking the salt from me like it was a deadly weapon.

Then Bray bust through the doorway.

“What in God’s name is going on here?” he demanded looking at us both and the mess in the room.

“It’s ok now.” Somehow I managed to get a word out.

“Yeah, it’s ok now, there was a…wow!” Simon held out his arms and caught me as I fainted.

The pillow was soft and I almost snuggled down against it to go back to sleep. Then with sharp clarity, the events of what had transpired in the hotel room rushed into my head and I sat up as fast as if the bed had turned to hot coals.

“Hey hey hey, steady on.” A voice said and I felt a strong hand rest gently on my back. My vision when black as a head rush engulfed me as a consequence of my sudden movement. As the blackness cleared, I looked around in alarm.

“It’s ok, it’s ok.” The voice assured me. I looked toward it…It was Simon. “Just take it easy, you’ve got a nasty bump on your head.” He was smiling kindly at me, his brown eyes asking if I was ok. I nodded my head already starting to feel better and he backed a respectable distance away.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” This time it was Bray that spoke; he was leaning in an open doorway, his face was stern, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Yeah, I’m ok,” I said gratefully forcing myself to sound sure.

“This guy…” Bray started.

“I have a name you know,” Simon protested, holding out his hands.

“This guy says you were attacked by strange man, is that right?” Bray questioned me eyeing Simon untrustingly. Simon raised his eyebrows at me and waited for my reply.

“Yeah, that’s right,” I confirmed Simon’s story and he grinned at Bray, an I told you so smirk on his face. “What happened to him, where did he go?” I continued the lie.

“It’s ok, I scared him off.” Simon’s smug look grew and I found myself holding back a laugh.

“Alright. Are you ok to be left with this guy?” Bray checked with me.

“I said I have a name.” Simon looked annoyed at the constant referral.

“I have to go talk to the police; they’ll want to talk to you too as soon as you’re ready, ok.” Bray lingered in the doorway.

I smiled thankfully at him and nodded my head. Still with a look of uncertainty plastered on his face, Bray left the room. Simon was at the door in a second, closing it behind him.

When he turned back to his face was serious and even a little pissed off.

“What the hell were you doing there?” he blurted. “You could’ve gotten yourself killed, do you know that?”

“Yeah I kinda noticed that, thanks,” I frowned at his sudden attitude. “Where are we anyway?” I noticed it wasn’t my room we were in, but there was light coming though the closed curtains and I wondered what the time was.

“My room,” Simon replied. “It was closer than yours and you’re heavier than you look,” he teased.

“How do you know where my room is?” I looked up at him sharply. Simon just grinned at me and shrugged. “And hey!” I cottoned on to his other comment and pouted slightly in a false sulk.

“So, what were you doing there?” Simon asked again. I shifted my gaze before sighing and then stared directly into his brown eyes.

“Looking for a ghost.”

I felt silly saying it out loud but it was the truth and that’s exactly what I’d found. Simon looked slightly taken back before the smile returned to his lips.

“And how did you know there would be a ghost there?” He tipped his head to one side and waited.

“I looked it up in the internet,” I explained as if it should be obvious.

“Of course you did. So, been hunting for ghosts long?” His voice was amused and it annoyed me.

“Have you? Looked to me like you were getting your arse handed to you on a plate. If I hadn’t come along you wouldn’t have been waking up from that little nap you took in the hallway,” I said cockily and Simon looked embarrassed for a moment before hiding it behind what I was rapidly noticing was his façade.

“You got lucky,” he said seriously. He came and sat next to me on the bed and raised his hand to my head. I flinched away from him, my eyes widened in alarm.

“Hey, relax. I’m just checking your head; looks like you whacked it pretty hard.” He held his hands up in peace until I relaxed and nodded that he could continue. I felt his fingers carefully parting my light brown hair, it felt knotty and matted and I wondered if I’d been bleeding. I hissed through my teeth as his fingers touched the sore lump.
“Sorry,” he winced and he continued his exploration. I found his close presence uncomfortable; I fidgeted until he finally moved his hands away.

“Look at me,” he said softly. Slowly I turned to face him and raised my eyes to his. My hands felt clammy and I wanted to move away to a safer distance. Simon leant in and stared in each of my eyes. I looked back into his, they were a pale brown and although they were gentle I could see hardness in them. This man had known pain…horrible pain. I wondered what had happened to turn his eyes like that. Was he like me? Did my eyes look like that to him?

“It’s ok, I don’t think you’ve got a concussion but you should take it easy for a while.” Finally Simon moved off the bed and I felt like I could breathe again.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

“So, I guess I owe you thanks, huh?” He pulled up a chair by a laptop computer I hadn’t noticed was there and booted it up. He didn’t look at me. “For not getting me in trouble with the police? You could’ve said I was lying and you didn’t, you played along. Oh, and for saving my life.”

“Yeah, I guess you do.” I slipped of the bed, momentarily having to fight the dizziness that followed. It appeared that was as much of a thank you as I was going to get so I let it go and moved on.

“So, what’s with the salt?” I went over and pulled up another chair sitting a good distance from him but still able to see the computer screen. Simon laughed.

“Amateur,” he gave me a slide long grin before returning his eyes to the computer screen and started typing. “Salt is used to purify and ward off evil. So it repels ghosts,” he explained.

“Oh.” That was actually a pretty good explanation. “So why didn’t you just throw it at her like I did?”

“I was trying to trap her not get rid of her,” Simon said a little testily.

“What do you mean trap her?” I felt like just what he’d called me - a complete amateur. There was obviously a lot I didn’t know. Simon sighed and stopped typing to turn to face me.

“I was using the salt to make a circle around the room, ghosts and demons can’t cross a line of salt,” he explained patiently, but I was stuck back at something he’d said.
“What? Wait, demons?” My eyes became large circles as they asked if he was serious and he shook his head tiredly.

“You don’t have a clue do you? Why are you even looking for these things if you don’t know what you’re doing?” he asked sitting back in his chair.

“I’m looking for someone,” I said quietly, not sure if I wanted to share my plans with him.

“Someone?” Simon probed.

“A man,” I said evasively. Simon scoffed.

“Figures.” Rolling his eyes he went to face the computer again before turning back as an after thought. “Have you ever even seen a ghost before last night?”

My gaze trailed away from him and I felt myself fall into the little pit I had built especially for my misery. I didn’t want to talk about my dead friends so I got up and stalked across to the window. Roughly I pulled open the curtains and let in the harsh light of day. I heard Simon pause before getting up and following me. He stopped behind me and in the reflection of the window I could see concern and regret on his face. I felt a tear trail down my cheek and I wiped it away angrily. I was sick of being weak, sick of being the poor victim but as his hand touched my shoulder my resolve shattered and my body heaved into sobs. I leant my head against the cold window and clenched my fist in anger at my frailty.

“What happened?” Simon asked softly.

Fiercely I shook my head making a clear mark in the condensation on the window. Simon’s hand pulled on me, I fought his affection at first before my body gave in and I allowed him to turn me to face him. For a second he looked at my tear streaked face raising it with a finger under my chin before he pulled me close to him. I buried my head in his chest and allowed the sobs I’d been fighting back for so long to pour out to this man, this stranger.

For weeks my mum had been trying to get me to open up and let it all out, but my stubbornness had prevailed and I’d turned it into anger instead. Now here I was with someone I’d only just met and wasn’t even sure I trusted, soaking his t-shirt with my tears and finding the comfort I’d run from for so long in his strong arms.

“It’s ok,” he whispered into my hair. “I understand.”

In that second I believed him, not that it was ok, I wasn’t sure it would ever be ok, but that he understood. Without me speaking a word he had understood my fear, my anger and my agonising pain and grief. I let myself weep into him and be comforted by his presence I had only moments before found disturbing.

“You’re not a reporter are you?” I mumbled against his chest after I’d managed to calm down. I heard his laugh bubble in my ear; I raised my head to see him gazing down at me.

“No,” he said chuckling. “I’m not a reporter.”

“Me neither.” I gave him little smile as we stared into each others eyes. Gently he wiped a remaining tear from my cheek and smiled kindly.

“Feel better?” he asked, his hand lingering on my face. I nodded and leant my head into his palm slightly, feeling the warmth of it against my skin. He traced his thumb over my cheek and I closed my eyes to the soft touch.

“Thank you,” I whispered, opening my eyes to find his again.

His face was so close to mine and I could feel his warm breath in my eyes. His grip around my waist tightened slightly and I leant into him, our eyes locked on each others. As his handsome face slowly descended, my lips parted and my heart began to pound.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

“Laura? The police would like to speak to you now.” It was Bray, and when I didn’t answer, he knocked again impatiently. My eyes snapped back up to Simon’s in alarm.

“What do I tell them?” I questioned a little panicked. I didn’t like talking to police, ever since the factory.

“Just tell then the truth, some weird guy attacked you, I came along and scared him away. You’ve never seen him before and you didn’t get a very good look at him.” Simon seemed to have all the answers so I nodded, taking it all in. “I’ll fill in the rest when they talk to me, ok? If it gets to difficult and you really don’t know what to say, just tell them you don’t feel well, that you head hurts and you want to go lie down. They’ll probably offer to get you checked out at the hospital but tell them you’re ok you just need some rest.”

The banging on the door became more intense, with a squeeze of my arm and one last look to ensure I had understood everything Simon moved away and went to the door. As soon as he’d opened it Bray barged in and his eyes searched the room for me. He looked concerned when he saw my bloodshot puffy eyes.

“Are you ok?” He moved toward me, placing a protective hand on my arm, he shot a glare at Simon who looked shocked at the apparent accusation.

“Yeah I’m fine. It all just got a little much is all.” I moved away from him, and with a slightly nervous glance at Simon I went to face the police.

“Why do they have to ask the same questions over and over again?” I grumbled taking a long drink from the pint of lager Bray had poured me.

“Probably just to make sure your story doesn’t change that’s all,” Bray said from behind the bar.

“You mean to check to see if I’m lying and slip up,” I said cynically, Bray laughed and nodded his head.

“Yeah, that’s about right,” he chuckled. “By the way, the manager called. Said I’m to offer you a couple of nights free because of what happened. I think she wants to show that you can be safe here.”

“Really?” I was surprised, seeing as how they were struggling money wise.

“Yeah, so do you think you’ll be taking her up on that?” he questioned, I noticed a little hope in his voice but he kept his back to me so I couldn’t see his face.

“Yeah, I think I’d like that.” There was no way I wanted to go back to my dingy little flat yet, I smiled as he turned and grinned at me. Then a thought crossed my mind. “So, don’t you ever go home?”

“This is my home,” he said simply waving his hand at our environment. “I get free board and in return I take basic care of the place.”

“So you’re the barman, the receptionist and the janitor?” I laughed playfully, it felt good to genuinely laugh again and yet when I did I felt a pang of guilt, why should I get to be happy when Mark and Carrie can’t?

“I’ll have you know I’m a whole lot more than that.” Bray grinned cheekily as he leant on the bar facing me. I was surprised when I felt myself blush; I smiled shyly and looked away.

“Yeah, I bet you are.” Simon sauntered into the bar and hopped onto a stool beside me. “Whiskey please barkeep, and make it the good stuff.”

I gave Simon an annoyed glance at the way he spoke to Bray, why did he have to belittle him like that? Bray did his job silently and handed Simon and shot glass with the straight whiskey. Simon looked to me questioningly; I shook my head and held up my half full pint glass.

“So, how’d it go?” I asked as he paid Bray. I gave Bray an apologetic look, but he just shook it off with a smile and disappeared through the back door leaving me and Simon alone.

“Swimmingly, of course.” Simon took a deep swig of his drink and licked his lips in approval.

“So what are you going to do now, got any other ghosts to go after?” I leant back on the bar and sighed.

“Gimme a chance to get this one first,” Simon said incredulity.

“But I thought…” I frowned at him. “Didn’t I already get rid of it?”

“Oh little girl, you have so much to learn,” he said mockingly. I smacked his arm in annoyance.

“So, it’s not gone?” I asked.

“No, it’s not gone,” Simon confirmed. “To destroy an evil spirit you have to salt and burn its bones or find out whatever its unfinished business is and…well…finish it.”
I took his information in, thinking it through.

“So first we have to find out who she is, right? Then where she’s buried.”

Simon looked at me approvingly. “Exactly.”

“So, why were you trying to trap her? What good would that have done?” I was confused again.

“Think about it,” he took on a serious tone. “What good would it be to have a violent ghost trapped in a room no one’s likely to go in while business is so bad?” He waited for me to figure it out for myself, finally my brain caught up with the conversation and I twigged.

“Because then you could research who she was and burn her bones without the risk of anyone else getting hurt.” I was finally catching on, Simon obviously knew his stuff and I knew I wanted to know everything he knew.

“Perfect, we’ll make a hunter out of you yet.” He winked at me and I blushed, biting my lip.

“Ok.” I got back to the learning session not wanting to waste any time. “So how come we’re not rushing off to get her?”

“Well, she seems to appear only at night, most spirits do, so we’re safe until then,” Simon explained, he appeared to be enjoying sharing his knowledge. Or maybe he just liked showing off.

“You mean she’ll be back tonight?” I looked at him wide eyed. Simon simply nodded and sipped his whiskey. “Then what are we doing sitting here? It’s nearly one o’clock, it’ll be dark in five hours.” I jumped off my seat abandoning my beer – definitely a first for me – and stalked towards the lobby. I paused, and then I turned back to Simon, who still sat calmly drinking his shot. “Where exactly do we start?”
Simon grinned and looked over his shoulder at me.

“What would you do without me?” he said cockily and draining the rest of his drink he followed me out. “Let’s go to my room, we can check the net.”

We went up the stairs but I was conscious of eyes watching us go. I turned and saw Bray behind the reception desk. I gave him a little wave but his face didn’t smile, he just watched us go, his eyes like daggers.

I sat in front of Simon’s computer and typed the name of the hotel into Google. I came up with so many links I didn’t know where to start. Simon leant over my shoulder to look at the screen.

“You might want to try narrowing it down,” he suggested. I was very aware of his presence so close, I could feel his breath on my neck and it sent goose pimples down my back. I focused on the screen and typed in the new search as he directed me, to look for deaths in the hotel. This came up with less links. I started clicking on them and reading the information. Simon went and boiled the kettle and in a few minutes he was setting a steaming coffee in front of me and settling into the seat to my right.
“What ya got?” he asked leaning in close to see the screen, I could smell his subtle aftershave and found it distracting.

“There’s the murder of the bride that we know about, the husband later committed suicide while in police custody, and he still protested that he wasn’t in control.” I reeled off what I’d found. “Did you know that he also raped her?”

“Uh huh.” Simon nodded and leant over to click on another link.

“Why would he have to rape his own wife on their wedding night, it doesn’t make sense.” I looked at the browser window Simon had brought up with interest. It was from back when the hotel was open previously. Gripping my coffee with both hands and enjoying the warmth it sent through my skin, I read the article. I’d barely started before Simon did another click and the screen changed to picture of a girl. I set down my coffee and looked at her closely.

“That’s her! That’s the ghost.” I felt a rush of excitement at the new discovery.
“Yep, she was the daughter of the previous owners; she was raped and murdered by a guest. The parents were so devastated by it that they closed the hotel and moved away. It had been closed right up until now.” Simon explained. “And since the hotel opened all the attacks have been on women, they’re often raped and murdered.”

“What? There have been more? How come…?” I looked at him in shock.

“Because you didn’t look close enough,” Simon interrupted me. “If you’d looked properly you’d have found that there have been more attacks and murders and not all of them were in the newspaper.”

I got up from the desk and faced him.

“What do you mean if I’d looked properly? I found enough to know to come here didn’t I?” I was slightly hurt by his tone of voice; it was like he was talking down to me.

“Yeah, and you could’ve gotten yourself killed. In fact you’d probably already be dead if I wasn’t here,” he turned on me and played the high and mighty routine.

“You don’t know that! I could’ve…”

“Could’ve what? You didn’t even know about salt, you knew nothing.” He had a point and was probably right but I wasn’t about to let this drop.

“Where the hell do you get off talking to me like that? Who was the one doing the life saving last night, huh?” I came back.

“Jesus, you bloody women, I swear, you’re just like werewolves.” Simon threw his arms in the air and tipped his head back.

“Werewolves?” I had been about to launch into another tirade, but his comment threw me - now didn’t know how to reply.

“Yeah, you know…lycanthropes?” Now he was talking to me like I was a child.
“I know what a werewolf is,” I snapped.

“See! One minute you’re a meek little woman and the next you’re snarling and ripping out hearts.” Simon’s voice was raised but he was chuckling in amusement. It only proved to make me madder. “Especially when it’s that time of the month.”

“Shut up.” I was lost for words; my anger boiled, but I didn’t know what else to say.

“Come on Lyca, wolf got your tongue?” Simon was blatantly mocking me as he advanced. I stood my ground and stared stubbornly into his laughing face.

“Stop it,” I snarled at him. Suddenly Simon reached out and grasped me round the waist.

“Make me.”

He pulled me closer and as his lips met mine the breath escaped my lungs. I started to pull back but he pulled me tighter and gently rubbed his fingers up my back. My head spun with a million thoughts - I hadn’t been expecting this and yet my body responded to his touch and I found myself kissing him back. I ran my hands up his well built arms and linked them around his neck.

His kisses were soft and gentle; nothing like his words had been only seconds ago. He pressed into me and I stumbled backwards, he moved with me until my back bumped against the wall. Then his lips left my mouth and trailed softly down my neck, every touch sending a wave of sensation through to my core that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I stared up at the white ceiling and breathed deeply trying to catch my breath; my hands slipped into his hair and gripped its soft thickness. Then he was facing me, his pale brown eyes were tender and shone with longing, I bit my lip as I looked up at him, I felt nervous, yet exhilaration ran through my veins; his body pressed against mine and he leant in to taste my lips again. I closed my eyes as I allowed him to explore my mouth with his tongue and I responded in kind. My whole body tingled as his hands crept up under my top and caressed the skin on my sides and back, he pulled me away from the wall and carefully guided me to the nearby bed.
As I fell onto my back on the soft mattress Simon held back a little, slowly he climbed over me and with a sly grin he lowered his head to ever so softly kiss my stomach; he worked his hand up my quivering body, slowly moving my top out of the way so his trial of kisses could continue. I shivered as my skin goose pimpled and I couldn’t help but smile with the pleasure of it. When his hand reached my breast I gasped slightly and my back arched as his fingers played over my bra. He lifted his head and again claimed my lips. As his body pressed lightly on mine causing a quiet moan to escape my lips. I slipped my hands under his t-shirt and could feel his muscles working through his back and chest as he kept his weight from crushing me. I lifted my hands and pulled his top over his head. His bare body was solid and well toned; he had a slight tan covering his smooth skin. Again he pressed into me his face burying itself in my neck. I linked my leg over his as he moved to rub against my body. I could feel him hard and ready against me and it sent a shiver of want through me, drawing another moan from me. I closed my eyes to enjoy the feel of him, my hands gripping his back pulling him closer to me…

Then suddenly all I could see was blood, Carrie’s blood, I heard Mark screaming her name and my soul screamed out for them. My eyes shot open with a gasp and a cry and I tried to push Simon away. At first he didn’t understand and continued to caress my body with his.

“No, Simon, stop.” I pushed on him again. “Stop, please.” My body wracked with guilt - I had allowed myself to feel joy…allowed myself to feel at all. How could I do that to my friends?

Simon had pulled away from me and looked down in concern.

“What’s wrong?” he asked unsure of what he’d done wrong.

“I’m sorry, I can’t do this.” I felt tears fall down the sides of my face. “I’m sorry.”
Simon released me from under him and I sat up to stare at the floor.

“I’m sorry,” Simon said keeping his distance. “I thought you… I didn’t mean to…”

“Oh no,” I turned to him and took his face in my hand; his eyes were confused but caring. “I did…I mean, I do…it’s just I…” I didn’t know how to explain it to him, would he even understand if I did? More tears fell from my eyes and I found I couldn’t look him in the face.

“Hey.” He lifted my chin and smiled at me. “It’s ok. You don’t have to say.”

I closed my eyes with relief and allowed him to slip his arm around me. I leant against him for a moment and he ran his fingers though my hair and softly kissed my forehead. It felt so natural, so tender, that the stir of desire shot through me again and I forced myself to pull away, thinking of my lost friends.

“Come on, we’ve got work to do. It’ll be dark soon.” I forced myself to focus on the task before us. I got up from the bed and picked up my coffee - it was nearly cold but I drank it anyway. My stomach growled and I put my hand there mentally telling it to be quiet.

“Hungry?” Simon came up next to me, he was pulling his t-shirt over his head and soon his muscled body was hidden from me.

I nodded, embarrassed, but Simon just returned my nod.

“Come on then Lyca, let’s eat.” He grabbed his jacket then my hand and led me to the door. I started to protest but he just grinned at me.

“We’ve got time,” he promised. “Anyway, we can’t go to a cemetery in broad daylight and start digging up a corpse can we?”

I hadn’t thought of that, the fact that we’d actually have to dig up a dead body and burn it. The thought alone stopped me in my tracks for a moment - I felt like I lost my appetite. But still I followed him as he strode out and down the hall.

We sat in the hotel dining room, our empty plates in front of us on the table.

“Are we seriously the only people here?” I searched the room; it was deserted apart from Simon and me.

“Yep, you’re our only guests.” Bray came over to clear the dishes, he paused by my chair and I caught Simon giving him a funny look. I quickly smiled up at Bray and he moved on, taking the dishes into the kitchen.

“I think you’ve got an admirer there, Lyca,” Simon smirked slightly.

“Shut up,” I blushed. “And don’t call me that”

Things had been a little funny between us since what happened up stairs, Simon had been trying to act casual but I could see he was keeping his distance, being careful not to even let our hands brush. It was awkward and I felt guilty for the sudden blow off. Yet out of the corner of my eye I could see him stealing glances at me and I secretly smiled. I didn’t know what it was about him, sure he was great looking but he was very sure of himself and cocky, but when he touched me he was so tender and the hardness in his eyes almost disappeared.

The sudden silence between us was deafening, and then we both spoke at the same time.

“So, this guy…”

“How did you…”

We both stopped and laughed at each other.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “Go ahead.” He looked as though he was about to go through the whole oh no you first routine so I cut him short. “Please,” I said firmly.

“Ok,” he shifted a little uncomfortably. “So, this guy you’re looking for, are you and him…” an anxious look waited for my answer.

“What? No.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t even know who he is.” I went a little distant as I remembered the dark figure watching me through the flashing lights of the emergency vehicles.

“You don’t know who he is but you’re looking for him by seeking out ghosts?” Simon was obviously confused and I shrugged in reply. “Is he a hunter?”

“I think so. I think he saved my life, no, I know he saved my life.”

“Really? What gig did he work?” At my blank look he reiterated. “What did he save your life from?”

“It was a ghost.” I felt the colour draining from my cheeks at having to think about it. “In the old clothing factory…”

“Oh yeah, I heard about that. Was going to look into it myself but by the time I got there it was already busted.” Simon nodded thoughtfully. “Shame really, I would’ve liked to have seen it. Nasty piece of work like that, heard it sliced up a couple of kids a treat a while back.” I could see and excited smile on his lips as he thought about it.

“You respect it.” It wasn’t a question; I almost held my breath and feared his reply. Simon stared at me, the tone of my voice appeared to trouble him and he struggled for something to say.

“Well, it’s not like I…” he stumbled over his words but I’d heard enough, I pushed back my chair and stormed away from him. My whole body tensed with anger at him.

“Hey, Lyca.” I heard him race after me.

“Don’t call me that,” I shouted back at him.

“What did I do? What’s the matter?” He grabbed my arm and spun me round to face him. My face was a storm and he looked taken back.

“Those kids were my best friends,” I growled through gritted teeth. I snatched my arm from his grip and ran up the stairs.

Bray came out of the dining room and looked concerned after me. Simon went to follow but Bray quickly got in his way.

“Don’t you think you’ve done enough?” Bray said steadily.

“Get out of my way,” Simon’s voice was low and dangerous.

“Why don’t you just leave her alone?” Bray moved in front of Simon again as he tried to push past.

“I’m warning you man, just back off.” Simon glared at Bray, his jaw set in anger at the man in his way.

“I don’t think so,” Bray said calmly raising his head in defiance. Suddenly Simon grabbed Bray and threw him aside like he was half the size he actually was.

“I said back off.” Simon ran up the stairs after me. I had stopped to watch the confrontation but now I ran from him again, I didn’t want to hear why he had even the slightest bit of respect for the thing that murdered my friends, that almost killed me.
I got to the top of the stairs and realised I had gone too many floors up; I was on the second floor, Simon’s floor. I cursed my lack of concentration and turned to go back down but Simon was already right behind me. We stood awkwardly avoiding each others gaze.

“Hey,” he said quietly. Now he’d caught up with me he didn’t know what to say.
My breath was heavy as I shifted my weight and waited for him to speak again.

“Look, I’m sorry, I didn’t know about your friends. If I had…”

“If you had you might not have let slip that you respected their murderer?” I stared straight into his eyes and watched him fight for an explanation.

“It’s not respect,” he said firmly. “It’s just, when you’ve been doing this job a while, the idea of a real bad asses butt to kick is appealing, gives you a buzz.”

“You enjoy it?” I was slightly horrified. “You like that there are thing like this out there to fight?”

“Yes, I enjoy my job. I like beating these things back to hell or wherever they came from. Saving people’s lives, weather they know it or not.” He didn’t pause, even when I opened my mouth to speak. “No, I don’t like that there are these things out there but there are, and there probably always will be. But I’m not about to stand by and let them have their way with the world and its people, so I seek ‘em out and destroy them, one at a time if I have to and I’ll continue to do that until my time comes to join ‘em. Hopefully I make the world a little safer doing it but I guess I’ll never really know. If the fact that I get a little job satisfaction bothers you I’m sorry, sue me, but with this work you do what you can to stop yourself going crazy.”

I was taken back by his outburst and the defensive anger that came with it; I stood like a fool, my mouth open but no words to speak. But Simon wasn’t waiting for a reply; he pushed past me and opened the door to his room.

I looked at the empty hall where he had just stood, I felt stupid. How selfish of me to say those things to him, how dare I judge him when he was in truth killing the big bad nasties of the world?

“Come on,” Simon called from his room. “It’s dark already, let’s find this bitch and burn her.”

A smile curled on my face and I bit my lip happily. I turned to see him half leaning out the doorway an expectant look on his face. Quickly I followed him in, afraid he might change him mind any second.

I closed the door behind me and went to the computer where Simon was already scanning the page. As I past him I ran my hand over his shoulder and planted a quick kiss on his head. Just as I went to sit down Simon caught my hand, I looked to him but he simply smiled softly and gave my hand a little squeeze before releasing it. I sat and leant in to see the screen inhaling his smell and trying not to smile.

“Damn it.” Suddenly Simon was wiping his face with his hand, he sighed before he kicked the underside of the table. “Bollocks.”

“What? What is it?” I scanned the screen quickly and found what must have set him off. “She was cremated?” Simon nodded. “So, what do we do? Find her ashes and salt them?”

Simon laughed slightly before stifling it. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment and he gave me an apologetic look.

“No, it means there’s something else keeping her here, I should’ve checked earlier.” I could see Simon beating himself up inside and I felt badly for him, I was afraid I had been the cause of his distraction.

“What do we do now?”

“More research,” Simon sighed. “Find out more about her, who her killer was anything that might be keeping her here.” We stared at each other, neither looking forward to the no doubt long night we had ahead of us. There was nothing else to do but get to work.

It was nearly midnight when I rubbed my eyes, trying desperately to stay awake as I stared at the computer screen. We’d discovered the girls name was Rachel; she was an only child to her parents who had owned the hotel until five years ago. They had all lived and worked in it, they’d shut it down after a guest raped and murdered Rachel, beating her to death. He was never found. She was a good student who had hopes of becoming a doctor. We’d found out lots about her but nothing that would keep her here killing people.

I groaned and looked at my empty coffee mug. I heard Simon moving around the room and hoped he’d put the kettle on. Instead he came and slipped his warm hands over my sore shoulders and rubbed them gently. I relaxed into the massage and dropped my head forward closing my eyes. Then I could feel his hot breath against the skin on my neck and as his lips touched me my breath staggered. I leant my head back exposing more of my neck to him as his hands ran down my arms and took my hands. He pulled me from the chair and turned me to face him, his mouth was still at me neck as he pulled my arms round him. Then his kisses were on my lips and his arms encased me. I fell into his touch and kissed him back, his hands moved firmly over my back pulling me into him further as his kisses became harder.

“Simon,” I tried to speak through his kisses. “We...should be…working.”

“Shut up,” he said and he continued his onslaught of kisses, his hands began to wander.

“Simon, stop it.” I pulled away from him but he wouldn’t let me go. “I said stop it.” I pushed on his chest but he just turned me roughly toward to the bed. His touch was no longer soft; it was hard and rough, even violent. Fear rose in me and I started pounding him with my fist.

“Let me go,” I cried desperately. Simon simply gripped one of my beating fists and yanked my arm down by my side, holding it there painfully. I yelled out at the pain but he didn’t stop. His other hand found my breast and he squeezed it so hard it hurt.
“Stop, Simon please, get off me.” I struggled against his grip but he just plastered my face with unfeeling kisses.

I fought him as hard as I could but his strength was too much for me and there was no way I could beat him. I lifted my foot and slammed it down on his toes as hard as I could manage. His grip loosened and I took that moment to pull free of him, I turned and ran across the room but there was no where to go. My breath caught in my throat. I was forced to turn back to him, his face was a sneer, his eyes were hardly in focus, it was like he wasn’t him anymore.

“Oh shit,” I swore as I realised what was going on. The newlyweds, the husband had raped and beaten his wife to death, later arguing he had no control over his actions.

“Simon,” I said wearily as he stalked towards me, his lip curled back. “You don’t want to do this; you’ve got to fight it.”

“Don’t you dare tell me what to do, you little whore,” Simon spat at me. “Teasing me with the way you look, coming onto me only to turn me away.”

“I explained about that, you understood remember?” How was I going to get through to him?

“I lied.” Simon was right up close to me, there was nothing for it, I tried to run past him but I was no where near quick enough. He caught my arm as I passed and twisted it round, I screamed in pain. Then he was in front of me, he swung his arm and with a vicious backhand he struck my face and I was sent sprawling on the floor. My face erupted in agony and tears streamed down my cheeks, I scrambled away from him but he grabbed my leg and dragged me towards him. I tried to kick at him but instead he kicked me hard in the gut, I doubled over in pain unable to stop him as his strong legs pinned mine underneath him, then he struck me again with a forceful punch followed quickly by more. He continued to hit me until I was dazed by the attack and in a second Simon had my hands pinned to the floor with one hand while the other roughly ripped my top to expose my bra and naked stomach. Then his mouth was on me, practically biting its way over my body, my breasts, he pulled my bra away from my chest and I heard the strap snap.

“Please don’t,” I cried, my sobs chocking me. “Simon, stop, please don’t do this.”

I fought against him with every ounce of strength I had but it was no good, I squeezed my eyes closed and tried to block out what was happening.

“Please let me go.”

My body tensed against the intrusive hand as it felt over the button on my trousers, he tried to rip them open but they wouldn’t go so he released my hands and started attacking my trousers with both of his. With my hands free I opened my eyes and searched for something, anything. My fingers caught around a wire. I had no idea what it was attached to but I yanked it anyway. The lamp on the table next to my head tumbled off and landed just out of my reach. Simon was to busy freeing my lower half that he didn’t even notice. I pulled on the wire and finally grasped the heavy lamp. Without a moment’s hesitation and a little battle cry, I swung my weapon and connected with Simon’s head. Simon rolled off me and lay unmoving on the floor. I crawled away holding the lamp firmly in my grip until I was sitting in the corner. My body shook so hard I couldn’t control it and I thought I’d shake my bones apart, I tried to stop myself crying but the tears came in waves, my body convulsed with sobs. I looked to the door but I would have to go over Simon to get there, what if he woke up, what if just by making a sound I would stir him enough? I couldn’t force my legs to move they were paralysed with fear, my stomach ached from his kick and my face stung. I tenderly touched my hand to my face and when I pulled it away it was covered in blood. I looked down at my exposed body, embarrassed I tried to pull my ripped top around me. This was no good, I couldn’t stay here. I gathered my confidence and used the wall to help hold my weight on my shaky legs. No sooner had I stood and my head span, my sight doubled and my legs collapsed under me. I found myself sitting on the floor in the corner again fighting for consciousness. It was a fight I lost.

I didn’t have a clue how long I’d been out when my eyes fluttered open, my entire body ached and I couldn’t see out of one of my eyes as it had swollen closed. Still clutched in my hands was the lamp and then it all came flooding back. I jerked alert and looked at the floor by my feet. Simon still lay there, not moving, my heart tightened and I was afraid I had killed him.

“Simon?” I called gently not knowing if it was the right thing to do or not. It was still dark as far as I could tell, what if he was still under the ghost’s influence?

Then he moved, half of me sighed with relief that he was still alive but the other half tensed as my fear gripped me again.

Simon groaned and held his hand to his head where I had hit him. Then he sat up so fast it made me gasp. He heard me and snapped his head round to look in my direction. I couldn’t help but cower away from him, I held the lamp out but in truth didn’t have the strength to use it.

“Oh my god,” Simon whispered. He rolled over onto his knees and quickly crawled toward me. My eyes widened in alarm at his rapid approach but he stopped without touching me. His eyes fell on my torn clothes and I futilely tried to cover up my exposed skin.

“Lyca?” Simon’s voice cracked and he searched my face; I could see his eyes filling with tears as he looked from his red knuckles to the bruises on my face. “Oh shit, I’m so sorry, I didn’t…I couldn’t…”

He reached out to touch from me but stopped when I flinched. His eyes widened and he backed away.

I knew he was him again, I could see it in his eyes but there was a part of me I couldn’t convince. Slowly I forced myself to put the lamp down, my hands trembled and I quickly brought them protectively over my body.

“Lyca, you know…I mean it wasn’t…” Poor Simon didn’t know what to say, he probably wasn’t sure I’d believe him.

“I know,” I said weakly he nodded but didn’t relax. Suddenly he stood and went to a bag; he pulled out a large black t-shirt and handed it to me. I took it gratefully and he turned his back as I tenderly slipped it over my head. I hissed as the neck of it brushed over my face.

“You ok?” Simon asked immediately. I looked up at him; he turned to check on me and shook his head. “I’m sorry, that was a stupid question. Can I get you anything? Do you…do you want me to leave you alone?”

“Simon,” I said gently, I realised I was still sitting on the floor and I tried to climb to my feet but my legs wouldn’t hold my weight just yet. “It’s ok, it wasn’t your fault, I know.”

“I’m so sorry,” he muttered.

“Hey, didn’t I just get through saying it wasn’t your fault?” Despite everything we shared a small laugh which I had to cut even shorter as pain shot though my face.

“Thank you,” Simon said quietly. “You know I’d never hurt you right?”

“Simon?”

“Yeah?”

“Help me up?” I tried again to get to my feet but my legs were so weak I couldn’t possibly do it myself. Simon looked a little taken back by my request but only for a second then he was by my side and gently holding my arm. My head clouded as I stood and I suddenly clung to him, needing him to take more of my weight. Slowly he helped me to the bed.

“I think we should get you cleaned up.” Simon went straight to the bathroom. He came back with a flannel and a bowl of water, on his way he stopped by his bag and pulled out a first aid kit. He opened the kit on the bed; it was full of bandages and plasters, antiseptic wipes and cream, needles and thread, syringes and little bottles of liquid that I couldn’t pronounce the names of. There was also a little mirror that I pulled out. Simon caught my hand, instinctively I pulled away from him and he paused regretfully.

“Let me clean you up first huh?” He pleaded with his eye for me not to look in the mirror but I steadied myself and lowered my gaze.

My left eye was swollen so much it had completely closed; from a gash above it blood had fallen and dried over that entire side of my face. My lip was twice the size it should have been, a split had also poured with blood coating my neck. My right cheek had gotten away lighter with just a graze and some slight bruising.

A tear fell from my closed eye and I put the mirror down, I could see Simon watching me closely, the pain in his eyes softened my feelings.

“The blood makes it look worse,” I shrugged a shoulder then winced at the pain in my stomach. Simon looked in concern, he held out his hand slightly.

“Can I?”

I stared at his hand not sure if I wanted him to touch me, but I knew it would be a good idea for him to check me out so I nodded my approval. I leant back slightly and Simon carefully lifted the t-shirt. I gripped the bed covers in an attempt to stop my shaking. I looked down and watched him gently feel my stomach, there was a bruise there but nothing serious that I could make out. I hissed at some of his touches but in no time he was replacing my top and backing away.

“It’s just bruised,” he told me; I could hear the relief in his voice that he hadn’t done more damage. Then he began to clean away the blood from my face. The water in the bowl was warm and I closed my eyes as he worked carefully.

“Simon?” I said softly while he worked.

“Yeah?”

“Promise me something?” I asked. This time he did stop. He placed the flannel into the blood filled bowl and gazed at me.

“Anything,” he said seriously.

“Promise me we’ll get the bitch that did this to me?” I tried to stay strong but the intensity of everything overwhelmed me and I couldn’t hold it back any longer. I burst into tears and leant into his arms. He held me, gently rocking me as I cried into his chest.

“We will, I promise.” Simon brushed my hair back and kissed my forehead and we just sat there for a time. It was the strangest experience, to feel perfectly safe in the arms of the man who had just attacked me, but that’s how I felt, and when Simon promised we’d get her, I believed him completely.

It was light when I woke; Simon was sitting in front of the computer a fresh cup of coffee steaming beside him. I rolled on the bed and blinked. Already the swelling had gone down and I could just about see out of my left eye. I’d spent a good portion of the night holding ice from the mini bar against my face.

“Morning,” I said sleepily. Simon tipped his head in my direction and smiled at my sleepiness.

“Afternoon,” he corrected me.

“Really? Already?” I sat up and swung my legs off the bed. I was in clean clothes. I’d taken a long, tearful shower back in my own room but then surprised Simon by returning to his and asking if I could stay the night. I hadn’t wanted to be by myself. Simon had suggested I leave, that I go home and leave him to finish the job but I had been firm with my decision that I wanted to see this thing through to the end. He had understood and I’d fallen asleep watching him research.

“Did you sleep at all?” I moved over to the chair by the computer and eased my sore body into it. I was feeling a lot better than I had been, but my wounds were still very fresh.

“I slept when you knocked me out,” he grinned slyly and rubbed the little bump on his head.

“That’s not exactly proper sleep is it?” I lectured him, he rolled his eyes at me and I grinned at him.

“You’re gonna heal nicely I think,” Simon said holding a hand to my face. I turned my head away, I felt very conscious of my bruises and it bothered me for him to see me like that. But his eyes were caring and the guilt he felt still remained in them.

“So, have you found anything?” I quickly changed the subject.

“I think so,” Simon nodded and shuffled his chair over so I could get a look at the computer screen.

“Police report? How did you…” I looked shocked at him, how had he gotten access to the police folders?

“I have my ways,” Simon said simply and pointed to the screen. “It says here that the only thing that was missing from her body was a silver locket. Her parents said that it had contained a lock of her hair that they’d given her when she was young, she never took it off.”

“So you think this locket is what’s keeping her here?” I asked, and then I had an idea. “Oh, but if it’s got her hair in it, well, that’s part of her right? So if we can find the locket and burn her hair, that could get rid of her.”

“I’m impressed. You catch on quick.” Simon nodded in approval then he pulled up a large picture of Rachel. Around her neck was a thin silver chain, hanging between her breasts was the locket. Simon zoomed in on it so we could get a better look. It was plain silver but engraved across it was the word Rachel.

“Ok, so how do we find the locket?” I asked.

“I have no idea.” Simon stared straight ahead at the screen and zoomed out of the photo.

“She was pretty,” I said sadly as I looked into her eyes, so happy in the family picture the police had on file.

“Yes, she was.” For a moment Simon looked sombre but he pushed those feelings aside and rose from the chair, but I continued to look at her. “She must’ve been so scared, what she went through.”

“You can’t let those thoughts in, if you feel like that for every victim this job will kill you,” Simon warned, but as I looked at her young beautiful face I remembered how I’d felt when Simon was pinning me to the ground, the terror as I knew I was helpless and the suffocation of the unwanted body pressing down on me. Having my clothes ripped from my body and my cries caught in my throat, when fighting did nothing to help, only made the beating more intense and the hands grope more painfully. When begging went unheard or even caused exhilaration on his part and I felt like my body wasn’t mine anymore and even now I wasn’t sure if it would ever feel like mine again. And no matter how much washing I did I didn’t think I could ever clean off the dirty violated feeling that was left behind.

Rachel must’ve felt like that when she was attacked by her killer. She would’ve experienced the most degrading moment of her life as someone else took control of her and used her to fulfil their own disgusting wants. No wonder the poor girl was filled with such anger; she probably wanted everyone to suffer as she had. No one came to her aid, so one saved her from her fate, so screw the world and let them suffer too.

I leapt from my chair as Simon’s hand landed on my shoulder, my heart pounding in my chest. He backed off immediately, hands in the air showing he wasn’t a threat but I was shaken from my memories and wasn’t sure I could deal with him right now.

“Wow, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Simon tentatively took a step toward me. “Lyca, are you ok?”

“I’m just…” I backed away from him and edged toward to door. “I’m sorry, I just need some air.”

I turned and fled from the room; I felt sick to my stomach and needed to be out in the open.

“Lyca?” Simon called after me but I didn’t stop. I ran down the stairs and into the lobby. Bray was at the front desk but I raced straight past him and out the front doors.
As soon as I was in the outside world I gulped down the fresh air, I hadn’t realised how suffocated and constrained I’d felt inside. The sounds of the cars going past, of people talking and laughing washed over me and I didn’t realise how much I had missed it.

“Laura?” It was Bray, I sighed, I really didn’t want company right now, I needed to think.

“Bray, look I don’t mean to be rude but I’d really like to be alone.” I turned to him only to hear him gasp. Then I remembered my face.

“Holy shit, what happened to you?” He moved closer to me, his face filled with concern.

“Oh, it’s nothing, really.” I stepped backward holding my hands up to ward him off. “I got in a fight is all; you should’ve seen the other girl.” I faked a laugh, maybe showing my face in public hadn’t been such a good idea after all.

“Jeez, what did you do, kill her?” Bray ignored my warding hands and he took me by the arm guiding me inside.

“Not exactly,” I went inside feeling very self conscious.

“Laura?” Bray said gently.

“What?”

“Did he do this to you?” He looked at me carefully watching for any sign of a lie.

“Who Simon? No, don’t be ridiculous.” I blurted maybe a little too fast.

“You know you don’t have to lie to me right, I can look after you.” Bray continued to stare intensely in my eyes, I met his steadily.

“I can promise you, Simon is in no way responsible for why I’m hurt.” I kept Bray’s gaze and knew I wasn’t lying because I didn’t blame Simon in anyway, as far as I was concerned it wasn’t him that attacked me, it was a spirit.

“Ok, I believe you,” Bray said relaxing. “But you look like crap, you wanna drink?”

“Hell yeah,” I laughed, relishing the thought of a nice cold pint to wash away the events of the last few days. Bray led the way to the bar and I was more than willing to follow.

“You seriously need to get a pool table in here,” I told Bray.

“You said that already,” he told me handing me another shot of tequila.

“Yeah well, you really really need one.” I laughed and took the shot from him. I held my hand out for him to salt and grinned at him for a moment before I licked it off, squirming my face I quickly knocked back the shot and grabbed a section of lemon from the plate. As I sucked the lemon I screwed my face up. It felt good to be able to do that and it not hurt, alcohol had cured me of that pain. I threw the drained lemon on the plate and shivered as the sharpness filled my mouth. I laughed at Bray who just watched me in amazement. Picking up my fourth pint I saluted him and downed a quarter of the glass.

Then I was looking around the empty bar, I slipped off my bar stool and staggered into the middle of the room.

“Don’t you have any music?” I held my arms in the air and swayed to a song only I could hear. I knew Bray was watching me and I swayed a little more, showing off my slim figure. Suddenly the lights dimmed and music seeped through speakers I hadn’t known were there. Bray came out from behind the bar and stepped up to me. The song was slow and gentle, I couldn’t remember if I’d heard it before but it didn’t matter. Now was about forgetting not remembering.

With a little tip of my head I slung my arms around Bray’s neck and swayed to the music. He moved with me and looked down into my eyes.

“You’re beautiful,” he told me, brushing a strand of hair from my eyes. His arm’s held me gently against him as we moved together, stepping from side to side, slowly turning in a circle in the middle of the deserted bar.

“Liar,” I teased, although I was half serious. How could someone think my face was beautiful, it was one big bruise. Bray just rolled his eyes at me and pulled me closer to him.

I rested my head on his chest and played with the buttons on his thin stylish white shirt. Bray smelt of liquor and cleaning fluid and I couldn’t help but think of how nice Simon smelt. I felt guilty, like I was betraying him somehow. Then again it wasn’t like we were a couple or anything, or ever could be after what had happened. So I pushed him from my mind and continued to dance with the tall handsome barman.

Suddenly I pushed away catching his hand and I swung myself under his arm, Bray fell into the dance move and spun me back under then towards him until I drunkardly lost my balance and bumped into him. I burst into laughter at my clumsiness while he steadied me with a pair of strong arms; he looked down at my bruised face before he leant in and kissed me.

One arm around my waist, he pulled me into him while his other hand held the side of my face and ran through my hair. I closed my eyes and went with the kiss, my mind was such a blur I didn’t really care what it was trying to tell me. As Bray’s kisses became more intense the pain in my lip over came the alcohol and screamed at me. I hissed and pulled away, my hand going to my lip that was now throbbing. Then my head spun and I almost fell backwards. Bray caught me, holding me up.

“I think I need to sit down,” I said, I could hear my voice slurring. Bray helped to the bar and I climbed onto one of the stools, I had to use him to keep my balance while my vision wavered. Surely I wasn’t that drunk? I was used to heavy drinking and I rarely ended up like this.

I almost tumbled backwards off the stool, luckily my reflexes still worked a bit and I caught hold of Bray’s shirt to steady myself.

“Wow,” he said and he rushed to catch me, he laughed at me as he put me upright again. “Someone can’t handle their drink.”

I clung to his shirt and tried to force my head to focus.

“But I can,” I mumbled. Something glinted in my eye and I blinked to make out what it was. It was around Bray’s neck, silver. Now I did fight my memory. This meant something, something important.

“Hey, where’s Simon?” I knew what I was looking at, across it was engraved the name Rachel.

“Who cares,” Bray said a little testily. “Aren’t we having fun without him?”

“Yeah,” I smiled at him. “I just needed to ask him something, that’s all.”

I knew in my head that the only person who would have Rachel’s locket was her killer. Slowly I tried to climb off the stool and held my own weight.

“Where are you going?” Bray followed me as I held myself up on the bar. My head swam so badly I knew it wasn’t caused by the drink alone, Bray had spiked me.

“I need to go lie down; I don’t feel all that good.” I hoped that would be enough but really I knew it wouldn’t.

“Well here, let me help you.” Bray stepped towards me and in my haste to ward him off my grip left the safety of the bar and I tumbled backwards onto the floor.

“No, it’s ok. I can do it.” I struggled to stand and against my protests Bray took my arm, hauling me to my feet.

“Thanks, listen. Don’t trouble yourself, I just wanna go back to my room and lie down. I’m sure you’ve got tons of work to do and I don’t want to get you into trouble.” I pulled my arm free and this time managed to stay upright unaided.

“Laura, why the sudden cold shoulder? We were having fun weren’t we?” Bray’s voice turned hurt, I couldn’t focus on his face but I knew it wasn’t smiling.

“Yeah, we were having fun, but I really don’t feel well. I’d like to be alone. I’m sorry.” My voice was getting panicky I could tell and I knew he was picking up on it too. “Can we pick this up tomorrow?” I tried as I made it to the lobby.

“Its cause of him isn’t it? Even after what he did to you and you still want him over me.” Bray said harshly, he kept a close distance on me. I looked to the stairs and didn’t think I’d make it up them so I changed course and headed for the front doors instead.

“It’s got nothing to do with Simon,” I said quickly.

“I thought you wanted to lie down?”

“I figured some air would do me good.” I spun on the doors and practically fell through them. I stumbled and tripped landing painfully on my knees.

“Wow, steady on.” Bray grabbed me under the arms and started dragging me back inside. A group of people wandered past and I called out to them desperately.

“Help, help me please?” Some of the people stopped and looked at me.

“Don’t worry,” I heard Bray telling them. “She’s had a little too much to drink. Come on sweetheart, time to get you to bed I think.”

I heard the group laughing and one of them called out piss head. Bray lugged me inside and threw me on the floor. As I tried to crawl to the stairs I heard him locking the front doors and I knew I was trapped.

“SIMON!!!” I screamed as loud as I could, I had no idea if he could hear me or not but it was the only thing I could think of to do. I wouldn’t make it if I tried to get to him myself. “SI…” Bray smacked me across the face to shut me up.

“Be quiet you little whore,” he spat at me and grabbed me by my hair. I screamed as he dragged me up the stairs. I had to hold my hands over my hair to stop it from being torn out.

“SIMON HELP!!” I screamed again. This was rewarded by a kick to my gut, and then Bray was holding me by my top and pulling my face to meet his.

“You know, I tried not to get involved but you had to go and survive didn’t you. Now I’ll just have to do it myself.” Still using my hair he continued to haul me up the stairs until we were on the landing of the first floor.

“You knew?” I managed to wheeze through the pain in my stomach.

“Of course I knew? Why do you think I’m here?” Bray asked as if I was stupid. “Because she’s here, and this way I get to watch and listen and I don’t get any of the blame.”

“You killed Rachel.” As soon as I spoke her name Bray’s face was so close to mine I could feel his breath panting in my eyes.

“That little bitch had it coming, such a little tease. Wearing clothes that screamed for attention, moving her body in ways no man could resist. She wanted it but was just too afraid to admit it.” Bray lifted me and threw me over his shoulder. My head clouded from the rough movement and I fought for consciousness.

“What are you going to do?” I was so drugged that I could show no more fear or pain, inside I screamed and fought for control but I knew that when the time came I wouldn’t be able to fight back; I would be able to prevent him doing what he wanted.

“I’m going to finish was that coward couldn’t.” He carried me further up the stairs as my silent tears began to fall.

“Who you calling a coward?”

Suddenly Bray dropped me roughly to the floor and I landed with a thud. I looked up to see Simon facing off with him.

“Simon,” I breathed, relief washing over me.

“Don’t worry Lyca, you’re safe now,” Simon promised.

“Her name is Laura and believe me, she is far from safe.” Bray stood in front of me as if he were protecting me but I knew it was more like protecting his catch.

“Let her go,” Simon said, his voice full of warning. Bray just laughed.

“Or what? You’re gonna make me?”

“Let’s see.”

Simon stepped towards Bray and threw a punch. Bray ducked under it like he was a boxer or something, he dodged his head from side to side avoiding the rest of Simon’s attacks. Then he threw a few jabs of his own that connected with Simon’s face. Bray stood back smugly as Simon wiped a drop of blood from his mouth.

“That was a mistake,” Simon promised him.

This time when Simon attacked he moved quickly, feigning one move, then another, then he spun a kick which connected with Bray’s chest sending him stumbling past me. Simon held his hand out to me but as I grabbed for it I missed.

“Come on, what’s wrong with you?” Simon said desperately.

“Drugged,” was all I could manage to say and a tried to grab for his hand again. My fingers brushed with his but Bray was there, he knocked my hand aside.

“I don’t think so,” Bray booted me in the head and I fell onto my side. Then he and Simon were fighting again.

As I tried to focus on the fast moving figures I felt stupid and useless. Bray was here all this time listening and watching men rape and murder women and he had been enjoying every single second of it. But what I didn’t understand was how come Rachel didn’t take her revenge in him, why was she lashing out at others?

Bray crashed to the floor beside me, the shock of it jerked me awake a little more than I had been and I watched as Simon came and pulled him to his feet so that he could punch him in the face again. Bray was a picture of cuts and bruises, Simon had really done a number on him. Then Bray caught Simon in a sloppy attack and twisted his arm behind him. Bray slammed Simon’s head into the wall, then he pulled him back to ram him again. Bray leant in to snarl in Simon’s ear.

“You know I’m going to keep you alive long enough to watch your girlfriend suffer, don’t you?” Simon bucked against Bray’s hold but couldn’t break free. His eyes fell on me and he looked as though he was begging for forgiveness.

Forcing my head to stay as clear as I could managed I used the wall to climb to my feet. I watched as Bray smacked Simon’s head against the wall again and again. Simon was bleeding and when Bray let his limp body go he slid down the wall leaving behind a red smear on the paint work.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Bray turned to me, seeing me on my feet.

“She didn’t attack you,” I said unsteadily, my words still slurred.

“What are you talking about?” Bray stepped over Simon and advanced on me.

“Rachel. In all the time you’ve been here she never once attacked you.”

“Yeah well, she always did have a soft spot for me. Why do you think I came back here? I wanted to be close to my grand creation.” Bray lifted his arms proudly and gazed around at the hotel. Behind him I could see Simon coming round and trying to get up.

“Oh, I don’t think that’s what it is.” I pushed off the wall and stood unsteadily before him.
“What would you know? You’re just like her, a tease, a flirt, but when it comes down to it you never give up the goods,” Bray said accusingly.

“Maybe you just never learned how to treat a lady,” Simon snarled just before he pounced at him. Bray swung round and he and Simon wrestled. Suddenly Bray got the advantage and Simon found himself pinned over the banister.

“Simon!” I shouted, afraid Bray would tip him over the edge.

“Say goodbye,” Bray pushed Simon further.

I launched myself at Bray, I caught him round the waist and together we tumbled and rolled down the flight of stairs, every stair I hit sent a fresh pain into my body but I was only focused on one thing. Eventually we landed in a heap in the lobby with Simon shouting my name from the top of the stairs.

I fought away the dizziness in my head as Bray stirred beside me. I threw myself on him, straddling him.

“Figures you’d want to be on top,” he groaned through what ever pain he was in, a disgusting grin pulled on his lips.

“You make me sick,” I punched him in the face. It did next to nothing but it sure felt good. “And this doesn’t belong to you.” I felt over his chest and ripped Rachel’s locket from him. Then I rolled away, not bearing to be near him a second longer.
Suddenly the lights flickered, I hadn’t notice it get dark outside until then.

“What the hell?” Bray looked about at the lights and we all felt a cold wind breeze though the lobby. Simon was already down the stairs and helping me away from Bray, my legs wouldn’t hold my weight but that didn’t matter anymore.

In front of Bray the ghostly figure of Rachel appeared. Her face and body covered in bruises, cuts and blood. She glared at Bray as he scrambled away from her. Suddenly Bray was thrown across the room and landed in the bar area. Rachel’s spirit followed him there.

Simon helped me stagger my way to the arch way between the lobby and the bar and together we watched as Bray was bombarded with chairs and tables that flew through the air of their own accord. Then suddenly a table leg shot towards him and impaled him through the gut. I turned my head and Simon shielded me from the sight, my mind filled with images of Mark, my friend, killed the same way by a ghost. Only Bray deserved it, he was evil to the core. I moved Simon’s hand away and watched as Bray struggled to hold onto a life he didn’t deserve.

I felt nothing as Bray died, no sadness, no regret, no joy or satisfaction. I felt nothing.
Rachel’s spirit turned to Simon and I and I could just make out a smile before she disappeared.

“Is it…” I started before my words failed me.

“It’s over,” Simon confirmed. He looked down at me but my eyes blinked slowly and then they didn’t open at all as the drugs over came me.

“So the family will get the locket back?” I asked Simon as he lugged his bag into the boot of his car. The side of his head battered and bruised from his encounter with the wall.

“Yep, Simon’s DNA matched that found on Rachel and the locket only confirmed it, he was her killer. Oh, and he’s also getting done for attacking you.” Simon slammed the boot shut and winked at me. I nodded and allowed a little smile. “You did really good, figuring out that it was the locket that was somehow keeping her at bay. I’m not entirely sure how it worked myself but it seemed to act as a protective charm against her.”

“So instead of going after him she was doomed to make others go through the same hell she did.” I looked sadly at the hotel before turning my back on it and leaning against the back of Simon’s car. I played with the keys of my own, twirling them round my finger.

“How you holding up?” Simon asked kindly.

“Oh, I’ll survive; I’ve made it through so far.” I grinned at him and it actually felt good to smile and mean it.

“You still going to keep searching for your mystery saviour?” Simon said slightly mockingly.

“Yeah, I need to find him, if only to thank him.” I squinted in the late afternoon sun. “I had been looking for answers but you’ve answered a lot of them already.”

“Glad to be of assistance.” He gave a slight bow and I laughed at his silliness.

“How about you? Got anymore gig’s lined up?”

“Oh, I’m sure I’ll find something, there’s always a big bad beastie roaming out there somewhere, preying on the innocent.” Simon looked out at the road as if he was itching to get going.

“Well, good luck with that.” I leant over and gave Simon a quick peck on the cheek before turning and heading for my car.

“Thanks,” Simon replied and went to open his car door. “You too.”

With that Simon climbed in his car, started the engine and pulled out of the car park. He gave me a little wave as he went and I waved him off.

When he was out of sight I felt a pang of sadness, I was going to miss him. We’d been though so much over those few days and even though I’m sure he didn’t know it he’d helped me though a lot of the issues I’d been building up.

I leant against my car and thought about going home, I remembered my screensaver fish, my fridge pull of beer, my bed I hardly ever slept in any more. A shadow came over me at the thought of going back to that life; I needed to move on from there, to move away from the hole of despair that place held for me.

I climbed into my car and shoved the key in its slot.

It was time to make some changes.

I turned the key and the engine just whined at me. I turned it again but still nothing.

“Oh you stupid piece of shit.” I banged the steering wheel and got out of the car.
I grabbed my bag out of the passenger seat and threw the car key onto the front seat. If anyone wanted the heap of junk they were welcome to it. I walked to the edge of the car park and looked out at the world afresh. I used to hate travelling, but now it seemed like the best idea in the world.

I turned away from my old life and started walking towards my new one, what ever that may be.

A car pulled up beside me and beeped. I hid a grin as I turned to see Simon leaning out his car window.

“You know, I could always help you find him,” he said with a shrug. “If you think you could put up with me.” I watch a sly grin form over his face as I mulled over his offer.

“I can live with that,” I shrugged back at him and went round to the passenger side of the car. Simon leant over to open it for me and I climbed inside.

“Welcome aboard Lyca.” Simon waited for me to close the door before driving away.

“Simon.”

“Yeah?”

“It’s Laura.”

“Doesn’t suit you.”