Ororo's ghost story, part 3

[MorningStar]

There was a soft knock on the door, and to her surprise MIKE rather than Karen entered the guest room. Before she could ask him what the HELL he was doing in her room D), she noticed he was carrying something. He had brought her what looked like tea…and beer?

He moved to leave after setting the tray down. She looked up at him blankly, not knowing what to say. Though normally she didn’t think too much of Mike past his relationship with Karen, she was honestly touched at the sentiment.

He was almost to the door when she sighed and stopped him.

“Mike – wait.”

She stood up and walked part of the way towards him.

“I know we haven’t been the best of friends…but I want you to know – I think you’re good for Karen. She needs you.”

She paused for a second, her eyes glancing down then back up to him again.

“And – thank you. For the tray and – and for helping keep us all alive tonight.”

She gave him a small smile, and nodded to him as he left.

 

[Spellbinder]

in Morgan's mansion

<< Morgan was wrapped up in a soft, down comforter. curled up in her bed, she lay silently as the moonlight showed through her window. Tinkerbell was curled up next to Morgan as well, the siamese was doing her best to sooth her mommy with a soft purr. Morgan lightly pets Tink on the head with the tips of her finernails.>>

<< her body aches from the strain of resisting Christopher as he tried to drag her into oblivion. he was only a mortal in reality but after death, he became something much worse. the whole experience would haunt Morgan for sometime.>>

<< Ava was staying over for the night in one of the guest rooms and Blaze was in her room. Morgan remained closed off in her room , unable to sleep...but soon, Blaze had crept in, asking if they could talk. Tinker was the first to notice as her ears perked up a bit but Morgan didnt move.>>

yes...come in.

<< the large room was dark, with only the moonlight showing through the windows and a slight breeze from the open window. >>

what is it, Blaze?

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas tensed as he heard Alycia's voice, cold as the new temperature in the room. He could see the breath in front of his face as she spoke. She said that HE was the reason that she was not at rest, not James Marcus. That she could not rest until he paid. He answered, his voice amazingly even and calm.

HMPH!! So you have come back for me, my dear? If this is a James marcus trick, then I will tell you..and HIM..that there is no barrier in heaven and earth that will prevent me from getting to him, whether I am alive OR dead.

However...if you are here truly of your own volition...because you were hurt that night, and can now no longer rest..then SO BE IT.

Nicolas rose, everything else in the room pushed aside as he did not turn around. He spoke, his own voice filling the room.

I am sorry, Alycia. When they came for you, I was calling you, hoping to reconcile. I could never stay mad at you for long, and I was sorry for the hurtful things that I said then and NOW. Throughout our life together, I loved you more than anything. I would have died for you then and...if that is what is required for you to rest, I will do that now. Take your revenge, my sweet.

Even as he left himself to the ghoul's fate, the house began to shudder and shake in a heartbeat rhythm...partly because of Nicolas' agitation, but partly something else. The darkness in him did not wish for him to be lost...and he knew that maybe this wa sthe best way, because he worried about what that darkness could do to the others more than he worried about HIMSELF.

 

[Arsenal]

“Mike – wait.”

She stood up and walked part of the way towards him.

“I know we haven’t been the best of friends…but I want you to know – I think you’re good for Karen. She needs you.”

She paused for a second, her eyes glancing down then back up to him again.

“And – thank you. For the tray and – and for helping keep us all alive tonight.”

Mike smiled warmly as she spoke. Before leaving, he said one last thing.

Thank you, D. But I couldn't take care of her without you. Get some rest. You have a BIG day ahead.

Mike strolled back to the kitchen and quickly made Karen's tray, bringing her her favorite tea and bagels in case she was hungry as well. Her placed them on the nightstand and quickly lifted her off the bed into his arms, giving her a big kiss before setting her back down.

I'm BAAAAAACK....

 

[Firebird]

Morg's room

Walking over to Morgan’s bed, Blaze reached out to scratch Tinkerbell under her chin while looking around Morgan’s dimly lit room. Shards of moonlight would pour through the open window. A thin brow arched on Blaze’s forehead.

Taking a seat next to Morgan, “How are you doing?” Concern was written across her facial expression for her sister. Usually Morgan was more amicable but tonight she was aloof, a characteristic unlike her.

“I’m a little worried about Nicolas...he was different at the church. Something dark haunts him. I figured you would know him best though.”

Reaching across the bed to take Morgan’s hand, “You’re a tough bitch Morg and I’ve seen that on more than one occasion. I just...be careful around Nicolas alright?”

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh walked back into the room where the group was, with Nicolas at her side. Everyone, though shaken and weary, seemed to be fine. Morgan was soaked through, and Nicolas gently reached out to her, separating the water from her clothes. For some reason to Haleigh, the gesture seemed incredibly intimate, and as she silently shrank back from the two, she was grateful to be tasked to patch up a remote radio transmission by Sharon and the Mayor.

They addressed the town and then broke into their original groups... sticking to safety in pairs and retiring to their homes. Haleigh went back with Nicolas. Sharon and her son came with them as well, once again taking residence in the pool house. Haleigh excused herself to shower. She ran the water hot.... hotter than most could stand, and for a while she just let the water wash over her. It helped to clear and relax her mind.

But relaxing apparently wasn't allowed in Thunder Bay. Haleigh detected a chill outside the steaming evironment of her shower. The temperature had changed out there, and it wasn't by any natural means. Haleigh left the shower running as she stepped out, grabbing a plush towel and wrapping it around her body. She already had a Mossberg 590A1 combat shotgun in her hands. The room was filled with steam, that she expected.... but when she stepped out of the bathroom... she could see the fog seeping in... and though Nic had warned her that it wasn't over, she had really hoped it had been.

Haleigh could hear very well.... she could, in fact, hear the conversation across the house. Alycia was back... and she blamed Nicolas for her death. Nicolas surrendered himself to her.... allowing her revenge or whatever she pleased. Haleigh had reached where they were, and she wasn't ready to be so obliging.

"NOT so fast, Alycia. You think NICOLAS is responsible for your current state? [pause]HARDLY. You clearly have no accurate concept of responsibility. Did those who dragged you down to your watery death do so BECAUSE of Nicolas? Did they come FOR Nicolas or directly because of his actions? Was Nicolas even THERE when it happened? No.... speaking as someone who IS responsible for the death of the person she loved... I can tell you.... Nicolas shares no responsibility. He carries the burden of your death on his shoulders... he FEELS that he did not do all he could have done.... but he is not directly responsible for what happened to you. You two FOUGHT... but it took BOTH of you to do that. If you REALLY loved him... as a wife SHOULD love her husband... you would have ALREADY forgiven him for that. If you really LOVED him... you would not WANT him to pay. You would not return to make him 'pay'. You would return to release him from the mental anguish your death has caused him."

 

[Harbinger]

Nicolas' home

the woman is right.

:: a cold voice rings out and validates what Haleigh says as Alison steps forward from the fog as well. the fact that Alison would appear ANYWHERE in Thunder Bay beyond the grounds of her ancestral estate or the gothic church was a MAJOR FIRST. it had been years...since the last major accident which claimed Cameron and Alycia among others that ALison had even come near Nicolas' home. this had to mean something.::

Alycia...this is not the way it's supposed to be. Not for you, not for Nicolas.

:: one good turn deserved another. Nicolas had risked his life for Alison.::

Alycia, Cameron is free now. He came to me only moments ago! I told him I loved him...that I would always love him and asked him to forgive me. He said there was nothing to forgive...and after a few moments, he was able to move on.

I see it clearly now. The curse IS partly what kept you from moving on. It lurked in the dark waters of Thunder Bay...the unresolved secret of our past...and your deaths were merely a catalyst for its reawakening...but that's gone now.

You're here because you want closure. Hear the words of your husband...and know that he speaks form his heart. Allow yourself to FORGIVE him.

Let this be the moment that you release him...and free yourself. You wont be forgoten...not by him, or by any of us who knew you and loved you.

and then....as i did with my baby brother, i will provide you with the path to peace...to the life you are now meant to live outside of physical reality...

:: she holds in her hand, the mysterious ruby gem set in the purest gold...the SEIGE PERILOUS the cosmic gateway to the "after life" among other things.::

:: Alison is here, demonstrating once again why she is unique among witches, past present and future and also...that she cares more about Nicolas' wellbeing than even HE might have suspected.::

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas turned slowly to face his departed love, his eyes betraying tears as he beheld her beauty, marred by the coldness of death and the waters of the deep. He dropped his axe and it embedded into the wood of the floor as he waited for her deadly embrace.

Then, Haleigh voice pierces the air as she defends him, his actions, and even goes as far as to say that Alycia's anger should be allayed by her love for him. Nicolas froze, standing in the moment as ANOTHER woman stepped forward to defend him. It was ALISON?!! She held an artifact in her hand and offered to usher Alycia to the afterlife after she received closure from that awful night.

Nicolas looked back upon Alycia as the shuddering of the house increased. He held his hands open, facing the ghoul as he silently pleaded with her for forgiveness, anything that would give her peace.

 

[Artemis]

inside Nicolas' home

:: Alycia turned her head slightly as Haleigh appeared.::

NOT so fast, Alycia. You think NICOLAS is responsible for your current state? [pause]HARDLY.

YOU again!

:: she shouted with supernatural contempt as she lifted her hand and a ghostly wind howls as she sends Haleigh FLYING into the wall.::

I am BEYOND your petty laws and concepts NOW!

:: she holds her hands in position as a scythe flashes into her grip via dark glowing orbs::

you hurt me in life...but it is I will have the last laugh!

Did those who dragged you down to your watery death do so BECAUSE of Nicolas? Did they come FOR Nicolas or directly because of his actions? Was Nicolas even THERE when it happened? No.... speaking as someone who IS responsible for the death of the person she loved... I can tell you.... Nicolas shares no responsibility. He carries the burden of your death on his shoulders... he FEELS that he did not do all he could have done.... but he is not directly responsible for what happened to you. You two FOUGHT... but it took BOTH of you to do that. If you REALLY loved him... as a wife SHOULD love her husband... you would have ALREADY forgiven him for that. If you really LOVED him... you would not WANT him to pay. You would not return to make him 'pay'. You would return to release him from the mental anguish your death has caused him."

:: Alycia pauses ...as her unearthly white on white eyes look at Haleigh then at Nicolas...thunder rumbles in the air.::

...NONSENSE...

the woman is right.

WHO!?

:: a cold voice rings out and validates what Haleigh says as Alison steps forward from the fog as well. the fact that Alison would appear ANYWHERE in Thunder Bay beyond the grounds of her ancestral estate or the gothic church was a MAJOR FIRST. it had been years...since the last major accident which claimed Cameron and Alycia among others that ALison had even come near Nicolas' home. this had to mean something.::

Alycia...this is not the way it's supposed to be. Not for you, not for Nicolas.

:: Alycia hissed with contempt.::

what would YOU know about it, witch? arent YOU the one who was too busy being a bitch to "foresee" your brother's own DEATH? it's just as much YOUR fault as it is anyone else's that we're dead! perhaps i should kill YOU instead!


:: Alycia is about to attack Alison when the precog holds out her hand and the Seige Perilous shimmers and glows as Alycia is startled by it.::

Alycia, Cameron is free now. He came to me only moments ago! I told him I loved him...that I would always love him and asked him to forgive me. He said there was nothing to forgive...and after a few moments, he was able to move on.

I see it clearly now. The curse IS partly what kept you from moving on. It lurked in the dark waters of Thunder Bay...the unresolved secret of our past...and your deaths were merely a catalyst for its reawakening...but that's gone now.

You're here because you want closure. Hear the words of your husband...and know that he speaks form his heart. Allow yourself to FORGIVE him.

Let this be the moment that you release him...and free yourself. You wont be forgoten...not by him, or by any of us who knew you and loved you.

and then....as i did with my baby brother, i will provide you with the path to peace...to the life you are now meant to live outside of physical reality...

:: she holds in her hand, the mysterious ruby gem set in the purest gold...the SEIGE PERILOUS the cosmic gateway to the "after life" among other things.::

:: Alison is here, demonstrating once again why she is unique among witches, past present and future and also...that she cares more about Nicolas' wellbeing than even HE might have suspected.::

Nicolas looked back upon Alycia as the shuddering of the house increased. He held his hands open, facing the ghoul as he silently pleaded with her for forgiveness, anything that would give her peace.

:: the gem of the seige perilous flashed as Alycia looked upon it after looking at Nicolas. from the face of the gem, she saw images of herself as she WAS in life! images of what MIGHT have been. the images reached out to her, propelled by spell from Alison and began to pull Alycia back to HERSELF.::

....i remember....

:: she says softly as memories return CLEARLY...and she feels something...something like her HEART?::

:: she closes her bizarre looking eyes and then looks to find Nicolas holding out his hands.::

Alison: it's okay Alycia...it's okay to FORGIVE HIM.

:: Alycia drops the scythe which shimmers out of view...as she takes a few hesitant steps forward...and her hand slowly reaches out to Nicolas'::

Nicolas...

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas stand there silent, listenng to what is going on around him. A woman he didn't know was cobining with a woman he didn't know cared at all to help him concerning the woman he loved. He was torn, in a way, as he almost wished they had not interfered. What is he lived, survived this, and he could not fight the darkness inside?

Still, hwe was heartened by seeing Alycia transform before him into something more herself, even if for a moment. When she reached for him, he reached back, their hands nearly touching...

 

[Artemis]

at the last moment

:: Alycia's finaly manicured nails finally touch the tips of Nicolas' fingers...as she hesitantly comes closer and then embraces her husband. her bizarre eyes change back to "normal" revealing the beautifull hazel eyes she was known for.::

Oh ...Nicolas...I forgot...how good it feels to be held...

:: she said in a ghostly airy voice.::

:: but as she closed her eyes tightly and felt Nicolas holding her close, she opened them again and a mournfull toll of the fog bell was heard in the air. her eyes were white on white again as she smirked with wicked delight.::

but THIS IS EVEN BETTER!

:: she PLUNGES a 5 inch, drop point, double d edged blade into Nicolas' HEART and twists it::

NOW I can REST IN PEACE AT LAST!

:: she pulls the blade BACK and OUT, bring Nicolas' beating heart with it!::

:fdevil:

:: thunder crashes as Alycia throws the heart to the ground and STOMPS on it::

 

[Seer]

the end

<< and as the SHOCK and screams from Alison and Haleigh fill the air, constrasting the thunder and Alycia's demonic laugh, Nicolas falls to the floor...more dead than alive.>>

<< this is it...or IS IT?>>

<< Edgar Allen Poe: Is all that which we see...a dream within a dream?>>

<< as Nicolas hits the floor...he AWAKENS with a start in his OWN BED!>>

<< He's alive, unhurt, and ALONE. it is dark...with only the fog horn tolling mournfully in the distance and the moonlight shining through the darkness. Sharon and her son were in the pool house. Haleigh was in a guest bedroom. NOTHING he saw in the DREAM was real...but it FELT that way.>>

<< he may look around frantically for a moment, but there's no blood, no signs of anyone else present...nothing. He'd fallen asleep after his shower...and had a dream based on what was lingering in his own mind.>>

<< everyone was where they last went after the church.>>

<< Nicolas had to live with the fact that Alycia was never coming back...and that though he and the others had survived the fog, that the curse had seemingly been broken...as Karen warned, it COULD COME AGAIN. As long as Alycia, Cameron and those who had paid the price for the SECRET were still lost at sea...the cycle was never truly broken.>>

<< and so...as Nicolas is left sitting up in his bed...and as everyone [ Karen, Mike, Morgan, Ava, Blaze, Haleigh, Sharon, Kyle,and Alison ] attempts to sleep in their homes, hoping that the oblivion of unconsciousness will carry them away from the events of the evening...they all know inside themselves that they will never be truly safe...from the fog.>>