Indwell (Chasing Natalie's Ghosts) (21 page)

“You have brought my son home to us and I know you will miss him, but know that he no longer has to dwell alone in this basement. You have saved him. You are so special. We will always be watching out for you Natalie, but you must say good bye now.” I was confused by her words. How had I saved Anton? How was I responsible for him leaving now?

“Thank you Natalie. You are a special girl. Anton will always be your angel,” his father whispered to me as they began to fade from my view. I grabbed Anton.

“Please stay with me,” I begged. He held me one more time and gently kissed my lips.

“I love you Natalie,” he whispered and was gone.

I slumped down onto the rug and cried, trembling until no more tears came. I could hear my mother shouting my name upstairs. I knew they were ready to go. I wiped my eyes. I didn’t care about the rug anymore. Anton wasn’t attached to it anymore and material possessions didn’t matter to me. I was unable to hold on to them. I had the memory. I still had Anton as my angel. I smiled as I pulled myself up and closed the door for the last time.

It took a minute for me to return to Hayden. He was listening to me, trying to understand the significance of the time I spent with Anton. I still didn’t understand all of it myself. Hayden smiled at me.

“Answers will be revealed to you soon. I knew you were meant for this,” he said, holding my hands. When the sun was setting Hayden led me out to the balcony.

“I have been given only a few short days to finish this new request or else I will be forced to allow another Seeker in, exposing my domain. I really don’t mean to add any extra pressure. I just know in my heart that you can handle this. When the time is right you will know what to do,” he said smiling holding my shoulders. I looked at him, wondering if I would fulfill his expectations.

“What happens if your domain is exposed? Will you lose your apartment?” I asked, worried I might destroy his life. He smiled again, pulling me close.

“No, they will not take away my possessions. I will have to let my guard down and allow another Seeker to enter my ward,” he said, as if it was nothing. I breathed in heavily, still completely confused. I remembered Ava telling me that Millicent and Joshua couldn’t pass into Hayden’s ward. He had defenses, I guess that is what he meant by putting his guard down.

“What is your ward and what defenses do you have?” I asked. I had to have some answers.

“Have you noticed that there are no ghosts here in this entire apartment?” he asked, looking around.

“They are not permitted to pass. They cannot enter the building. I can keep myself safe but most importantly they cannot get to you here. Once you become a Seeker you will be able to put up your own defenses as you like but we cannot have two defences up in the same area.” He seemed so sure I would join him on this journey. I wished I could be so confident.

“My ward also includes a few blocks around the building. So if another Seeker comes to help with this capture I’ll have to relinquish some of my safe haven so that they can put up theirs. Of course it depends on where they are staying, but the spirit we are after is close so I would imagine whoever comes in to help would want to be close as well.” I was still confused by this but I could tell this subject was upsetting Hayden, so I decided to save my questions for another time.

It was late, just after one o’clock in the morning when he woke me up. I had fallen asleep watching a movie. He kissed my ear.

“Wake up Natalie. I need you to come with me,” he whispered. His breathe in my ear made me shudder, not with alarm but with a slight thrill. I reached my hands up around his neck and pulled him to me. I kissed him, not hiding the reason why I wished he had awakened me. He kissed me back at first then regained his composure.

“Not now my darling. You have training to do,” he was smiling as he stood up. He held my coat and put my shoes on my feet. I realized he was serious. I should be better behaved.

“We have to be downtown when the clubs get out,” he informed me.

“Okay,” I said, still trying to wake up. Hayden just grinned and led me out of the apartment.

I kept my window down. The cool breeze was waking me up. I stretched my arms above my head and watched the lights flash by me. I was feeling strong and brave now, or at least I was trying to convince myself that I was. I was trying to convince myself that I could do this. Hayden believed in me so I had to believe in myself. I looked over at him. He was looking straight ahead. His lips were tight, almost stern. His high cheek bones where showing through his pale skin. He looked so strong and almost perfectly undead himself. A shiver ran through me, just the thought of it frightened me. His shoulders were straight and stiff, he was clenching the steering wheel. I was beginning to think he was kind of scared of what lay ahead of us. I quickly shook the idea from my head. Hayden was never scared or shaken, he was just focused. I knew he could feel my eyes on him. He quickly glanced at me and smiled, reassuring me. He placed his hand on my knee. I smiled looking ahead at the road. I was ready.

Hayden pulled into a dark parking lot a few blocks from the club district. He parked and put on black gloves. He opened the passenger door for me. We walked slowly toward the club district, when Hayden tensed suddenly.

“Quick, follow me,” he whispered, leading me towards the back door of an old warehouse. Three flights up, he opened a door that led to the rooftop. Hayden walked along the edge. At one point he looked down and sneered. I had never seen him look so fierce. I glanced down trying to see what he was looking at. I scanned the street, looking closely at each person as they stumbled out of the clubs. I saw them. They were not living. I could tell by the way their skin glowed under the streetlights. I could tell by the unnatural way their hair blew, in the still night air. I could see, even from this distance that their eyes were focused on the oblivious people walking in front of them. They laughed silently to each other as they pretended to stumble on. I just didn’t understand yet what they could possibly be after. What made them evil? What was driving them? Why did they forget their past lives? Why were they so angry now?

The leader of the small group was tall and muscular. He was wearing a white tee shirt and dark denim jeans. The only woman in the group was wearing a black silk dress with high stiletto heels. Her long blond hair was straight and her lips were painted a deep red. She was pretty in a gothic sort of way. The other two males that were walking with them were dressed similarly in khaki pants and white tees. The styles were different so as to make them not look identical. One of them had blond hair that hung down to his shoulders. He looked like he belonged on Bondi beach, not here in this cold urban setting. The other male had short, spiky, black hair. His skin was tanned and he seemed to be smiling to himself. I wondered if he could sense that he was being watched. I quickly stepped back from the ledge.

“Please, keep watching them Natalie. Don’t worry. They cannot harm you when you are with me,” he said, sensing my fear. I leaned back over the ledge and saw them approach a group of young woman. They didn’t show any signs at all that these phantoms had just surrounded them. The men stood beside them grinning. What were they thinking? The leader grabbed one woman’s skirt and raised it up. The woman was startled. She quickly pulled it back down, looking around to see if anyone saw. The phantoms thought this was very amusing. It seemed to start their tirade against these defenseless women. It was quite disturbing the way all three of them terrorized these people. It was obvious they couldn’t see or hear them. They began screaming as all three of them kept pulling on their clothes and yanking their hair. The spiky haired male pushed one of them to the ground and it would seem like she was unable to get up, he would not let her. She was starting to cry. Her friends were screaming in hysterics. Another victim was picked up off the ground and thrown towards a wall. She fell to the ground, her knees and hands bleeding. I had trouble watching. I was reminded of Adam telling me he could have picked up that little boy that fell into our canoe and thrown him into the lake without him even feeling Adam’s hands on him. I couldn’t imagine the fear that these women were feeling.

The female phantom that was with the others was standing back just watching. She was frighteningly expressionless. I realized what her specialty was when a circle of fire surrounded the scared and helpless woman. I could hear people shouting and running forward, to help. Sirens, help was on the way, I thought. Then, as quick as it started, the fire was out and the poltergeists vanished from view. The woman were left huddled together, shocked by what they had just been through.

“Hayden, couldn’t you have done something?” I asked.

“I can’t capture them when there are living people around. I know you think this is disturbing, but the capture would be incomprehensible to them. They will get over this. These ghosts are not very strong yet. They still underestimate their power as the undead usually do. I like to capture them before they realize exactly what they are capable of,” he explained. I felt sorry for them, but I knew they were not physically hurt too badly. They would get over this.

“Should we look for them?” I asked.

“No. I know where they will be tomorrow night. This group does not travel far. How are you feeling?” Hayden asked.

“I’m okay, don’t worry about me. I was all set to see you get those guys though.” Hayden just wanted to take it slow.

“Natalie, I am sorry I have left out so many details. There is one detail in particular I have to tell you before we go any further. There is a gift I have been given for committing my life to the attainment of the light. I know I haven’t explained all of this to you yet. The light we expel from these souls, the ones that can’t seem to handle their immortality is precious to us, to the Seekers. It allows us to continue to capture them and to release them to their final resting place. They need our assistance and unfortunately it has nothing to do with unfinished business left for them here on earth. The phantoms like Millicent and Joshua, the ones that are in control and wish no harm on the living are simply still enamored with life. This is why we leave them alone. They eventually find their way, as you know. I think you accelerate that process when they meet you. I’ll come back to that another time, I promise,” he explained as I gasped at the mention of it. I really didn’t want to lose them too.

“I have been given a vial of the light. A very small amount is all we require. This light allows me to see them even more. I can hear them even when they are long distances away. I can sense death approaching. I can feel the Geist’s more and in return they can feel me, which is a benefit. You already have most of these powers without the light. But this gift brings some other physical alterations too. Natalie I do not age anymore and I do not get sick. I am strong beyond what is possible for a human. My speed and agility are vastly improved. I still can’t believe my abilities after all these years. I would like to show you,” he said hesitantly. I was in shock. This was the strangest thing I had ever heard.

“Yes, I would like to see that but we are on a roof so I don’t think I want to see any speed up here and um, about the not aging part. Can you tell me more about that Hayden?” I asked nervously, looking back over the ledge. He laughed lightly.

“I’ll tell you all about it soon, but please don’t worry about me Natalie. My reckless days are over now that I have you to take care of,” he said, holding me close. He kissed me and jumped. My eyes shot open and my mouth dropped. I was too shocked to scream. I finally managed words.

“Hayden! No!” I was barely audible. He was already up on the rooftop across the street. I fell to my knees, in awe of what he had just achieved. Before I had time to regain my composure Hayden was back again, beside me. He helped me stand. I didn’t realize I was shaking as he reached for my hands.

“I’m sorry Natalie. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just had to show you the power the light can give you. It will help you when you decide to accept the path that you have been called for,” he explained.

“I will be given the light as well?” I asked, surprised.

“They have been aware of your abilities for a long time. We’ve been waiting for the right time to approach you. The Seekers had to believe you were ready for it. They are unfortunately, fully informed of your past emotional instability. Please don’t be angry with me. I am not a pawn, I am not using you I swear on my life, I love you Natalie. Trust me when I tell you that they have known about you longer than I have known you. Please believe me Natalie. I would never put you in harm’s way. I believe you are ready to accept this opportunity to advance your talents in ways you have never imagined,” he continued on. I was lost. The thought of Hayden being ordered to bring me in hurt, deep in my chest was a numbing pain. I was having trouble breathing. I prayed he was telling me the truth, that he did love me. My anger started to rise though. I could feel a burst of heat rising to my head.

“Who the hell are `THEY’? How have
they
known about me?” I cried. I was shaking with rage now. Hayden was taken aback by my anger. He looked at me seriously.

“Once I explain who they are, you can never return to the life you used to know. You will have to follow them. They will take care of you but you must follow their orders. Believe me when I say they are not the enemy. Their only goal is to rid the population of the undeserving phantoms that roam freely, unchecked and act without consequence. In return for their capture you are justly awarded. Not only will your material needs be taken care of, you will stay young Natalie, forever. You will stay as lovely as you are now,” he said this last part smiling, his intensity fading.

“How old are you?” I asked. I was unable to absorb all he was saying. I had so many questions. He looked wary of this question.

“I love you Natalie, so I will answer all your questions, but not now, not here. I think we have done enough for tonight. I need to get you home,” he said wrapping his arms around me. I allowed him to lead me down and back to the car. We drove in silence. I stared straight ahead. I was completely unaware of my surroundings. I was lost in my own thoughts. Hayden glanced at me a number of times, trying to gather my mood. I didn’t want to talk with him yet. I needed to collect myself, I had to be strong. I had to ask the right questions. Hayden had shocked me. Had he betrayed me? He seemed to know everything about me before we even met and he never let on. Why the sham? He knew I talked to ghosts. Damn it, he knew I loved ghosts. Did he not think I could handle him? I glared at him. He was so damn beautiful. It didn’t help my anger. I smirked and immediately regretted it because he noticed and smiled. His hand gently caressed my knee as he always did when we were driving. I tried to look angry again. When we reached the apartment he quickly raced around the car to help me out. I tried to move faster than him but it was impossible.