The Haunting of Annabelle (5 page)

Again, he nodded yes.

“
Are you aware that you’re
dead?”

Again, he nodded.

“
Why haven’t you passed
over to the other side, no wait, that’s not a yes or no question?
Did you get the chance to pass over when you died?”

This time he shook his head.

“
Do you know
why?”

When he nodded, Annabelle thought she might
be onto something here.

“
Did you have unfinished
business here?”

Again, he nodded his head.

“
Does it have anything to
do with your wife?”

This time he looked angry, but nodded his
head.

“
Well, I can tell you that
through my research they never did find your wife, and as it was
over seventy years ago, she could possibly be dead by
now.”

He then shook his head vigorously.

“
So she’s still
alive?”

Again, he nodded his head.

“
Are you bound to this
house?” asked Annabelle. “And do you know where your wife is?” she
added.

He nodded yes to both questions.

By now, this was all frustrating Annabelle,
until she had an idea. She’d seen a few episodes of houses that
were haunted on television. In most of them, the people
investigating these cases used various pieces of equipment to pick
up any supernatural activity. She had in her possession a voice
recorder that she used to dictate quick notes, like shopping lists
and reminders of important things. Digging into her handbag that
was beside the bed, she took it out and pressed record. She then
slid the recording level up as high as it would go and pointed it
towards Richard.

“
Where is your wife
located?” she asked.

She could see his inquisitive look, and then
Richard’s lips began moving and she waited. When she was sure he’d
finished saying what he had to say, she pressed replay and listened
intently.

“
Where is your wife
located?” she could hear herself say. “Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,
she lives in a townhouse,” was the faint reply.

Annabelle smiled, she could now ask him
anything and she didn’t hesitate to do so. Pointing to the device,
she explained to him that with this machine she could now hear his
words.

“
Tell me Richard, how are
you able to touch things in the real world?” she said, and then
turned the machine on again.

He seemed to speak for some time before
stopping, and Annabelle was curious as to what he said, so she
quickly restarted the machine.

“
During the daytime a
ghost’s power is diminished, it’s not until the nighttime that our
full strength is replenished. I think it has something to do with
the moonlight, because when the moon is full I’m at my strongest. I
can see things and know things that no one else can, which is how I
know where my wife is located. I can’t move on until she has been
brought to justice.”

Annabelle almost knew that it would be
something like that, but she had to ask a difficult question
next.

“
What made you take
advantage of me while I slept, Richard?” she said with eyes down,
pointing the gadget towards him once again.

At first, Richard didn’t move forward to
speak. He stayed where he was until he saw Annabelle’s eyes turn up
towards him once again. She saw his face was earnest, and Annabelle
was sure that if she could see his cheeks properly, they’d be
blushing. Then he spoke.

“
I have missed the contact
of a woman, the embrace and closeness one can only get from the
intimacy of being together. I knew it was wrong, which is why I did
it while you were asleep and I apologize.”

“
Apology accepted. I just
wish you’d allowed me the privilege of actually knowing you first.
That’s not to say I would’ve allowed it anyway. I have to tell you
though, that I’ve never experienced anything so intense in all my
life. Um…if I asked, would you…do it again?” she said, not quite
believing she’d said it.

At that moment, the clouds blocked the
moonlight from streaming into the room, and Richard faded away.

Chapter 16

In that moment, she felt the bed dip down
and the covers were pulled away. Annabelle unconsciously reached
for them, and then hesitated. Shortly thereafter, they were gone
and she was exposed. She lay there looking around the room, and
then felt her breasts being touched. At this point, she closed her
eyes, and then felt the unmistakable feeling of a mouth covering
her right nipple. She opened her eyes and looking down, she saw and
felt her nipple being moved and squeezed.

Then there was a break in the clouds and
moonlight lit up the room. Annabelle saw Richard covering her body
and pulling her nipple between his phantom teeth. She was tempted
to reach a hand down but knew that she wouldn’t feel anything of
substance. The break in cloud cover was soon gone and Annabelle
watched as Richard’s figure faded away once more.

She was overwhelmed at the feeling of his
lips working their way down to her stomach. Small nips were taken
at various places and a wet tongue came back to soothe the spot.
Teeth gently grabbed at the tuft of hair atop her mound, and she
gasped at the feeling of a nose tickling her belly button. Seconds
later the lips drifted away and Annabelle felt hands grasping her
legs to move them apart. She tensed, not knowing what to expect,
when suddenly she felt a broad tongue licking her womanhood. She
let out a sigh of pleasure and unconsciously raised her hips to
intensify the pleasure. Large hands grasped her buttocks and the
tongue slid over her clitoris to send waves of pleasure up through
her body. She felt his lips sucking at the small fold of protective
skin.

“
Oh God, oh yes…please
don’t stop,” she whimpered.

Her eyes opened to see the full moons light
bathing the room, and she looked down to see Richard’s head sliding
back and forth between her legs. The sensation was driving her
crazy with lust and she wished she could pull him into her closer.
Just then, a flash of lightning illuminated the bedroom followed by
the sound of distant thunder. A storm was approaching. She knew
that her mysterious lover would fade away from her sight when the
thunderclouds passed beneath the moon. When Richard faded away this
time, Annabelle didn’t expect to see him again that night, but the
pleasure he was giving her continued. A movement on the bed and
then she felt her legs being spread as the mattress dipped. He was
changing position and Annabelle opened her legs wide because she
knew what was coming next. Suddenly a broad velvet head was at her
moist entrance and she felt it part her womanly lips and forcefully
slide its way in.

She was so wet at that moment but even so,
the fit was extremely tight. She gripped the pillow at her head as
Richard pushed his impossibly full member deep inside her. She
pushed forward as he pushed to meet her and then she felt powerful
hands underneath her body as she rose off the bed. Anyone watching
this event would have sworn that Annabelle was now floating in
midair with nothing holding her up, but she knew better.

Suddenly, she was in a sitting position a
foot above the bed with Richard still inside her, and with a
powerful grip, he started to raise her up and down, working to
penetrate her faster. She looked down her front but could only see
the bed, and as she started to climax, there was a loud clap of
thunder that drowned out her scream of ecstasy. Repeatedly, she
rode his member and after reaching her second explosive climax,
they drifted down— still joined—onto the bed.

She was gasping for breath when he pulled
his still rigid member from her and invisible hands lifted her to
her knees. She felt him behind her, strong hands holding her waist
as he invaded her body once more. He reached down, covering her
with his body, and she felt his fingers cupping her breasts as he
began to move. Oh, the sensation of someone making love to her from
behind, and turning to see no one there, was the strangest feeling
she’d ever experienced. The thoughts coursing through her mind made
her dizzy; she’d never believed that ghosts could interact with the
living let alone communicate.

She also knew that if she ever told anyone
what had happened to her she’d be committed. She gritted her teeth
and gripped the pillow once again, as Richard picked up speed. Her
buttocks were being moved with each forward push, but the
accompanying slap of thigh hitting buttock was missing. When she
came again, he must have sensed it, for suddenly she could feel the
object inside pick up speed and then pulsate as if ejaculating. She
was still trying to catch her breath when she felt the coolness of
his body leaving hers and she slumped to the bed.

After several minutes she turned onto her
back and looked around the bedroom, she could see no one. Then she
felt something touch her leg and knew that he was still there.

It was raining very hard outside and after
composing her thoughts, Annabelle reached again for her gadget.

“
Richard, I don’t know
what to say. That was incredibly fulfilling and I only hope that it
was as pleasurable for you.”

She turned on the machine still looking at
and around the bed but could not see him. Turning it off and
rewinding she hoped that he hadn’t left. His voice was faint but
there was a reply.

“
You have the most
beautiful body and it gave me more pleasure in death than I have
ever experienced in life. My only hope is that you will let me make
love to you again—soon,” he whispered.

Her heart skipped a beat and she wondered
where they would go from here. There was something she needed to
know.

“
Richard, do you want me
to notify the authorities regarding your wife? You’ll have closure
once that’s done and you’ll be able to cross over?” she said,
before turning it on.

“
I believe so,” was his
response. “I’ve been alone for a long time and until now, had
nothing in my life but vengeance to keep me here.”

They talked for a while after that, and
Annabelle recorded all the information he gave her for the
authorities. Her eyes were heavy when she felt his hands gently
pull the covers in place. She held her breath when she felt him
slide in behind her and enclose her in his arms. She fell asleep
that way, feeling cherished for the first time in her life.

Chapter 17

Annabelle was walking the catwalk once again
in New York. She enjoyed the attention and perks but knew deep down
that this would be the last time. The flash of the cameras lit up
the room and the dress she wore sparkled from the lights reflecting
on it. She didn’t hear the comments from the designer or his
assistants about her glowing complexion. The murmurs of the crowded
gallery on her special appearance she didn’t hear either. Soon the
shoot was over, and as usual, there were drinks for the models in
the changing room. Annabelle had made the decision that this would
be the opportune time to tell everyone what her plans for the
future were.

“
Ok girls, I believe our
very own Annabelle wishes to say a few words,” said the premier
designer Annabelle had always admired.

The room went quiet.

“
Thank you Michael. First
of all I’d like to say it has always been a pleasure working for
you. You and your assistants have always treated me with respect
and appreciation for the jobs that I have done. Girls, it’s been a
pleasure working with you also, but I believe my time has
come.”

Several people began to speak and object but
Michael nodded with understanding, and held his hands up for
silence. Annabelle continued.

“
I’m thirty-five now and
feel that it’s time for a change of careers, so I’m stepping down.”
She reached out gently to touch his cheek, “Michael, you’ve been an
inspiration to me and a guiding hand throughout my career and for
that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Leaning over she
kissed his cheek and turned back to the girls. “I hope you all have
the same opportunities in your careers as I did. I hope you find
the happiness that comes from hard work and just being the best you
can be,” she smiled through the tears slipping down her
face.

Michael led the applause and they gathered
around to wish her well. It was hard for Annabelle to leave that
day, but as she closed the door, she knew another life awaited
her.

Later at the police station, she spoke to a
detective, conveying to him the information that Richard had passed
on to her. When asked how she came by this information, she
explained her purchase of the estate and how she came by her
conclusions. She kept the details of Richard’s contribution to
herself. She just told them that he’d come to her in a dream and
informed her of where his wife could be located. Of course this was
all taken down, but hardly any of it was believed. However, police
policy was to take any new leads seriously and follow up on the
investigation. Annabelle wondered what they would think if she’d
told them the absolute truth.

After all that, Annabelle had errands to
run, pick up more clothes from her condominium and let her
housekeeper know that she’d be away for a while. She’d decided to
keep the property as she still had numerous friends in the city and
would like to be able to visit occasionally. The condo was an
investment, and if she decided, she would easily be able to rent it
out. The area she lived in was in high demand and she could command
a premium price.

She informed a few close neighbors of her
plans and gave them the telephone number and address of the estate
where she could be reached. Saying her goodbyes was unexpectedly
tearful for all of them. She consoled them and herself, that once
the estate was completed, they could come for the grand
opening.