With Her Wrists I Tremble Ch 9
Chapter 9
Erin Tects hadn't been fond of leadership roles. She actively strayed away from them when she could, but there was no running from this one. Mr. Kosan was dead. The Regents needed a leader and she was asked to step up. She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear as she was sworn in. Valda was supposed to be the next in line, but that disappeared with the flames in Egypt. After the oath, Tucker walked into the room, pushing a gurney.
A white sheet with bright red stains covered the body resting on the metal slab. Tucker folded the sheet in half, uncovering Mr. Kosan's head and midsection and lifted his arms resting them palms up on the sheet.
Erin stood from her chair, backing away from the body. "What are you doing?"
Tucker pulled a light green ribbon from her pocket. It seemed to glow in the fluorescent lights. "It works just like the exchange from caretaker to caretaker. You must connect with Mr. Kosan and all of his knowledge will be passed on to you."
"I thought the caretaker needed to be alive for the transfer to work." Erin walked slowly towards the body.
"For a caretaker, yes. They are connected to the living warehouse. This is just a simple transfer of information." Tucker wrapped part of the ribbon around Mr. Kosan's hand and waited for Erin to approach.
She tugged on her blouse nervously. "What do I do?"
"Just hold out your hand, palm up."
Erin did as she was told and Tucker wrapped the other end of the ribbon around her hand. "When does it…" Erin's grip tightened around the ribbon as a flood of information poured into her mind. Memories that were her own bonded with those from another. She recognized some as Mr. Kosan's but others were completely unfamiliar to her and went back centuries. It was dizzying but not overwhelming, all of the information stored away in her mind like a living filing cabinet, ready to produce it at a moments notice.
The transfer only took seconds, but by the end Erin felt years older. Her nerves had completely vanished. She gazed down at the body of Mr. Kosan with loving eyes, resting her hand on his cheek. "I'm sorry old friend. It's been fun."
Tucker rolled the ribbon back into her pocket and covered Mr. Kosan's body with the sheet. Erin tugged at her blouse, not because she was nervous, but because the familiarity of the movement provided comfort to her. She felt fuller then she had been before, the history of the entire Warehouse network and the Regents before her coursed through her veins.
"I think I need to pay a visit to our Warehouse Agents."
~~~~~~~~~
An unsettling stillness filled the room where they once worked and laughed. Myka bit her lip trying to hold back her tears and failing miserably. The cold metal gurney holding the body sat untouched in the middle of Artie's office. It was a void tearing them back to the horrifying reality of what had just happened. Leena, loving Leena, the mother, sister, friend, now lay lifeless on the autopsy table.
Artie was the first to move. He knew the pain of loosing a friend. It was never easy. No. It was gut wrenching, the most terrible feeling in the world. He somewhat expected the loss of an agent. It happened, but not Leena. Never Leena. She was his constant. He unwrapped the tarp that still covered most of her body and felt the burn of bile hovering at the back of his throat.
Claudia, who was peering silently over the balcony, couldn't contain herself anymore. "I need to leave. I need to get out of this room. Now. " She pushed herself up on the couch. Olive wrapped an arm around her side, helping her.
Pete rushed to help Olive carry her down the stairs and into her wheel chair. "I've got her." Olive whispered as Pete tried to take the handles. "We'll be just outside." She pushed Claudia through the door into the warehouse.
Helena hadn't said anything since the body was brought into the warehouse. This was her fault and there wasn't anyone who could convince her otherwise. Lily was trying to send her a message and no one was safe, not even innocent Leena. If she stayed around, those she loved were going to get hurt. Myka was going to get hurt and she couldn't allow that. Helena locked herself in her head, watching Pete, Artie, and Myka surround the body.
She knew what she needed to do. She needed to find Lily and stop her from hurting anyone else. No one was paying attention to her as she made her way to the door. She snaked the silver keys from the dresser and squeezed them in the palm of her hand.
Myka heard the hatch door close before she realized what was going on. "Helena?" She ran for the door, swinging it open to see a flash of raven hair disappear through the other side of the umbilical. "Helena!" Myka hurried after her.
Helena jumped into the shiny red car, shoving the key into the ignition. The little red convertible burst to life. she whipped it around. The cool night wind gripped her hair as she sped away. She heard Myka call her name from the entrance of the warehouse and she felt the confusion and pain in her voice. She wanted so much to turn around, to run into Myka's arms and hold her, to kiss her demons away, but she wasn't safe. No one she cared for was safe until she put an end to Lily.
Artie had followed Myka outside. His hands flew up into his ragged hair smoothing it back in frustration. "She took my car… Myka! She took my car!"
~~~~~~~~
Claudia and Olive sat in the Warehouse, soaking in the silence. It was only moments until Claudia couldn't stand the stillness anymore, "I was the one who broke her china set. I never told her that. I blamed it on Pete, the ferret, but it wasn't him it was me. She was so mad at that little guy. I was playing with… fixing HG's grappling hook and it went off into the cabinet. I never told her it was me. I never told her…" Tears flooded Claudia's eyes as she rambled on. "And not just the china set. The light switch in the bedroom, Leena's hairdryer… I'm just a failure. I screw up everything I touch. If I had just listened to Pete and stayed in the car, we would have been home and Leena would still be alive and… She was just thrown there in the dirt like she was nothing. Who could do something like that?" Claudia stopped as Olive faced her, capturing her in her eyes.
Her breath caught in her throat as Olive inched closer. Her cheeks burned as their lips met. Claudia's eyes remained closed as Olive broke the kiss. "What just happened?" Claudia's heart thudded in her chest and her mind was in a daze.
"I kissed you." Olive stated frankly.
"No… yes… No I know. I… uh…" Claudia's fingers brushed against her lips, the heat that was once there quickly faded. "Thank you…" Claudia mentally kicked herself in the face. She let her head fall against her chest, her cheeks burned a bright shade of red. "Okay… I'm sorry. I officially suck."
Olive smiled at Claudia's awkwardness. "What do you have to be sorry for? You are beautiful." Olive raised Claudia's chin with her fingertips until they were face to face. "You are beautiful."
A sad smile spread across Claudia's face, as she leaned into Olive, capturing her lips once more.
~~~~~~~
Mrs. Frederic entered Artie's office. Everyone was outside, she already knew this. She wasn't here to see them. She walked to the blue tarp resting on the table in the middle of the room, her black heels clicked on the concrete floor. She folded over the sides of the tarp, exposing Leena's body.
Her brow furrowed with the rush of emotion. She wished she could cry and release this flood of anguish inside of her, but she lost that ability a long time ago. Instead she stood in stunned silence hovering over the body.
She heard her colleagues before they entered the room. They were shouting at each other, Artie's voice boomed above the rest. The hatch door opened and everything paused. Myka, Artie, and Pete stood at the doorway watching Mrs. Frederic.
Artie stepped forward. "Leena…We didn't find her in time…"
"Lily Flourish." Mrs. Frederic stated.
Myka nodded. "She… she used to work with Helena."
"And now HG Wells has gone after her, but for what purpose?" Mrs. Frederic brushed her hand against Leena's cold cheek and the pang of emotion coursed through her once more.
"To join her of course!" Artie piped in.
"No. No I believe she has other plans." Mrs. Frederic never took her eyes off Leena as she spoke. "Artie please get me the Shroud of Rin."
"The Shroud of R… No… Mrs. Frederic, no." Artie stammered falling into his desk chair.
"Do as you are told." Mrs. Frederic turned her penetrating stare towards him and he gulped in response.
"Okay." Artie left to retrieve the shroud.
"What is the Shroud of Rin?" Pete asked.
"No one knows of its origins, but in the late 1800's it was used by a man known as Jack the Ripper to relive his latest kills to keep the experience fresh in his mind." Mrs. Frederic explained.
Myka walked towards her. "Jack the Ripper. The Victorian serial killer?"
"Otherwise known as John Druitt, yes."
Artie walked back into the room carrying a black cloth that shimmered in the light. The shadows along the shroud seemed to morph and churn in the black to form hidden faces, screaming at the silence.
Pete felt the knots stir in the pit of his stomach. It soon moved up to his chest and rested at the back of his throat. The vibe spread throughout his entire body all the way to his fingertips. "I have a bad vibe about this guys."
"Because we shouldn't be doing this. It's dangerous." Artie lay the cloth on his desk and back away slowly. "Who do you expect to use it?"
Myka stepped forward. "I will do it. "
"Myka are you sure about this? I…" Pete rested his hand on her shoulder.
"If it brings us any closer to finding Leena's killer. I will do it."
Mrs. Frederic nodded and motioned for Myka to sit in the folding chair. She took the shroud in her hands. "Now Myka I need you to hold onto Leena's hand, it will keep you connected to her. No matter what happens, do not let go of Leena's hand or they will turn their focus to your mind and tear it to shreds. I will place this over your head and all you need to do is focus your thoughts on Leena, they will take care of the rest."
Myka nodded in understanding and grasped Leena's hand in hers. Mrs. Frederic flicked the cloth over Myka's head and situated it, so her entire face was hidden. At first Myka didn't notice anything, just the darkness. Then the faces returned, shoving at each other through the fabric, trying to break through. Myka stiffened in the chair, her grip on Leena's hand tightened as she focused her thoughts.
Myka opened her eyes. She was in a room that smelled vaguely of cow manure. Hay clung to her skin leaving red welt in its wake. She felt her lips move and Leena's voice came out. "Who are you?"
A woman answered her. "Lee-na. Correct?"
"Myka? Myka, can you hear me?" Mrs. Frederic voice broke through the vision.
"Yes." Myka whispered.
"Tell me what you see." Mrs. Frederic's voice kept her grounded.
"I'm in a room… No. No it's a barn."
"Where is Helena?"
"There's a woman. I can't see her. She's hiding in the dark. I think… I think it's Lily."
The dark figure moved closer to her twisting something in her hands.
"She is asking me… Leena about Helena. She doesn't know anything."
An Indian woman stepped out of the shadows, a frayed rope twisted around her fingertips. Leena shivered in recognition of the object. "Helena… You mean H. G. Wells? I don't know where she is."
Myka saw the black coals burning in the other woman's eyes. Her face twisted in anger. "Liar!" Lily let the rope dangle from her hand and Myka saw it was a noose of some kind.
The vibe Pete felt had not gone away and Myka had grown quiet under the black cloth. Mrs. Frederic spoke softly to her, trying to keep her on track. He jumped as an ear splitting shriek erupted from beneath the cloth. It didn't sound like Myka, the voice was gargled and twisted in pain. Pete tried to run towards her and rip the shroud off her face, but Artie stopped him.
"Don't disrupt the process she has to get through it on her own." Artie held his arm in front of Pete.
Myka's felt hands that were not her own grip at the rope tightening around her neck, trying to loosen it. The more she struggled the tighter the noose became, until black flurries danced in her vision.
"Myka! Myka listen to me! This isn't you! This is just a memory! It isn't happening to you! You need to separate yourself from it!" Mrs. Frederic's voice broke through the vision.
Myka fought inside the memory of Leena, until she could breathe again. She stood on the dirt floor and glanced at the body that remained behind. Leena lay on the ground, the noose that had constricted her throat loosened. Myka watched as Lily pulled the noose over Leena's head, her raven hair falling in tendrils over her shoulder.
She knelt by the body stroking Leena's curly hair from her face. "What a waste." Lily's dark eyes searched the room, until they seemed to fall upon Myka and a smirk twisted across her face.
Myka tore the shroud from her face and threw it upon the ground. Her shirt was soak with sweat and her breathing came in quick gasps. "Oh God, she strangled her. Leena didn't know anything so she killed her, for nothing." Tears streamed down Myka's face. "She was so scared! I could feel it! She was so scared!"
"Myka. What do you remember from the barn? Any details?" Mrs. Frederic pressured her for answers.
Myka took a moment to collect her thoughts and calm her breathing, searching her mind for the details. "I was in a barn. There was hay on the ground and blue paint pealing off the walls. I remember a metal chandelier hanging from the ceiling and it smelled like cow manure."
"Blue paint…"
"What is it Pete?" Artie turned towards his colleague.
"It's just… I might know where that is. Kelly went out to this farm every other weekend to check on the animals there. I went with her once. They have a metal chandelier and blue paint peeling off the walls. The old Jacobson farm up the road."
~~~~~~
Helena had no idea where she was going she just drove. The further away she was from her friends the safer they would be, but the more distance she put between them the more her tether threatened to pull her back. She watched the medians creep by in the headlights. The street was empty and miles of barren grasslands surrounded her. She blinked as a speck of light greeted her from the distance, a beacon in the dark. She hoped it was somewhere she could rest. She was exhausted and her eyes had already begun to grow heavy.
She pulled up outside a worn down barn, the chipped blue paint littered the ground outside. She stuffed Artie's keys into her pocket as she tiptoed towards the door. She heard singing inside. The voice slithered to her ears, the voice of someone familiar. Helena paused and peered through a hole in the wall. She saw a dark shape flittering around the room, turning and jiving with hips that tempted.
Helena stepped back not noticing the metal wash pail that rested behind her and knocked it over with a loud BANG. She bit her lip as the singing came to an abrupt pause and the empty black eyes found hers.
Erin Tects hadn't been fond of leadership roles. She actively strayed away from them when she could, but there was no running from this one. Mr. Kosan was dead. The Regents needed a leader and she was asked to step up. She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear as she was sworn in. Valda was supposed to be the next in line, but that disappeared with the flames in Egypt. After the oath, Tucker walked into the room, pushing a gurney.
A white sheet with bright red stains covered the body resting on the metal slab. Tucker folded the sheet in half, uncovering Mr. Kosan's head and midsection and lifted his arms resting them palms up on the sheet.
Erin stood from her chair, backing away from the body. "What are you doing?"
Tucker pulled a light green ribbon from her pocket. It seemed to glow in the fluorescent lights. "It works just like the exchange from caretaker to caretaker. You must connect with Mr. Kosan and all of his knowledge will be passed on to you."
"I thought the caretaker needed to be alive for the transfer to work." Erin walked slowly towards the body.
"For a caretaker, yes. They are connected to the living warehouse. This is just a simple transfer of information." Tucker wrapped part of the ribbon around Mr. Kosan's hand and waited for Erin to approach.
She tugged on her blouse nervously. "What do I do?"
"Just hold out your hand, palm up."
Erin did as she was told and Tucker wrapped the other end of the ribbon around her hand. "When does it…" Erin's grip tightened around the ribbon as a flood of information poured into her mind. Memories that were her own bonded with those from another. She recognized some as Mr. Kosan's but others were completely unfamiliar to her and went back centuries. It was dizzying but not overwhelming, all of the information stored away in her mind like a living filing cabinet, ready to produce it at a moments notice.
The transfer only took seconds, but by the end Erin felt years older. Her nerves had completely vanished. She gazed down at the body of Mr. Kosan with loving eyes, resting her hand on his cheek. "I'm sorry old friend. It's been fun."
Tucker rolled the ribbon back into her pocket and covered Mr. Kosan's body with the sheet. Erin tugged at her blouse, not because she was nervous, but because the familiarity of the movement provided comfort to her. She felt fuller then she had been before, the history of the entire Warehouse network and the Regents before her coursed through her veins.
"I think I need to pay a visit to our Warehouse Agents."
~~~~~~~~~
An unsettling stillness filled the room where they once worked and laughed. Myka bit her lip trying to hold back her tears and failing miserably. The cold metal gurney holding the body sat untouched in the middle of Artie's office. It was a void tearing them back to the horrifying reality of what had just happened. Leena, loving Leena, the mother, sister, friend, now lay lifeless on the autopsy table.
Artie was the first to move. He knew the pain of loosing a friend. It was never easy. No. It was gut wrenching, the most terrible feeling in the world. He somewhat expected the loss of an agent. It happened, but not Leena. Never Leena. She was his constant. He unwrapped the tarp that still covered most of her body and felt the burn of bile hovering at the back of his throat.
Claudia, who was peering silently over the balcony, couldn't contain herself anymore. "I need to leave. I need to get out of this room. Now. " She pushed herself up on the couch. Olive wrapped an arm around her side, helping her.
Pete rushed to help Olive carry her down the stairs and into her wheel chair. "I've got her." Olive whispered as Pete tried to take the handles. "We'll be just outside." She pushed Claudia through the door into the warehouse.
Helena hadn't said anything since the body was brought into the warehouse. This was her fault and there wasn't anyone who could convince her otherwise. Lily was trying to send her a message and no one was safe, not even innocent Leena. If she stayed around, those she loved were going to get hurt. Myka was going to get hurt and she couldn't allow that. Helena locked herself in her head, watching Pete, Artie, and Myka surround the body.
She knew what she needed to do. She needed to find Lily and stop her from hurting anyone else. No one was paying attention to her as she made her way to the door. She snaked the silver keys from the dresser and squeezed them in the palm of her hand.
Myka heard the hatch door close before she realized what was going on. "Helena?" She ran for the door, swinging it open to see a flash of raven hair disappear through the other side of the umbilical. "Helena!" Myka hurried after her.
Helena jumped into the shiny red car, shoving the key into the ignition. The little red convertible burst to life. she whipped it around. The cool night wind gripped her hair as she sped away. She heard Myka call her name from the entrance of the warehouse and she felt the confusion and pain in her voice. She wanted so much to turn around, to run into Myka's arms and hold her, to kiss her demons away, but she wasn't safe. No one she cared for was safe until she put an end to Lily.
Artie had followed Myka outside. His hands flew up into his ragged hair smoothing it back in frustration. "She took my car… Myka! She took my car!"
~~~~~~~~
Claudia and Olive sat in the Warehouse, soaking in the silence. It was only moments until Claudia couldn't stand the stillness anymore, "I was the one who broke her china set. I never told her that. I blamed it on Pete, the ferret, but it wasn't him it was me. She was so mad at that little guy. I was playing with… fixing HG's grappling hook and it went off into the cabinet. I never told her it was me. I never told her…" Tears flooded Claudia's eyes as she rambled on. "And not just the china set. The light switch in the bedroom, Leena's hairdryer… I'm just a failure. I screw up everything I touch. If I had just listened to Pete and stayed in the car, we would have been home and Leena would still be alive and… She was just thrown there in the dirt like she was nothing. Who could do something like that?" Claudia stopped as Olive faced her, capturing her in her eyes.
Her breath caught in her throat as Olive inched closer. Her cheeks burned as their lips met. Claudia's eyes remained closed as Olive broke the kiss. "What just happened?" Claudia's heart thudded in her chest and her mind was in a daze.
"I kissed you." Olive stated frankly.
"No… yes… No I know. I… uh…" Claudia's fingers brushed against her lips, the heat that was once there quickly faded. "Thank you…" Claudia mentally kicked herself in the face. She let her head fall against her chest, her cheeks burned a bright shade of red. "Okay… I'm sorry. I officially suck."
Olive smiled at Claudia's awkwardness. "What do you have to be sorry for? You are beautiful." Olive raised Claudia's chin with her fingertips until they were face to face. "You are beautiful."
A sad smile spread across Claudia's face, as she leaned into Olive, capturing her lips once more.
~~~~~~~
Mrs. Frederic entered Artie's office. Everyone was outside, she already knew this. She wasn't here to see them. She walked to the blue tarp resting on the table in the middle of the room, her black heels clicked on the concrete floor. She folded over the sides of the tarp, exposing Leena's body.
Her brow furrowed with the rush of emotion. She wished she could cry and release this flood of anguish inside of her, but she lost that ability a long time ago. Instead she stood in stunned silence hovering over the body.
She heard her colleagues before they entered the room. They were shouting at each other, Artie's voice boomed above the rest. The hatch door opened and everything paused. Myka, Artie, and Pete stood at the doorway watching Mrs. Frederic.
Artie stepped forward. "Leena…We didn't find her in time…"
"Lily Flourish." Mrs. Frederic stated.
Myka nodded. "She… she used to work with Helena."
"And now HG Wells has gone after her, but for what purpose?" Mrs. Frederic brushed her hand against Leena's cold cheek and the pang of emotion coursed through her once more.
"To join her of course!" Artie piped in.
"No. No I believe she has other plans." Mrs. Frederic never took her eyes off Leena as she spoke. "Artie please get me the Shroud of Rin."
"The Shroud of R… No… Mrs. Frederic, no." Artie stammered falling into his desk chair.
"Do as you are told." Mrs. Frederic turned her penetrating stare towards him and he gulped in response.
"Okay." Artie left to retrieve the shroud.
"What is the Shroud of Rin?" Pete asked.
"No one knows of its origins, but in the late 1800's it was used by a man known as Jack the Ripper to relive his latest kills to keep the experience fresh in his mind." Mrs. Frederic explained.
Myka walked towards her. "Jack the Ripper. The Victorian serial killer?"
"Otherwise known as John Druitt, yes."
Artie walked back into the room carrying a black cloth that shimmered in the light. The shadows along the shroud seemed to morph and churn in the black to form hidden faces, screaming at the silence.
Pete felt the knots stir in the pit of his stomach. It soon moved up to his chest and rested at the back of his throat. The vibe spread throughout his entire body all the way to his fingertips. "I have a bad vibe about this guys."
"Because we shouldn't be doing this. It's dangerous." Artie lay the cloth on his desk and back away slowly. "Who do you expect to use it?"
Myka stepped forward. "I will do it. "
"Myka are you sure about this? I…" Pete rested his hand on her shoulder.
"If it brings us any closer to finding Leena's killer. I will do it."
Mrs. Frederic nodded and motioned for Myka to sit in the folding chair. She took the shroud in her hands. "Now Myka I need you to hold onto Leena's hand, it will keep you connected to her. No matter what happens, do not let go of Leena's hand or they will turn their focus to your mind and tear it to shreds. I will place this over your head and all you need to do is focus your thoughts on Leena, they will take care of the rest."
Myka nodded in understanding and grasped Leena's hand in hers. Mrs. Frederic flicked the cloth over Myka's head and situated it, so her entire face was hidden. At first Myka didn't notice anything, just the darkness. Then the faces returned, shoving at each other through the fabric, trying to break through. Myka stiffened in the chair, her grip on Leena's hand tightened as she focused her thoughts.
Myka opened her eyes. She was in a room that smelled vaguely of cow manure. Hay clung to her skin leaving red welt in its wake. She felt her lips move and Leena's voice came out. "Who are you?"
A woman answered her. "Lee-na. Correct?"
"Myka? Myka, can you hear me?" Mrs. Frederic voice broke through the vision.
"Yes." Myka whispered.
"Tell me what you see." Mrs. Frederic's voice kept her grounded.
"I'm in a room… No. No it's a barn."
"Where is Helena?"
"There's a woman. I can't see her. She's hiding in the dark. I think… I think it's Lily."
The dark figure moved closer to her twisting something in her hands.
"She is asking me… Leena about Helena. She doesn't know anything."
An Indian woman stepped out of the shadows, a frayed rope twisted around her fingertips. Leena shivered in recognition of the object. "Helena… You mean H. G. Wells? I don't know where she is."
Myka saw the black coals burning in the other woman's eyes. Her face twisted in anger. "Liar!" Lily let the rope dangle from her hand and Myka saw it was a noose of some kind.
The vibe Pete felt had not gone away and Myka had grown quiet under the black cloth. Mrs. Frederic spoke softly to her, trying to keep her on track. He jumped as an ear splitting shriek erupted from beneath the cloth. It didn't sound like Myka, the voice was gargled and twisted in pain. Pete tried to run towards her and rip the shroud off her face, but Artie stopped him.
"Don't disrupt the process she has to get through it on her own." Artie held his arm in front of Pete.
Myka's felt hands that were not her own grip at the rope tightening around her neck, trying to loosen it. The more she struggled the tighter the noose became, until black flurries danced in her vision.
"Myka! Myka listen to me! This isn't you! This is just a memory! It isn't happening to you! You need to separate yourself from it!" Mrs. Frederic's voice broke through the vision.
Myka fought inside the memory of Leena, until she could breathe again. She stood on the dirt floor and glanced at the body that remained behind. Leena lay on the ground, the noose that had constricted her throat loosened. Myka watched as Lily pulled the noose over Leena's head, her raven hair falling in tendrils over her shoulder.
She knelt by the body stroking Leena's curly hair from her face. "What a waste." Lily's dark eyes searched the room, until they seemed to fall upon Myka and a smirk twisted across her face.
Myka tore the shroud from her face and threw it upon the ground. Her shirt was soak with sweat and her breathing came in quick gasps. "Oh God, she strangled her. Leena didn't know anything so she killed her, for nothing." Tears streamed down Myka's face. "She was so scared! I could feel it! She was so scared!"
"Myka. What do you remember from the barn? Any details?" Mrs. Frederic pressured her for answers.
Myka took a moment to collect her thoughts and calm her breathing, searching her mind for the details. "I was in a barn. There was hay on the ground and blue paint pealing off the walls. I remember a metal chandelier hanging from the ceiling and it smelled like cow manure."
"Blue paint…"
"What is it Pete?" Artie turned towards his colleague.
"It's just… I might know where that is. Kelly went out to this farm every other weekend to check on the animals there. I went with her once. They have a metal chandelier and blue paint peeling off the walls. The old Jacobson farm up the road."
~~~~~~
Helena had no idea where she was going she just drove. The further away she was from her friends the safer they would be, but the more distance she put between them the more her tether threatened to pull her back. She watched the medians creep by in the headlights. The street was empty and miles of barren grasslands surrounded her. She blinked as a speck of light greeted her from the distance, a beacon in the dark. She hoped it was somewhere she could rest. She was exhausted and her eyes had already begun to grow heavy.
She pulled up outside a worn down barn, the chipped blue paint littered the ground outside. She stuffed Artie's keys into her pocket as she tiptoed towards the door. She heard singing inside. The voice slithered to her ears, the voice of someone familiar. Helena paused and peered through a hole in the wall. She saw a dark shape flittering around the room, turning and jiving with hips that tempted.
Helena stepped back not noticing the metal wash pail that rested behind her and knocked it over with a loud BANG. She bit her lip as the singing came to an abrupt pause and the empty black eyes found hers.