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Jayce sighs in defeat but nods. “Fine. I’ll give it a try, but if this gets to Amityville levels, I’m fucking out of here.”
“Deal,” Eli grins triumphantly, giving the air a fist pump. “Now we just bide our time until we can sneak away. Hopefully, they don’t lock the doors.”
“Well,” I note as I watch the group file away to the next destination. “Looks like we just found our chance.”
“Oh God,” Jayce whines as Eli does a happy dance.
I can’t contain the smile that forms on my face as I watch my two favorite guys. Eli’s right, this is going to get spooky and I can’t fucking wait.
“Let the fun begin,” he grins, throwing a hand around my shoulder and leading us through the night, back to the building looming in the moonlight. But the closer we get to the brick monstrosity, the more my stomach twists with nerves.
Why do I have such a bad feeling about this now?
Lucien
For what seems like an eternity I have walked these haunted grounds. At one time, it was peaceful, but lonely. I walked alone as I came to peace with my death. Then others joined, those of us who perished in the fire coming together one by one. For years, it was a quiet existence as we all waited to move on.
But I couldn’t… not without her.
Then the living disturbed our quiet existence. At first, it was to rebuild and expand the university around us, then they came to rebuild our resting place. The fact they left parts of the charred history in place should have been our first sign that something wasn't right. Then the tours started. Retelling the same story of the fire and the hero that never left. But I wasn’t the only one there.
A true hero would have saved everyone and most importantly the love of his life, but I failed her and she’s the one spirit that wasn’t tortured enough to stay. It’s a blessing and a curse. I’m grateful that she isn’t stuck here like we are. I pray that she’s passed into the light and is in the better place we have always been told existed. Though, I have yet to see a sign of the light.
My thoughts continue to wander as I walk through the night. I feel stronger than I have in a long time. Apparently, it’s All Hallow’s Eve tonight. I heard one of the living say that earlier as they readied candles for their nightly rounds. They loved to make a scene as they showed the other mortals around. Normally, I wouldn’t pay any mind to them, but then I noticed her.
Iris? No…
How could it be?
Iris back from the grave?
The same striking features and soft curves, the same expressive eyes. But this version of her had stark-blue hair and she didn’t paint her face the same. But could it be her?
Maybe I’ve been wandering too long and now I’m seeing things. But even as I blink rapidly to clear my vision she’s still there every time. I get closer to inspect her but she turns to leave just as the nightmare that consumes my life starts once again.
The scent of smoke is the first thing to cue that I’m headed back to replay the events once again.
I was seated at my desk, grading papers when something crashed beyond my door. A loud thundering of feet and pained screams echoed down the hall and my heart thundered in my chest at the sound. What is going on?
I pushed myself back from my desk, papers flying as I rushed to assess what all the commotion was about. Once I wrenched my door open, the smell of burning wood was stronger than ever now that I was in the hall. I turned to glance at the Dean’s office a few doors down when I noticed the orange flames were licking the walls around his door and frame, before they were quickly engulfed.
It only took me a moment to spring into action. I started with clearing the other offices on the second floor. I didn’t bother with the traditional knock, just flinging them open and searching for people as I went, all the while Iris was in the back of my mind. She was in her office grading papers like I was. I offered to accompany her and grade mine up there but she smiled and told me that I would just be a distraction. Normally, she welcomed that, but we were both behind on our work because of it.
I had to remind myself that I needed to get the faculty out. Was it my job? No, but I would do it anyway. All life was precious, and I’d help save all I could. Just as I got to the last teacher from the bottom floor, the smoke was billowing enough that I could barely see. The thick cloud caused me to cough as I breathed it in. I did my best to cover my nose and mouth with my sleeve as I started up the stairs. Iris was there and I would get her to safety, too. Why was her office at the end of the hall?
I began to clear the rooms one by one. There were a few of the women too scared to make the trip down the stairs by themselves with the smoke and flames so close. So, I did what any man in my position would, I picked them up and threw them over my shoulder. Once we were down the stairs and the flames weren’t close, I’d set them down and watch as they ran for the door. I got a handful out when I started to cough more with each step. I had just topped the stairs when my vision was blurred and I got distracted with thoughts of Iris. Before I knew it, I tumbled back down. Her name was on my lips just before I lost consciousness.
When I return to the present time, the group of people are gone. The main building is now silent and I’m alone again. But Iris’s doppelganger is at the front of my mind. I have to find her again. There’s a knot in the bottom of my stomach as anxiety forms. I fear that something horrible is going to happen tonight. I couldn’t save Iris but I might be able to save this lookalike.
Is it my past toying with the present? Are these feelings true? But even as I think those thoughts I know that I won’t risk it. Not with her. Not again.
With one last glance around the empty building, I float from the building and out to the grounds in search of her. So many faces blur past as I move seamlessly through the air. The sound of her voice, huskier than Iris’s was, hits my ears and I change direction. She’s talking animatedly with two men. Their excitement fills the air and her entire being lights up with emotion. It’s a beautiful sight.
Taking a moment, I give her a once over. She really does resemble Iris. Her hair is thick and wavy but the black with blue coloring is wilder than Iris would’ve worn hers. Every detail on her face is the same but where Iris had blue eyes, hers are a vivid hazel. Simple distinctions that make them stand apart in my mind. Now I want to know everything about this mysterious woman and why fate would be so cruel as to put her in my path.
Her beauty distracts me from why I’m here and I have to force myself to focus. Moving around and manipulating the world around me as a ghost takes so much energy but I have to try. I have to succeed. Channeling my energy, I focus on a stone. It taps quietly against her shoe, however she doesn’t seem to notice. Panic rises but I fight it down.
Focus, Lucien. You can do this.
