by Lisa Coots
“Mace. Hey man, talk to me.” Ben's hands clasped on to his shoulders, and shook him gently. Mason tried to open his eyes, to move, to speak, but it was all too difficult. Another shake, this time not so gentle. His eyes rolled open a sliver, and he saw Serena's concerned face leaning over him.
“Cold...” His voice came out in a low whisper.
“Ok, hun. I'll get a blanket.” Her face disappeared out of his sight, and he felt panic.
“Rena,” he croaked.
Serena flew to the nearest room and ripped the blanket from the bed. This had only happened once before, when Mason was taken by surprise. She rushed back and gave the blanket to Ben. “Put this around him. I'll go make some tea.”
“Faith, are you ok in there?” Elle asked through the door.
The door opened slowly. Faith emerged, fresh tears glistened on her face. “Oh, my… Is he ok?”
“He'll be fine. Ben, try to get him to his room, and I'll make tea. I think everyone could use some.”
“Rena.” The hoarse whisper made her jump. From under the blanket, Mason reached out a hand for her ankle.
Ben's eyes pleaded with her. “He needs you.”
“I'll make tea, that'll warm him up.”
“Let Elle do it.” Ben looked to Elle. “You can make tea, right?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Come on, I'll do it.” Faith wiped at her face.
“Faith, you're too upset.”
“No, I need something to do. Come on, Elle. Come help me.”
“Take the service stairs. Just to be safe.” Serena reached for Mason as Ben helped him off the floor.
“Holler if something happens,” Ben added putting a shoulder under Mason’s arm. Serena wrapping an arm around his waist from the opposite side, heard him gasp at her touch. They managed to get him to his room, and let him fall onto the bed.
“Nooooo,” he moaned when Serena let him go.
Ben looked to her expectantly. He didn't know what he was asking. He couldn't. Being so near Mason was torture.
“Please, Rena. The sooner he recovers the sooner we can get some answers.”
“You haven't listened to the audio. We may have picked something up.” She tried to argue, but Ben's face was determined.
“Fine.” Giving in, she lifted the blanket and climbed next to Mason cradling his head on her chest. His eyes fluttered open briefly then closed again.
“I'll check on the girls then start downloading files.” Ben closed the door behind him.
Serena gazed down at him. The softness of his full lips and dark lashes made him seem so innocent. She wanted desperately to believe in him, in them. Too much had happened between them. They couldn't go back to the way things were in the beginning. Once the trust had been broken, doubt had crept in, dispelling the magic.
Mason's body convulsed with shivers, he moaned and pulled her closer.
“It's ok, hun. I'm here,” she whispered wanly. “Rest. I promise I won't leave you. We'll dream together.” Pulling the blanket closer around them, she noticed his skin was already warming some. She knew they'd both sleep peacefully.
The chill grayness of the room was already fading to a more comfortable warmth, but she knew behind it the tragic spirits confined here would surface again to challenge them.
Closing her eyes, she welcomed the dreams and memories she knew would come. If they weren't meant to be together in this life, they would always have the memories of their last.
CHAPTER 6
Serena woke, her body covered in sweat. Pushing at the heavy blanket encasing her, she kicked her foot to let air flow underneath. The wave of cool air only reminded her of the heat source now at her back. Mason must have shed his shirt sometime during the night. His bare skin burned into hers. Her sweat soaked shirt was trapped between them. Serena tried to roll away from him, but his arm tightened around her pulling her back.
“Don't go. Not yet.”
“You're ok?”
“Yes, thank you, but I don't want to let go just yet.”
The sunlight peeking through the curtain cast a hazy warm light over the bed. Between the softness of the bed and the hardness of Mason’s body behind her she was also hesitant to leave.
Without turning to look at him, she asked softly, “What happened last night?”
“He was so angry.”
“You shouldn't have done that Mason. You should have stayed in the room with us.”
“Did I scare you, love? Worried about me?” She could hear the smile in his voice.
“Of course. I wouldn't be here otherwise. You know you should be more careful.”
“Thanks for that.” He planted a small kiss on her cheek. The rush of love and desire flooded through her. Having him so close was torture. “Did Ben get anything?”
“I don't know. He was going to check the EVP's when he left us.”
“You didn't leave me.” It wasn't a question.
“How do you know?”
“The tea's cold.”
She laughed. The tea she had been so worried about sat next to the bed untouched.
“You're the best thing to warm me,” he whispered seductively in her ear.
“I think we both slept soundly.” Serena tried to downplay the raging emotions that only his presence could invoke. The dreams had been real and vivid leaving her feeling raw and vulnerable.
“Always with you.” His simple statement had her blinking away tears.
A sharp knock at the door interrupted their moment. The door opened a crack and Ben stuck his head in. “Hey you guys up?”
“Yeah.” Serena moved to sit up forcing Mason to let her go.
“You good, man?” Ben opened the door wider to see for himself.
“The only thing wrong with this picture, is you standing in my doorway.”
“Yeah, right.” Satisfied with Mason’s sarcastic answer, Ben acknowledged his concern. “That was a bad one.”
“Did you get anything?” Mason brushed it off.
“Well, the video clearly shows the door closing and opening on its own. Faith was nowhere near it.”
“The EVP recorder was on?” Mason asked.
“Yeah, I turned it on when I gave it to you.” Ben's eyes gleamed with excitement.
“Did you hear him?” Serena had hoped the recordings would shed some light on what needed to be done.
“Oh, yeah...”
“Hey! You guys here?” Faith's voice sounded from downstairs interrupting Ben's report.
“Up here!” Ben hollered from the doorway.
Jake entered first, focusing on Ben. “You should have waited until I was here.”
“I told him everything was fine,” Faith called from behind him.
“You still should have waited.” Finally noticing Mason and Serena in the bed, Jake stammered, “Oh… Sorry.”
“It's ok.” Serena laughed at Jake’s flustered expression. Then hoping to calm him, she suggested, “Let's go downstairs and make coffee.”
“You're ok?” Faith asked Mason as she squeezed by Jake.
“Yes, I'm fine. Sometimes when they get too close it drains me. He walked through me twice last night.”
“Wait...” Ben pushed Jake out of his way and ran out of the room. He returned with a recorder in his hand. Pushing a button, he began to speak. “This is Mason Del Toro's account of his experience on...”
“Do we have to do this now?” Mason agitated, reached for Serena’s hand absently. She welcomed its warmth, wishing things could always be that simple between them.
“Yes, first account. It's important. I'd like to see if it matches the EVP, and Faith's account.” Ben motioned for him to continue.
“Ok, fine. This is Mason Del Toro, yada yada. We were watching the monitor from Ben's room. I decided to bring the EVP recorder into the front bedroom where Faith was, to ask questions. It didn't seem like anything was happening.” He stopped suddenly, using his free hand to point at Faith. “Should she be here?”
“It's ok. I got her statement last night before she left.”
Mason nodded and continued, “When I neared the doorway I called out. I didn't want to frighten her. The door slammed in my face. Then I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. I stayed still hoping the EVP was picking it up. Then I felt the cold. It was like someone had opened a freezer door. It took my breath away. The door flew open. I saw Faith in the room. She looked frightened. I meant to go to her, but the door slammed shut again, and I heard the lock click. There was so much anger, violence. It was a red haze. Then the cold again, I couldn't breathe. I don't remember much else.” He looked into Serena's eyes. “Except Rena.”
“Ok, great.” Ben snapped off the recorder. “Now coffee.... And maybe some breakfast?” He gave Faith a hopeful look.
“Ok,” Faith laughed, “Come on, Jake, you can help me. You, too, Ben. You can explain some of this while I cook.”
“Sure.” Ben happily followed them out of the room.
“Yeah, I need a shower.” Letting go of his hand, Serena rose from the bed.
“Sounds great.”
“Alone,” she said glancing back over her shoulder. She caught him gazing hungrily at her body.
He looked up catching her eye, “I have my memories. They'll do for now.” His husky voice floated across the room to her.
Serena turned and closed the bedroom door without looking back at him. She had those same memories too and no amount of magic could erase them.
“Jake, I'll be fine. They can't control when it happens.” Faith’s voice reached Serena before she entered the kitchen.
“What about last night?” Obviously Jake was still upset. Serena hurried in hoping to diffuse any argument.
“That's the first time in months anything has happened, and it was in that room. I normally don't go upstairs at all. When I'm here, I'm in the kitchen.”
“Really?” Ben asked from his favorite chair at the island counter.
“One night you were in here. Remember?” Jake reminded Faith of the night she had first heard the music.
“Ok you two.” Serena tried to calm them.
“You know... You know what it does to her. I don't like it.” Jake turned on her, pointing a finger in her direction.
“Jake, you know it can't hurt y’all. It's like a video replaying a memory over and over, that's all.”
“That's all? It didn't feel like a video to me.” Jake paced towards the back door.
“I've got to help her find the baby. That's what she wants. I know it,” Faith spoke up from her post at the stove.
“Why you?” Mason’s voice came unexpectedly from behind Serena making her jump. Walking straight up to Faith, he gazed into her eyes. “Why do you think she picked you and not Serena?”
Serena gasped at hearing the question she had been asking herself since the first episode.
“The baby. She knows.” Faith placed a hand on her stomach.
“Knows what?” Mason's eyes narrowed on Faith.
“Jake and I had a lot in common with them.” Faith's dark eyes darted nervously from Mason to Jake guiltily.
“Oh, just tell them, babe. If it'll help end this.” Hand on hips, Jake hung his head with a sigh.
Serena pushed Mason out of her way to get to Faith. “Oh, hun. You were pregnant back then...” She hugged her friend tightly. “Why didn't you say? I just thought it was because you are a mother, too.”
“Well, I thought I was, but I wasn't. Jake didn't know. Nobody did.”
“Kids?” Mason turned to Jake. “Yours?”
“No, she was married to someone else.” Jake's jaw clenched tightly as he turned away.
“Ah...” Taking in the new information, Mason's gaze wandered back to Faith.
“So she wants you to help find the baby like it's lost, but she should know where it is,” Ben reasoned.
“I thought maybe it died. She's so sad. It's unbearable.” Faith still leaning on Serena, looked to Mason for confirmation.
Mason nodded in agreement.
Turning back towards them, Jake pulled at the collar of his shirt. “I've got to get to work. I can't eat anyway. I don't like Faith here without me. And I don't want to be here either.”
“I'm not sure that's wise.” Mason was now focused on Jake, watching him intently.
“What?”
“You're connected too. Last night I felt him.”
“Him?” Hooking a finger in the neckband of his undershirt, Jake pulled and twisted the thin material away from himself.
“Yes, what we are assuming is the father. He is angry, and violent. Still.”
“I thought it was a video. Videos can't hurt you,” Jake mimicked Serena's words.
“It's not wise for Evan to be here either,” Serena cautioned, “He used his anger once. It could happen again.”
“Nah, we're good now. That's over.” His finger still hanging on his neckband, Jake shrugged.
“Why do you keep pulling at your shirt?” Mason asked.
“I gotta go.” Jake looked down at his shirt, dropping his hand quickly.
“Wait. What are you feeling right now?”
“Can't breathe. Uncomfortable.” Jake shrugged again. “I've felt it before, like somebody's watching me. I gotta go.”
Not bothering to walk through the house again, Jake exited through the back door. Faith ran after him, ponytail bouncing wildly.
Stunned, they stood for a moment taking in the information. Mason broke the silence first. “Amazing.”
“This is a powder keg,” Serena whispered loudly realizing the connections and ties went deeper than she imagined.
“So do we keep them apart, or do we get them all together and set it off?” Ben wondered out loud.
“No. You can't guarantee the outcome. They are my friends, my family.” She had been so careful to keep this from them all. Now she had to figure a way out without losing their friendship.
“Serena, that's the point.” Ben’s tone was sharp as he struggled to make her understand. “They are your friends. They are family. Makes it harder to control emotions. You're planning a wedding here. They will all be here together eventually. Do you want it to go off at the wedding, or before?”
“No, there's got to be a better way.” Serena shook her head, then added a warning to them both. “And this stays here. You won't use them.”
“This is real, Rena. We have proof.” Ben’s argument took him from his chair. Standing, he leaned on the counter.
“No. No TV.”
“No TV,” Mason agreed. “I'm done with that. It was Sebastian and Eva's idea, never mine.”
The mention of his ex-fiancé’s name sent a surge of jealousy through her. She tried to wipe it from her mind before he could read her.
“When I ended it, it was over,” he said simply, his gold eyes boring into hers.
“I know. I am surprised you didn't go back to her when I left. I got the feeling it wasn't over for her.” Serena couldn’t help the snarky remark.
“I was too busy trying to find you.” His eyes never left hers.
“Hey, let's talk about now.” Ben raised his eyebrows at them. “What's the game plan?”
“Give them a few days.” Turning her attention back to Ben and the present, she caught a whiff of over-cooked eggs.
“But...”
“No, I mean it. Leave them alone and give me time to figure out how to help them separately.”
“What about the other girl?” Ben suggested.
“No, Evan will do his best to keep Claire away. I wouldn't provoke him, and he needs to stay away.” She turned off the stove and stirred the eggs that Faith had forgotten in her hurry to follow Jake.
“Besides it's not her Richie wants to hurt,” Mason reminded them. There it was. The jab she’d been waiting for.
“Exactly. Someone else who thinks I stole their money.” Picking the pan up, she was tempted to throw it at him. Instead, she turned from the stove to meet Mason’s gaze over
the steaming eggs.
“We can talk about that later, ok guys?” Ben's conciliatory tone broke their glaring contest.
“I thought you wanted a game plan?” Serena scraped the scrambled eggs onto a platter in front of Ben.
“Yeah, got it. We give them time. In the meantime, I'll continue to take readings and maybe we can try some more EVP stuff. Just us,” he added quickly, when Serena's eyebrow lifted. Ben gave his best innocent look. “Can we eat now?”
CHAPTER 7
The house was quiet. Serena loved it when everything was at peace. Over the past few days, Mason and Ben had made it a point to stay out of her way. She paced in the dark, feeling the space around her. The walls stood strong, the air felt a bit thick and musty. She didn't mind. She lit incense and sat in the parlor watching its smoldering ember.
Her life hadn't been ideal, but whose was? Realizing early, she hadn’t given birth to a normal child, her mother had downplayed Serena’s instincts, crediting them to a child's overactive imagination. When she didn't grow out of it, things became awkward. Thankfully her grandmother had not only understood, but encouraged her to talk of such things.
Being around other people became uncomfortable. Knowing things she shouldn't made her standout. Reading people made it hard to have close friends. Her early years were spent mostly with her grandmother, shying away from group activities. She participated only in those her mother seemed more excited about than she was. Her first formal dance was pleasant but uneventful. Her first kiss she remembered fondly. The young man was sincere at the time, but she knew it wouldn't last. Becoming comfortable with small town life, even labeled as the weird girl, she thought she could live that way forever. Her grandmother had insisted that life was not for her. She told her to live, not hide away. “Follow where your dreams lead you.”
Her dreams, even back then, brought her to Coeur du Bayou. Dreams of walking through these rooms, feeling the wood floor beneath her feet, waiting and watching through the upstairs window, had haunted her for years. When she was finally old enough to venture out, she was drawn to historical places.
