P.O.V. Lucy

Our client had surprised me in more than one way, when she had left I had asked Lockwood how they knew each other, turned out they had been friends when they were younger. I was yet again surprised when we received a phone call from our client half way through preparations requesting we do not use touch in her house. She certainly was strange.

Later that day, I was down in the rapier room practising on Floating Joe, when Lockwood walked in. I decided to question him on our client and how he knew her. I walked up to Lockwood and said "How did you meet Nim?"

He turned and looked at me. He said, "We were in briefly in care together."

I wasn't sure which surprised me more, the fact he replied or the reply itself.

"How close were you?"

"Friends. She is an extremely talented agent, worked for Fittes. Both her and her two brothers quit after her sister's death. It shattered the eldest boy's heart. Apparently, it drove him half-crazy having his twin sister murdered in front of him."

I felt guilty I had asked. Lockwood gave me a 'don't ask any more questions' look and walked out.

I went to pack my bags.

The time to leave arrived sooner than expected. We got in a night cab and arrived at seven thirty exactly. Lockwood rang the doorbell. I heard a groan from the skull in my back pack. I prepared myself for a sarcastic remark but it didn't come. Instead it said "There is a powerful apparition in this house. Very powerful. But of course you don't want help from me, a manky skull in a jar!"

I whispered to it "Shut up."

Lockwood rang the doorbell. Nim answered. She was wearing a black pair of jeans and a plain black t-shirt. She said "Come in."

She showed us to her living room and served us tea. George smiled at her and asked, "Do you know what kind of apparition it is?"

She smiled back and said "A powerful type two, what I'm not sure. My sight is terrible. Listening and touch are my strengths."

Lockwood asked "Nim, when did you first see the apparition?"

Nim replied calmly, "Three days ago. I didn't see it, my younger brother did. I have heard it though. The room is now covered in frost and cobwebs, the frost is creeping onto the landing and the amount of dusting I've had to do since is unbelievable! The cobwebs cover every corner, nook and cranny the spiders can get to!"

We exchanged glances, this did not sound good.

Lockwood didn't smile now, he looked at Nim and asked "Will you be present while we are tackling the ghost?"

She shook her head, "No. I have a case to handle, some idiots from the Rotwell agency. Oh, my sister's name was Stella by the way. Thought it might help you" She did her calm smile, "I had best be off, I trust you guys to handle it. Goodbye."

She got up out of her seat and walked out of the front door. She left very abruptly. Without even saying anything we knew what to do. It didn't take us long to find the room with the source in it. Frost crept from around the edge of the door and spiders clung to the walls around it. I set up an iron circle outside the door, Lockwood set up one in the room and George set up one by the front door. Everything was in place.

The room itself was piled high with boxes, some contained girl's clothes others appeared to contain agent's equipment. A rapier hung on one wall. Spiders webs cover the walls, plastered everywhere like a second wallpaper. Frost had replaced the carpet. I felt the coldness numb my hands. A voice piped up from my back pack "Ooh! It sure is nippy in here!"

That was the skull. I whispered back to it, "Yes that is because it's haunted by a powerful spirit!"

After that, the hours just ticked by, I heard the clock strike eight, then nine, then ten and then I heard it. A quick fast panting. Followed by a scream. It was clearly other worldly. I called out "Lockwood! I heard something!"

Lockwood and George came running in; Lockwood was first to speak "What did you hear?"

I told him what I had just heard, George nodded and said "Sounds like Stella's death. I wonder what her motive for coming back is?"

I had been thinking the same thing. Why would Stella feel it necessary to come back?

Lockwood turned round and so did George. George whispered "She's right there!"

I blinked, I couldn't see the apparition. George was now providing a running commentary in a low, hushed whisper "She's moving forward, she's right up at the circle. I do believe she is a Limbless, one of her arms is missing along with one of her eyes. She doesn't seem to want to get in the circle. She's opening her mouth…"

The rest of what George was saying was drowned out by screaming, infuriated, enraged, agonised screaming. I toppled backwards as the noise hit me and fell out of the circle. The ghost appeared in my vision, the screaming hadn't stopped, but she charged towards me, her black hair and torn agents gear remaining still despite the speed she moved at. At her waist I could see magnesium flares, salt bombs, iron canisters, chains and a rapier. She yanked the rapier from her belt and sliced, I blocked it with my own rapier. This was a first, a sword fight with a ghost. I was knocked off the landing into the room, sending boxes flying, clothes scattered and items flew everywhere. I was lost in the confusion, and then I felt it, cold on my arm. Pain sliced into my brain, I had been ghost touched. I screamed. Greek fire filled the air.

When I woke up it was in a white hospital bed, white lights blinded me. Lockwood and George sat by my bed.

"Lucy your awake!" Lockwood practically shouted.

The first thing I said was "Will we be going back tomorrow?"

Lockwood said "Not if you don't want to; even then I wouldn't recommend it."

George nodded in agreement, "Yes. Lockwood is probably right."

We chatted idly, but then a nurse came over and said to let me rest. As soon as my head touched the pillow I was asleep.