Chapter Three



Whitney's Place…



Ethan stares at her like she stepped out the twilight zone.



"Whitney what are you talking about?" he gently removes the cloth of his jacket from her fist.



"Your sister. The one that just got out of jail!"



Ethan gazes into her eyes and spots the frenzy. He hasn't seen her this freaked since Theresa caught them…he rather not think about it.



"Who told you?" he says calmly.



"My sister just called…"



"Oh," he rolls his eyes and walks over to her fridge. Seeing nothing but an apple he swipes it and takes a bite out it.



"Oh…and why are you eating my last apple? That was going to be my breakfast."



Taking another bit, he shrugs and says nonchalantly, "You could have had breakfast at my place but you left."



Whitney puts her hand on her hip and frowns at him, "What you came over here because you're pissed that I left?"



Ethan studies her for a moment, relishing the sight of her dressed in a skimpy t-shirt that exposes her stomach and thigh high shorts, "No." Slowly he takes another bit and while chewing says, "I came to tell you my sister is out but since you know," he swallows, "We can talk about why you decided to disappear in the middle of the night."



Whitney rolled her eyes, "I left because sleeping in the bed with a man trying to be my father made me a little sick."



Ethan glares at her, "Really?"



"Really."



They have a face off, glowering at each other. Ethan angry because she would rather strip than ask him for money. Whitney angry because he thinks he has a right to judge what she does, considering who he represents in court.



After a moment, Ethan tosses the apple core in the trash and heads for the door, "I have to go. I'm meeting Noah."



Whitney almost said 'Fine then go' but her fear of Kay returned. "Ethan, answer me. Is she gonna come after us?"



He had just made to the door when she questioned. He turns around frowning, "Come after us? For what and whose 'us'?"



Whitney's attitude became stank, "You know what I mean. Your sister has always been vengeful and us is all those people who thought she deserves to be in jail."



Ethan's face becomes expressionless. He and Whitney never really discussed Kay before because she didn't matter in their relationship. "Do you think she belongs in jail?"



Something about the nature of his voice made Whitney want to tread lightly, "Yes I did."



"And now?" his voice becoming menacing.



Whitney said annoyed, "And now I don't know. What with that freaky family of yours, everyone with witch powers…Look I'm not asking just for myself but for my sister. She has changed her tune and dance to another for the last four years. She doesn't deserve to be harmed by Kay because she has more than made up for her mistake," that I encouraged.



Ethan sighs and walks over to Whitney, he kisses her slowly and lightly on the lips and gazes deeply in her eyes, "Don't worry about it. Noah won't let anything happen to Simone."



Whitney still feels the tingle she always gets when Ethan kisses her. It never fails to stir feelings that she thought she had buried in the deep recess of her heart. But she ignored it more concerned about the present. "What about me?"



Ethan opens the door and contemplates her for a moment. Finally walking out he says over his shoulders, "You can look out for yourself," he stops turns to close the door and says, "That's the way you want it, right?" The door closes softly behind him.



Tate House…



Noah stood outside the house for an hour before he got the nerve to climb up the rest of the steps to the front door to enter. It is a creepy place, dark and foreboding. A few years back, some students rented the place so that they could have a haunted house. Two days after they opened they closed because of the sightings of REAL ghost terrorizing not only customers but also the renters. Noah has no idea why his sister wants the place but she does and he needs to go in to make sure everything is in order before she arrives. He gave his word.



Talking to Kay scared the hell out of him. She sounded dead and cold as if talking to the living disgusted her. When she informed him of her release and impeding arrival in Harmony, Noah couldn't feel any joy because his sister was so despondent. Then she told him about her purchase of the property and it shocked him.



"Kay how did you get the money…"



"Don't worry, I got it, that's all that matters."



"But why there. It is…"



"Evil. I know and that's exactly what I need."



"What you need. For what?"



"To make sure those in Harmony pay for the six years I lost from my life."



"Kay, you can't want to…"



"Don't worry brother," she said laughing coldly, "You're not on my list but I'd keep that girlfriend close to you. She'll need all the protection she can get…along with the others."



"Kay I can't be a party…"



"To what? Helping me. Again don't worry I don't need you to. All I want you to do is make sure that the house is ready. Check all the lights, heat, and make sure my furniture has arrived. That's it." Then her voice becomes deadly, "Of course stay out of my way."



"Kay…"



"Promise to check the house for me."



Because she sounded a little like her old self he agreed. But he called Ethan and told him to come out to the place the check with him. He has yet to arrive but Noah isn't surprised.



However, he is scared. He didn't like the way Kay sounded on the phone. He knows that his sister is deadly serious and her plans will have a devastating effect on Harmony just like what happen to her did.



When Kay was charged for murder, a fundamental imbalance had taken place in Harmony. When she was found guilty, the imbalance became permanent. Noah felt it as soon as he came into the town and he watched as the rippling effects of injustice played out itself in it's own karmic way. Relationships feel apart. People became couples who would never have if Kay hadn't been accused. Families were torn asunder. Just a whole lot of chaos.



The air of evil set its foot on the town like a black shroud. Those who weren't effected personally were effected in other ways. Jobs lost, divorce, bad weather, influx of evil people, now all make their home in what Noah has coined as Harmony Hell Hotel. All because one innocent person went to prison for a crime they didn't commit.



Now that the imbalance has been set, it can't be reversed however, it can get worst or better. And Kay is the key. He doesn't know why but she is. She can't change the past but she can change the imbalance for the better or for the worst. If she is hell bent on revenge, then for the worst seems to be coming around the corner.



Noah opens the door and walks into the house. It is huge and grand in a gothic sort of way. Obviously the furniture people where in a hurry because boxes and furniture lie everywhere in no type of order, all in one room. The room is so congested that Noah doesn't even bother entering it. He just keeps walking down the dim hallway looking around under the natural light. That is the best way to sense a house when you don't want to be bothered with it at night.



The presence of evil in the house is thick. It made him cold through and through. Every time he glanced in the shadows, he swore he saw something or someone. His mind is ablaze with thoughts of the undead, all silently calling to him. But the pureness of his heart keeps their voice faint and prevents him from being dragged into their dark mire. Every so often, he heard a voice begging to be heard. A voice different from the others. A male voice calling for help, warning of danger. Yet when Noah tries to focus on the voice it disappears.



He finally reaches the steps after passing the library, on the left and a grand dining room from on the right. Beside the steps is a door that more than likely leads to the kitchen. Save that for last.



Noah just put his foot on the step when the front door flies open and he hears a roar of wind. A moment later a voice says…



"What a dump!" Ethan shakes his head and steps further into the house.



Noah takes a moment to catch his breath before glaring at his older brother. "You're late as always."



"But it's better than never. Hey why don't you turn on the lights?" Ethan reaches over to use the switch.



"Don't touch it!" Noah steps down quickly and walks back down the hallway.



"Why the hell not?" Ethan says as his brother stops in front of him.



"Because I'm trying to get a reading…you know listening to the house, remember what I told you about it?"



"Yeah, yeah," Ethan drops his hand shaking his head, "I can tell you one thing. Even without all your psychic guru shit, this place is damn creepy. I heard the original owners went mad and their kids started acting like the freak in Amityville Horror."



Noah couldn't disagree, "Whatever. I just want to check out this place because I promised Kay."



"Man what the hell could our dear sister Kay want with this scary pit. I mean damn, there are cobwebs in here older than me." Kay is the only family besides Noah that he acknowledges. And it is because of Noah that he does it.



"I know but…" Noah's voice trailed off as his mind whirls and finally caught onto something. "Upstairs, we need to go upstairs."



Ethan notices the far away sound of his brother's voice, "Why?"



"I don't know but I keep hearing this voice try to tell me something," he said walking to the stairs, "I need to go up there to hear it clearly."



Not really. You're probably hearing my voice telling you that this is crazy. But he follows his brother, dread in his heart.



~~



"So where are we staying Kay? In a hotel?" Deirdre asked as they came within two hours of Harmony. She is tired. She has been driving since they left at about five that morning and they only stopped once for gas and snacks.



Kay smiles excited, "You're gonna love this place Dee."



Deirdre's ears perks up. She hasn't heard excitement in her friend's voice since they left D.C. "Why?"



"We are staying in the old Tate mansion. I got it rented out," Lie but what does it matter, "It's suppose to be haunted with spirits."



Deirdre smiles, "Really? Why would you want to stay there?" her voice is slightly excited too. Deirdre always wanted to stay in a spooked house.



"Because Dee, it will help us both. I need the protection of those spirits and here's your chance to see if you can control them or at least keep them from hurting us. Remember how much you wanted to do that but never get the chance, well now you have it."



Deirdre smelled a rat. Kay is up to something. She probably would have rented that house regardless of me coming. But there no sense in me asking because she won't fess up until she's good and ready. "So why is the house haunted? What's its story."



Kay knew her friend suspected that she had ulterior motives but she is grateful that she changes the subject to a story she has been dying to tell her.



"The Tate house is suppose to be haunted primarily by a brother and sister act. According to Harmony legend, there was a family that lived in Harmony about forty years ago. They were a powerful family, owned a lot of land, and commanded a lot of respect. But one day, the mother committed suicide, the father is shipped to the loony bin and brother and sister supposedly shot each other to death."



"Damn, anybody know why?"



"No, not really. Not factually anyway. There is only speculation that led to the legend. Anyway, the father died about six months later but not before he tried to tell his story to a woman named Tabitha."



Deirdre's eyes bugged, "Not the same…"



"One and the same. She was a very young woman then, just getting into witchcraft. Her powers were strong and she would have been a force to reckon with if she had stayed good.



Understand that Tabitha is not really a person. She was a witch whose spirit takes another corporal form every time it's other corporal died. It usually takes a few years for

it to happen…"



"How long is a few?"



"Between twenty and thirty. It doesn't matter because first, if the spirit is kill by another possessed of an ancient spirit, then that spirit will forever be banished. It can never take corporal form again."



"Wait a sec. Are you telling me that Tabitha isn't a real person.!?"



"No, she is but she gained additional powers when the spirit of this ancient evil joined with her. Understand, she had to agree. She was too powerful to just be forced, but the agreement is not knowingly. Anyway this is all beside the point. The fact is He spoke to her and by that time she was considering to become evil. And he told her this story.



There is a balance in everything we do and some people are the keeper of the balance. If something happens to them, the balance shifts. Depending on what happens it could be for the good or the bad. In the Tate family, one of the children was the keeper of the balance. Usually a keeper doesn't know it but evil always knows the keeper.



The man told her that his family has always worked with evil. As a matter of fact they struck a deal with it. They wanted to be powerful and wealthy. They wanted the ability to control other's to insure their powers. And the evil gave them the power as long as they kept introducing more people in an order they were to create.



This order worshiped an ancient evil that has supposedly been in Harmony before Harmony came into existence. Tate's forefather agreed and so they did. However, to insure their power, they had to change the natural balance of Harmony. So they did. They found out who were keepers and turn them to evil or made sure something bad happen to them.



Now jog about twenty years later. The latest Tate leader has two children, twins I think. And the irony is one of his twins is made a keeper. He was shocked and appalled by it. But what made it worst is that the evil insisted that he kill his children. The elder Tate didn't want to kill both his children. His wife really didn't want her babies dead…"



"Wait, wait. Why would he have to kill them both? I thought the evil always knew who the keeper was. So why didn't it know then?" Deirdre is beyond fascinated, although Kay is being sketchy.



"Yeah, I'm getting to that. The Patriarch asked that himself. Apparently, the evil couldn't determine the keeper because it was born out of evil. You know both parents were involved in the group. So without some way to draw out the keeper's qualities, which I really don't know what they are, they wanted both dead.



The parents refused and the demons drove the mother to suicide and the father mad. That left brother and sister, who were too powerful for the evil to twist the mind. So they played on their fears in the hopes that they would kill each other or at least reveal the keeper.



It worked. The brother and sister did kill each other. The father heard what happen first from a demon that sought to torment him for his defiance. The man told Tabitha that because of the unjust way his children were killed an imbalance will occur.



He also told her that he learned in his madness from the goodness that another chance will come to create balance again and make things for the better in about thirty years. He told her because he wanted her to make sure to protect the next one. I guess he sensed her power. Three days later he died."



Deirdre shakes her head, "So why do you want to be in the house?"



"Because Deirdre, maybe we can find out some information about this evil," and I can harness the power of those spirits to get rid of the evil assholes that had me sent to prison. "Besides maybe we can get the demons out of that house."



"Kay, I'm no fool. I know you have another reason. But that's okay for now. However, if I find that you plan to do something crazy with the spirits, I'm not helping you. Other than that, we can try to communicate with them."



Kay smiles, "Don't worry. This will be better than sitting in my brother's house and it will afford both of us plenty of privacy. People of Harmony are so afraid of that house that they stay clear of it."



"Whatever buddy. So how about we stop and eat…"

~~



Upstairs Tate House…



"Noah what's going on with you?" Ethan is worried. Noah has started mumbling incoherently about five minutes earlier.



Noah's silence isn't due to his will but the will of another trying to direct him to a sacred place. Noah walks down the long hallway with Ethan at his heels. They have already passed several rooms, some with their doors open others not. The open doors are the only reason there is any illumination in the hallway. But the further they go, the darker it gets.



Finally they reach the end, Ethan's hand rest on Noah's shoulder as Noah's hand touches the doorknob. Suddenly he goes cold, a chill runs from him to Ethan who jerks away. A second later the door flies open and they are practically sucked into the room.



The door slams shut and while Noah starts to blink back into consciousness, Ethan's eyes are bugged in disbelief. I really should have stayed home this morning, he thinks. He glances at his brother who seems to be coming out his space cadet trance.



"Noah," he whispers harshly, "what the hell is going on…" suddenly a scream gets caught in Ethan's throat and as a result he starts to gurgle in fright. Noah isn't too much better, mouth moving opening and closing without a sound, eyes blinking rapidly.



Before them is a shadow of seemingly immense size. Protruding from the shadow is ghastly white hand, nails dark, fingers lean with the knuckles showing. It reached for them, rather Noah.



As it came closer, more features became clearer to Noah. It was a male, probably in his early to mid-twenties. His raven black hair is straight, lanky and flying all over the place. His eyes appear to be a steel gray with brown under tones. His face is narrow, cheeks hollow, and as pale as his hand. The man's nose is sharp but not overly big. His lips appear to have color. They seem to be a crimson red as if stained by blood. He is dress in a black loose button down shirt and slacks.



Ethan only saw the huge shadow approach his younger brother and he grabs him trying to pull him back.



Don't be afraid…I won't harm you…



The words are like a whisper in Noah's mind and he instantly recognized the voice. It is the same one that was earnestly trying to get his attention downstairs.



Noah turned to Ethan, "It's okay. He's…he's not evil, are you?" He faces the young dead man.



The spirit smiles at him. The smile changes his face and makes him seem more alive looking than dead.



No…I'm not evil…but this house…it is evil…



Noah knew that without the statement, "You don't have to tell me. This place…"



The man's smile disappears and imploring look is on his face, Listen to me…I cannot keep them away long…you must keep her from here…You must stop her…



"Who?"



Ethan looks at his brother like he is crazy. Why is he talking to this thing? We should get the hell out of here. But Ethan doesn't move. He is too afraid to move.



Who…the one that was treated unjustly…the one called…Kay



Noah thoughts bubble at the mention of his sister's name. He shakes his head, "I don't think I can. She will be here any second and she isn't in the mood to take advice from me. I tried but…"



Then you must watch out for her…she is a threat…to us all…there will be those who will seek to destroy her or worst… make her one…of them…



"What can I do?"



Guide her…try to make her see that revenge is not the way…



"How do you know she is seeking…"



I live in the void…I know when evil is stirring in the hearts of anyone...it is my fate...like it is yours to always protect...



"I will try to do what I can but I can't promise anything."



You better…she is of great importance…she matters…if you fail…all will suffer as you know already from the last time…



Noah again remembers the imbalance he felt in the town and after Kay's sentencing. "Why can't you do anything?"



Who says I can't…the young man's face becomes blank, but I can only do so much…his head jerks to the left and then he turns to them and in a urgent voice says, Do your part…guide her…help her through her anger…make her see the need for her to be the better person she is…the next seven days are crucial…that is the role for which you were chosen and now you must fulfill it…



A crashing sound occurs that makes the brothers jump. The spirit begins to dim.



Go now…they come…when I vanish…leave this house…



"What about Kay?"



I will watch over her here…I will be with her always…but you must do your job in your world…it is balance…Go! Now! Hurry!



He disappeared. Noah grabs Ethan's arm, "Let's get heck outta here."



"Fine by me," said Ethan.



They raced out the house without looking back. Noah hoped that the lights worked. A second later they flickered on and off. Ethan and Noah look at each other and run to their cars.



"Call me in a couple of hours. I think by then I would have woken up from the dream," said Ethan before speeding off. Noah leaves moments after him.



Meanwhile Manning Tate smiles at the cars flying away from the house. A moment later his sister, Raven, comes by him. She has the same look except her hair is longer and her face more feminine.



My dear brother…you didn't let us play with them…



He turns to her and stops the sneer that wants to happen.



No sister I didn't…



No matter…the real fun will be here in any second…



Manning stay silent and hoped that the man Noah will do what is required to protect his sister. The evil is coming for her and this time they want to make sure she stays gone.



Manning…what did you say to them…scared them silly by the looks of the way they left…



It wasn't much…just a boo here…a cold wind there…



I don't believe you…



Manning glances at his sister and then floats away.



Don't believe me…I could care less…



His sister followed him for a second but stops when he gets to the stairs.



I hope the hell you didn't do anything stupid like warn them…that would be VERY foolish…



Manning didn't respond, he just went downstairs to the room filled with furniture. He spots a photo of the woman who has the fate of Harmony unknowingly in her hands. It was taken a few years before her arrest.



Beautiful…Don't worry. Angry though you may be I will not let you do anything you will regret…but you will still have fun…and revenge will be yours…just not the way you think…



He fades away with her image burned into his mind.



The Bank…



Miguel is looking at IRA documents when his phone rang and rescued him from his boredom. He picks it up and says warily, "Harmony National, Miguel Lopez speaking," he had long since dropped his father's last name. He didn't see the point of using the last name of a man that didn't stick around to raise him regardless of the reason.



"Hey little brother. It's Luis."



"Yeah, what's going on?"



"Can you meet me for lunch. We need to talk."



Miguel notices the serious tone of his brother's voice and agrees to meet, "How about twenty minutes?"



"That's good. See ya. Sorry about the short notice…"



"Don't worry about it. I wasn't doing anything that couldn't wait."



He hangs up and looks around his office. He couldn't believe that he has such a dry job. What he wanted to do was work on boats, running a small fishing company…all the things that gave him the freedom to come and go the way he wanted. But he can't. He has a family, a mortgage, and student loans that won't stop because he wants to frolic out at sea.



He doesn't regret marrying Charity but sometimes he wished he waited a little longer before doing it. Miguel guesses he did what he thought best for him at the time. And it was a good time then. But now, he isn't sure.



The love in their relationship seems to be fading, at least on his part and he can't seem to figure out how to stop it. It bothered the hell out of him that he has no idea how to free himself from his lack of love. It is starting to eat away at him badly.



Miguel gets up, grabbing his jacket and leaves his office. He tells his boss that he's off for lunch and walks out the building.



It is a nice day out, sunny, pleasant, and peaceful. But though there is no cloud in the sky, one hung over his heart. Charity's talk of Kay's returned frightened and relieved him. It scared him that she was out and possibly ready to harm him and his family. Yet he is relieved that she is out. He never wanted to see her go to prison. He thought she needed mental help.



He remembers the last time he saw her. Her face sullen, eyes pleading for someone to believe her. Kay's voice was cracked from the strain of screaming that she is innocent but it all fell on deaf ears. The whole town believed her guilty and many were pissed that she didn't get the death penalty.



The look of betrayal she gave Miguel tore at his heart. Unlike everyone else, he didn't feel hatred or anger towards her. He just pitied his best friend and wanted her to get better. Even after he learned all the things that she did to Charity to win his attention, he didn't care. Kay was his friend forever and she needed his help not his anger.



But she was sent to prison and a few months later the last letter he sent her was sent back unopened. To this day, nobody knows that he wrote her. To this day he has yet to trash the letter that was returned to him with the words, " you have been deceived," scrawled on it. He was forever trying to figure it out and eventually forgot about it.



Now he wonders again what she meant by it. The thought that he had been deceived in any way bothers him, especially because he didn't know who is the deceiver. Maybe he can convince Kay to talk to him and ease not only his own fears but his wife's as well.



Charity woke up, antsy and shaking. She barely managed to get Eric up because of all the fretting she was doing. He didn't know how to calm her because his nerves were frayed from trying to convince her and himself that they have nothing to fear from Kay. It didn't work in either case. Charity told him that she was going to see Theresa, something Miguel was vehemently against. His sister's feelings for Kay are pure hatred. Theresa thought that Kay had intended to kill Miguel and no matter how much he tried to convince her otherwise, she refused to believe it. He and Charity argued about it and he finally just walked away from it, telling her to do what she wants.



He regrets the way he left but he couldn't help it. He didn't like the idea of getting everyone in this town riled up for a vision that Charity had. Although she has been very accurate, until proof of Kay's return was found he rather avoid everyone getting upset and start preparing for a witch hunt.



He rounds the corner just in time to see his big brother giving Ethan a ticket. Ethan looks like he wanted to spit in Luis's face and Luis looked like he wished he could do more than fine Ethan. Those two men hated each other with a passion that is unreal. Miguel doesn't really know why Ethan would be pissed at Luis because Luis had a legitimate reason to dislike Ethan. After all, Ethan did sleep with Theresa's best friend and is rumored to have a serious coke habit. Even Miguel isn't that fond of Ethan and the people of disrepute that he represents.



Miguel overheard Luis telling Ethan where to pay for his ticket and watch Ethan snatch it from him.



"Watch it Crane," Luis said knowing it hurts Ethan to call him by a name he can no longer use.



Ethan stares at him and then smiles slightly, "No you watch it. I'm sure my dear aunt wouldn't want you to get sued for your lack of professionalism."



"Oh really. Well get this, Sheridan is not you aunt and I'll be damn if you'd be able to sued me for anything…"



Ethan laughs slightly and speeds off shouting back, "Tell you sister I said she still has a nice ass."



"You son of a bitch…" Luis started to jump into his car but Miguel stops him.



"Cool off, big brother. He's not worth it."



Luis shrugs Miguel off and glares in the direction of the disappearing car, "That son of bitch is gonna go too far."



"Yeah but he hasn't today, so leave it be." Miguel pats Luis's back and starts walking towards the restaurant. Luis follows behind him swearing under his breath.



After they are seated and their orders are taken, Luis faces Miguel. He notices the faint lines of stress on his face and Luis knows that his news is gonna make the line harder. He dreads the news more than anything because he didn't want to believe it but after calling Sam this morning, it was confirmed.



"So what's up Luis?" Miguel said a feeling of foreboding enter his heart.



Luis pauses for a second to take a drink and then he gets straight to the point, "Kay is out. Has been out a year and now she is moving back to Harmony."



Miguel's heart skips a beat and he chokes slightly, "Are you sure?" he whispers.



"Yeah, I'm sure. I just talk to Sam about it this morning. I tried to ask that asshole a second ago but he was tight lipped about it. Jerk."



But Luis words fell on deaf ears. All Miguel could think is that Kay is coming back to Harmony and she is coming back soon.



"Did you find out when she will get here?"



Luis nods slowly, "Yes, I did. She will be here today. I don't know when but she will be here."



Miguel begins to rub his head, "I don't believe this, I don't believe this. Kay is gonna be here today. This day," he says with emphasis.



Luis just nods. After a moment of watching his brother stressed Luis says, "Don't worry. I plan on having a little talk with the hometown murderer. I'll make sure she doesn't cause any problems."



Miguel laughs dryly, "Sure. Sure you can. Wait until Charity finds out. She is going to flip."



"She won't be the only one," said Luis as their food arrives. They eat lunch in silence both contemplating what horrors in the form of Kay that the future will bring.