A Lullaby for the Lonely
The sunlight shone brightly through the glistening glass, illuminating the hospital room as Aurora stared at Nick's slumbering figure. Praying for his recovery, she reminisced in her flashbacks about the last few moments before he left Ghost Adventures for good.
As Nick was still at odds with the guys, Zak came to Aurora behind Nick's back and offered her Nick's job. She didn't feel right taking Nick's place because he could replace him, but agrees to stay on the crew because they have been her family since the beginning. She wasn't at the building when Zak fired Nick before he could move on and say it was Zak's fault. She did however read the post Nick wrote on his Facebook wall and was heartbroken by the news. Nick eventually met up with her while on a business trip through New York, they talked for a while as she wanted to get Nick's side of the story.
"Yeah, I mean…life is about learning through good & bad experiences...both have made me a better person. We live in a world where negative people try so hard to ruin others lives. Negative people will say they are your friend & congratulate you one day, than the next day do the exact opposite through jealousy & hatred. It's disgusting. Don't ever let someone try & destroy your life. Be real, honest & stay positive. I'm just grateful for what I have experienced." Nick said, Aurora shook her head in understanding.
"I…hope you're okay that I'm staying with Zak and the guys to continue the journey we started…it's sad to see you go. Will we still be friends even I work with them?" Aurora asked with a sad look in her gaze.
"Yeah, of course. Nothing will change that. Just…don't let this job change who you are. Don't be afraid to leave if you feel unsafe, you're a great person and you're worth more than what Zak wants." Nick placed a hand on her shoulder like he did back in the first days together as a team.
"Life is too short, go out there and live in the only way that you can. 'Cause someone's gonna look up to you someday."
Aurora smiled in that warm, loving feeling she craved for many years. They exchanged a parting hug and promised to remain in touch.
"If you need anything, let me know." Nick said as he gazed over his shoulder,
"Same here."
Aurora smiled, watching her friend head off into whatever he was doing next.
As her flashbacks came to the present, her thoughts remained on what had transpired over the past few months.
Getting a phone call in the middle of the night was the last thing she expected, especially from Nick. Grabbing her phone to text him back, she wanted answers why this voicemail came so suddenly. After they agreed that he could stay with her, she kicked to high gear to fix up her apartment to be suitable for a guest and not just any guest, Nick Groff.
Knowing how it felt growing up to move from place to place without some stability is detrimental for personal growth when in a personal crisis. So wanting to spare Nick from that fate, she gladly opened her home to him. To see him now in a hospital bed instead home, ached her heart but was grateful he was alive at least.
Snapping her out of her thoughts, the door opened behind her with the clacking of heels. Turning around, a tall rather thin blonde woman strides through the room. Clutching her purse under her arm, she gazed at the bed then to Aurora.
"Veronique, you're here?"
Her face contorted in anger and confusion,
"What you doing here?"
"Wha-I saved his life, I'm just here to comfort him until you arrived." Aurora explained.
Veronique sighed, seemingly grateful that he was at least alive. But she ventured closer, the faded scratches on his arms, yellowing skin mixed with black and blue vessels showed what she feared.
Scoffing in disbelief, lifting his left hand noticing missing something valuable. Placing it down gently, she spun around quickly.
"What is this?! Where's his wedding ring?!" She said in a strong voice,
"I swear I don't know. He-" She was cut off mid-sentence.
"I know, I see exactly what's going on here!"
"Then enlighten me 'cause I have no idea what you're talking about." Aurora gazed in confusion, not liking where this conversation.
"He's moved on, he's found someone who will tolerate his lifestyle."
"Veronique, he loves you and the girls. He wouldn't do anything like that!"
"Well, if you want him, you can have him. A man who loves his family wouldn't almost kill himself, so he clearly doesn't care anymore."
This stunned Aurora as she tried to talk some sense into her former love.
"But, that wasn't him. Nick was under possession when it happened. Haven't you experienced that with him?"
"Oh, please. I don't need this, go ahead and take him home. And don't bother telling him I was here." She started to walk, giving up what was left of her former life.
"Wait, what about Annabelle and Chloe? They need their father."
She froze, rummaged through her purse and slipped out a photo, handing it to her.
"Maybe he'll see them again, but I don't know when…they're my kids too."
Aurora stood there as Veronique stormed down the hall, the door closing behind her. Lifting the photo, she gazed at the most recent depiction of Nick's daughters.
She frowned, feeling guilty that by saving Nick and trying to help him, she inadvertently separated them further. Just then a nurse came into the room with stethoscope around her neck.
"Hi there." She spoke in a bubbly voice.
"Hi." Aurora replied,
"Just gonna check his vitals signs."
As Aurora sat nearby, the nurse gazed at the photo in her hand.
"Aww, are those your kids?"
Her heart sunk, knowing where the nurse was going with that.
"No, they're his kids. I'm just a friend."
"Well, he's very lucky. Beautiful children, a good friend. Is the mother here?" She asked as she adjusted the Velcro on his arm.
"No, she stormed out." She didn't want to say anymore, but spoke up a little more.
"I hope I didn't ruin the family by saving his life…"
The nurse shot over her shoulder, in a strong tone.
"Now, don't you think that way, child."
Aurora looked up as the nurse pumped air from the compressor in her hand.
"By saving his life, you gave him a second chance to make things right. Sure, things don't change overnight. But that's why we live every day, it's too short to focus on the bad."
Aurora nodded, agreeing with the nurse but questioned why Veronique couldn't see that. After some thought, Nick did verbally attack her before his possession so maybe she was still traumatized from that and lost her trust in him. Sensing that she was the only looking out for Nick now, she has take over and guide him this difficult time.
"Do you-do you know if this hospital has a chapel here?" She asked the nurse.
"Of course, dear. Do you want to have the priest up here and pray for you both."
"Yes, please."
The nurse nodded as she wrapped up her duties,
"Okay, everything looks good. I'm gonna recommend a doctor come and wake him up."
Aurora smiled a bit as the nurse exited the room, feeling that hope was slowly upon them. She rubbed her medal again, praying for guidance and strength. She could feel a wave of warmth and comfort envelop her before the door opened once more. A dark man came walking in holding a Bible in black clothing besides the white collar below his neck.
"Hi there." He outstretched his hand to shake hers.
"Okay, shall we pray?"
Aurora did the sign of the cross as she bowed her head as the priest recited the words from the book. Feeling a very warm presence behind her, her heart felt lifted slightly from the hardships she encountered lately.
Then as the priest finished, he paused and turned to Aurora.
"Tell me, has your friend…delved into the occult recently?"
"He investigates the paranormal for a living, why?"
"Because as I prayed, I saw a darkness surrounded him even as he sleeps. But there's a light holding it still. As I asked for identity for the dark spirit, he growled at me with malice."
Aurora gasped as he continued,
"I normally don't recommend exorcisms, but whatever this thing is will not stop until he's completely given on life."
"You believe in the paranormal?" She asked in a curious voice.
"Oh yes, I nearly died once as a teenager and became more sensitive to the supernatural. So I devoted my life to do God's work, to help the living and the dead find peace."
"Can you…perform the exorcism?" She asked,
"Oh no, but I know someone who could that I trust. Now, it could take some time to make the arrangements. But when your friend wakes up, take him home and keep things as positive as you can. He needs all the help and support he can get…"
Aurora nodded, knowing from her experience with the paranormal that exorcisms are dangerous…the ultimate battle between good and evil. But this may be necessary to free him.
"Thank you. I'll do what I can."
"Okay, I'll be in touch. God be with you both." He patted her arm as she stood in slight relief,
"Thank you, God." She whispered.
Hope was in fact on the way, but it was a hard road ahead. She grasped Nick's limp hand, holding it tight.
Don't worry, Nick. I told you, we'll figure this out…together.
