Chapter ten

I quickly ran at the top of my lungs. I tried opening any door I came across. So far, none opened. I tried opening the next door I came across, but it was also locked.

I ran until I came across another door. I quickly pulled on the knob, and thank goodness it opened. I quickly closed it behind me – though doors aren't a difference to ghosts – and ran through the room. I quickly stumbled through the room, until I came across another door. I quickly opened it, and closed it quietly behind me.

I thought I heard something trip from behind the door, and it was definitely wasn't me.

I quickly hid behind one of the wall pillars, and held my breath as I heard the door open. I tried to take a peek at who it was, but looked away quickly as I saw Laurent look my way. When I was sure he was in another place, I quickly went and hid behind the next pillar. The ghost came into view, and went back through searching.

I went to the final wall, and saw that there was a door close. When Laurent was out of sight, I quietly opened the door, and went into the room. I closed the door behind me, and walked into the room.

I hid behind one of the large stock of CDs, and waited. Nothing. The ghost didn't materialize in front of me, or even threaten to hurt me. Just… nothing.

I thought I heard banging, but maybe it was just my imagination.

Suddenly, I heard someone call my name. It was like a really loud "Suze!", like it was spoke from a microphone.

I ignored it, probably my brain playing tricks on me.

But I heard it again.

I turned around, and saw that this room was separated by glass to the other. And the cause of the sound, Paul was calling me from the other side.

"Paul," I asked as I looked at him. He was holding a microphone in his hand, and was panting.

"Suze, we have to get out of here," he said.

I nodded. He nodded too. I was about to head through the door, when a glimmer caught my attention.

"No," I whispered. Then my whisper turned into a yell. "Paul, behind you!"

Paul had a confused expression on his face.

I came closer to the glass. "He's behind you, Paul! Laurent is behind you!" I pointed to where skull-face now stood.

Skull-face took soundless steps towards Paul. I pointed again at Laurent.

But before Paul can even twitch, Laurent had him pinned to the glass. But Paul didn't give up without a fight.

I couldn't watch as Paul was trying to kick Laurent.

But I was more horror-struck when Laurent got a knife out of his pocket.

"Paul!" I screamed. "Knife!"

But Paul was too late. The ghost had Paul from his back and pinned his front body to the wall. And his knife…

His knife had been placed into Paul's back.

"Paul, no!" I squeaked. Blood streamed from Paul's mouth as he was slipping to the floor.

"No," I whimpered. Laurent fulfilled part of his mission; because Paul was dead.

And speaking of Laurent…

I started backing away as I saw that he was looking at me.

I don't know how, but I thought Laurent just smiled. He held the knife – that was now covered with Paul's blood – and sliced it through Paul's hand. I winced as I saw the blood.

The ghost kept on repeating this, and I had to sink down behind a desk, and cover my eyes. I cried quietly for a second, and then looked back at the ghost.

But he was gone. He still left a message though.

The words 'You're Next' were written on the glass with Paul's own blood.

***

I made sure there was no sign of the ghost before I peered through the door. When he was nowhere to be found, I quickly slipped out the door.

I made my way out of the hallway, and went to the front desk. I didn't dare look behind me at Paul's… body.

I flinched as that thought came into my head.

Unexpectedly, a tear fell down my cheek. I don't know why I was so sad. In some way, I always wanted Paul out of my way, but this was just… different. I guess in someway he was my friend, and I didn't want it to end this way.

I quickly wiped away the tear when I heard footsteps coming closer to me. I was in the reception, and I guess they were Jesse and Father Dom who were coming.

"Did you guys find anything?" I asked as they came into view.

"No," Father Dom replied, disappointed. "There is nothing here that can help us."

"Querida?" Jesse asked as he saw the expression in my face. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I replied, staring into space. "I'm fine."

Jesse came closer to me and placed his hands on both sides of my face, making me look at him.

"Are you sure?" he insisted "where's Paul?"

That when a tear slid down my cheek. "I-I guess the ghost can relax now a little. I mean, he's got one of his targets."

Jesse didn't need me to explain. He crushed me into his chest, and let me sob there.

When I was dried out – probably five minutes later – I whispered against Jesse's chest, "He really won't leave us alone. We have to do something."

Jesse kissed the back of my head, and muttered, "You're right. But what can we do?"

I leaned away from Jesse's chest to look at him. "How about if I shift? That could work."

Jesse frowned. "But doesn't that mean he has to be touching you?"

I shrugged. "I guess. But that won't be very hard to do."

Jesse didn't like it. "No, querida, there has got to be another way. I won't have you in danger."

I sighed. I wasn't going to sit around and do nothing.

"But Jesse," I whined. "Who knows what he'll do next? I have to stop him before it gets worst."

Jesse sighed. He didn't argue more; he just held my hand and dragged me out of the building.

"Jesse, what about Paul?" I asked, though it stung.

"We're going to get Dr. Slaski first, and then we see what we're going to do."

I sighed. "Fine, but you'll see that he would agree with me on this."

This time, Jesse sighed.

"Let's just go," Jesse said one more time before he opened the passenger door of his car to me.

I got in, and looked out the window as Jesse and Father Dom stared outside the window.

And thought I saw Laurent holding the knife he just murdered Paul Slater with.