Chapter 11 - Memories
Rachel's only instruction to Kori and Richard about seeing into the ghosts memories was to trust each other. In order to see more of his past, Kori would have to try to think of a particular memory of Richards and concentrate.
As Richard, Kori and Gar walked back to the apartment Kori sighed heavily, thinking about what Rachel had said.
"You both have an invisible thread connecting you to each other, you were meant to meet, its what is meant to happen. Richards soul must be restored to him, only you can do that Kori by piecing together his past. He needs you Kori" said Rachel sternly.
Kori looked down, thinking silently to herself 'but what if I need him too? What am I supposed to do once hes gone?'
"You want to find out more about this Barbara girl? Then look into his memories."
Kori frowned, Rachel said it so simply, like it was easy.
"But how? I cant just choose a memory of his and concentrate, do you expect it to be that easy?"
"No, I expect you to figure it out by yourself." Rachel said in a rather bored tone
Richard stepped forward "your no help at all!"
Rachel rolled her violet eyes "you wouldn't understand. Its not my place to interfere, I just wanted to point you in the right direction, not give you a map."
Kori looked over at Gar, eyeing the box that Rachel had given him.
"Open it when you get home." She said, giving him the purple box
Gar grinned like an idiot "wow Rae Rae I didn't know you were so affectionate. Giving me a present for our one day anniversary, we've known each other for 24 hours, so romantic." He said in a lovey dovey voice.
Rachel turned red, whether from blushing or getting angry Kori couldn't tell.
"Now you listen here you immature, juvenile, shallow little boy. I have no interest in you, and have no emotions for you, except perhaps annoyance or hatred for what you represent. Your just a representation of what humanity is today, you have no imagination at all! That's why Ive had to give you this, so that you will have the Sight. You cant obtain it on your own because your a fool." Rachel said bitterly, venom in her words that were designed to insult Gar enough so that he would leave her alone.
Instead he blinked a few times before smiling and saying "yeah but if you hate me, that means you do have strong feelings for me."
Rachel grit her teeth and Kori felt a chill overwhelm her, she stepped closer to Richard.
"Negative feelings you idiot!"
Gar shrugged, smirking "yeah but a hared and love are very powerful emotions, the feelings can be mistaken for one or the other you know."
He grinned and just to rub it in, he leaned over and kissed Rachel on the cheek, before quickly turning and walking out of the shop. Kori followed eagerly, wanting to get away from Rachel's murderous look.
When everyone had left, the new light bulbs shattered and fell in broken pieces to the floor. Rachel touched her cheek, trying desperately to block out the emotions that had swamped her. Books flew off the shelves and the glass from the lights levitated off the floor
Rachel gripped her head and shouted "enough!"
The objects dropped and Rachel breathed out, clamping down hard on her feelings. She glared at the door Gar had walked out of and muttered "you really are an idiot."
OOO
Kori sat down on the sofa heavily, exhausted from the long conversation she and Rachel had shared. It wasn't just that, Rachel had an aura about her that seemed to feed off Kori's energy. She felt tired for no apparent reason, and Richard sat down lightly next to her.
"Maybe we should leave that whole memory discovery thing until after you've recovered your strength. You don't look so good." He said worriedly
Kori put a hand to her head and smiled "no its okay. The sooner the better right?" She tried to say enthusiastically. She thought that's what Richard wanted, to leave as soon as possible and discover what they could quickly.
Richards eyes narrowed at her words. She couldn't have been more wrong about his feelings.
"I'm in no hurry to leave...unless you want me gone?"
"Oh no!" Kori said a bit too loudly
Gar looked up from the kitchen "whats wrong?"
"Oh um...I...lost my purse." She smiled and waved a dismissive hand
"don't worry about it though. I'm sure it will turn up" Kori tried to seem normal, but to Gar she came off as jittery and nervous.
He crossed his arms and looked at the purple box Rachel had given him. What was it she had said? The Sight? What was that exactly?
Kori whispered to Richard "I don't want you gone, I just thought that you didn't want to hang around here any longer than you had to."
Richard opened his mouth to protest but a shocked cry came from the kitchen.
"Gah! Oh my mega lord! Its true! How the heck did he- what the-" Gar rambled on, and Kori turned to face him. He was wearing some dorky looking glasses that were rimmed black. They were much too large for him, but he seemed to be looking right at Richard who rose an eye brow
"is he always so hyperactive?"
Kori smiled to herself "yeah pretty much."
"Kori quit talking to it! What is it anyway, why am I suddenly seeing it?" Gar touched the over sized glasses and took them off, seeing nothing on the sofa again. When he placed them back on, the man was sitting there, looking annoyed.
"I'm a ghost" said Richard plainly.
Gar let out another cry and stumbled back "this cant be happening! Kori get him out of here!"
Kori frowned "so now do you believe me? I'm not hallucinating?"
Gar gulped and shook his head "I guess not, unless these glasses are making the image of this guy, like a projection."
Richard finally had enough, Kori blinked, one moment seeing Richard sitting beside her, the next he was gone. Gar looked around, confused
"hey where did-"
Suddenly he felt an ice cold chill hit him. He stumbled back seeing the ghost in front of him. When Richard spoke his voice was as cold as the air freezing Gar "do you believe in me now? Or do you want me to prove my existence some other way?"
Gar rapidly shook his head, his green eyes wide "no thanks, I'm good."
Richard moved away and the icy chill left Gar, who breathed out in relief.
Kori frowned as Richard joined her on the sofa again, looking calm once more. "You didn't need to do that, Gar would have believed in you eventually, he just deals with things in his own way."
Gar walked over timidly "I still cant believe it, I mean I do believe but its just so... cool."
"I wouldn't have chosen that word." Richard sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He stood up before them "I don't want to be a burden to you both. Gar, you can just go on pretending you haven't seen me if you wish, I've interrupted Kori's life enough already, I don't want the same to happen to you."
Gar crossed his arms, trying to look serious, which was impossible since he was still wearing the dorky looking glasses. They slipped to the end of his nose and he pushed them back as he said "look dude, there's no way I'm backing out now. I'll help anyway I can, but I'm not doing it for you, I'm doing it for Kori."
Kori smiled "thanks Gar, that means allot to me."
Gar nodded and then grinned "plus I get to hang out with a real life supernatural ghost! This is so awesome!" He nearly squealed in exictment.
Richard sighed and walked to the window, gazing out at the night. As the cars passed by and a few people went about their business on the streets, he smiled grimly. Ignorance truly was bliss.
Most people would assume that being a ghost was cool. You could spy on people, play practical jokes on them perhaps? At least that was how Richard envisioned Gar to be like if he were a ghost.
Richard however, knew that no matter what the circumstances of someones life they couldn't have felt as lonely and empty as he did. And as Kori and Gar chatted amongst themselves as to how to awaken Richards memories he walked through the wall into Kori's room. What was the point? He thought bitterly its not like its going to give me any peace. How can I rest after knowing all Ive done is waste my life?
He looked over at Kori's bedside table, noticing a photo that had been turned over. He picked it up and flipped it over, seeing a younger Kori surrounded by people. This must be her family Richard thought.
His eyes saddened, seeing her brother, sister, mother and father, all crammed together so that they could fit into the photo. Her old family.
"That was a few years ago."
Richard turned to see Kori in the door way. He quickly put down the photo "sorry. I didn't mean to pry."
The green eyed girl walked over, picking up the photo with gentle hands. "Not at all. Gar's gone to bed, its pretty late so he said we could figure out how to help you in the morning." Kori rubbed her arm awkwardly, as if she was trying to stall so that she wouldn't have to say something more.
Richard nodded and turned "I'll leave you to sleep then. Night star..."
"wait!" Kori said quickly, whirling around to him before his image started to disappear.
He blinked and waited for her to explain, wondering why there was a pink tint to her cheeks.
"I um...wanted to talk to you a bit more, if you don't mind that is."
Richard smiled, a light shining in the depths of his eyes "anything for you Kori. You are after all saving my soul from eternal limbo, the least I could do is talk to you." He chuckled and Kori smiled, looking down at the carpet silently.
Richard caught the hesitant look on her face and touched her hand, making her jump at the contact. Richard furrowed his eyebrows in concern "are you alright Kori?"
Kori blushed "well...I have this thought. Its stupid I know but I was wondering if you wanted to try it. I thought it might awaken some of your memories." She felt a bubble of nervousness in her stomach as she finally looked up at him.
Richard frowned, trying to work out why she looked so nervous "sure, I'm willing to try anything, what do you have in mind?"
Kori sucked in a deep breath and then said a bunch of words very quickly. They flew out of her mouth at such a speed that Richard could pick out one word to focus on.
Richard blinked a few times, putting a hand to her lips to stop her from blabbering too fast again. His touch on her lips was cold but at the same time she felt heat dancing along her skin from the contact. Richard removed his hand when he saw that she was calm
"you mind telling me that again in English?"
Kori squeezed her eyes shut "my thought was that we should kiss. I think it would awaken your memories of Barbara...of course we don't have to! Its up to you if you want to try it." Her face turned the colour of her hair
Richard tried very hard not to show the effect her words had on him. Kiss Kori? Harmless surely?
He gulped and looked down at her. It wasn't like he didn't want to do it, he had desired it since he had met her. No, he shook his head I only feel that way about her because I haven't had a women to hold for so long. At least, that was what he hoped it was.
One the other hand, Kori still seemed to harbour feelings towards him. He didn't want to hurt her, but he could hear her rapid heartbeat as her pulse raced. If he said no, she would take it as another rejection, and would become even more disheartened. So, trying to justify his actions with logic, he leaned down, his face so close to hers.
She truly was beautiful, and had he been a living being, he would have considered himself a fool for not doing this sooner. Richard closed himself off to the worries and pain. One thing he knew for certain was that had he been living, he would have returned the love she wanted.
But I'm not living. I never will be again he thought sadly.
With that thought in mind he kissed her.
Kori's shocked sound was muffled but her surprise quickly turned into desire. It was dangerous to harbour the feelings she did for a ghost, but she couldn't stop the emotions that swamped her as she kissed him back. Richards arms pulled her closer as they snaked around her waist, the sensations both of them were feeling were too complex and deep to explain.
Fire and ice could slightly describe Richards kisses. He was cold to the touch, and that reminded Kori sadly that he was indeed a ghost and her whole fascination with him was nothing more than fantasy. But the fire that he ignited in her was unlike anything she had felt, and his very soul so close to hers was full of such warmth and tenderness that she felt comforted at the same time as feeling alone. Their passions for each other collided with logic, but before they could loose themselves in the moment, Kori pulled away, her hole body freezing.
"Kori?" Richard looked at her worriedly as her eyes seemed not to see him before her. They were sightless as he tried to speak to her, but she was already far away, lost in one of his memories.
OOO
"Barbara? What are you doing here?"
Kori opened her eyes, looking over at the women in the red dress that had just walked through the door way. When she looked to her right, she saw Richard sat in an armchair, a wine bottle at his side and a glass of the red liquid in his hand.
This must be one of Richards memories. Kori thought to herself, observing the women who walked over to Richard. Her movements were graceful and obvious to what they implied. Richard stood from his chair "I thought you were staying home tonight."
"Well I thought I'd pay you a surprise visit. Do I need a reason to see my boyfriend?" She almost purred when she spoke, and Kori narrowed her eyes.
The women named Barbara was pretty, but Kori instantly decided she didn't like her. There was something about her personality, the way she moved that was fake. She had blue eyes and long red hair.
Richard placed down his wine glass, before wrapping his arms around the women and kissing her. Kori averted her eyes, swallowing the lump in her throat in repulsion. Richard was obviously a little tipsy from the wine as he focused on Barbara slowly
"well no but I'm not in the best mood. Xaviours been acting strange all week, he keeps avoiding me, not to mention the stress of all the paper work Bruce wants me to go through." He sighed heavily and Kori noticed Barbara's eyes turn from flirtatious to fearful.
"R-really?"
"Yeah, do you know something about it?" Richard poured another glass of wine, seemingly oblivious to Barbara's alarm. Kori saw through his act though, realising that the steady movements of his hands showing just how aware he was of things.
"Richie...why would I have anything to do with Xaviour? Hes a pervert and a creep, I don't even like talking to him."
"Ah so you have spoken to him." Richard sipped his wine glass and Barbara's eyes widened
"I never said that, Richie why are you acting like this?"
Richard sat down heavily in his chair "I don't know, I just have this feeling about you two. Did something happen?"
Barbara swallowed and Kori saw tears starting to build in the depths of her blue eyes. "Richard...I-I don't know how to tell you. It only happened once, and I was drunk and stupid, please can we just forget the whole thing?"
Richards sharp gaze was on her "so I was right. I'd like to hear it from your own mouth though, what happened with Xaviour?"
Barbra cried and walked over to him, taking his hand in hers "it was a mistake! I didnt know you knew already, how did you find out?"
"Just tell me Barbara. For once tell the truth. Our relationship hasn't really been built on anything but sex and lies, but Ive found that I really do have feelings for you Barbara. So if you really want to stay with me, your going to have to be honest and just say it." Though he said words that implied feelings for Barbara, Richards tone was still dead and cold.
Barbara's lip quivered as tears ran down her cheeks. She sighed and closed her eyes "I slept with him."
Richards hands clenched into fists.
He stood up and walked away from her to the window right next to where Kori was standing. As she looked at his face she was saddened to see how different he had been back then. The eyes weren't kind, the expression was dull and filled with no life at all, like there truly wasn't anything in his life that he wanted.
"I see." His tone was tired as he finally turned to look at her.
Barbara now looked a mess, her mascara running down her cheeks. "And why did you come here looking like that, all dressed up? Was your plan to seduce me into forgiving you?"
"no not at all! I never meant to hurt you." She sobbed
Richard turned on his heel and walked out of the room. Kori followed after him, as did Barbara
"wait! Where are you going?" Barbara yelled after him, the echo of her words bouncing across the walls of large hallway, filling it with her cries.
"I need time to think. Don't follow me."
As Richard reached the massive oak doors, heedless of Barbara's pleas, there was a knock at the door. Barbara froze and Richard narrowed his eyes as he opened the door. Kori almost hit her head in frustration.
Xaviour you idiot. Worst timing ever.
Sure enough, there was Xaviour, socked to the bone from the rain, looking very annoyed. When his eyes focused on Richard standing in front of him, his eyes widened.
"So you've found out?"
Richard's expression became venomous "what are you doing here? Do you have a death wish?"
Xaviour held up his hands "Richard I'm sorry-"
"I don't want to hear it!" Richard yelled, his eyes burning with fury and hate. His fist suddenly came up and connected with Xaviours face, punching his former best friend with all the power he had in him.
Xaviour stumbled back, his hand going to his face as he muttered several curses "shit man! Look I know I deserved that but I swear, I didn't know what was in the contract!"
Kori looked up and frowned contract? What did he mean?
Richard was in too much rage to hear him, he stepped passed Xaviour and out into the rain.
"Wait Richard! Where are you going?" Barbara called after him, Richard stopped but didn't look back.
"Away from here, I never want to see either of you again." With that said he walked further into the gloom of the storm until his image disappeared.
Xaviour wiped the blood from his lip and walked into the mansion. He looked at Barbara "why was he mad at you?"
"why do you think! I told him about what happened last week between us." Barbara sniffed
Xaviours eyes widened, before an odd look crossed his face. Kori frowned as she watched Xaviour closely. "I see...I'm going to need your address."
"Why?" Barbara was still looking outside, her eyes overflowing with tears.
"my...boss wants it. He says he has payment for you in thanks for breaking Richards heart."
Barbara wailed "I never meant to hurt him! You and me were a mistake! I don't want his filthy money!" None the less Barbra brought out a slip of paper from her purse after rummaging in it. She threw the paper at him and shouted
"may the devil burn your soul in hell for eternity you horrible slime!" Barbara then ran out into the rain, getting into her car and driving off. Kori looked at the piece of paper, reading the address "Blake Street, Gothem, number 23."
Kori looked up at Xaviour, hearing him say "I'm already in hell" quietly before the vision ended.
Kori blinked the image fading away. She suddenly felt dizzy and light headed, her legs collapsing underneath her. Instead of hitting the floor, two arms circled around her waist, holding her close against comforting body.
"Kori! Star are you alright? What happened?" Came Richards worried voice.
Kori looked up at him, blinking a few times before saying "I know where Barbara lives."
ooo
Dundun duunnn! What does all this mean? Muhohaha I'm so evil. You might be trying to piece together the story to try and work out what happened to Richard, but I bet you wont ever think of what really happened ^^ I gave you a key bit of info in this chapter, if one of you even comes close to figuring it out, I'll write a one shot for you or dedicate a chapter to u, whichever u prefer ^^
So readers, can u work it out? Muhohahahahaha
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