Three Weeks Ago (Six hours after Gwen's second dream):
Heather sat outside the hotel, waiting for Gwen to meet her. For some reason Heather was very interested in Gwen's recent visions, but she was not sure why. True, the visions concerned Courtney's death and Courtney was certainly friends with Heather, but Heather could not figure out why Gwen's visions bothered her so much. Wasn't it Duncan's job to be worried about the safety of his wife? Heather knew that it was and Duncan was certainly concerned about the situation, but for some reason she felt an uneasiness as well and she was determined to figure out why.
Heather waited for several more minutes and was just about to head back in when Gwen appeared, limping towards her with a disgruntled look on her face.
"Finally." Heather said. "What the hell took you so long?"
"I was catching up on my sleep." Gwen snapped. "You know, cuz I kinda didn't sleep so well last night."
Heather shrugged and rolled her eyes. She did not want to hear Gwen's reasons for being late, even though she knew they were justified. She looked at Gwen with a piercing gaze, as though trying to read her mind.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Gwen asked, glaring back at Heather.
"I wanted to ask you about your visions." Heather said, smiling.
"Oh, so now you think they're real visions." Gwen snapped. "What made you change your mind?" She looked at Heather intently.
"Nothing." Heather lied. "I always thought they were real visions. I was only being skeptical to throw off the others." She smiled again, but Gwen wasn't buying her charade.
"Uh huh, sure." said Gwen. "I've had to much experience with your treachery Heather to just believe you like that. Still, if you really want to know something I'll give it to you."
"Are you certain these visions will come true?" Heather asked, abruptly.
"I have no idea." Gwen replied. "Why do you care so much anyway?"
"I just want to know if there's a way to protect Courtney." said Heather, with yet another innocent smile.
Gwen was still not convinced Heather was being truthful, but she answered anyway. "I don't know if they'll come true, but I do know this, only one of them can. Abigail seems pretty convinced one of them will so, who knows. Maybe one will and maybe one won't, until it happens we can only guess."
Heather nodded. "That's all I wanted to know." she said. Gwen nodded and headed back inside. Heather watched her go, a smile on her face.
The Next Day:
The next day Courtney discovered a note, scribbled in a hand she did not recognize. After reading the note herself she went to Duncan to get his take, but he was less then helpful making her promise she wouldn't go and check out the address. As Courtney and Duncan made their way from the breakfast room, Geoff and Trent pulled Duncan aside.
"What was all that about?" Geoff demanded, staring at Duncan.
Duncan was silent for a moment, before looking at the other two. "I take it you two heard that little fight?" he asked.
"I think the whole fucking hotel heard that." muttered Trent.
"Shut up Trent." Duncan snapped.
"So, what were you two arguing about?" Geoff asked.
Duncan sighed. "Courtney found a note from some unknown person this morning telling her to come to some address I've never heard of before." he explained.
"So, that doesn't sound like such a bad thing." said Geoff, looking at Duncan.
"Yeah, but here's the sinker." said Duncan. "She wants to go check it out, without any idea if it's a trap or not."
"Oh come on dude." said Trent. "The wars are over, you've got to stop thinking like a soldier. Why would it be a trap, who would want to do that? No one I can think of, that's who. Besides, Courtney's a big girl, she can take care of herself."
"Gee Trent, thanks for that." Duncan muttered. "That's exactly the kind of support I was looking for you asshat. I know the motherfucking wars are over and I know Courtney can take care of herself, I just don't want her doing something stupid. I don't want her acting like...like..." He pitched around, trying to come up with an appropriate analogy.
"Like you." Geoff muttered, finishing Duncan's sentence for him. Duncan nodded.
"Exactly." he said. "I don't want her acting like me."
"Well, I don't know what to tell you dude." said Geoff. "I guess all you can do is hope she took your advice and she doesn't go. Otherwise, you might just have to let her go."
The following day:
Courtney made her way down to the lobby. She had promised Duncan she would not go to 415 Sheppard Ave., but she could not help herself. Her curiosity was too strong and Courtney had never been one to ignore her curiosity. As she headed for the door a sudden noise made her stop.
"Going somewhere Courtney?" a voice asked, making Courtney jump and turn. Standing a few feet from her, her arms folded across her chest, was Bridgette.
"Oh, Bridgette, you scared me." Courtney breathed. "I thought it was Duncan following me." Bridgette continued to stare, not answering.
"It might as well have been." she said, after a moment of silence. "I know where you're headed Courtney and Duncan's right, it's too dangerous."
Courtney rolled her eyes. "So you're on his side huh?" she asked. "Well, I'm gonna tell you what I told him, I'm going and you can't stop me."
"Come on Courtney, don't be stupid." said Bridgette. "You know Duncan is right. You shouldn't be going to that address and you know it."
"Maybe I do." Courtney replied. "But that's not going to stop me either."
"Courtney, please don't go." Bridgette pleaded. "What if something happens to you? What if you get hurt or worse? It would destroy Duncan if something happened to you, don't do this to him."
"I'm sorry Bridge, but my mind is made up." said Courtney. With that, she turned and walked out of the hotel.
A short time later she arrived at the address, finding it to be a crummy, run down old house. She entered the house, glancing around the room as she did. "Hello, is anyone here?" she asked, her voice shaking.
"Hello Courtney." a voice replied. "Would you please close the door?"
Courtney obeyed and looked back at the mysterious individual. "Who are you? What do you want from me?" she asked, her voice nervous.
"Oh I suspect your friends will find out soon enough." the voice answered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Courtney asked, her voice growing more unsteady.
"Nothing you need to worry about." the voice answered. "But, enough of these games, the time for talk is over." Courtney saw a flash as the mysterious individual drew a gun.
"Wait, what're you-?" Courtney began to ask, before the gun fired. The shot struck her just below her sternum. Courtney gasped in pain and stumbled backwards. Before she could react, three more shots tore through her.
Courtney stood, staring at the mysterious individual, her breath coming in short painful gasps. She could feel her life leaving her, but she was not gone yet.
Her mystery opponent smiled beneath the mask he wore. "Well, I must say, you are a much more formidable foe than I thought you would be." the masked person said. "So, as a reward before you die, I will let you see my identity." With that, the person pulled of the mask.
"You." Courtney gasped. "Why? Why Hea-" Her question was cut short as a fifth and final bullet struck her in the head. Courtney hit the floor and was still.
"Because I can, that's why." Heather replied, as she stared down at Courtney's lifeless body.
A/N: Okay, so I know I just revealed who Courtney's murderer is, but there's still more to the mystery. The others still don't know it's her and there's other stuff too. I wrote this chapter to give you a better understanding of exactly waht happened in the days before Courtney's death. Unfortunately, revealing Heather as the killer now kinda ruins the surprise for you guys later, but I think this chapter works. If you have a better idea for how I could end this chap, please let me know and I will make the necessary changes. Thanks.