Chapter Five

            The summer was sadly drawing to a close, and for many TJ Maxx employees, school was just beginning.  Allison, though continuing to work, had returned to the daily grind of Brentwood High School as well. 

After being rudely shaken from her strange summer of fanciful illusions, Allison went about her work with a dull listlessness.  Had all the unexplainable events merely been figments of her imagination?  Ever since the treacherous proceedings of the dressing room, all had grown quiet and it seemed the mysteries had been forgotten.

Allison tried to forget them as well, but often found her mind wandering back to her tutor, her mystifying Angel.  The music he made for her played continuously in her mind when she was not listening to the few CD's he had given her.  Her heart ached for something deep, something tragic.  In her effort to subdue the longings, she sought out a source of comfort and reassurance.  She found it in Will. 

The two would hold one another in lengthy, warm embraces, whispering soft and affectionate encouragements.  Friends, notably Dana and Amanda, would often feel alienated from the two as they seemed to inhabit a world solely their own.

Was this love?  Allison did not know, dared not question.  She feared the tranquility she found with Will would be shattered the moment she did.

Soon, it seemed as if the two were all but inseparable.  They would bask in each other's presence not only in the hallways of school, but also in their homes.

To Will, the situation was ideal.  Allison filled him with a sort of joy that he could only find with a woman.  Though there were others, she was by far his favorite.  Her devotion and willingness delighted Will so, he was content to keep their relationship innocent.  A loving 'Have a nice day,' was all that was required to provide an instant and gratifying fill to both of their needs for affection.

The managers of TJ Maxx were finding such peace-of-mind as well.

 Following the tragic death of Taylor, Allison had promptly replaced Meme in the fitting room.  No one, including Meme herself, objected to the arrangement.  In fact, she was all too eager to escape the frightful events of the summer.  And so, three days a week, Allison worked the dressing room with her inexplicably gained expertise and nothing more was heard from the Prasant Ghost.  This led the managers, employees, and Allison alike to be lured into a blissful sense of naive safety.  That is, until Allison found a letter sitting on the desk in the dressing room.  When she picked it up and saw her name printed on it in red ink, she caught her breath.  Biting her lip, she gingerly opened the envelope and read the note.

Dearest Allison,

It has been many months since our last dreadful encounter, but I can only hope it did not deter you from me.  You must forgive me for my absence and my silence, for I have been caught up in my studies at MTSU, but not for much longer!  My classes will be drawing to a close soon and I will return to you, my beloved Allison, the only light in my dismal existence.  If you only knew how my heart aches when you are not near!  Please Allison, do not reject me when I return, for you are all I live for!  Regrettably, I cannot give you a definite date of my homecoming, but when I arrive, I shall seek you out in the dressing rooms.

With all of my love,

Prasant

The letter left Allison with a feeling of extreme uneasiness, but at the same time, a rush of excitement.  She did not know her true feelings for Prasant or Will, but she could not deny the heart-wrenching tug from either side.

The note weighed heavily on her mind for many days afterwards.  Particularly at work, whenever she heard a noise or saw a movement out of the corner of her eye, she always expected Prasant to be there, waiting to take her away.

            One night, when Allison's demeanor was especially unsettled, Will paid her a visit just before TJ Maxx closed for the evening.  She was more than delighted to see him, as he seemed to have a soothing effect on her nerves.  She happily chatted with him among the few remaining shoppers and ever-present staff.  She laughed at Will's wit and told him of her night, the troubling letter slowly slipping from her mind, when he suddenly grasped her by the wrist.

            "I wish to speak with you alone."  He said, becoming curiously serious.

            Allison laughed lightly.  "Whatever for?"

            "There's something I need to tell you in private.  Where can we speak alone?" He asked her gravely.

            Allison held his gaze for a moment before smiling playfully.  "Come with me,"

The two dashed hand in hand towards the back of the store.  They entered a stairwell and made their way upwards to the roof, unaware of the silent shadow that followed them. 

They burst through the rooftop door, laughing and out of breath, into the crisp night air of fall.  Will drew Allison close as they walked across the gravel, pausing to gaze out over the twinkling lights of Brentwood.

            "Allison," Will turned to face her.  "Do you know how much your friendship means to me?"

            "Of course I do!"  Allison said, still smiling.

            "Then you know I would never do anything to upset it," He said steadily.

            Allison shook her head.  "What are you trying to say?"

            "The past few months have been glorious for us both, but only recently have I come to realize how strongly I feel for you."

            Allison's smile faded.  "Will. . . I-"

            "Don't say anything Allison, just listen."  Will said, gazing intensely into her eyes.  "I find that I'm happiest when I'm with you.  You're so wonderful, so unique and understanding . . . I've never been with a girl like you before.  I want us to grow closer, unbound by an awkward, unspoken barrier.  We should be free to express our true desires-"

            "Will, stop, please . . ."

            Stop . . . a voice echoed behind her.

            "What was that?"  Allison glanced over her shoulder, startled.

            Will shook his head.  "I heard nothing.  Please don't try to change the subject, this is very important."

            "Will," Allison breathed nervously.  "I fear what you are trying to say."

            "Don't fear it, Allison, for it is only love!"

            Love . . . 

            "There it was again!  A voice . . . Will, we should leave . . ."

            "No, Allison, you must hear what I have to say!"  He grabbed her firmly by the shoulders.  "My heart skips a beat every time I see you.  I become overwhelmed with a feeling of zealous joy!  I want our relationship to grow, Allison.  Do you see what I'm trying to say?" 

            Allison whimpered as she remembered the same determination and devotion she had once heard in another man's words, a man who was, she was beginning to fear, very near. 

            "Allison, I want you to be my girlfriend!"

            GIRLFRIEND!  The voice, now full of fury, erupted from behind them.

            "Will!"

            The two fell into each other's arms and fled down the stairwell, their backs turned to the figure, which was Prasant, that leapt from behind an air-conditioning unit.

            "Oh Allison!"  Prasant cried, a long cape fluttering furiously behind him in the sudden gust of wind.  "How you have betrayed me!  I gave you my CD's, my heart, my very soul, and this is how you repay me?"

            Prasant fell to his knees, burying his masked face in his hands.  "You allow that buffoon, that Canadian, to take you selfishly from me!  Oh Allison, I shall surely die . . ."

            Prasant sobbed miserably on the silent rooftop, but then jerked his head up suddenly.

            "Though perhaps, it is not I who shall die . . ." A wicked smile spread across his face.  "No, not I, but he!  Yes, he shall die for stealing you away from me!"

            A crazed laugh emitted from Prasant's throat.   "Revenge will be mine!"

Chapter Six