Tormenting the Dead: Chapter 4
By Goodie
PG-13
Hope you like it. BTW - I finally gave in and bought the 13 Ghosts DVD, yeah me.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Two days, twelve hours, forty-three minutes. That's how long it had been since Jessica died, and there was Dennis, back out with Cyrus helping to catch another ghost. Trying to exact revenge for the love he lost. He had spent the last two days locked away in his apartment trying to get flashes of Jessica from the objects around him, but he had been unable to connect with her in any way. During that time his anger and hatred towards the souls that had stolen her away had grown, and those feelings of contempt had quickly taken over Dennis. He had once blamed the unfairness of life for the gift he was given regarding his psychic powers, but right now he blamed only the unearthly spirits that were causing him pain. He felt as though his soul had been ripped from him, so he saw no reason why he shouldn't rip a few souls back in return.
Tonight they were catching The Withered Lover. Dennis hadn't asked for her backstory and Cyrus hadn't offered one. All he knew was her name was Gene and she died in a fire. Not a good way to die, Dennis knew, but neither did he care. She was dead and he would catch her.
They were driving to the location now. Dennis had been lost in thought the entire night and only now asked where it was they were going.
"St. Luke's hospital. It's where she died, not too long ago. She should still be around." Cyrus replied curtly.
Dennis just nodded. He couldn't help but wonder how Cyrus planned on capturing the ghost with all those people around. St. Luke's was a busy place, but as was his job, he didn't ask questions. They arrived shortly afterwards. Cyrus's men were already there setting up the containment cube and playback machine. It was only when they pulled directly into the emergency lane that Dennis realized something was wrong. Looking out the window he couldn't believe his eyes; the entire hospital was deserted.
There were no lights on, the doors were locked, and there wasn't a soul in sight, living or dead, other than Cyrus and his men. Dennis knew that Kriticos was rich and had a lot of power, but to be able to get an entire hospital evacuated for his own personal gain was something he hadn't imagined. He quickly realized that Cyrus had either lied or bribed to get what he wanted. It wouldn't have been hard for him to make up some excuse why the hospital would need to be closed, asbestos or something. But it also would be very easy for him to offer to build a new wing or buy the latest equipment for them in exchange for closing the hospital for one night. Dennis knew money was power and it suited their needs nicely, but he also felt slightly sick.
"Come on Dennis, I'm not paying you for nothing. Get a move on!" Cyrus seemed to be always yelling at Dennis for something, but he thought it was just Cyrus's way of getting things done. He hadn't seen Cyrus interact with anyone he truly seemed to like, except for his ghosts. But the wealthy philanthropist didn't seem as hostile towards Dennis as he once did, Cyrus was actually quite pleased with how well Dennis was performing. He had been vital in every capture so far, but needed to make sure he stayed in line.
Dennis hurriedly got out of the car and followed Cyrus into the building. Hospitals always gave him the creeps, but he wasn't about to tell Cyrus that. The moment he stepped through the door he was thrown back by the intensity of spiritual energy the place gave off. He bit his lip to keep back the cry of pain that the hospital was causing.
"Is she here?" Cyrus asked, noticing the lines of agony in Dennis's expression.
Dennis clutched his head, "Maybe. It's pretty hard to tell when the whole building is full of disgruntled spirits! You can take your pick, there's like fifty ghosts here!"
"No, I want her specifically. I need to know if she's still here." Cyrus spoke through clenched teeth. He reached into his pocket and hauled out a picture, slightly bent and somewhat singed. There were two children, a boy and a girl, and also a husband and wife. Cyrus held out the picture to Dennis, "Here, now find her."
Dennis just looked at the picture for a moment. The family looked so happy together, and so normal. They didn't look like any of them should be involved in something like this, living or dead. He couldn't help but feel that he was breaking up a family.
"You didn't say she had a family." Dennis said accusingly, not reaching for the picture.
Cyrus pushed it closer to him, "Exactly, she *had* a family. She's dead now so it hardly matters does it? Jessica had a family too, do you think the ghosts care about that?" Cyrus knew it was a low blow, but didn't particularly care. He needed Dennis's cooperation, and that remark would do it.
Dennis's face hardened and images of Jessica crushed underneath piles of tables came back to him. Without another word he took the picture from Cyrus and crushed it beneath his palms.
~|~ Fire, a family, Christmas, pain, love, children, fire, sorrow, loss, love, a hospital room, a doctor, fire trucks, misery, love, loss. ~|~
Dennis gasped. That had sucked. The family's love had been so strong, so infinite. This ghost wasn't staying in this plain because it had lived a life of torment, the love of its family was keeping it on Earth.
"Well, is she here?" Cyrus asked impatiently.
"Yeah, she is." He replied quietly, sorrowfully.
"In that case we better move upstairs. If she is still here she's probably in the ward for burn victims. I hear it's a horrible way to die." Cyrus commented, then shouted orders for the cube to be brought to the fourth floor. While Cyrus and his men loaded up the elevators Dennis held back a step. Quickly turning away from the group he downed four or five of his medication pills. This place was giving him a major and constant headache, which he didn't need at the moment.
They reached the fourth floor and Cyrus moved his men into the largest room he could find. All the rooms were cleared out, no beds or equipment anywhere, so it was easy to maneuver the containment cube.
Dennis felt a flash of pain, somehow less intense than usual. He also connected with the ghost; love and loss. Those were the feelings he got from the spirit. He understood completely, but was in so much pain emotionally it was hard for him to care about anyone else.
"She's here, on this floor at least." Dennis told Cyrus.
When the cube was ready the incantations were played, on Cyrus's command. "I wouldn't worry yourself Dennis, this capture should prove to be less straining than our previous ones. I have a feeling our Withered Lover won't resist at all."
As if on cue she suddenly appeared before them. Her face was scarred on one side, and she was still dressed in her hospital garments. She began to stride towards them slowly. Dennis was surprised, she wasn't angry or hate-filled like every other ghost they had met. Her expression held curiousity, and something else he couldn't describe.
Cyrus rubbed his hands together greedily, "Excellent. Get around her, and open the cage." He ordered. Several men moved behind the ghost slowly while others stood ready with the cube.
The Withered Lover just watched them, not understanding why she had been summoned to them. Then she saw Cyrus coming towards her with the cage, noticed the men behind her, saw the pained and regretful expression on Dennis's face, and knew something was wrong. She tried to leave but was confined to the room by the spells, she tried to back away but the men behind her brandished quicksilver flares and she couldn't pass. In fact, they came closer and closer, forcing her back step by step. She knew she was being pushed into the cage, but couldn't fight back. She didn't want to hurt anyone. It was only when the cage doors snapped around her that she regretted her choice.
Dennis couldn't believe it. She had been afraid of them. Not just afraid, terrified. That had never happened before. She hadn't fought back or tried to escape like any of the other ghosts, she hadn't gone on a ballistic killing spree or thrown everyone around the room. She had simply backed into the cube without resistance. It felt wrong.
Cyrus brought his hand to the glass and looked into the eyes of his sister-in-law. He had met her only in death, but he thought she was beautiful. Dennis joined him at the cage and looked in on her as well. She looked so sad, her eyes held so much pain that he thought they might be a reflection of his own. The spirit hadn't fought earlier but she now scratched futilely at the walls, trying to escape. She pleaded with her eyes for them to let her go, she needed to be free, needed to watch over her family.
Dennis watched her with a detached curiousity, and he felt himself unwilllingly thinking of these ghosts as people. People who had once lived just like him. He quickly pushed those thoughts aside, they wouldn't do him any good. Besides, they all had to be captured, every last spirit, wraith, and ghost, to make sure they wouldn't hurt anyone. Not ever again. But still he couldn't pull his gaze away from their Withered Lover.
She continued pleading silently as she scratched at the walls. Then she saw Dennis and had an idea. She reached out for him psychically, she didn't want to hurt him, but it was the only way.
Dennis reeled in pain and fell to his knees as images cascaded through his mind.
~|~ A family, love, a fire, pain, family, love, home, protection, need to protect them, a family, eternal love. ~|~
He gasped for breath for a moment and made no move to get up from his position on the floor. The pain of loss he had felt in the ghost, combined with his own were proving too much for him. He was breaking down quickly, and finding it harder and harder to function or care about anything.
"Did you see anything?" Cyrus asked curiously.
Dennis lifted his gaze, tears brimming his eyes, "No, nothing. Just hurt like a bitch." He said, wiping away the shameful tears. He wouldn't tell Cyrus what he saw, he kept it to himself. The pain of the entire experience was becoming too much though. In a desperate attempt to free himself, if only for a while, Dennis swallowed several more pain medications. When he looked up he saw Cyrus's men moving the cage away. He looked at the ghost once more, Gene. No, just a ghost, he thought. She was still pleading but would not purposely cause him any more pain. He couldn't free her even if he wanted to, which he did. Cyrus would never allow it.
As Dennis watched her being hauled away Cyrus came and stood by him, "The easiest capture yet." He commented.
Dennis said nothing. He couldn't get the image of her sorrowful, pain-filled eyes out of his head. But he did acknowledge that Cyrus was wrong. This hadn't been the easiest capture, in many ways, mentally and emotionally, it had been the most grueling. He was actually hoping that the Torn Prince would be dangerous and challenging, he didn't think he could handle anymore feelings of guilt over capturing innocent ghosts. But was it right for him to declare himself judge, jury, and executioner of these people? He didn't even want to think about the answer to that. An answer he knew all too well.
TBC
Twisting Thorn - I'm glad you liked the story, hope this chapter lives up to your expectations.
Shadowcat & Pilar Sama aka Gecko - I may jump ahead with the Jackal chapter, it's pretty obvious that he's the one peeps want to read about.
Hildebrant - I won't forget about the Angry Princess though, Dana Newman will get her chapter.
cgmangotiger - Thanks for the long review, I'd love to read your fic. About one of your nipicks, Cyrus was a pretty rich guy so I figured he had two mansions. I could never actually see him living in the glass one, doesn't seem his style. Can't wait to read your fic.
By Goodie
PG-13
Hope you like it. BTW - I finally gave in and bought the 13 Ghosts DVD, yeah me.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Two days, twelve hours, forty-three minutes. That's how long it had been since Jessica died, and there was Dennis, back out with Cyrus helping to catch another ghost. Trying to exact revenge for the love he lost. He had spent the last two days locked away in his apartment trying to get flashes of Jessica from the objects around him, but he had been unable to connect with her in any way. During that time his anger and hatred towards the souls that had stolen her away had grown, and those feelings of contempt had quickly taken over Dennis. He had once blamed the unfairness of life for the gift he was given regarding his psychic powers, but right now he blamed only the unearthly spirits that were causing him pain. He felt as though his soul had been ripped from him, so he saw no reason why he shouldn't rip a few souls back in return.
Tonight they were catching The Withered Lover. Dennis hadn't asked for her backstory and Cyrus hadn't offered one. All he knew was her name was Gene and she died in a fire. Not a good way to die, Dennis knew, but neither did he care. She was dead and he would catch her.
They were driving to the location now. Dennis had been lost in thought the entire night and only now asked where it was they were going.
"St. Luke's hospital. It's where she died, not too long ago. She should still be around." Cyrus replied curtly.
Dennis just nodded. He couldn't help but wonder how Cyrus planned on capturing the ghost with all those people around. St. Luke's was a busy place, but as was his job, he didn't ask questions. They arrived shortly afterwards. Cyrus's men were already there setting up the containment cube and playback machine. It was only when they pulled directly into the emergency lane that Dennis realized something was wrong. Looking out the window he couldn't believe his eyes; the entire hospital was deserted.
There were no lights on, the doors were locked, and there wasn't a soul in sight, living or dead, other than Cyrus and his men. Dennis knew that Kriticos was rich and had a lot of power, but to be able to get an entire hospital evacuated for his own personal gain was something he hadn't imagined. He quickly realized that Cyrus had either lied or bribed to get what he wanted. It wouldn't have been hard for him to make up some excuse why the hospital would need to be closed, asbestos or something. But it also would be very easy for him to offer to build a new wing or buy the latest equipment for them in exchange for closing the hospital for one night. Dennis knew money was power and it suited their needs nicely, but he also felt slightly sick.
"Come on Dennis, I'm not paying you for nothing. Get a move on!" Cyrus seemed to be always yelling at Dennis for something, but he thought it was just Cyrus's way of getting things done. He hadn't seen Cyrus interact with anyone he truly seemed to like, except for his ghosts. But the wealthy philanthropist didn't seem as hostile towards Dennis as he once did, Cyrus was actually quite pleased with how well Dennis was performing. He had been vital in every capture so far, but needed to make sure he stayed in line.
Dennis hurriedly got out of the car and followed Cyrus into the building. Hospitals always gave him the creeps, but he wasn't about to tell Cyrus that. The moment he stepped through the door he was thrown back by the intensity of spiritual energy the place gave off. He bit his lip to keep back the cry of pain that the hospital was causing.
"Is she here?" Cyrus asked, noticing the lines of agony in Dennis's expression.
Dennis clutched his head, "Maybe. It's pretty hard to tell when the whole building is full of disgruntled spirits! You can take your pick, there's like fifty ghosts here!"
"No, I want her specifically. I need to know if she's still here." Cyrus spoke through clenched teeth. He reached into his pocket and hauled out a picture, slightly bent and somewhat singed. There were two children, a boy and a girl, and also a husband and wife. Cyrus held out the picture to Dennis, "Here, now find her."
Dennis just looked at the picture for a moment. The family looked so happy together, and so normal. They didn't look like any of them should be involved in something like this, living or dead. He couldn't help but feel that he was breaking up a family.
"You didn't say she had a family." Dennis said accusingly, not reaching for the picture.
Cyrus pushed it closer to him, "Exactly, she *had* a family. She's dead now so it hardly matters does it? Jessica had a family too, do you think the ghosts care about that?" Cyrus knew it was a low blow, but didn't particularly care. He needed Dennis's cooperation, and that remark would do it.
Dennis's face hardened and images of Jessica crushed underneath piles of tables came back to him. Without another word he took the picture from Cyrus and crushed it beneath his palms.
~|~ Fire, a family, Christmas, pain, love, children, fire, sorrow, loss, love, a hospital room, a doctor, fire trucks, misery, love, loss. ~|~
Dennis gasped. That had sucked. The family's love had been so strong, so infinite. This ghost wasn't staying in this plain because it had lived a life of torment, the love of its family was keeping it on Earth.
"Well, is she here?" Cyrus asked impatiently.
"Yeah, she is." He replied quietly, sorrowfully.
"In that case we better move upstairs. If she is still here she's probably in the ward for burn victims. I hear it's a horrible way to die." Cyrus commented, then shouted orders for the cube to be brought to the fourth floor. While Cyrus and his men loaded up the elevators Dennis held back a step. Quickly turning away from the group he downed four or five of his medication pills. This place was giving him a major and constant headache, which he didn't need at the moment.
They reached the fourth floor and Cyrus moved his men into the largest room he could find. All the rooms were cleared out, no beds or equipment anywhere, so it was easy to maneuver the containment cube.
Dennis felt a flash of pain, somehow less intense than usual. He also connected with the ghost; love and loss. Those were the feelings he got from the spirit. He understood completely, but was in so much pain emotionally it was hard for him to care about anyone else.
"She's here, on this floor at least." Dennis told Cyrus.
When the cube was ready the incantations were played, on Cyrus's command. "I wouldn't worry yourself Dennis, this capture should prove to be less straining than our previous ones. I have a feeling our Withered Lover won't resist at all."
As if on cue she suddenly appeared before them. Her face was scarred on one side, and she was still dressed in her hospital garments. She began to stride towards them slowly. Dennis was surprised, she wasn't angry or hate-filled like every other ghost they had met. Her expression held curiousity, and something else he couldn't describe.
Cyrus rubbed his hands together greedily, "Excellent. Get around her, and open the cage." He ordered. Several men moved behind the ghost slowly while others stood ready with the cube.
The Withered Lover just watched them, not understanding why she had been summoned to them. Then she saw Cyrus coming towards her with the cage, noticed the men behind her, saw the pained and regretful expression on Dennis's face, and knew something was wrong. She tried to leave but was confined to the room by the spells, she tried to back away but the men behind her brandished quicksilver flares and she couldn't pass. In fact, they came closer and closer, forcing her back step by step. She knew she was being pushed into the cage, but couldn't fight back. She didn't want to hurt anyone. It was only when the cage doors snapped around her that she regretted her choice.
Dennis couldn't believe it. She had been afraid of them. Not just afraid, terrified. That had never happened before. She hadn't fought back or tried to escape like any of the other ghosts, she hadn't gone on a ballistic killing spree or thrown everyone around the room. She had simply backed into the cube without resistance. It felt wrong.
Cyrus brought his hand to the glass and looked into the eyes of his sister-in-law. He had met her only in death, but he thought she was beautiful. Dennis joined him at the cage and looked in on her as well. She looked so sad, her eyes held so much pain that he thought they might be a reflection of his own. The spirit hadn't fought earlier but she now scratched futilely at the walls, trying to escape. She pleaded with her eyes for them to let her go, she needed to be free, needed to watch over her family.
Dennis watched her with a detached curiousity, and he felt himself unwilllingly thinking of these ghosts as people. People who had once lived just like him. He quickly pushed those thoughts aside, they wouldn't do him any good. Besides, they all had to be captured, every last spirit, wraith, and ghost, to make sure they wouldn't hurt anyone. Not ever again. But still he couldn't pull his gaze away from their Withered Lover.
She continued pleading silently as she scratched at the walls. Then she saw Dennis and had an idea. She reached out for him psychically, she didn't want to hurt him, but it was the only way.
Dennis reeled in pain and fell to his knees as images cascaded through his mind.
~|~ A family, love, a fire, pain, family, love, home, protection, need to protect them, a family, eternal love. ~|~
He gasped for breath for a moment and made no move to get up from his position on the floor. The pain of loss he had felt in the ghost, combined with his own were proving too much for him. He was breaking down quickly, and finding it harder and harder to function or care about anything.
"Did you see anything?" Cyrus asked curiously.
Dennis lifted his gaze, tears brimming his eyes, "No, nothing. Just hurt like a bitch." He said, wiping away the shameful tears. He wouldn't tell Cyrus what he saw, he kept it to himself. The pain of the entire experience was becoming too much though. In a desperate attempt to free himself, if only for a while, Dennis swallowed several more pain medications. When he looked up he saw Cyrus's men moving the cage away. He looked at the ghost once more, Gene. No, just a ghost, he thought. She was still pleading but would not purposely cause him any more pain. He couldn't free her even if he wanted to, which he did. Cyrus would never allow it.
As Dennis watched her being hauled away Cyrus came and stood by him, "The easiest capture yet." He commented.
Dennis said nothing. He couldn't get the image of her sorrowful, pain-filled eyes out of his head. But he did acknowledge that Cyrus was wrong. This hadn't been the easiest capture, in many ways, mentally and emotionally, it had been the most grueling. He was actually hoping that the Torn Prince would be dangerous and challenging, he didn't think he could handle anymore feelings of guilt over capturing innocent ghosts. But was it right for him to declare himself judge, jury, and executioner of these people? He didn't even want to think about the answer to that. An answer he knew all too well.
TBC
Twisting Thorn - I'm glad you liked the story, hope this chapter lives up to your expectations.
Shadowcat & Pilar Sama aka Gecko - I may jump ahead with the Jackal chapter, it's pretty obvious that he's the one peeps want to read about.
Hildebrant - I won't forget about the Angry Princess though, Dana Newman will get her chapter.
cgmangotiger - Thanks for the long review, I'd love to read your fic. About one of your nipicks, Cyrus was a pretty rich guy so I figured he had two mansions. I could never actually see him living in the glass one, doesn't seem his style. Can't wait to read your fic.