(P&P: Hey, sorry I haven't left a message for you guys for so long, I've just been trying to get the chapters out as soon as possible. I'm glad you have liked the four previous chapters. I hope a story is beginning to come together for you guys. I'm working on a film for a film festival for a group so if a chapter doesn't come out on time (I'm trying to have one out every day) then the reason for it is that I'm busy with my film. Well, here's chapter five. You better like it.)

Chapter five

Close to realization

I stood there. I stood there, silent. Nothing registered in my mind. Nothing. What had Father Dom just said? Did he say something about murder? He couldn't have. Denial, Suze, you're in serious denial. SHUT UP! I yelled inside my head.

"Susannah! Susannah, are you there?! Are you alright?! Answer me, Susannah!" I was snapped out of my strange daze to hear the faint sound of Father Doms voice. He was yelling at me, frightened.

I looked down to the floor, realizing I had dropped the phone after what Father Dom had told me. It registered. There have been several murders. He must have said that. Why else would I have dropped the phone? Uh, if Jesse was being exorcised by Paul and Father Dom had seen it. But Jesse was here. So I didn't have to worry about that.

Yet.

I reached down and brought the phone back to my ear. Father Dom was still yelling into the phone at me. He sounded out of breath and ready to collapse from all of the wheezing I was hearing.

"Father Dom." I breathed.

"Oh, my Lord, Susannah. Why didn't you answer me, child?" He screamed.

I had to hold the phone away from my ear so I wouldn't go deaf. Bringing it back to my ear, I gave an explanation. He listened to me politely. And once I stopped, his little speech broke out.

"Susannah, are you in your room? Is Jesse there?" He demanded nicely.

"Yes, yes, I'm in my room and Jesse is here. What is wrong Father D? What is this about murder…"

"Several." Father Dom breathed. My stomach wrenched. "The police found them at different times during the night. Some this morning. There is no evidence that these murders have been caused by human hands. Susannah, it may have been a spirit. A ghost. But, by the pictures in the newspaper, it doesn't seem possible."

I could hear paper being turned. Father Dom must have been reading the morning paper. "How were they killed? Did they have anything on them? Were there any marks?" I could feel Jesses eyes on me now. And probably the other guys too. Great, I have an audience if I go nuts.

"The strange things is, they do have markings." Wow, strange. "Scratches. Really deep scratches. Susannah, these scratches are long, maybe several inches. As if, something took several long swipes at the victim. There is no possible way that these were done by a human being. Susannah, do you remember what I said, when I thought Tads father was a vampire."

I had to think, but it registered in my mind. I nodded.

"He can't hear you, Querida." I looked over at Jesse and realized that I had nodded to Father Doms questions.

I turned back to the phone and answered, "Yes."

"Well, it may be possible that someone or something out there is a werewolf."

I was laying on my floor with my arms folded under my head. Jesse was pacing my room and the ghost guy sat crossed legged next to me. I was thinking about what Father Dom had said. Someone or something out there is a werewolf. Could it be possible? I mean, last time Father Dom had created the possibility that Tads dad was a vampire, I nearly died because Tads uncle was a murderer. Thanks, I love you too, Father Dom.

"We have to do something, Querida." He was still pacing. His hand was raced to his face, touching his delicious lips. Oh, God, how I wanted to feel those lips on mine.

I licked my lips without knowing it. Ghost guy noticed this and said, "Are you thirsty? You need some water?"

Jesse came over and Knelt down at my side. "Do you need something, Querida?" He looked worried. What? Did he think that this monster was going to get me? Did he want to wait on me hand and foot so I would be safe?

I felt my mind mutter Mwuhahahahaha. Well, I think that's how you spell it. Anways, if Jesse wanted to wait on me, who was to say that I wouldn't let him?

I nodded at his question. "What would you like me to get for you?" He asked, his voice all silky as usual.

"Oh, you don't have to get me anything." I began to play. "I'll get it myself." I began to sit up with Jesse laid a hand on my shoulder.

"No, no. I don't want you leaving your room. It is not safe, Susannah. You stay up here, keep the door closed and locked. You will be safe until I come back." He protested, and I didn't argue further. "Now, what is it that you want?"

I thought. What was it that I wanted? I could have anything. Well, not anything. Because right now I wanted this sexy, hot Latino dude alone in my room. Boy, do I have an active imagination or what?

Too active.

I heard a voice say. It wasn't mine. I mean, the voice inside my head. You know, the one that always tells me that I've screwed up or I'm not doing a certain thing. No, this voice was different. But what was it? More importantly, WHO WAS IT?

I can't believe you don't know it's me.

Oh, great. Just who I want to hear inside my head.

Paul.

Paul, what do you want? I asked back, silently in my mind.

I can't believe you haven't figured that out yet.

When I didn't answer him he continued by telling me what he had popped into my head to say.

Have you heard about the murders? Shame. Five people were murdered last night, Suze. I bet you wouldn't know about that, since all of the ghosts came to me.

I began to worry. My heart rate sped up and he must have felt it.

Don't worry, Susie, I didn't exorcise them. They were so annoying that I decided to let you handle them.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

I was being sarcastic, Paulie. I thought his name like it was a plague. So, anything I should know about these ghosts before I meet them?

Well, they do have an interesting story to tell. Something about something killed them, but they couldn't see who or what it was. It just came down on them while they were at some party. One minute they were laughing and pigging out, the next they were choking and being ripped to shreds. I told them about you. Said that you could handle their case better than I could.

Oh, Gee, thanks a lot.

It's the best I could do. So, how about a date for tomorrow night? You mediate the poor souls, and I treat you to an expensive night out.

I thought of a way to get out of it.

Do I have to remind you of our deal?

If I don't come to the shifter lessons you will exorcise Jesse. Yes, I know, Paul. You keep reminding me as if I've lost my memory and can't remember. And I don't have to go on a date with you. It's not apart of the deal.

It is if I call it a lesson.

Oh, shit.

No, no shit. I know you don't particularly enjoy going to the Shadowland, so I'm taking you out for the next lesson. And afterwards we can go back to my place and have dessert.

He is NOT thinking of dessert in that way is he? God, I hope not.

No, I was not thinking of it in that way. But, now that you mention it…

Oh, God, Paul. NO! No dessert! We, are not going back to your place for desert. I repeat, we are not.

Fine, fine. But, before you put the idea out there, I was referring to actual food for desert. In the kitchen, not on a bed. Although, on a bed would seem more relaxing…

Paul.

Yeah, Suze.

Just pick me up at six.

You got it. Oh, and Suze, before I go, I want you to remember this.

I waited for him to say something. But nothing came. And then I felt something. Yeah, I felt SOMETHING. More like a hand. And it was around one of my breasts. Ah.

I scrambled to my feet and walked over to my bed and sat down. I CAN'T believe he did that! He had some nerve. But wait. This is Paul we're talking about. I shouldn't be surprised. And I wasn't.

I noticed a pair of eyes on me. I looked up to see that Jesse was staring at me, with that unreadable expression on his face. I also noticed that Jesse and I were the only ones in the room.

Goodie.

I eyed Jesse. "Are you still going to get me what I want?" I asked, a bit flirtatiously.

"Yes, Querida. If you would please tell me what that is." He said.

"Come here." I wagged a finger for him to come. He did. I looked up at him and saw that he looked waiting at my face. "Come down here." I instructed. He knelt down in front of me and blinked. "I want you to kiss me."

Well, he was right by saying that he would bring me what I wanted.