Welcome back to the 5th chapter of our story. Hope you will enjoy.

Introducing: Specs (Leigh Whannell) and Tucker (Angus Sampson).


5

The humans' morning rush routine perplexed Aella. Not in the sense that she found it surprising, more that she failed to understand why they had made their lives so accustomed to stress and pressure. Time, a universal constant of their reality, hold top priority and if neglected, led to potentially severe consequences. Consequences that could affect their whole social life. For example, if Brian would not make it to work on time, he risked reprimand from his superiors. If the girls would not arrive at school at the designated hour, they would be scolded and sent off home with a notice letter for their parents. Of course, it was not as if angels were not aware of responsibilities or duties to attend to, but not in such oppressive, almost Spartan conditions in which the humans led their lives. Another factor contributing to their endless struggle in finding balance.

These thoughts roamed her mind as she sat propped against the kitchen counter, drinking coffee. Next to her, Natalie had just finished preparing her daughters' lunch for the day and had placed the respective bags on the table in order to be picked up by the girls before leaving to school. Given her assessment on the aspect of time, Aella knew that it was vital for the two children to be on their way as soon as possible. Brian was giving them a ride so at least the means of transportation was covered.

"Mommy," Allison walked in and proceeded to pick up the lunch bags, "you were supposed to bring these to the car. We've been waiting for you."

Natalie simply froze and began to stare at her daughter with an obviously fearful expression.

"Maybe you should consider relaxing once in a while," the girl continued. "You look like you're tired. See you!"

And with that, Allison sprinted out, heading toward the garage to board the family car and be on her way to school.

Aella was baffled, clearly detecting the jab Allison threw at her mother. As she had surmised the previous evening, this was another proof that she was blaming her parents and was acting out, rebelling. However, it still was strange. The remark to her mother was in a different class, subtle yet firm, both in terms of delivery and choice of words. Aella recognized the offensive attitude of a child toward the authority of the parent figure, but what Allison did was beyond that. Perhaps she learned it from outside influences, friends or online.

What also struck the angel odd was Natalie's reaction. She did not look upset, a normal reaction to such behavior, she did not look shocked or speechless. She appeared to be downright terrified. Aella wondered if this was a side effect of her guilt. But to such extent? To go as far as to cause actual fear? It was strange. Natalie was fine, psychologically speaking. After scanning her mental pathways, Aella detected that there were no anomalies that could obstruct her cognitive sanity. And the pills Allison had mentioned during her first day at the Petersen house, were nothing more than anxiety relievers, just as stated in the withdrawn expenses report. By all logical and reasonable accounts, she was considerably healthy, despite the trauma she had been through. If that is so, then why was she reacting so to her daughter? Aella decided to investigate, thinking it may be connected to what she was about to reveal the previous day, right before Brian had intervened.

"Natalie, is everything ok between you and Allison?"

The human woman swallowed hard before turning to face her. Aella could tell she was gathering the courage to speak. A little encouragement was in order. "You can tell me anything. I am not Elizabeth March from the P&I Agency. I am Ela, just Ela. Talk to me."

Looking into her eyes, the angel could tell that the words had the desired effect and gave Natalie confidence to share what was on her mind.

She began. "I know Allison is my daughter and only God knows how much I love her but… lately… she's scaring me, making me feel uneasy and afraid."

"What do you mean? How can she scare you?"

"Ever since she woke up from her catatonic state," Natalie went on, "she… she's been different."

"Different? Different how?"

"I don't know. I try to tell myself that it's just me, that maybe her accident has changed me but… deep down inside… I can feel she's different. The way she talks, the words she speaks, her mannerism… I mean it's not like they've changed and she's another person, it's just that… I don't know how to explain it. I just know. Call it a mother's instinct."

"What does Brian think about it?"

"I… I didn't tell him. As much as he has been through, this is the last thing he needs to hear."

Perfect, Aella thought. Finally some development in this case. It was time to press further. "Yesterday I asked you if you've noticed anything strange happening here. You didn't tell me the truth, did you?"

Natalie took a deep breath, with enough interruptions to give a doctor plenty of concern. However, Aella realized she was afraid.

"Before Allison woke up… While she was in that state…" Natalie's eyes began to tear up, "we were terrorized by these… spirits. At least I think they were spirits. It started off slow, objects being moved, bangs and knocks on doors and walls… but then it got worse. We started seeing them… everywhere. In the living room, kitchen, bathroom, even in our bedrooms at night. They were watching us, I felt like I had eyes all over me while I was taking care of Allison when Brian and Annie were away. And each and every time, it felt like I was seeing them more frequently… like they were getting closer."

"I'm guessing that it stopped," Aella deduced.

"Yes. Then Allison woke up and everything went back to normal, just as it were before her accident. I have tried to put it all behind me and forget but sometimes, late at night, I can still feel being watched."

The angel was beyond glad. The connections that she had been looking for all this time were finally revealing themselves. This was the reason Elise had come to their home. To purge their house from haunting spirits. However, Aella still had more connections to establish.

Suddenly, her instincts alerted her to something coming from outside, from the other corner of the house, in the backyard. Activating her supernatural sight, she saw through several walls, straight outside, where two intruders were attempting to stealthily enter the building through a window.

"Could you excuse me, please?" Aella said before leaving the kitchen.

Specs and Tucker were crouch walking alongside the structure of the building, trying as hard as they could to be quiet and sneak through without being detected. The latter was holding a small device in his hand while the former reached out and opened a window so they can gain access inside. Then, without hesitation, he adroitly climbed the wall and slipped through the window effortlessly, urging his colleague to do the same. A bit heavier, Tucker took longer to enter the house the same way. Once that was over, they were relieved that they were finally inside the house without any attention drawn.

Just as they turn from the window, they spot Aella, looking at them intently. To their dread, they began to suspect that she must have been standing there for quite the while and probably had seen them breaking and entering. So much for not getting caught.

"We're from the Pest Control Department," Tucker thought on his feet. "We've received reports that there may be a brown termite infestation on the premises and…"

"Save it, guys!" Aella interrupted him, knowing fully well who they were. She figured it to be a good chance to use them in finding answers on Elise. "You do realize I could have the cops here and get your asses in jail in under five minutes, right?"

"Well, no," Specs intervenes, "because that can be done only by…"

"Yeah, she can do that. She can totally do that." Tucker corrected him.

"Unless of course," Aella uttered, "you guys tell me what you're really doing here."

"We're not obligated to…" the smaller man with glasses protested but got cut off again.

"Is that a multi-waveform receiver?" Aella asked, noticing the device in the other's hand and acting surprised.

"With triple enhanced resonator scan," Tucker proudly completed. However, it dawned on him that few people would recognize such a device. His smile faded. "How do you know that?"

"Yeah, who are you?" Specs backed his partner up.

"Elizabeth March, Insurance P&I Agent from Hoggs&Stewart Club."Aella answered with a grin. "But I am nobody compared to you. You guys are from Spectral Sightings, aren't you? The famous ghost hunters."

"We prefer 'Investigators of the Unnatural'." Specs stated.

"Why don't you have a seat so we can talk properly," Aella said, pointing to the couch.

Tucker hesitated. "Hold on! Should we be really doing that? Considering that we…"

"…broke and entered into this house?" Aella finished his sentence. "Don't worry, I put in a good word for you. Now please, have a seat."

The two reluctantly took the couch, feeling more coerced than invited.

"So," she took the first step, "why are you guys hanging around here? Is the house haunted or something?"

The men looked at each other, visibly apprehensive to answer the question.

"Come on, guys," Aella needed to be more persuasive. "You'd be surprised of how much I can believe. Try me. It's either that or the slammer, your pick."

"Yes, this house is haunted." Specs fired, taking his partner aback. "We're trying to determine the truth, gather some evidence."

"Then how come you previously came here saying that you want to help Allison, while she was catatonic?"

The two appear to ponder on what they had just heard, unsure as to how could she possibly have known that information.

"The family told me,"Aella indicated, sensing the confusion shared by the men.

"Oh, right," Specs let out. "Well, because…"

Sensing his partner's hesitation, Tucker stepped in. "Because it would have been weird coming into the house of a sick girl, trying to get footage for our next video."

Aella realized they are hiding something from her, most probably connected to Elise. She had been, after all, in charge of them while alive, directing them everywhere needed. She probably had done the same after her death. It made sense for her to ask for their help since they had worked so closely together. And since she was a sent-back spirit, a soul allowed the permission to return to Earth from Heaven, after dying, at its own request, she must have directed them to the Petersen house to solve something, possibly connected to Allison and her catatonic state. Things were starting to add up more and more, also judging by Natalie's account of the family's recent hauntings. The only question left now was tied to Elise and her disappearance. What happened to her? Where was she? Aella also considered that Specs and Tucker might be looking for the missing woman as well, if her latest reasoning was correct. Therefore, she decided to keep pulling on the string she had just grabbed.

"Tell you what, guys. I think we can help each other out. I can get you access inside the house to do your thing. Wadda you say?"

Again the two men seemed struck with confusion, raising their eyebrows and trying hard to grasp what they just heard.

"Why would you do that?" Specs inquired. "What's in it for you?"

"I get to revel in participating uncovering another ghost. Being part of the 'Spectral Sightings' investigation. Who can pass something like that along?"

No reaction from the male individuals, still under the pause caused by her proposal. It was starting to get on her nerves.

"Look, I promise I won't set you up to the cops or stuff like that. I'm telling the truth, I swear."

"Could you excuse us for a second?" Tucker spoke as he and Specs got up from the couch and went to the far corner of the room to talk in private. Aella once more activated her supernatural hearing to eavesdrop on their whispering.

"I don't like this," the larger of the men expressed. "This has trap written all over it. Red flag central, man."

"On the other hand…" Specs replied.

"What do you mean 'on the other hand'? Are you insane? We can't trust her!"

"I'm not saying we should trust her. But this is the only opportunity we may have to get close. We've been waiting for this for almost two weeks now. We should take advantage. I know it's risky but it's worth the shot."

"Are you sure?" Tucker was still uncertain of the idea. "Cause if you're wrong, we're looking at a couple of nights at least, in arrest. Now I may be ok but you, with your soft skin and nice hair…"

"What do you mean?" Specs asked concerned. "I mean they put you in separate cells in arrest, right?"

"You're right," Tucker eventually agreed. "This may be the only chance we get. We should do it."

Specs raised a hand to stop his friend but was too late. The latter had already left his side and approached Aella.

"You got yourself a deal."

"Excellent!" the angel appeared pleased.

/|\

Later on that evening, close to the hour where the family would have dinner, Natalie was in Allison's room, tidying it up. Upon her desk, she saw a framed photo of herself and her daughters wearing bike gear. Although it was from quite some time ago, she remembered it clearly. It marked a wonderful day in their lives, as they had spent it at the park, riding bicycles and enjoying themselves to their fullest. She even began to hear the girls' laughter, echoing inside her mind as loud as it had been that particular fine day. Emotions amassed and made her stomach turn from the intensity. She was terribly missing how great things had been before the accident and would give so much to have that once more. To be able to play with her children without feeling guilt and remorse, to feel like a proper mother and be proud of doing a good job at it, to look into Allison's eyes and not be utterly horrified, to have the same kind of open, intimate relationship with her husband and experience his love and comfort just like old times. All in all, to truly feel happy next to her family again.

A faint rustle from behind distracted her. It brought her back from her daydreaming state and made her aware she was not alone anymore. Turning around, Natalie saw her oldest daughter standing at the entrance of the room, staring at her. Suddenly, all the bittersweet feelings she had been experiencing turned to pure dread.

"Can I help you, mommy?" The girl questioned.

Natalie had picked up on how sinister the word 'mommy' had been uttered, especially considering she had said it in such a way on purpose, to mock and defile the preciousness of its meaning. Still, she had to control her fear, reminding herself her daughter was standing in front of her and not some monster radiating horror. However, she found out that hiding herself from her daughter was not as simple.

"No," she ultimately answered the question. "Just checking up on things."

Natalie started walking towards the door to leave. Feeling so uncomfortable, her best bet for the moment was to avoid Allison altogether. However, the latter simply placed herself in her mother's path, blocking her exit.

"You look so pale, mommy. Are you sure you're getting enough sleep?"

"I'm fine, honey," Natalie affirmed with apprehension and fear. "You should go help your dad with dinner."

"Yeah, cause it's not like someone else around here is going to do that, right?" Allison responded in a mocking manner.

Natalie felt her control slipping more and more. "What is that supposed to mean?" She mustered the courage to ask.

"I'm just saying. With all the help I give around the house, seems like someone is not doing their part."

"Excuse me?" The parent demanded with a voice crack. She was not ready for such a confrontation and she knew it.

Allison continued. "I mean you mess stuff up, you forget things, you lose track of time. Not to mention how terrible you look. No wonder dad doesn't trust you anymore." She leans in closer. "I don't think he even looks at you the same way."

With every word she spoke, she terrified Natalie more and more. The latter shook like a leaf. She could not believe what she was hearing, that her own daughter, her flesh and blood was saying such dreadful things. For sixteen years she had raised her, fed her, took care of her in every possible way and did everything to make her happy. And they grew close, very close. Allison had trusted her enough to share everything, every minute detail of her life. At one point, it felt like their strong bond would last forever. A bond she had hoped to share with Annie as well.

But now, whatever was left of that bond seemed like it had been shattered into a million pieces. Allison was treating her abhorrently and she felt every one of the arrows launched at her. In fact, Natalie even started to question if the person standing in front of her was actually her daughter. A farfetched, ridiculous idea, but sparked by the lack of any other explanation of her behavior. Perhaps it was just karma, fate retaliating for her decision to allow Allison to go with her friends on the night of the accident. A flash of the day at the park she had recalled earlier went through her mind. A cold pang settled itself inside her. It was the confirmation that such a day would never happen again.

Like a tiger clawing at its prey, Allison pressed on. "I think he looks at you like a potential psych ward patient that's about to cut her wrist because she's too damn crazy!"

A flood of uncontrollable feelings crashed upon Natalie. Anger, sadness, guilt, pain, hopelessness and many more sank her in an ocean that suffocated her. Pure instinct took over and she acted accordingly, slapping her daughter as hard as she could. The pity and sorrow that engulfed her afterward, as she realized what she had done, were overwhelming and forced her to shed tears. More layers added to her already overflowing guilt.

Brian suddenly made his appearance, casting inquisitive glances at the two females. Natalie felt a heavy object hitting the bottom of her stomach, as she realized her husband must have witnessed the slap. But what she saw next absolutely disturbed her to her very core.

Allison's expression turned to a shocked and frightened visage, with tears in her eyes, just like that of a child struck by their parent unfairly. The transition had been frighteningly rapid, from the cold, calculating and ruthless disposition, completely devoid of anything but malice, to that of a scared, innocent child with no fault. Natalie wondered how she had managed to accomplish that. But the more pressing issue was the timing of it all. As soon as her father had appeared, she had switched to being a victim. It was as if she was trying to make her look bad in front of Brian. Natalie had seen her share of people doing bad things to one another, but this seemed like something torn out of her nightmares. Especially considering Allison is her own daughter. That made it all the more nightmarish.

However, looking upon Allison's fearful appearance, among all the feelings of dread she was experiencing, a faint sensation rose inside her. Her maternal instinct kicked in and she was enveloped in a strong sense to comfort her child, to assure her that everything was ok and give her hope and safety. Even if she had suspected earlier that the girl was not her daughter but someone else. For a brief moment she forgot. She wanted to forget and feel like a mother once more.

"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…" she said, stretching her arms out to embrace Allison. The latter however backed away in terror.

"Allison, go downstairs and help Annie and Ela set the table, please." Brian ordered peremptorily.

Allison wiped her tears and complied, leaving her parents behind.

Brian slowly approached his wife, who had let her head down, waiting to be reprimanded.

"I don't know what's going on with you," he began scolding her, "but I highly recommend you pull your act together. For the sake of our daughters." Afterward, he turned on his heels and headed away. He stopped and addressed her once more. "Oh and if you even as much as lay a finger on Allison again, I will have you put away."

As soon as he stepped out of sight, Natalie slid down against the wall and wept uncontrollably, in complete dismay. She was truly in a nightmare.

/|\

Meanwhile, Aella was with the younger of the two Petersen sisters in the kitchen, placing the cutlery on the table. At one point, Annie stopped and glared at the angel.

"You have such a nice hair, Ela."

"Thank you, my fair lady," Aella showed gratitude in a ridiculous and over the top British accent. "Your hair looks marvelously exquisite as well, quite so, quite so."

Annie giggled at the remark.

"See," the angel stated, losing the accent, "I know the proper tea party conduct. Have you talked to your sister about letting me join you?"

"Yes. We have decreed you can join us, no worries."

Sensing that the girl was much more open to her, Aella decided to give it a shot and ask her about anything supernatural she might be aware of.

"Say Annie, have you seen anything strange happening around here? Stuff that you couldn't explain? Or people who aren't really there?"

All of a sudden, Annie adopted a more serious disposition, dropping her view to the ground as if knowing the severity of the topic. "Mom and dad said I'm not supposed to talk about that."

Perfectly reasonable response. Brian and Natalie must have tried to make her forget about the hauntings, so she would not live in fear. Therefore, it would be best not to press on this particular subject.

"Then we must do what they say. Especially now that everything is ok, right? I mean, ever since Allison woke up. After that, you haven't seen anything weird or out of the ordinary, right?"

"I did."

Annie's response confused her. Since she had arrived at the Petersen home, Aella did not detect any anomalous energy readings. And although Natalie had told her the truth about the spirits that had oppressed them, confirmed by the ability to look into the buildings past, things were more or less normal. No apparitions, no intruding dimensional auras, no hidden signatures or charged spiritual fields. The place was clean, judging from that aspect. Then what was Annie referring to?

"What do you mean, sweetie?"

"I see them in my dreams."

Dreams, Aella thought. It made sense now.

But Annie went on. "In my dreams, I can fly. I go out the window and fly towards the city. Go above the skyscrapers. It's very cool. But sometimes I see them."

"Who?" The angel asked, playing the pronoun game.

"People. Scary people. When they appear, everything gets dark. And they can fly too. I don't like them. When I see them, I usually go back home. They chase me but they can't catch me. When I reach home, I wake up."

In any other case, Aella would have dismissed her account, considering it as just a nightmare. But considering everything like the hauntings the family suffered, this being the last place where Elise had been, her strange disappearance, Specs and Tucker's presence. All of these pointed out that there was much more going on. And Aella also realized another thing. Annie had confessed using the word 'dreams'. Plural?

"Annie, how many times have you dreamt this?"

"I dream it every night."

Another clue for this case but one that gave rise to another mystery as well. Recurring dreams are frequent but not every night. And the meaning eluded Aella. Flying around and being chased by frightening persons? She could not make heads or tails. Usually, when a child of her age is confronted by the issues her family had went through, either they act up with different attention seeking behaviors, or shut off from everyone, becoming a loner. Now while the problems caused by Allison's catatonic state belonged in the past, it did not exclude her younger sister from reacting in a negative way. But Annie was healthy and happy. Her mental pathways were more than in perfect shape. This dream she confessed she had been having made no sense. Why was she having it? Aella had to know more.

"These scary people… do you know why they chase you?"

"No. As soon as they see me, they fly after me. Sometimes I lose them when I get home. But other times, I see them on the front lawn, standing there and staring at me. Sometimes they stay there, sometimes they come inside. One time, when I got in my room so I could wake up… I saw a scary person under my bed."

So the scary people were getting closer. Aella knew that was never a good sign, in dreams or anywhere else. One thing was clear. She was not having a regular nightmare. It was more. Much more. And the bottom of it had to be reached. Luckily, the plan she had in store, using Specs and Tucker, would aid her in the process of getting all the answers. One way or another, she was going to obtain all of them tonight.

/|\

Several blocks away, in their van, the Spectral Sightings team were getting ready for a complete target survey, preparing a wide range of objects including wireless recording devices such as cameras and microphones, trifle meters and measurement instruments, finishing with flashlights and a small black box. According to the deal they had made with Aella, she was going to let them inside the house at midnight, while the family was sleeping, so they could set their devices and check the house for traces of the paranormal.

"You ready?" Specs asked confident.

"Let's do this!" Tucker completed firmly.


As always, let me know what you think. Will try to update the next chapter soon. Thanks.