A/N: I can't apologise enough for the long wait with this chapter. That was never my intention. As I said in my previous chapter I lost my mum Christmas Day 2018 and I can't put into words how that has and still is affecting me. But beyond that tragedy came a blessing. In July 2019 I found out I was expecting another baby. Another little girl who is now 3 months old and called Piper Seren. My little angel in babies clothes. So when my thoughts weren't on my loss, they were on trying to make sure I was going to be mentally stable enough to be the best mum to my girls I could be, while not having my own mum and best friend to guide me a second time. But writing is helping and so I've tried to come back to it. I've always had every intention of finishing this story, it means too much to me to not. Even if no one reads the updates, at least I'll know they're here and I completed it. So thank you for reading my mini essay and I'm sorry for this filler chapter. I'll work on the new one as soon as I can. Take care!


"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love; and how to let it come in." - Unknown

Chapter Seven

I sat behind my desk in my office as principal of the Junipero Serra Mission Academy and tapped harder at the keyboard of my computer. The warning beep from the monitor telling me yet again that I had failed with my knowledge of technology and pushed the keyboard away from me with a sigh. I could hear the sounds of the school day starting from the other side of my door, children's voices echoing off the old building. I sat back in my large chair and just listened for a moment, content in the peace of my position as principal and my responsibility of the care for the students under my guidance.

Granted, some are more obstinate that others. Susannah Simon coming to mind. But given her extra gifts, I can allow a bit of leeway.

Not something I can very well explain to Sister Ernestine unfortunately, who sees Susannah as a blight against our school. I did not take lightly to hearing her say that either. Susannah has her moments, granted. But I know her and I know what a caring individual she is beneath that steely façade she puts out to the world. I have seen her vulnerable - though she would never admit that - and determined, and I know she is as asset to this school and as a Mediator. And I know she is trying to be a little less - punchy - when it comes to our spiritual companions too.

Opening the drawer to my left I reached in and pulled out an unopened packet of cigarettes, turning them this way and that in my hands, staring at the box. Admittedly I have done this more often than not since Susannah joined my school. But not just for reasons of causing parts of the breezeway to collapse, or having her hospitalise herself trying to solve a murder on her own and getting herself almost killed in the process. Never have I met such a young person with a death wish like I have with Susannah.

Quite frankly she drives me to want to rip the cover off and smoke every single cigarette in a row.

I worry for her mental and emotional wellbeing. I have done since our first encounter when she appeared so detached and disconnected. I have tried to reach out to her to break through many times. And I believe she sees me as a true friend and confidant having discovered I share the same gift as her, someone she has never encountered until moving here. How isolated she must have felt believing she was the only one. And though she is the first I have met too, I have my faith, I am never alone for the Lord is with me everywhere I go, guiding me. But Susannah, she has erected so many walls to protect herself, I fear I will never be able to fully penetrate that steely barrier. She has such reckless abandon when it comes to her safety, and I have lost sleep many a night wondering how I can help her.

I pray for guidance on an answer to that every day.

Sighing with resignation I put the packet back into the drawer with confiscated mobile phones, handheld consoles and other strange paraphernalia I have collected over the years and shut the drawer with a resounding thud. Just as a strong knock comes to my door.

"Come in," I call as I rise from my chair to greet my visitor.

The subject of my worries pushed the door open and peered around it at me. "Hey, Father D. Have you got a minute?" Susannah asks, glancing around my room before stepping in fully.

"Of course, Susannah. Take a seat," I gesture to one of the chairs in front of my desk and wait to take my seat once she's closed the door behind her and sat stiffly on the edge of the chair. Not her usual relaxed, no care in the world pose she normally adopts when in here. I gave her a quick assessment, noting she still looks as tired as she was when I saw her a couple of days ago. Though she does her best to cover the dark circles beneath her eyes well, it doesn't hide the strain seeming to tense her shoulders, or the way she shook her knee repeatedly. "What can I do for you today?" I question, because she looks like she could fly from my office in a moment's notice.

Curiously I notice that her eyes have a spark of life to them that I can't recall noticing before. She seemed hyper alert and wary as she watched me place my hands together on the desk in front of me. I've never seen her eyes as bright as they are right now.

"I've met another Mediator," she starts without preamble and I find myself sitting back in my chair in surprise. Another one? Unusual that I have encountered three more mediators since Susannah has arrived in Carmel. Susannah frowns and shakes her head, dropping her eyes to the floor. "That's not what I meant to say," she muttered, shaking her head again before looking back at me. "Any-way, his name is Jesse De Silva and he works at the Historical Society when he's not at college. Anna - that ghost I was telling you about - went to him as well, asking for help."

At this point Susannah stops and takes a deep, heavy breath. She looked weighed down and for the first time I questioned whether this new ghost has affected Susannah in a way I don't believe ever has before.

"Jesse and I went to see Anna's boyfriend Ethan and - " Swallowing thickly, Susannah gripped the edge of the chair in her hands. "Well I think we might need your help with him too. Anna died from a car accident but Ethan survived and I don't know, but I think he might need more help than I know how to give. Like, religious help, you know? Cause he's a mess and I've never seen someone like that before. Anna warned us, but seeing him - Father D I don't know what to do."

I was struck speechless as she sat back in her seat with a sigh. Not by what she had told me, but the way she said it. By the, dare I say it, emotion in her voice. I blinked several times. Susannah just looked at me with growing frustration the longer the silence stretched between us. I shook my head out of my daze and straightened in my seat. "Of - of course I will help, Susannah. Whatever this young man needs." I replied, watching her carefully. "Are you going to ask Paul for help too? He is a mediator after all, this is his calling too."

Whatever emotion I had seen in her face was gone now with my silent appraisal of her and question about Paul. I wanted to kick myself for being so openly curious by her reaction, but I knew I had seen it. I could never doubt that. The shutters were back down now, she was in defensive mode again.

"No. Paul's staying away from this if I can help it." I didn't hide my surprise at the conviction to her tone quick enough if her glare was anything to go by. "I better get to class. I'll give you his details, but maybe you can come with Jesse and me next time we go," Susannah suggested, still looking at me strangely as she rose from her chair. I got to my feet quickly too, nodding enthusiastically.

"Yes, I would like to meet this Jesse if he is a Mediator as you say," I reply as I try to keep the enthusiasm dialled down slightly. I come around my desk to lead her to the door she was already heading towards. As she opens it, Paul Slater comes strolling forward, his timing impeccable.

"Suze," he starts, his face an unreadable mask. "I thought you said you were getting a ride in with Brad? I saw him pull up without you. Where've you been?" he questioned intently, throwing a glance my way before focusing his full attention on Susannah again. Aware this was clearly a private moment between them, I found my feet rooted to the spot as I watched them. Watched Susannah stiffen before Paul as she stared him down.

"I remembered I had some home-work I needed to finish before school and Brad would've slowed me down," Susannah shrugs indifferently. "It's not a big deal."

Paul watched her for a moment, his hand reaching out and gripping the top of her arm. Now I am not a violent person at all, I most certainly do not condone any kind of aggression. But the way Paul had a hold of Susannah's arm sent alarm bells ringing in my head as I went to take a step forward from my room to remove it. But before I could do so, Susannah simultaneously raised her arm to push her hair over her shoulder, and twist out of Paul's hold at the same time. Effectively removing his grip and stepping back slightly.

"I could have driven you." he pointed out coolly.

Susannah shrugged again, hitching her bag higher up on her shoulder. "Whoops?"

Paul narrowed his eyes at her, his nostrils flaring for a second at Susannah's careless reply. But the dulcet tones of Sister Ernestine broke up their battle of wills before Paul could say something that I frankly would not have wanted to hear him say to Susannah. "Miss Simon, Mr Slater, I believe you have classes to get you." she reminded them none too quietly as she approached.

"Of course, Sister," Paul smiled disarmingly, throwing his arm around Susannah's shoulder and pulling her tightly to him. "We were just heading there now."

I watched from my position, my heart racing a little in my chest as I grasped how possessive of Susannah, Paul appeared to be with her. Sister Ernestine nodded to me once and followed after them, obviously wanting to make sure they got to where they were supposed to be going. But I felt off, uneven and very uncomfortable with what I had just seen. How often has he been that way with her? Susannah appears to be somewhat aware of it, and Paul has made no secret of how he feels about how we help our spiritual friends. But this was different, this wasn't a Mediator matter and my instincts were crying out to Susannah.

"Something isn't right here . . ." I murmur to myself, unable to walk away as I think over all that had just transpired. Inside and out of my office.

"Yeah, something's shaken my kiddo up," a voice says from beside me. I don't need to turn my head to know its Susannah's father, Peter Simon. I met him very quickly after meeting Susannah. He came to me rightly concerned for his daughter's wellbeing. Her spiritual wellbeing in particular. I know he is not a religious man. But as I am the only one other than Susannah who can see him, I believe he needed the guidance as much as Susannah. "I don't like him, Dom. He's not good for her."

I turn to look at him then, not surprised to hear him say this about Susannah's boyfriend. He has eluded to how he feels about Paul in the past and I have done my best to stay impartial. But this is the first time he has openly admitted his dislike for him. Peter doesn't take his eyes off them until they disappear out of sight, and then he turns to me, his expression full of fatherly concern.

It's easy for me to admit to myself I have my concerns about their relationship and Paul's seeming possessiveness of Susannah too. I don't wish to voice those to Peter just yet though. For now, I would rather wait and speak with Susannah myself. They are young and Susannah is a bright and independent young woman. I have faith that she is capable of looking after herself with Paul and that we are friends enough that she will allow me to offer some advice when I feel the time is right. At least, that is what I tell myself.

"That is a choice Susannah has to make for herself," I placate, though I am aware there is not much conviction to my voice. Turning away I head back behind my desk, leaving the door open. "Have you met this young Jesse, whom Susannah mentioned?" I questioned, sitting down in my chair.

Peter stays leaning against the open-door frame, his arms crossed over his chest. "No, not yet. Maybe I'll pay him a little visit, see what he's like. I would with Paul, but Suze made me swear I wouldn't interfere." he grumbled, his scowl telling me everything as to how that conversation must have gone. I withheld a chuckle, knowing just how strong-willed Susannah is. "I think he's what's gotten her all shaken up."

I frowned, leaning forward over my desk. "Are you sure? I thought it was this young man, Ethan that has affected her." I queried.

"He's part of it maybe. But I felt . . . I don't know, something shift, a few days ago. I don't know how to describe it. It's big, whatever it is and I know it has something to do with Suze. I've been trying to do some investigating, but I haven't found any answers yet."

"I'll keep a closer eye on her and try to help as much as I can with this young, Ethan."

"Thank you," Peter said, his posture as tense as Susannah's as he gave me a light nod and disappeared as suddenly as he had come.

Sighing heavily, I sat back in my chair to steeple my fingers beneath my chin. Seems a lot of things are changing all of a sudden, and I cannot help but feel powerless to them as they happen around me. I just pray that Susannah does not do what she has done in the past and charge headfirst into situations that endangers her. And I don't necessarily mean physical endangerment either.