Mika had cried herself to sleep. It was already morning when she woke up to find herself still in the lift. She hastily stood up, wondering what had gotten into her.
She came out and looked around. Was it a dream? It can't have been real, no. The voice, the mayor… no, all a dream. Then why had she slept in the lift?
Light was coming in mostly from the slit under the hotel door. She walked down into the lobby still confused as to what to do, where to go. Even so, she had to do something. Start her day. That's when she remembered it was only her second day there. It felt like a long time with all that had occurred. Each night seemed to be eventful. If that's what always happened, how did the residents remain sane? Did that always happen when she wasn't around?
All that the voice had told her started to come back to her. She refused to believe it was Cherry Loste and that anything said was true. It didn't make sense.
She went towards the reception desk to wake up Charles and tell him to open a window or two. There wasn't much light but she could see him lying face-down on the desk as usual. She shook him.
-Come on, wake up, morning.
Nothing. She shook harder. Again, Charles remained immobile.
-Come on, you gotta wake up, don't be difficult.
She couldn't deny she was worried. She reached for a switch and turned the lights on. She looked at the laying receptionist. Observing him closely, she noticed his eyes were open. Fright washed her over, this couldn't be true. Unless he had some weird disorder and slept with his eyes open, it could only mean one thing. She grabbed hold of his wrist and felt the vein carefully. No pulse.
She dropped his hand and backed of, so much she hit the wall. Once she touched it, she crumbled against it. Tears started to form in her eyes again. This couldn't be happening! Not another one! She cried and cried trying to convince herself it was a heart attack or something similar, even though he was rather young. It can't have been her, she would at least remember something.
She crawled towards the door, avoiding to look anywhere near the reception. She reached for the handle and opened it. As soon as she was out she bolted towards the sheriff's, hoping that he at least would be alive.
She knocked on the door frantically. It was early in the morning but he should be there. After knocking for several minutes non-stop the door open. A very grumpy and grisly sheriff appeared from behind.
-What do you want?
His voice was still croaky from sleeping. Mika had given up trying to look somewhat cool and let her tear spill freely. It was all just too far gone.
-Charles… and the m-mayor…. she said between sobs. They're…
The sheriff now looked concerned.
-Not again… I thought we had caught the killer. Wait, did you say the mayor?
Mika nodded.
The sheriff gasped and completely changed behaviour. He leaned on the doorframe and stared down sorrowfully, having a hard time taking in what he had learned.
Mika kept weeping having seen more death in two days than her whole life. After staying silent for a couple of minutes, the sheriff tried to compose himself and hide his emotions.
-Ok, let's go have a look.
They were at the hotel, Mika, the sheriff and a few people he had brought along to collect the body. They were dusting the place, searching for fingerprints or anything that could be useful. The sheriff was questioning Mika as the only witness.
-So what happened? he asked, still pretty shaken up by finding out about the death of the mayor. As much as it didn't show, they must have been friends.
-I woke up in the lift…
-In the lift?
-Yeah, I kinda slept there… Long story! I tried to wake Charles up, but he wouldn't…
More tears.
-Calm down. We'll investigate this properly and catch the bastard.
Mika didn't know how she felt about that. There was a big chance it was her. She nodded. If it was anyone else she definitely wanted them caught.
-What were you doing between 11p.m. and 7a.m., he asked.
-Well, at around 11 I must have gone to the Town Hall and found… after that- wait, do you suspect me?
The old man grunted.
-Nothing personal, just doing my job, he answered in a hostile tone. Just that you're the only witness, you found the mayor dead at night and didn't report it until now when you came to report Charles' death. And no one else seems to be hovering around the hotel, so it's hard to tell who else it could have been.
Mika never thought they would actually suspect her despite what she thought she knew. Even so, it wouldn't be her, it would be Cherry.
-Oh, and how else do you explain that none of this happened until you appeared.
The door of the hotel opened and Trishtan appeared. He was looking around puzzled at the team collecting evidence, wondering what had gone on.
The sheriff glared at Mika before leaving to talk to one of the guys on the team. Mika couldn't help it and she broke down crying. She was trying to control her sobs, but it wasn't easy. Trishtan approached her clearly very worried.
-Are you ok? What's happened?
-Charles and the mayor… she answered in a weak voice, sheriff suspects me…
-That's ridiculous! How can he suspect you?
-He's right.
-Huh?
Mika wiped her tears on her sleeve and led Trishtan to a quieter corner.
-Last night, I heard a voice. It claimed to be Cherry Loste, a girl that had died here years ago. She said that I killed these people.
Trishtan looked baffled.
-What? You believe the things a strange voice tells you?
-No, I don't believe that I can hear a strange voice! It's… not normal. But everything she said was true. I think she possessed me… and used me to do these things…
Mika broke down into more tears. Trishtan came close to her and hugged her. She was of course stunned by this, but the warmth from his body comforted her. Two days already, two crazy days, she could definitely use a hug…
-Um, we shall be going, announced the sheriff, we shall contact you if we find anything new, he said and looked towards Mika. She felt his glare burn.
He gathered his staff and left. Mika wiped the rest of her tears and broke out of Trishtan's embrace. She walked towards the main lobby.
-Ok, I have to find a way to go. It's dangerous here. It's dangerous for me to be here.
-That's not true, said Trishtan as he rushed to catch up to her. We don't know anything yet, not even if Cherry Loste left a ghost..
-She did! Charles told me… That people had seen her.
-Did you see her?
-No, but she talked to me. If you put all the evidence together it's true, I am the culprit.
Mika took some slow breaths trying not to freak out. She wasn't considered a killer if a crazy ghost took over her body and killed people.
The weather outside had changed. It had obviously gone darker and there was a chill in the atmosphere even thought they were inside. She looked through the door under the stairs from which outdoors could be seen and she noticed the sky had gone gray.
-That's an awfully quick weather change, said Trishtan as he also looked outside.
-Is that not normal here?
-No, he mumbled.
As Mika was watching the sky get covered by increasingly thick clouds, she saw something that made her blood freeze.
Near a plant pot stood an odd creature. It was hardly taller than the plant pot itself and its skin was a disgusting blue colour, at first glance it blended in perfectly with its surroundings. What was really creepy was the fact it had an oversized head and large eyes that took over most of it. From where she was standing she couldn't even tell if it had a nose or a mouth. She observed the creature thinking it must be part of the decoration and she just didn't notice it before.
With that thought, she reassured herself and was finally at ease. Nothing to worry about! That instant however the creature's diminutive arm twitched. Cold sweat soaked her forehead and the feeling that the circulation in her legs had been cut off returned.
She did the only logical thing she could think of that moment; she screamed. Bad idea. The ugly creature started hoping up and down before rushing towards her direction. She screamed louder and started to hop away from it herself.
Her reaction brought Trishtan's attention to the matter. He was trying to remain calm, tugging on Mika's shirt in the direction of the basement as more of them, some even green, started to appear.
-Run! he shouted.
Mika snapped out and followed quickly. Trishtan opened the door to the basement and slammed it behind them when they were both in, just in time before the aliens got inside the building.
Mika was panting heavily and panicking.
-Wh-what the hell was that? No, now they're in, they're gonna be roaming in the hotel, no!
Trishtan was making calming gestures, looking as if this thing happened all the time.
-So they are real? THEY ARE REAL?
-Shh, yes, they are real.
-WHAT THE HELL!
-Shhh, don't shout, he said whispering, you don't wanna catch their attention.
Mika was still in a state of panic and didn't seem to be calming down.
-This… this is crazy! There's no such thing as aliens!
-Then what are those things roaming around the hotel.
She glared at him and he lowered his head apologetically.
-We need to come up with a plan, he said. We can absolutely not let them get us, it is vital that we don't! This is actually the first time I've experienced an alien invasion, he said with a slight smile.
-Pardon me? You find this amusing? And the fact that all this started happening only when I appeared? How is this possible? What did I do!
Trishtan tried to reassure Mika.
-It's ok, all we need to do is fight. They can't stand water so if we throw that on them, they'll disappear. I think they are a few things we could use around here…
He went off to find the equipment while Mika stayed with her back glued to the door. Just when she was here, huh? Just when she was here. It wasn't the murders that were a problem, that could be explained very simply, some crazy ghost taking over her body to do the dirty work, but aliens? Where did they fit in?
-Found them! said Trishtan with a smile and holding two water pistols. He handed one over to Mika.
-Here you go. Aim it at an alien and shoot; they should dissolve within seconds.
-Thanks, she said as she took it.
Trishtan opened the door just enough to see through. Mika peeked as well. The aliens seemed to have multiplied, about 8 to 10 of them wandering in the lobby. They were looking around curiously, touching the furniture and objects with their slimy hands. They seemed to be communicating to each other in an incoherent language. Mika wanted to scream but resisted the urge. She couldn't believe something this bizarre was happening and all she felt like doing was squishing her hands around one of the small ugly creatures' throat until she saw life abandon their creepy mirror-like eyes.
She felt Trishtan tap her shoulder and looked up.
-On my signal, we go out and shoot. Make sure you get them, only if water comes into contact with their skin can we defeat them.
Mika nodded and resumed to monitoring the aliens' moves. She soon heard Trishtan's voice.
-1…2…3!
The door slammed wide open and Mika and Trishtan jumped out. Immediately the attention of all the aliens was drawn to them and they started to charge towards them. The pair started shooting right away. Mika was panicking as they came closer and was shooting frantically. The moment water touched them, just as Trishtan had said, they dissolved. Mika watched appalled as an alien near her melted into a slimy maze after shooting it, waving its hands hopelessly and producing odd noises.
-Mika, WATCH OUT!
Mika snapped out and paid attention. The aliens were closing nearer on them but now they were less. She started shooting again and eliminating them until none were left.
-We're safe… she said with a sigh of relief.
-Don't relax yet… there are more around, said Trishtan holding the pistol near his body and looking around cautiously.
He took some very careful steps towards the lobby. Mika followed just as carefully and quietly. No aliens were in sight, but she could swear she sensed their presence. She looked around trying not to panic, making sure no alien was going to jump out from behind her. Her eye was drawn to the atrium were she had seen the first alien. It was cloudy but it was still pretty light. As she was looking there, she noticed something run. It was gone in a flash.
-There!
Trishtan looked to where she was pointing.
-Something's there.
Together, they proceeded towards the atrium door. Once they reached it, Trishtan began to open it.
-Are you crazy?
Trishtan paused opening the door and looked at her puzzled.
-What are you doing?
-We need to go out and vanquish it. We can't let anything roam…
-It's dangerous. I almost got killed this time… You never said, what happens if they get you? she asked although she didn't want to know the answer.
-I don't know. No one that's been kidnapped has ever come back to tell…
-Not even Bella?
Trishtan looked intrigued by the question.
-Bella? She doesn't have any memories and I'm not sure she was kidnapped.
-Huh? What makes you say that?
-Nothing in particular, it just doesn't sound like a kidnap to me. Everyone else that was kidnapped was never seen again, even without memories. I guess we can never find out though. Anyway, let's go.
Trishtan prepared to open the door.
-WAIT!
-What? he asked looking quite worried.
-Nothing, I just really don't wanna do this.
-What has to be done has to be done. Come on, he said with a smile, a bright smile that gained her trust.
He slowly opened the door, a bit at a time. It was hardly halfway open when he slipped through. Mika followed in the same manner. On their tip toes, they walked around the circular area, ears perched for any sound and eyes scanning every detail. It wasn't long before they were faced with another herd of aliens.
They seemed to be hanging around in front of the gallery and when they noticed the two approaching they ran towards them in an aggressive manner. It almost seemed like an ambush to Mika.
They wasted no time and began to shoot again. They beat every alien before they reached them and had a chance to harm them. Soon, there were none left other than one that was at the back. Once the others had vanished, it started to run in the opposite direction.
"An alien running away?" she thought startled.
-You chase it, I'll get it from the other side! shouted Trishtan before bolting in the direction they had come from. Mika started to run after the alien, still concerned that it might get her if she got too close. She held the pistol high ready to aim if she saw it.
She had made the circle when she finally spotted it. It was several meters away from her and hadn't noticed her. Gulping, she approached it very slowly, trying to remain unnoticed. The alien however turned and saw her and immediately began to run away. Before it had a chance though, Trishtan was in front blocking its way.
"Gotcha!"
She prepared to fire, or rather water, when she noticed the creature's weird behaviour. It was waving its tiny hands and getting closer to the floor while making weird noises. Its practically invisible mouth was moving, like it was trembling and Mika went as far as to thing she saw fear shine in its enormous eyes.
She looked at Trishtan not knowing what to make of it. Trishtan looked just as stunned.
-It's telling us not to kill it…
Mika grabbed her forehead and closed her eyes as the information went in and tried her best to keep hold of herself.
-Alien… You speak freakin' alien?
-Why yes, replied Trishtan dumbfounded by her reaction. Almost everyone in Strangetown does. We pick it up from our TVs, the signals get mixed up with spaceships.
-Oh. Makes sense, said Mika trying to dismiss the fact and stay sane. What else is it saying?
-That it's only following orders and it's nothing personal….
-Personal? said Mika as she looked at the terrified alien.
As she looked at it it's expression seemed to change, it got harsher. It mouthed some things she couldn't understand so she looked at Trishtan for help.
-It says… they need to stop Cherry Loste no matter what.
Mika felt her heart sink and her stomach turn around. She was possessed by Cherry Loste….
-D-does… does that mean to kill me?
The alien made a noise and Trishtan replied: Yes.
She felt like fainting. A bunch of aliens had come over just to kill her when she hadn't even done anything. Just by hosting Cherry Loste, something she wasn't even aware of.
-B-but I…I'm not Cherry Loste… Tell it that!
-He can understand you.
-Huh?
-Aliens can understand all the languages in the world.
-Whatever, I'm not Cherry Loste! she screamed at the alien. Immediately it started rambling, rather angrily too.
-Only if Cherry is in a physical body can they kill her soul… As long as she has a host.
Mika almost collapsed. Not possible… She refused, yes she refused to die because of someone else's fault. She couldn't help it though, some odd creatures coming from a whole other galaxy just to get rid of her… because a crazy ghost was in her.
-You… you came all this way just for that? What can I say, your technology must be very advanced to make what I presume to be a very long journey just for this.
The creature started waving its hands again and talking really fast.
-No, by no means is our technology that advanced, translated Trishtan, the only way we can get here is cause we found an uncolapsable wormhole. A wormhole? exclaimed Trishtan. So they are real!
-What? asked Mika now getting a bit annoyed by the situation. However that word did ring some bells…
"That's one possibility. The other one is that there is some kind of electromagnetic field covering the whole area. Of course, that explanation is unlikely, since scientifically there is no reason for a field like that to exist. It could be justified saying that there is a gate to a parallel universe somewhere here, but if there was such a thing, we would have definitely found it already. Not once has a person gone missing from here, not without finding their body a few days later. People that have gone missing from other places have appeared here, but never the other way round. Then you'd tell me "what if this is an exit from another universe". First of all, we are talking about people from other cities and second, if this was a time-wormhole, there would be such fields in other places and nothing like that has ever been reported. It's only here. So that only leaves the alien explanation."
Kaylen's words echoed in her head.
-So she was right….
-Huh? went Trishtan. What did you say?
-Hm nothing… Just, Kaylen was right! Mika said cheerfully, a complete change of behaviour.
-Eh, what do you mean? asked Trishtan very confused,. even the alien seemed a bit baffled.
-The reason nothing works here, cell phones, TV signals and such is cause there's an electromagnetic field over the town. Kaylen said there shouldn't be one unless there's a gate to a parallel universe, a wormhole or something. Well, this guy has just said there's a wormhole here!
-Oh. Well that would explain a lot, said Trishtan, not looking half as excited as Mika.
'Wait, why am I happy? That means there's nothing they can do about it!"
-Alien guy, is there a wormhole only here or in other places too?
The alien began speaking again. Trishtan translated.
-No, only here is there one. Normally they collapse after being used, not this one. Their galaxy is billions of galaxies away from ours and they can't even conceive the kind of technology it would take to make such a journey.
Mika nodded in understanding. However, one thing still didn't make sense…
-Why Cherry Loste? What has she ever done to you that you despise her so badly?
The alien mumbled more, its annoying voice starting to tick her off. She waited till Trishtan could interpret.
-Many years ago… She found a spaceship in the desert…. and told people about it. That's when… they started suspecting aliens for the disappearance of many people… Being more aware, it was harder to kidnap. When she died, we were glad…. but she just came back to haunt… We want revenge… cause as she is she still causes us problems.
Mika nodded. So this is what it was about.
-How about forgive and forget?
The aliens burst out in anger, waving its arms about angrily and growling at Mika. She stepped back as Trishtan tried to control it.
-Ok, ok, he said, is that all?
The alien paused and nodded hastily.
-Good.
Mika looked at Trishtan. He nodded.
-Farewell amigo, she said and shot the alien. It started howling loudly as it melted to the ground, leaving behind a disgusting green maze.
She was now depressed again. The aliens were after her, what was she to do?
-My life is actually in danger. And I'm stuck here…
Trishtan quietly spoke.
-There is one thing you can do…
Mika's interest was piqued.
-What's that? she asked hopefully.
Trishtan looked at her, his face was hard to read. He seemed confident yet concerned.
-Come with me.