"Liz!" Everything was shining with sudden happiness.

And, forgetting how tired and hungry I was, I ran up to her, arms wide open for a hug. But there was this one little thing about Liz being a ghost.

I ran right though her, grazing my knees on the road. "Ow!"

"Easy there, Chloe!" she giggled. "Sheesh, girl, you look terrible. What happened?" she looked around anxiously, "Wait, where's everyone else?"

I sighed, "Long story," I said, the sadness in my voice apparent. I looked up at her, and I saw that she was not very clear, like a bad T.V signal. " Oh, wait a sec." I said, and concentrated on Liz. I imagined pulling her from an imaginary door, and called her name in my head.

Liz, Liz, Liz.

I looked at her again, seeing her crystal clear, as if she was really standing in front of me, giving me that familiar warm smile.

"That's better," I said, smiling.

She looked at me, eyes starring at me with concern.

"Where have you been, Liz? I was worried sick!" I said, trying to avoid explaining everything now.

Her face brightened, " Oh, Chloe! I saw my Nana and everyone!" she paused, her expression suddenly became very grief, " And- and, oh Chloe I'm so sorry!"

"Sorry for what?" I asked confused. What was she talking about?

"Y-you're aunt, Chloe. I'm so sorry! She died."

My heart froze. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

She can't die! No! What I saw was an illusion. Derek said so! Everyone said so!

Tears ran down my raw cheeks, stinging them bitterly.

"Chloe, I'm so sorry. She passed over a while ago. She said she saw you though and-"

"No!" I screamed. "That was an illusion! It was a trick! They tricked me that damn Edison Group! It wasn't real!"

"Chloe, I'm so sorry. Please, don't cry. She wouldn't want this."

I took deep long breaths. Why'd she have to die? Why'd they kill her. Evil assholes!

My sadness automatically turned to anger. How dare they!

"Chloe, it'll be okay. Don't worry." She tried to smile, I could tell, but her face remained with the same grieved expression.

"I will have my revenge." I said darkly, surprised that such an evil voice came from me.

Liz just kept looking at me, not really finding anything else to say.

I sighed, still shaken by the death of my aunt. "Lets go," I said to Liz. "Come on, I'll tell you what happened." We walked to the motel in utter silence.

It wasn't exactly a five star hotel, but it was nice and comforting; better than sleeping in an alley, that's for sure. I walked in, suddenly feeling very unsure of myself. I hardly looked thirteen, and had no ID or adult with me. My chances of getting a room were small, and might even land me into bigger trouble, which I really didn't need with a half-a- million dollars on my head. (Sheesh, what was Dad thinking?) But right now, I wanted a warm bed and some hot food. And as crazy as it all seemed, I was totally willing to try to check-in. I put up my hood and tried to cover my blue eyes with my still gross black hair that hung over of my face so that it would be hard to recognize me, or so I hoped it would. I walked to the counter, grasping my sack tightly.

"It's okay, I'm right behind you." Liz whispered into my ear. I didn't know why she whispered it. I mean, I was the only one who could hear her. I shook my head and tried to focus.

"Hello?" I said.

A large man walked through the door behind the counter. He had long blonde hair, bundled up into a pony tail, and had a goatee. He sorta reminded me of one of those biker dudes racing on the highway with no real destination.

"Hey there sweetheart, what can I do for you?" he asked, giving me a warm smile. I smiled back and tried to play along.

"H-Hi, I need a r-room p-please." I said, a bit unsteady.

He gave me a look that looked like he though I was joking. "You got a name?"

I tried to smile as I thought up any random name. "Corrie Serman." I said strongly, hoping he'd buy it.

"Ain't you a bit young to be bookin' a room, Corrie?" Crap. What was I supposed to say. I bit my lip and decided to play puppy dog, praying it would work. I was so tired and hungry.

"P-Pleeeease Sir. I really need a place to stay tonight. It's so cold outside and I have no where else to go."

He kept looking at me, and his expression changed from mocking to soft and sympathetic.

"I know it's hard kiddo, but this is not the way to go. I'm gonna to call the cops and see if you gots anywhere better to go."

Nononononono. This was definitely not good. Either I have to try better at begging or I'm on a one way trip down to trouble. I looked at Liz, who was beside me, and she looked just as hopeless. God, this was a bad idea.

"Please Sir. Can't I just stay one night? Please!" I tried to make some silly excuse up. "I've got a lot of trouble back home and it's - it's...." Come on, think! But I couldn't. What the hell was I supposed to say? But before I could say anything, the large man spoke up.

"Look, sweetheart, I know it's hard. I was like you once... " he trailed off, lost in his own memories. He sighed deeply, "Okay, look, I-ma make you a deal. You can stay for one night, but tomorrow I'm gonna make that call. You understand?"

I smiled in relief and gratitude. "Yes, Sir." I started to get out my sack when he stopped me.

"Oh no. You don't gotta go around payin' for things. This one's on me. Now you take this key here and rest for a bit. Then you can come down for some lunch."

I spoke quickly, "Could I have lunch now?"

He laughed, "Sure thing kiddo; just have a seat over there." He pointed to the table closest to the counter, and I nodded. He then called to the waitress nearby, " Hey Ann! Whip up some burgers for the young lady here!" he looked at me and winked. "You like fries?" he asked.

Was that a question? "Yes!" I squeaked stupidly, sounding too eager. I blushed, and he laughed again. "And some fries too!" he yelled back at Ann, who was already heading to the kitchen. I smiled at Liz, still standing next to me. She looked relieved.

I started to walk away when I turned back, "Thank you, Sir." I wish I could say more to him for being so nice. But I wasn't going to let him make that phone call. I'd find a way outta here by dawn. At least, I hoped I would.

"No need to be thankin' me, sweetheart. Just don't call me Sir; I don't like any of that fancy formal stuff. Call me Doug."

I nodded, still smiling at him. "Thanks, Doug."

"Anytime," he said, thoughtlessly, his hands busy with some papers lying around on the counter.

I hurried to my 'assigned' table, and waited eagerly for my burger. How long has it been since I've eaten? My stomach hurt when I tried to remember. Liz sat on then chair across from me and smiled. I smiled back at her and then turned away, remembering that I was the only one who could see her, and I really didn't want to look like an idiot again.

As I sat and waited for my meal, I thought about my situation at the moment.

Firstly, I was miles away from anywhere with the ghost of my best friend at a motel.

Secondly, I had run away from Derek (stupidly) and now I had no idea where he was.

Thirdly, Simon and Tori were in the hands of Edison group, and possibly Rae.

Fourthly, vampires existed, and that apparently wasn't extremely good news.

And fifthly, my aunt was dead, and I really didn't wanna think about that now.

On the bright side, I didn't have to pay for my meal or room, which meant I would have more than enough money to get to Rochester. (and for some new clothes)

And Liz was here, which was good, obviously. But what was I going to do?

A mouthwatering smell interrupted my thoughts. Someone had walked out of the kitchen leaving the door open, and the delicious smells wavered around me. Liz laughed, a laugh only audible to me, and I tried to stifle my chuckle. I really never felt this hungry before. Was this how Derek felt? I felt bad for thinking he was piggish.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, the waitress, Ann, walked in, and more importantly, with my burger, fries, and Cola. She smiled when she came to my table.

"Burger, fries and some ice cold Cola for the young lady here, on the house!"

I smiled and thanked her. She winked at me and walked back to the kitchen.

I devoured the burger and fries, leaving nothing on my plate. It was so good, but yet, it didn't fill me up. I sighed and thought that it would be rude to ask for a second helping, so I drank the last of my Cola and headed to the room, Liz following after like a little puppy.

The small room was almost completely empty except for a nightstand, a small bed, a mirror and drawers. I looked around and saw a closet. I walked over to it and opened it, only to find that it was a small bathroom. I plopped down on the bed and sighed. Liz sat next to me.

"So, aren't you going to tell me what happened?" she asked.

I sighed and looked up at her, "You're up for a long story?"

"I'm ready eddy!" she said, with her usual touch of optimism. I smiled at her and told her everything that happened since she'd gone.

***

"I missed that much! Man, I always miss the good stuff." she said, sarcastically.

I glared at her,"What am I going to do, Liz? I'm totally lost." I was. And I was also crying. I sighed, kneading my forehead and trying to come up with something. Anything.

"Well, for one thing Chloe, you need some rest. For another, I say we find Derek before anything else. You're going to need his help."

"You mean we, Liz." I added hastily.

"Chloe, you know I can't stay here forever and-"

"Liz! No! You just came back for God's sake! You can-"

She cut me off, " Chloe, I was just saying that I have no control of when I leave and when I don't. I'm not going anywhere yet, though."

"How can you tell?"

She hesitated, "I don't know, ghosts usually get this sort of feeling. It's confusing. I've heard it from some other ghost rumors."

I almost laughed, "Ghosts spread rumors?" Hehe, what a joke.

She giggled, "It's not really like that. Just some sayings and stuff."

The was a pause. There really wasn't much left to say. I pretty much talked myself through the two hours we've been in the room. I was exhausted. I laid back on the pillow and sighed. It was noon now. Time seemed to go by so fast. My eyelids drooped over, and I yawned.

"Get some rest, I'll be here watching."

I nodded sleepily at her and fell asleep almost immediately.

***

My dream was incomprehensible, with all kinds of mixed images of recent events. The empty freeway I was walking on early this morning, Liz coming back.

And Derek. The image of Derek made me stir. I saw him throwing me across the pavement, laughing moronically.

But the next image really scared me. I was in the middle of the forest, the colors and the familiar feelings of the forest were so vivid they could be real. I was lying down on the white cold ground. (Huh, must be snowing.) But there was something wrong. I looked at myself and realized what was happening. I must have been Changing. Was I? Thats what it looked like at least. Beads of sweat forming at my forehead, writhing in pain. My dream-me screamed and I woke up.

"Chloe! Wake up ,will you!" a voice said.

"Liz?" I said, groggily.

"There's something out there, look!"

"What?" Disoriented, I sat up right, rubbing my eyes. It was dark outside. How long have I slept?

"Chloe, there is something out there!"

My body felt sore, "Okay, okay, I'll look." I walked up to the tiny window and peered outside in the darkness. It was so easy to see at night. I looked harder and saw something moving through the trees. The familiar scent filled my lungs and I let out a small squeal.

The vampire jumped through my window.

"Hello there." he said.