Chapter Twenty-Five

A Pleasant Morning

Waking up in one of the various bedrooms of the Collado Manor, Tanzi felt like she was staying in an expensive hotel. Each bedroom that Naomi had provided them had a small bathroom complete with spare toiletries and a shower.

After such a good night's sleep, Tanzi finally felt refreshed and energised, ready to make some real progress in stopping the List. If the Belle Tout Lighthouse really provided an answer to stopping it then perhaps this day would be the final day. Tanzi didn't really want to hope even though it had only been a few days since her first vision it felt like weeks had been taken off her life.

Getting washed and dressed, Tanzi headed out of the bedroom and downstairs towards the enticing smell of what seemed strangely like bacon. Her suspicions were indeed correct as she walked into the kitchen, where Jeremiah was wearing an apron over his white suit and expertly balancing a number of frying pans and saucepans where he was sizzling bacon, scrambling eggs, frying toast, and heating beans.

Jeffrey, Paige, Zach, Naomi and Ruby all sat around a table, chatting happily. It seemed that everyone had managed to get a good nights sleep as well. Upon seeing Tanzi, Jeremiah raised a hand in greeting. "Mornin'!" He called out cheerily. "Take a seat and I'll get you some proper breakfast to fill you up."

Tanzi couldn't help but smile slightly at Jeremiah's cheers. It seemed so strange to see someone like him dancing around the kitchen like he owned the place, especially dressed in that suit of his complete with cowboy hat still on his head.

"How did you sleep?" Ruby asked as Tanzi pulled up a seat next to her.

"Pretty well, actually," Tanzi said as Jeremiah suddenly placed a glass of orange juice in front of her.

"Freshly squeezed," Jeremiah winked. "I know a place which does the best oranges. Went out this morning."

"Thanks," Tanzi took a sip of the orange juice and was surprised at just how nice it was. She realised with a start that she hadn't really eaten anything since Daniel and found a hunger suddenly gnawing at her stomach. In an effort to distract herself she turned to Naomi. "Thank you again for the accommodation, Naomi."

"It is okay," Naomi smiled. "Honestly, it is refreshing to have people running around here. I am glad to have the company."

"I'm tempted to steal a couple of pillows before I head back home after all of this," Zach said through a mouthful of eggs. "I've never slept so well."

"Feel free," Naomi chuckled.

"Wait, what? Really?"

"Of course. We are not going to miss a few pillows. They will be put to better use with you than gathering dust, I would wager."

"Here," Jeremiah placed a warm plate of generously-served breakfast in front of her. "You looked hungry so I put a little extra."

Tanzi managed to get one, "Thank you," out before she took the fork proffered to her and took a wonderful bite of soft and creamy eggs. She had to stop herself from simply scoffing everything on the plate down, especially as everything was so nice.

"Nice to see my work appreciated," Jeremiah said with a grin.

"Never thought you'd be a cook, sir," Zach said.

"Woah, Mr. Dryer. I am not a teacher for the moment. Call me Jeremiah."

"Then call me Zach, not Mr. Dryer. I'm not a student here, am I?"

"Touché, Zach it is." Jeremiah looked to the kitchen doorway. "Any sign of Lacey or Lucas?"

"They wanted the morning to themselves," Paige reported. "After last night I think both of them were worn out."

"What happened last night?" Zach said with furtive interest.

"I meant you and Lacey's accidents," Paige said with a shake of her head. "Get your mind out the gutter, Zach."

"Sorry, sorry," Zach apologised, red-faced.

"I'll get these cleaned up then," Jeremiah said and turned off the heat of the stoves. "Anyone want any extra?"

Everyone – even Tanzi, who was midway through her plate – accepted Jeremiah's offer and descended into pleasant morning conversation.

"Right, if everything goes well then we'll make some real progress today," Ruby said as she, Paige, and Zach stood outside his Volkswagen Polo. The others had come outside to see them off, including both Lacey and Lucas, who were tightly holding hands. Lacey hadn't said a word to anyone since the previous evening other than to Lucas but they understood why; she was still sporting the red mark around her neck.

"I hope so," Tanzi sighed. "Hopefully before the next vision hits. I don't know how many more near misses we can get."

"As long as we work together and remain diligent we should be able to prevent disaster," Naomi said firmly. "That is how we saved Lacey and Zach."

"As always, keep in touch, okay?" Ruby said, looking at Tanzi directly.

"No problem. Even if I collapse this time I'll be around the others. Someone will get in contact with you if it happens."

"Good," Ruby took a deep breath. "Right, Zach, Paige, let's go. I want to get this done as early as possible and end this before anything more happens."

"Got it," Zach nodded and climbed into the driver's seat. "You know, on any other occasion I would be absolutely giddy driving around two beautiful women," He smiled. "Well, I still am, to be fair."

"Still don't stand a chance, Zach," Paige said as she sat in the back of the car.

"I'm not saying I have a chance," Zach said. "I'm just saying that it's pretty damn awesome, that's all."

"Alright, see you later," Ruby clapped Tanzi on the shoulder. "Hopefully we'll have some good news for you." With that Ruby got into the passenger seat and Zach gave a little wave as he pulled out of the parking space and drove away, leaving the others to watch them go.

"We'll be going as well," Jeffrey said. "But I will be back later. I just need to do this."

Even though she didn't understand what Jeffrey wanted to do, Tanzi understood. Jeffrey had been nothing but helpful since Ruby had saved him and he still had a personal life outside of all of this. She knew that he wasn't in any immediate danger and having Jeremiah with him made it all the more safer. "We'll call you if anything happens, Jeffrey."

"Hopefully nothing does," Jeffrey sighed and looked to Jeremiah. "Ready to go?"

"Sure," Jeremiah nodded. "To the college?"

"Yes."

"Then let's get going." Jeremiah gave a wave before climbing into his own car that he had parked in the underground parking area that Naomi had shown him earlier. Jeffrey looked to Naomi before he left.

"Thank you for your hospitality. It is not often I get the chance to stay somewhere so… comfortable," Jeffrey smiled. "A nice treat for an old bus driver."

"Do not mention it," Naomi replied.

"Then keep safe. Don't take any unnecessary risks."

"I'll be careful."

"Good," with that Jeffrey turned and followed Jeremiah into his car, leaving Tanzi, Lucas, Lacey and Naomi alone.

Tanzi sat in the library, absently watching Naomi sweep up the glass shards from the large broken window. An opened book lay forgotten on the table, the pages lightly moving in the morning breeze. She could see dark clouds roiling far out over the horizon and couldn't help but think they represented the encroaching Death awaiting the survivors. Tanzi wanted to believe that Ruby would get what they needed from the Lighthouse but part of her knew it wouldn't be that simple.

Not to mention she had to nip this situation with that detective in the bud before it became something terrible. She intended to head out to the Eastbourne station to request to talk with Nathan Furrow herself. Tanzi figured that if she initiated the conversation then she wouldn't seem guilty, especially as she wasn't guilty. If Nathan heard her side of the story and connected it with the evidence then it would free her and Ruby from his gaze. She just had to figure out how to explain this to the others.

Tanzi couldn't just up and leave them, especially not if she was prone to have a vision. No, she had to persuade the others to go out to the station with her.

"Well, you certainly seem deep in thought," Naomi's voice struck Tanzi from her thoughts and Tanzi looked up.

"Yes…"

"Do you mind if I ask what you are thinking about?"

Tanzi looked at Naomi, as always surprised at just how mature this young woman was. Sometimes it seemed as if Naomi were older than she and Ruby even though she was a college student. When you looked at Zach, Paige, or even Lacey, Naomi just didn't seem to fit into that same age group. "This is… going to sound strange, as I didn't bring it up yesterday." Naomi just listened without interruption, intrigued now. "I need to go to the police station in town."

"Oh?" Naomi seemed a little surprised at this and placed the bag of glass she was holding on the floor, pulling a chair to sit in front of Tanzi. "Why?"

Tanzi sighed. "When I was visiting the Morgue, I saw an interaction with the detective there. He implied that Jay's death may not have been an accident. I believe that he may suspect Ruby and I – certainly myself – for those deaths. I was there when both Daniel and Jay died, after all."

"But this detective would not have any physical evidence that you caused those deaths," Naomi said matter-of-factly.

"No… But he would have evidence that I was there. I just don't want this to turn into something more serious. If the police do suspect that I had something to do with those deaths then it would turn out far more complicated than we need it to. I want to nip it in the bud."

"Do you intend to tell this detective the truth?"

"I do. I don't know if he'll believe me but… I have to try, right?"

Naomi actually nodded. "I agree. Look at it this way, Tanzi. You and Ruby have explained the situation to all of us who stayed here last night and we all accepted it."

"But that is because you were involved…"

"Lucas was not involved but he believed Lacey when she explained it to him."

"That's because Lucas is in love with Lacey. It's not the same as telling the police."

"Tanzi," Naomi started with a firm tone. "You must remember that the world is not the same as it was five years ago, even if it seems so. The skies opened above London and people have not forgotten. They may have put it to the back of the mind but I certainly believe that people are more open to believing in the strange. If you explain to this detective about the List and about Death then I believe they will at least listen. Some stories sound too strange to be falsehood. I do have to ask, though. Why did you not tell Ruby? You two are close, correct?"

"We are," Tanzi confirmed. "I just didn't want to worry her any more than necessary. Ruby is putting so much on her shoulders. I may be the one having the visions but Ruby is the one leading the charge. Without her… I honestly believe that the majority of us wouldn't be here right now. She's concentrating on Death and the List and solving it all. I can't put this on her shoulders as well. I got to be able to bear some of these burdens myself."

"That is very admirable," Naomi smiled. "Both you and Ruby are wonderful people, I just want to let you know that. You are doing your best to save the lives of complete strangers." Naomi reached forward and placed her hand on Tanzi's arm. "I have not said this but after what happened yesterday… thank you. Without you and Ruby getting involved with us then…" Naomi trailed off as she noticed Tanzi's expression. "Tanzi?"

Naomi's words seemed like nothing more than a dull throb to Tanzi as she sat frozen in her chair. The moment Naomi had touched her, electricity seemed to shoot up her spine and Tanzi's mind started spinning and her vision became unfocused as that awfully familiar feeling ran through her body.

She sat in a car, the features surprisingly clear to Her. She was sat in the backseat with the seatbelt wrapped tightly around her chest. She could see Her parents in front, talking to each other. Her father drove the car, his hands gripping the steering wheel firmly. Her mother was sitting in the passenger seat and her expression seemed like she was angry, though She couldn't understand why. Their voices were raised and She didn't like it, not one bit. Over the course of the last few days, She had witnessed a number of arguments and it scared Her. Her parents never used to argue… was it Her fault?

The cars flitted past on the motorway and She was starting to feel a little bit sick. Her parents hadn't stopped and their voices were getting louder. After a while She felt like She finally had to speak up: "I feel sick, father. Can we stop soon?" Her father turned his head and looked at Her. He said something but She couldn't hear the words. "Okay," She heard the voice leave Her own lips. "I'll try to hold it in…"

The journey continued though She couldn't remember where She was going. It was somewhere important, She felt. The argument was still going and more often than not Her father was looking at Her mother. She could feel that horrible feeling in her stomach and spoke up again, "Father, I feel—" Her father twisted in his seat and suddenly raised his voice at Her for the first time in Her life. She felt scared and cowered back in her seat. Then Her mother screamed something and grabbed Her father's arms. The car lurched and spun, twisting to the side. She looked out of the window and saw something large bearing down on them. One moment passed and it hit the side of the car with brutal ferocity.

Tanzi suddenly screamed loudly and fell back in her seat, falling to the floor, knocking the table-lamp off the table with a crash. Naomi quickly stood up in surprise, rushing over to Tanzi.

"Was that a vision, are you—" Naomi reached down to grab Tanzi's arm to help her up but Tanzi suddenly pulled away and pushed herself backwards.

"Get away from me, get away!" Her voice was shrill and sounded like a scared child.

"Tanzi-"

Tanzi shook her head and pushed herself up to her feet… at least, she attempted to. The moment Tanzi put weight on her legs she fell forward and would have hit the floor had Naomi not managed to grab her in time. Once again Tanzi pulled away as if shocked. "Get off me!" She fell back, her eyes darting back and forth in a panic.

"Please, Tanzi."

"That's not my name! Stop calling me that!" Tanzi cried out and put her back against one of the tall shelves in the library. "Oh God, oh God, I can't feel them… I can't feel them!" She patted her legs desperately. "I can't feel my legs!"

Naomi felt a dread feeling grow up in her stomach and she had to swallow dryly. She gently kneeled in front of Tanzi, dreading to hear the answer to her question. "What… What is your name?"

Tanzi looked to her, her eyes wide with all-too familiar fear to Naomi. "My-My name?"

"Yes. You said your name was not Tanzi."

"I-It's not! Where are my parents? What happened? Why can't I feel my legs!?"

"Your parents are fine," Naomi said carefully. "But your name, what is your name?"

"It's Naomi… N-Naomi Collado… Wh-Who are you!? Where am I!?"