Henry's P.O.V.

"Hey Cynthia?" Henry called out to his friend.

The woman was facing away from him, much like when they first net. She turned around in surprise to see Henry without Walter close by.

"Hey. Did he finally decide to give you privacy again?"

"For a little while. I need your help."

Cynthia's eyes grew soft with concern and the inspected Henry from top to bottom.

"Did he hurt you at all? I'll kill him if he did."

Henry smiled at this, though it was forced. No one could kill Walter Sullivan. Henry himself tried to beat him and no good came from that. He hoped Cynthia wasn't being serious. Her death must have been painful enough. She didn't need anymore torment.

"It's alright. Remember Alex?"

It took a moment of thought for Cynthia to figure out who he was referring to.

"You mean that guy living close to the other apartment? The cute one we saw?"

"He actually moved."

Henry told her as much as he could. She seemed unable to believe that Alex suddenly got the power to see ghosts but she did believe it when Henry told him Josh could. Henry remembered that she was the first to realize there was something different about Josh.

When he was finished, Cynthia digested the information slowly. She raised her hands in the air.

"So why is Walter so upset? Why does he care if you like a living guy? Does his religion shun homosexuals or something?"

Oh, right. Henry didn't want to tell her about Walter's infatuation but he didn't see that question coming. He really should've thought ahead to that.

Cynthia saw her friend go quiet, so she raised her eyebrows. She knew that Henry had an answer for her but was unwilling to share.

"Come on, Henry. You can tell me."

He debated what to do. If he told her, she would only worry more but he also knew that she wouldn't let this go unless he did. And he needed her help to find Alex, so it looked like he would have to do what she wanted. Henry sighed.

"Walter…likes me."

The Latino woman widened her eyes.

"Likes you? You mean…like he wants to…"

"Yes. I rejected him and that was why he was so upset before. When he found out about Alex, I think he got jealous."

"So that's why," Cynthia whispered.

Henry waited for her response. A few people past through them, literally. Henry still winced a bit whenever they did that. It was hard to get used to someone walking towards you and feeling no impact at all.

"I know you talk to the other ghosts better than I do. Can you tell them to find Alex? Anyone who will listen."

Cynthia raised a finger.

"I wouldn't trust just any of them, Henry. I can ask Richard, Eileen and Jasper but I'm not sure that priest guy will help."

"What about Mrs. Blake?" Henry suggested.

"She'll probably be willing. I don't think she's afraid of Walter too much. I don't know much about the other ghosts."

"You probably shouldn't ask Andrew either. He's a coward and will probably tell Walter to get on his good side."

Henry didn't normally bad mouthed people before, especially if the person wasn't there to defend themselves. Cynthia seemed to agree with what was said. She sighed.

"Andrew was part of the reason Walter turned out the way he did," Cynthia said with conviction, "So I'm sure the man would sell his soul to the devil if he could. Don't worry about it, Henry. I won't ask him."

The Latino woman suddenly frowned as a flash of fear crossed her eyes. She motioned with her head for him to look behind him. Henry did and noted the adult version of his killer coming up to him.

Walter stood inbetween Cynthia, so no further discussion could be made if they tried. He glanced pointedly at the woman.

"What were you two talking about, Tempation?"

Cynthia didn't dare look away from her killer. She was afraid as far as Henry could tell, but he was confident that she wouldn't give anything away.

"The museum."

"What about it?" Walter didn't sound mad, just curious.

"There's rumors going around that members of the Order are doing something there. I heard some living guys talking about how they seen them," Cynthia said, managing to keep her voice cool.

Henry couldn't see Walter's face to note if he had any change in expression at this news. He had no idea how much Walter knew or dealt with other members of his religion.

"They might have," Walter's voice betrayed no emotion, "But it hardly seems like anything newsworthy."

"When has things with the Order not newsworthy?" Cynthia demanded, crossing her arms.

"What would they need with a museum?" Henry found himself asking.

Wrong move. That made Walter turned his attention on him and Henry scolded himself for opening his mouth. Walter stared intently, like he was searching for clues for any hidden motive Henry may have.

"I don't know. But it's nothing to concern ourselves with. The dead has no affairs with the living."

That struck a cord with Henry as he felt himself get angry.

"Then why did you mess with us? We were alive before you killed us."

Cynthia gasped out loud. Walter stared at Henry for a moment, still not showing any emotion in his expression. In contrast, Cynthia was gaping like a fish out of water, fear evident in her eyes. It was the first time she ever heard Henry confront Walter about his crimes toward them.

Henry didn't know what answer he had been expecting or what response. Perhaps, deep down, he was hoping for at least an ounce of remorse, especially if Walter had this weird crush on him. However, Walter showed no hint of regret, hurt or even anger at the question. The face he made was more of a stern parent that caught his kid going past curfew.

"That's different, Receiver. You were already mine long before your death."

"I'm never going to belong to you. If I'm stuck with your forever, that's bullshit. I don't need to deal with you."

Walter let out a laugh. Cynthia mouthed the question What are you doing? at him. Henry was too pissed off to think before speaking. When Walter recovered from his humor, he looked Henry dead in the eyes.

"You can't mean you're going to try to run away, are you? You're acting more like a child than Little Walter. It's impossible for you to leave. Mother makes it so."

"Just like she made me fall for you? I hate you."

Once the words left Henry's mouth, he knew he pushed too far. Walter was no longer smirking. His face was flushed as pale as ever and his eyes stared at him in rage.

Cynthia backed away and Henry tried to do the same. However, Walter grabbed his wrist to keep him still. The photographer struggled in his grasp, once again devoid of luck. Cynthia grabbed onto Walter but he pushed her away until she fell on the ground.

"Letgo! Sonna'"

"Don't finish that sentence, Henry. You're in enough trouble already."

Being treated like a child grated on Henry's nerves but he remained quiet. Walter was far too enraged for him to be pushing any further. If he made him any angrier, Walter would probably decide to torture all his victims.

Walter relaxed ever so slightly when he saw the fight leave Henry's eyes. He seemed appeased that Henry wasn't about to insult his mother. Cynthia had managed to pick herself up at this point.

"Receiver," Walter breathed, "Don't think I've forgotten about this living friend of yours."

Henry sucked in a breath. Walter smirked and continued.

"Because once I find him, he will suffer pain so excruciating that he'll be pleading for me to end it. And you're going to watch him beg as I do it. This is my promise to you."

Alex's P.O.V.

Alex never liked Starbuck's regular coffee so he ordered himself a frappe. Maybe the taste of a sugar-loaded drink will ease his nerves. Esmond waited patiently for him to sit down before beginning.

"There's only two days left."

Alex didn't need him to elaborate on what that meant. Esmond was no doubt counting the seconds in which he can have his body in bed. Even when they were together, Alex didn't let their relationship get too physical. He was a teenager then and wasn't sure he was emotionally prepared for sex.

To say that made Esmond upset would be an understatement. The man was unbelievably pissed off. That was the first time Esmond hit him, if Alex could recall. And although he could've easily struck back-

"I would like to go shopping with you before then," his ex's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"For what?"

Esmond took a sip of his coffee.

"Well, it's a secret."

That certainly didn't sound too good. What was he up to? Alex studied the man's face to try to get a clue but could read nothing other than faux pleasantries and a hint of smugness.

"Is this…something I have to do?" Alex asked.

Esmond glowered at him. Suddenly, a hand grabbed Alex's wrist. He turned and saw that it connected to Josh, looking disdainful at being abandoned.

"What are you two doing?"

"We're just talking," answered Alex.

Josh shot a dark look Esmond's way.

"Oh yeah? About what?"

"Nothing that concerns a child," Esmond retorted.

"Then maybe you should leave the conversation, so the grown-ups can talk," said Josh.

Ouch. Damn, that was a third degree burn if Alex ever heard one. Esmond glared at him. Alex didn't think he'd be angry enough at Josh to throw them out, but he knew he had to ease the waters somewhat.

"We were discussing politics, Josh," he lied, "You know, boring stuff."

"Perhaps it's time to leave. You guys weren't really shopping for anything, were you? Let's get you two home," Esmond proposed.

"I want to spend more time shopping with Alex."

Esmond looked at Josh is disgust. Alex felt anger at seeing such a pure look of hatred brought his brother's way. There were a few, rare moments in life where Alex himself hated Josh, but he would never, ever let anyone else give Josh hell.

Except if it was somebody Alex loved. Alex tried to convince himself that he wasn't keeping his mouth shut because he still loved Esmond. It was because he wanted to remain financially stable for Josh.

"Then I'll join you two. Where are we going next?"

This question caught both Josh and Alex off guard. It was clear as day that Esmond wasn't about to let the brothers spend anymore time alone together. He must have felt threatened by being tossed aside.

Josh looked at Alex and must have seen that there was no point battling this out.

"I want to go to the lego store."

A few minutes later, they were at the most interesting store Alex had ever laid eyes on. There was nothing like this store when he was growing up. At least, not that he remembered. Every section was something about lego sets and some got really pricey.

"When did legos become a cult?" he whispered to Esmond.

"Oh, they always were in a sense. I think they got a lot more profit from that movie they did," Esmond set his eyes on the prices, "You might have trouble buying something for Josh here. Would you like help?"

Alex knew at this point that 'help' came at a price. He shook his head politely.

"I'm just letting Josh look around right now. You know, some kids have to learn that they can't get a new toy every time they-"

"Alex, can I get this?" Josh showed him the toy and Alex fell silent.

It was the strangest little gizmo he had ever seen. Instead of a box of legos or a whole set, this was a plastic bag with a single character inside that you put together with legos. The one Josh chose was a superhero and the price tag showed three dollars.

For what it was, that was still pretty pricey. However, it was definitely something Alex could afford. And now that he thought about it, Josh hadn't really had a new toy in a very long time. Not since before the boat incident. Alex shuddered to repress the memory.

"Um. Sure."

"Funny. I thought you were simply going to let him look," said Esmond playfully.

"I think this is small enough," Alex admitted. Esmond waited for them as they made the purchase. While in line, Josh whispered so that the ex couldn't hear.

"What does he want with you?"

"Nothing, Josh. I already told you," Alex said.

Josh gave him a look that clearly stated he didn't believe him. Alex would be happy to buy the toy and get out of there. He didn't want to talk to Josh about this, especially in public.

"I can help."

This caused Alex to pause. Josh looked up at him with a serious expression. It almost reminded him of the look Wheeler would give when they were just about to battle monsters together. Alex's heart swelled with joy. Josh couldn't help but at least he cared.

Once again, he reassured Josh and payed for the toy. They left together, their enemy following right behind.

Eileen's P.O.V.

Trying to live your life when you were no longer living was quite a challenge for a social butterfly like Eileen. She spent most of her days in stores or parks, anywhere where there was a lot of people. It helped her to feel normal again, and it worked for the most part.

Sometimes it worked too well. Eileen would occasionally feel so at ease that she would try to strike a conversation with a stranger, quite forgetting that the person couldn't hear her.

If only there were more living beings like Alex. How did he have the power to talk to ghosts? Was the Sixth Sense right in suggesting that some people were simply born with that power?

As she pondered, she spotted Henry and Walter close together. She could just feel the tension between the two. Henry was sitting on a bench and Walter was standing right by him. The photographer looked like he wanted to be anywhere away from him.

Time to ease the tension. Eileen hated it when they fought. She approached them but only Henry greeted her.

"Hi Eileen," he mumbled.

"Henry. Walter. Are you guys people watching?"

Henry shot a dark look Walter's way.

"That's what I'm doing. He's just watching me."

Walter shrugged off the venom of his words. Their killer stared off into the distance, though Eileen had a good feeling he was keeping sharp track of their conversation.

"Little Walter was with me earlier. He's been looking at the toy store a lot lately," Eileen informed.

"What for?" asked Henry.

Eileen smiled at him like he made a joke. Henry was no longer focused on Walter. That was good.

"He's a kid, Henry. Didn't you spend time at the toy store when you were one?"

"He did. Before his mother passed," Walter answered before Henry could open his mouth.

This declaration undid all of Eileen's efforts as Henry was pissed off. He shot out of his seat. Eileen nervously looked around to see if there were any onlookers watching them. No one passing by gave them the slightest glance. Dead. Right. Eileen kept forgetting.

"I don't want to hear how much you know about me, you psycho!"

"Are you attempting to hurt my feelings with your petty insults? Because nothing you can say will hold a candle to abuse I heard before."

There was a flash of sympathy in Henry's eyes. Eileen barely caught it when the sympathy left and covered up with rage. It was hard to tell whether Walter caught on to the sight or not.

"I just don't want to know how much you've been stalking me my entire life. You took my life away, isn't that enough for you?"

Eileen held onto Henry's shoulder to soothe him. Walter gave Henry a longing look. Neither man payed her any mind.

"You know it's not. I want you entirely. And I will have you soon. I wish you wouldn't make this so hard for us but you know by now that I can use force to get anything I want. It's what life has taught me."

"Walter-" Eileen was about to explain all the reasons he couldn't force Henry to be with him when he waved her off.

"Nothing you say will change my mind, Mother Reborn."

"Can't you just leave?" Henry demanded.

"No. At least, not without you, Receiver."

Henry was obviously too worked up to sit back down, so he bid Eileen goodbye and left. The dead woman watched helplessly as Walter followed her friend like a predator.

Enough was enough. Henry needed help. But Eileen couldn't overpower Walter, no one could. There had to be a way to distract him while Henry left to talk to Alex. That was who he really needed right now.

A thought struck her. No one could beat Walter. Except Walter himself.