The song for this chapter is Pale by Within Temptation. As usual I will put it on the play list linked on my page. I hope you like this chapter and decide to leave a review. If you have any questions feel free to ask me. I realized that by posting this type of story I would not get massive amounts of reviews, because it's not a lemon, baby fiction or conventional re-write (They seem to be very common on here) But I really hope that once more of the story is out there that more people tell me what they think. I promise that I will bring Edward into the story soon, the new and improved version that is. Thanks.
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I open my eyes and it's pitch black. I reach my right arm up and I feel wood. I pull a stiff, scratchy blanket off and swing my legs over the edge of the bed, ducking my head as I stand up. The floor shifts from underneath me and I grab the edge of the bunk bed for support. The occupant of the top bunk moves in their sleep as I quietly slip on my shoes and shawl. I open the door and the brightness blinds me for a moment. When my eyes are adjusted I walk down a very narrow hallway. The smell of saltwater becomes stronger. I must be on a ship...
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I open my eyes again and automatically try to reach my arm up. My sling prevents me from touching the air, not wood, that I know must be there, even with my mind still foggy with sleep. Then I sit up, move the soft blankets off of me, and swing my legs over the edge, the distance is far greater than before and the floor feels solid and stable. Midnight stirs in her sleep, at the end of the bed, as I reach over to turn on my bedside lamp; the sudden light is blinding for a moment. Not really knowing why, I slip on a pair of socks and a hoodie and go over to the door. When I open it the air feels ice cold, and I wrap my arms around myself. When I am standing in the middle of the hallway she appears. Ava finally appears.
She is already a stage three, and stunningly beautiful with her warm, brown eyes, creamy white skin, and wavy dark brown hair. She is wearing the off-white, lacy night gown that previously surrounded her spirit form. She looks like she is both glowing from the inside and standing in direct sunshine, letting the warm rays caress her skin, illuminating the dark air around her. Her voice is soft and magical, but full of despair, "Good evening Bella", she takes a few steps forward and puts her hand up, palm facing me. I instinctively put mine up, to touch her translucent hand ever so slightly; I know she means no harm. I close my eyes as the sudden onslaught of light and memories fill me, "Use those well. I ask the help of you, and your friend, to help my family see that it is possible to move on after a tragedy. They will only move on if the truth is uncovered".
I open my eyes and manage to find my voice, "The truth of what happened?".
She smiles sadly, "You will know what the truth is when you find it".
"What about Hayden?".
She looks apologetic, "He means well but his love and protection for us fuels his dangerous actions. Please be careful of him".
I nod, "I will help you no matter what it takes".
She smiles at me then her face falls in grief, "I am somehow unable to tell you directly the things you need to know in order to find out the truth. Hopefully the dreams will be able to point you in the right direction".
"Like the one I just had?".
She nods, "That was one of my memories. Only you will be able to see them but you cannot find all you need to know without the help of your friend, she will be very valuable in your search for information".
I nod, "Thank you for coming Ava, we will start as soon as possible", I say with soft determination.
"Take care, sweet Isabella", she says as she fades away.
When her presence disappears from the immediate area I look around, aware that someone else seems to still be here, besides me.
"Hello? Is anyone there?". There is no answer.
I go back into my room and lock the door. Sleep does not find me again.
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Alice is at my door as usual, as soon as it is light out. I desperately wanted to go and tell Alice right away but decided it would be better to wait until morning. I close the lid of my laptop and go over to the window seat, where she is petting a dozy Midnight.
"She came last night", I say simply.
Her hand falls to her side, "Oh my god".
"And she asked specifically for both of us to help".
"What was she like? What did she say?".
"It all started when I dreamt one of her memories".
Her mouth hangs open in shock, "Bella, that could be your defining ability. That is not something a Medium can normally do".
I shake my head, "I'm not so sure. She did say that I was the only one that would be able to see the dreams but she didn't say why. She gave me them to see".
"You'll have more?", she looks astonished.
I nod, "She said it was one of the only ways to tell me, without really telling me. She gave me her memories because was unable to give me any direct information. I don't know how they will come to me yet though, probably like the first".
"What does she want us to find out?".
"The truth. I am supposed to know what it is when I find it".
"My uncle owns a newspaper office, if you come for Christmas then we can look in the archive room", her face lights up as she talks and she starts to smile, "We have papers that go back as far as two hundred years. The office has been in our family since it began".
"That's perfect! A family like the Baltimores had to be prominent in the community, so there should be a lot of articles on them".
She grins, "You'll really come now then?".
I nod, "But not just because of that. My Aunt will just have to manage without me". I have actually been thinking about this a lot over the past few weeks, and I still can't see any reason why I shouldn't go, despite Alice coming up with one reason or another.
"Yay!", she literally bounces up and down, "I'll have to phone my Dad and tell him your coming".
"Alice?", I suddenly remember something from last night.
She picks up the serious tone in my voice, "What?".
"You didn't know Ava was coming did you?".
She shakes her head, "No. Besides, she came to see you not me".
"I think someone was watching yesterday, at first I thought it was you, but it obviously wasn't because they didn't answer".
Her eyes go wide, "I am worried Bella, what if it was Hayden? He hasn't made an appearance in the last two weeks, but he could really hurt you if you are alone".
"I don't think it was him. He would have done something right then. And he can't be around Ava so he would have had to appear just as she left".
"Can I stay here tonight? I'll worry about you if I don't", she pleads.
I grin, "I hope the couch will be comfortable".
She grins, "Thanks, Bella. By the way I called Nicola and said she is she is currently in Florida. Since we will be in Boston for Christmas we won't be able to see her until after New Years, though".
"That's alright. I am sure we'll be alright until then, enjoying Christmas and helping the Baltimore's".
"I can't wait until you come for Christmas! There is this store that I go to all the time, it sells the best vintage jeans and studded belts!", her good mood returns and I smile, it will certainly be a one-of-a-kind Christmas when it come to Alice. I can only wonder what her family is like.
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At lunch that day Alice and I are at our table in the dining hall. I told her about my dream and she suggested that Ava may have immigrated, most likely from someplace in Europe. I didn't tell her how I seemed to mimic the dream when I woke up. Was it just a coincidence? Too many strange things have started to happen lately, and I can't get my mind around them all at once. She continues to come up with theories and ideas to start in the search for information and ultimately the freeing of the Baltimore's. Her words on the matter seem to fade away as I once again have the strange sensation that someone is watching me. Normally in a dining hall you would expect this sort of thing but the stare that is currently on me is sending chills up my back and I have no idea why.
My focus settles on Blair Von Woodsen, three tables ahead and one to the side. She is staring at me unblinkinly among her chatting friends. After trying to ignore her, and concentrating on Alice again fails, I am suddenly fed up.
"What the fuck is her problem?", I stop Alice mid sentence and point towards Blair's table, "She hasn't bothered me since you came, but apparently she finds something pretty damn interesting right now". To tell the truth her gaze scares me a little, but I am afraid to admit it. I have never been afraid of her before.
Alice looks over, quickly looking back again with a panicked expression, "Bella, how long has she...had her attention on you?".
I shrug my shoulders, "Since we both started here eight years ago".
"Has she ever tried to hurt you?", I don't understand her sudden concern over this. We have never gotten along and she knows that, "I haven't dismissed last night Bella, that wasn't nothing".
I laugh cynically, "I bet she wishes she could, but she's always been ok with making me life hell in other ways. And I have no idea, it could have been nothing, I really am not sure about anything these days".
At the corner of my eye Blair stands up and starts to come over. Alice's face goes pale as she senses her approach from behind, "I really don't think so Bella, you need to slowly get up right now! And back out of the room".
"What? No. Why?", I protest, thinking of how stupid that will look but following her directions nevertheless; the terrified look on her face makes my comply.
When we are out of the room she suddenly turns me around and, grabbing my arm, starts running towards the main hall. When we are running up the stairs two at a time Alice quickens our pace even more so. I am so confused I don't bother looking behind us, at a fast approaching Blair.
"Can you please tell me what this is about?", I say.
She shakes her head and quickens our pace even more. All to aware of the footsteps behind us I unlock my door as fast as possible. Alice slams the door and locks it, leaning against it for a moment, as if the door is suddenly going to be broken down.
"Alice, please tell me what's going on!", I am starting to get scared now. Something is seriously wrong.
She rushes over to my closet and pulls out my suitcase, then she takes it over to my dresser, "Pack enough for a few weeks. We are going to Boston early".
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