When I woke up, the world felt one hell of a lot brighter. Sunshine had broken through the terrible looming clouds, which swirled like a whirlpool around the house- penetrating through the thick sheet of mists and piercing through in glorious rays of sunshine- random beams of god shining through the dark onto the varied landscape. It was beautiful, if not a little eerie. It looked as though the black sky was battling the sun, every so often thunder would clap, and one of the rays of sunshine would be swallowed by the rolling storm clouds. A few minutes later- another would appear in its place.

A subtle thump snapped my attention back to the nightmarish house I was trapped in- I flew around, catching my breath. Nothing. I listened carefully- and it happened again, right beside me- oh. The air escaped my lungs like a deflated balloon. It was Jesse getting up in the room beside me. Ever since we'd been exposed to Denis Washington's "fit", I was afraid that when he awoke in the kitchen we'd locked him into (Paul said it was pointless, he'd get out anyway- but it made me feel a little better) that Paul's uncle would wake with a mind to kill us both since we weren't exactly helping his "big plan". I wasn't so worried about Jesse. He was our secret weapon, I'd decided. What Denis Washington couldn't see…was a good thing.

"Suze?" Paul knocked, sounding more than a little exhausted.

After last nights episode, Paul had suggested we all sleep in three joining rooms- for safety's sake. I hadn't protested too much, knowing that in the end I'd be terrified left alone on some far deserted wing of the house.

"Yeah?"

"Decent?" How very uncharacteristic of him to ask.

"Yeah- its unlocked."

He stepped in- there were deep, swollen circles like dark bruises spreading under his eyes, his mouth worn and tired- blue eyes lacking their usual shine.

"Up all night?" I observed.

"Well, maybe I don't want to be a sitting duck when he wakes up." He snapped.

"Don't be grumpy, Slater." Jesse breezed in the door, clearly at ease.

"Paul's scared of the big bad wolf." I muttered. "He stayed up all night."

"Relax," Jesse smiled a little too brightly, "I'm here to protect you too, honey."

Paul responded with a particularly rude hand gesture.

I rolled my eyes, "So, children, what are we going to do?"

"I was thinking about it last night," Paul said, regaining some of his normal composure, "Its possible to speak with this bigger power through the spirit in the basement- our ability to communicate with it, remember, is much stronger than his."

"And just tell it to go away? Simple as that?" I finished dubiously.

He shrugged. "Its worth a try, don't you think?"

Jesse objected immediately, "I don't want her anywhere near that thing."

Remembering the horrifying childlike, murderous ghost lurking in the depths of the manor- I shivered. I didn't much like the notion either.

"Simon, listen to me." Paul said calmly, "We're not going to get any other shot at this. There's no other options left- he uses us, or he kills us."

"Or, I can go warn Father Dom and we can find a logical way to evacuate the situation." Jesse said, voice rising. "A few adults involved to keep you out of this suicide."

"Suze," Paul spoke clearly, eyes urgent, "My uncle isn't going to allow us to leave, no matter who is sent to help."

I closed my eyes, trying to find some way to calm my fear and to decide what was right.

"Susannah!" Jesse's voice rang out indignantly, "Surely you're not considering this! This is Paul Slater we're listening to- he's sadistic. He hardly knows whats in your best interest."

"Are you finished speaking for her?" Paul asked smoothly. "Let her decide for herself."

"But-"

"Are you saying that she's is too irresponsible to handle her own affairs?"

"That is not what I-"

"Shh." I frowned. "I think…"

Both eyes were fixed on me expectantly, each sure of their victory.

"As hard as it is I think Paul's right-" The words tumbled out of my mouth so fast I could scarcely hear myself. "I don't think he'll let us go- we should prepare for the worst."

"I know we can do something else than get involved," Jesse insisted.

"Suze and I are all but pawns, on the sidelines of the game, but in position for him to start using us. If we come up from behind and weaken the king, we have a better chance than just sitting around." Paul said thoughtfully. "And we have one more small advantage."

"And that would that be what, exactly?" Jesse scoffed.

"We have an invisible knight." Paul said simply. "You."

"I just said I don't want to get involved."

"Well as long as you don't mind leaving Suze to fend for herself."

Jesse sighed. There was a long stretch of eternity.

"Say it." He finally said, turning to face Paul, square in the eyes.

"What?" Paul's infuriatingly reoccurring carved smirk appeared.

"Say," Jesse smiled wickedly, "That you need me."

Paul rolled his eyes. "hardly."

"You do, though, you just said it."

"You are useless, after all." Paul shrugged. "I simply meant we have a random factor on our side."

"Slater, you're- what is it that they call it? Screwed…" His words smoldered with confidence and suave. "Without my help. And unless you ask for it, you're not going to get it."

Paul laughed bitterly. "The only thing I've ever asked for, we're still fighting over. Nothing else."

"True." Jesse smiled. "And chances are I'm never going to give it up- but I might help you with this futile plan…if you ask."

"Jesse, this is stupid- you know he's not going to grovel." I snapped.

"I'm not asking for that. I'm requiring a question in place of an order- or an assumption."

"Paul, swallow your pride," I said irritably, "Ask him to help us and lets go talk to this damn ghost thing that's been haunting my nightmares—I'm so looking forward to it."

Paul grinned, white teeth flashing against his deep tan. "You think you've got me all figured out." His eyes fixed on mine, he continued, "You're wrong." And without turning to actually look at Jesse, he literally struggled through the barrier of his pride, never ceasing his gaze on me. "We need you , Jesse de Silva, would you prefer me to get on me knees or will you help us?"

"Its phrased strangely," Jesse hesitated mockingly, "But since it sounded like a question, I'll take it."

And with that little piece of ego war settled, we continued on to the basement.