Authors Note: Just a Disclaimer reminder: I, sadly, have no connection with Zak. And I certainly don't any connection with any ex girlfriends. I don't mean any offence or harm against anyone, especially not Zak.

Chapter 27: Alone Again

Zak's Point of View

It was roughly two hours later.

I was sitting out in the backyard, music blasting from some portable speakers, a beer in my hand, and Gracie laying at my feet.

I can't believe I've been lied to, again, I thought.

When I had stormed out of Cheryl and Alicia's house, Aaron had quickly followed me out.

I hadn't expected him to leave. I wouldn't of been mad at him if he had stayed. And to be honest, I had wanted to be alone.

But I had given him a ride over, and I realized he felt bad for me.

"I'm sorry bro…" Aaron said as he got into the passengers seat of my Dodge Challenger.

I revved the engine and backed up out of the driveway, then sped off down the street.

I had sensed Aaron's tension at my speed, but I didn't care at the time.

I often took my ride out to an empty, deserted, parking lot after a rough lockdown to let off some steam. Speeding across the empty space. Pulling tire squealing donuts over and over again.

The rush thrilled me.

"I know what you're thinking," Aaron began. "But I really don't think she's like the other women you're comparing her too." Aaron said.

I knew she wasn't like the women from my past.

I had been a different man then.

I had been younger, liked to party and get wild.

I had loved the attention from the women, regardless if they really wanted to be with me, or if they were just looking to share a bit of the spotlight.

But several of my paranormal experiences had changed me.

I didn't want to be surrounded by lots of women anymore.

I didn't want fake adoration.

I wanted someone I could come home too, and be at peace with. Someone who I could feel completely comfortable with.

I wanted someone who made me want to be a better man.

In the short span of a month, I found those things with Alicia, and a lot more.

She didn't care about the spotlight. She didn't care about the money, or the fancy houses and fancy cars.

She understood my social anxiety. She understood my paranormal experiences. She understood my weirdness.

And most importantly, somehow, just being around her calmed me in a way I never thought possible.

I hadn't been having as much nightmares since I had met her. I could face my demons when she was around.

I didn't feel so haunted.

But she had lied to me…

"I know she's not like them bro, but she lied to me, just like they did," I responded.

I gripped the steering wheel to keep my emotions in check.

"I'm not saying her lying to you is okay, but she clearly seems badly affected by whatever happened to her sister," Aaron said.

Hearing him speak of Alicia going through pain made me want to turn around and go back to her. To hold her in my arms and tell her it would be okay.

But damn it…I had given her so many chances to tell me.

Once I had stopped pushing her to tell me, I had been patient. I had told myself I'd wait until she was ready to tell me.

And she couldn't.

Her best friend had let it slip by accident.

I could get complete strangers to open up and fall apart in front of me, but I couldn't do it with the people that mattered the most to me.

"I get that Aaron. But I can't deal with lying. I've been lied to, too many times. She should know that I'd understand…" I said.

I suddenly realized we had reached Aaron's place.

How fast had I been driving?

Aaron sighed as he undid his seatbelt.

"I know bro. I guess... I'm just sorry, that after everything you put yourself through, that you still can't find some peace for yourself," Aaron said.

I kept my eyes staring straight ahead.

"I'm sorry too bro…" I said quietly.

After a few seconds silence, Aaron got out of the car, gently closing the door behind him.

He leaned in the open window to look at me.

"Are you going to be alright dude?" Aaron asked.

I looked at him and faked a small smile.

"Yeah bro. I'm just gonna go home to Gracie, like I have been for years," I said.

Thank God I had Gracie.

Aaron frowned slightly, but nodded.

"Call if you need anything bro," Aaron said.

I nodded.

"I will," I said, before speeding off again.

I took a sip of my beer and sighed as I leaned my head back against my chair.

Maybe I should just go back to my wilder ways, I thought to myself.

But then memories of her had flooded my mind.

I remember when I had started to realize that she wasn't the type of girlfriend I wanted.

I had been out at a club with her, Aaron and Billy at the time…

I stood at the bar, waiting for the two drinks I had ordered for Shannon and I, watching Billy do his thing at the DJ Booth.

He was playing a great set.

Suddenly, I heard a female voice next to me.

"Excuse me?"

I looked to see two, young, beautiful looking blondes standing next to me.

One was standing closer to me than the other.

The second girl looked to be a little shy, more conservatively dressed.

"How can I help you beautiful ladies?" I replied, smiling at the girls.

I received a huge smile in return.

"You're Zak Bagans, aren't you? From 'Ghost Adventures'?" The blonde, standing closer to me, asked.

"That's me," I replied, feeling slightly embarrassed.

Stupid Social Anxiety.

"Oh my god, I told you Angela!" The girl replied to her friend.

"Angela huh? I like that name, it has 'Angel' in it," I commented, trying to be friendly, but realizing instantly how lame I sounded.

Angela smiled shyly.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you…" She said shyly.

"I'm Courtney, we both love your show!" The first girl said.

I smiled at the two of them.

"Nice to meet you both," I replied. "Thank you for supporting the show," I added.

They both smiled.

"Can we get a picture with you, please?" Courtney asked, holding up her phone.

"Of course," I replied, standing up fully and turning away from the bar.

She turned briefly and called to someone over her shoulder.

"Greg!"

I saw a man walk over.

Oh great, probably a boyfriend, I thought.

"Here Greg, he said it was okay," Courtney said, handing her phone to the guy, then looked at me, "This is my brother, Greg," she added.

I smiled and nodded at Greg, he nodded back.

I then held my arms out toward Courtney and Angela.

Courtney giggled as she immediately moved in close to me, wrapping an arm around my back, and resting her other hand on my stomach.

Angela stepped in on my other side, wrapping an arm around me as well, but clearly not as touchy as Courtney.

I smiled regardless. I was used to some women being more "touchy feely" than others.

I wrapped an arm around each of them and rested my hands at their waists.

"Zak," I heard an annoyed voice said.

It was then I noticed Shannon waiting nearby.

Was her dress that short when we left? I thought briefly.

I shook my head.

"One second Shan," I replied.

I smiled for the camera, thanked the girls again for their support, then turned to Shannon.

She was not happy.

"Who were they?" She asked, watching them walk away with daggers in her eyes.

Ugh, not again.

"Fans. Thanks bro," I said, as the bartender handed me our drinks.

I held Shannon's out to her, but she didn't take it, still watching the girls, who were now looking at a cell phone.

Probably posting about me online, or texting their friends.

"What was with the taller bimbo, putting her hand on your stomach?" Shannon asked.

I set her drink on the bar, as she still had yet to take it, and looked at her, my eyes slightly narrowed.

"She was just posing for the picture, it was nothing. And don't call her a bimbo, you don't even know her," I replied, slightly annoyed.

"Oh, and you do?" Shannon asked, giving me an annoyed look.

"No, but you don't have to be rude every time I meet a fan," I replied.

She rolled her eyes.

"Whatever," she said, downing her drink. "I have to go freshen up," Shannon added.

I gently grabbed her arm before she could walk away.

"Shan…you're not still using, are you?" I asked, lowering my voice.

"So what if I am?" She replied, then smiled slyly at me as she leaned closer to me. "You like it when I get wild," she added, before turning and heading toward the restrooms.

"Shannon!" I called.

She ignored me.

Suddenly, I felt Gracie's head rest on my thigh, distracting me from the memory.

I looked down at her and smiled slightly despite the sad look in her eyes.

Gracie always knew when I was hurting.

"I guess I'm just meant to live my life alone Grace," I said, gently petting the top of her head.

Gracie let out a soft whine, as if she knew that I was talking about Alicia.

I leaned my head back against the seat again.

"I know Grace…I miss her already…" I said softly, closing my eyes and tried to let the music drown out my thoughts.