Authors Note: Hi everyone, as usual, I apologize for the super long delay in updating! But good news, these chapters wrap up the first part of my story!

One thing I want to comment on, I have decided to create a mailing list, but I'm still trying to decide on what service to use. I've also debated on moving my blog to Wordpress, as I don't use the Tumblr blog features as much as I thought I would. I will be creating a poll on my Twitter account once I post these chapters, so please cast your vote if you have a preference.

The rest of my thoughts have been left for my "Thank You" message at the end, so I'll let you get reading! Enjoy!

Chapter 130: Police Arrival

Roughly two hour later…

I was standing off to the side of what was now a police quarantined area, the perimeter marked with yellow police tape. I watched with fascination at all the different aspects of jobs and things that had to be done at a crime scene.

Within the perimeter, there was a Coroner, a Crime Scene Photographer, and some Crime Scene Investigators – also known as CSI.

The Coroner was currently investigating the human skull Alicia had found, as well as some other pieces of bone that had been unearthed as the Coroner had been carefully removing the snow and dirt from around the skull.

The Crime Scene Photographer was taking pictures of the remains with a camera — close up shots, shots from different angles and levels of height – all while keeping out of the Coroners way.

One CSI was assisting the Coroner with getting the smallest of samples to take back to the lab for DNA testing, in the hopes of identifying the remains. Another CSI was going around the outer area of the perimeter, placing numbered markers to indicate places of possible importance, while assisted by a third CSI.

There was just as much activity taking place outside the perimeter as well.

A few police officers were scouting the area with flashlights, and others were using searcher dogs - German Shepherds - to meticulously search the surrounding area for any other remains. A CSI was trailing them, ready to place numbered markers if the dogs picked up on anything.

My attention drifted off to the side of all of this activity, where a small tent had been set up by a few of the first police officers that had arrived. Inside, the Hamilton County Sheriff, and an assistant, were currently in the process of questioning Alicia and taking her statement.

I folded my arms across my chest with impatience as I waited for her to come out. She had been in there for about an hour now, and while I knew it was a process that needed to happen by the book, I wanted to comfort her - regardless of the awkward event from earlier in the night, and our currently "on hold" relationship.

I was extremely worried about her.

When we had found her over an hour ago, she refused to go inside to warm up, and she hadn't spoken a word.

The memories came flooding back to me…

I helped Alicia to move to a nearby rock that was fairly dry for her to sit on, so that she wasn't sitting in the snow. Once Billy had arrived with the blankets, I took my jacket off from Alicia's shoulders, and quickly wrapped her up in a couple of blankets.

Once I was satisfied they would keep her warm until we could get her inside, I quickly put my own jacket back on, and then I kneeled down in front of her so I was eye level with her.

"Ali…we should go inside, so you can warm up," I said softly.

She looked at me with a terrified expression and then quickly shook her head no.

I frowned at the expression that had come over her face. I didn't want to push her, but I was concerned with her clothes and hair being damp from the snow.

"We could go right to nerve centre…" I suggested, hoping that because nerve centre was right off the front entrance, maybe she would consider it.

Once again, she shook her head "no" frantically.

"Alright doll…" I said softly, and looked up when I saw Aaron walk over to us.

"Hey bro, I was just talking to Jay. He called the police, they're on their way," Aaron said softly. "I asked Billy to go and wait with him, so he can lead them to us when the police get here," Aaron added.

"Alright, thanks Aaron," I said, and was about to turn back to focus on Alicia, but noticed Aaron was still standing there. "What is it?" I asked.

"I think you need to see this," Aaron said, while he held up Alicia's camera – but only enough so I could see it. "I'll stay with her," he added.

I hesitated, not wanting to leave Alicia, but knew the only answers I was going to get right now were from her camera.

"Alright…" I replied, then looked at Alicia. "I'll be right back, okay? Aaron will stay with you," I said softly.

She nodded in acknowledgement, and she didn't seem distressed by the idea.

"Okay," I replied softly, reaching up and gently rubbing her upper arm, before I stood up and took the camera from Aaron.

"Just need to hit play, bro," Aaron said, and I nodded.

"Thanks," I replied, and then walked several feet away, so I would be out of Alicia's earshot while watching the video.

I took a deep breath before hitting the play button.

The video began at the point where Alicia had begun walking out into the forest, the camera in one hand, and a Spirit Box in the other.

For the first while, nothing major happened, although she was clearly seeing someone or something that the camera wasn't picking up, because she kept asking questions. It was hard to tell if she was receiving audible responses on the Spirit Box, as I didn't want to turn the volume up too high with Alicia nearby, but in the video, she seemed to be having a conversation with this someone, or something.

After a while, she had stopped walking. Some more questions were asked, then she had set the Spirit Box down on a rock. She had then taken another few steps forward, and stopped once again. She then kneeled down, the Spirit Box seeming to stop on it's own accord, and the camera turned to show her face.

Despite looking somewhat fearful, and sad…she didn't look any more distressed than in any other footage I had seen of her since she joined us.

"Well…this Alan has lead me to this spot in the forest. His apparition just disappeared, right before the Spirit Box stopped on it's own. I'm nervous to see what Alan wanted me to find…but I feel like he's desperate for my help…so here goes," Alicia said.

She kept the camera aimed at herself, while she seemed to be doing something with her other hand. Since she was looking downward – and already knowing where this video was going - I assumed she was digging.

After a minute or two, her brow furrowed in confusion – which, despite the situation, I found looked cute – and then took out her flashlight and turned it on, and aimed it downward in front of her.

The light didn't seem to have helped her much, as she still look confused, and she turned the flashlight off and began making movements with her free arm again.

Again, after another minute or so, confusion came across her face again, and she turned on the flashlight again.

Her sudden gasp of shock and horror caused me to jump, since she had been silent through out the last several minutes. Her confused look had also changed to shock and horror.

"Oh god…" She mumbled quietly, and seemed to quickly yank her free hand away from what I assumed was the skull she had found, and began quickly moving her arm back and forth. I couldn't decipher what she was doing, but she looked desperate and frantic.

"No no no…" She muttered, as she continued the repetitive movements with her arm.

Suddenly, she let out a second gasp of shock as her eyes now stared directly in front of her, full of shock and fear.

"I..I can't…" She suddenly spoke, sounding heartbroken, and looked to be frozen in place – a feeling I knew all too well. "I'm sorry…" She added.

Her expression suddenly changed to shock again, and outright fear. The camera suddenly dropped to the ground, along with the flashlight. When the camera settled, it was still recording her, and I frowned to see her fearfully scrambling backwards, as if she was trying to get away from something as if her life depended on it.

"I can't…I'm sorry," She spoke in a shaky voice. "Please…" She nearly begged.

I jumped again when the Spirit Box suddenly turned back on, my eyes widening in shock.

What happened next shocked me straight to my core.

I could hear voices coming out of the Spirit Box, but with the volume turned down low, I couldn't discern what they were saying. But the part that shocked me the most, was the sudden appearance of several orbs, flying toward Alicia from behind the camera. I knew they weren't snowflakes, as they quite suddenly appeared on the screen in the top right hand corner, and moved directly toward Alicia – as opposed to simply fall straight downward.

"I can't! You're dead!" Alicia yelled in panic, quickly scrambling to her feet. She then attempted to run, but only managed a few steps before she tripped over something.

The orbs were still in view, and seemed to be gathering in front of – or around – Alicia, who had now curled up into a fetal position, covered her head, and began screaming in fear.

I frowned and felt my eyes begin to water at seeing her in such a state, and quickly stopped the tape and turned the camera off.

I couldn't watch anymore…

I was suddenly brought back to the present when I heard Aaron's voice beside me.

"She's coming out, bro," Aaron said softly.

I focused my attention on where he was looking, and saw the Sheriff leading Alicia outside of the tent.

I immediately walked over toward them, and as I reached them, I overheard the Sheriff talking to Alicia.

"…go back to your hotel and get some rest. If we need anything further, we'll get in contact with you," the Sheriff said, and upon noticing me, focused his attention on me. "And you are?" The Sheriff asked.

"Zak Bagans, I'm…" I started, but partially trailed off, unsure of how to associate myself with Alicia considering our current state.

"…host of our show, and my boyfriend," Alicia spoke softly, and I felt like someone had just given me the best news of my life, despite the awful situation. "This is Sheriff Borden," Alicia added softly, looking at me as she motioned with one hand toward the Sheriff.

I nodded and looked at the Sheriff, inwardly pleased Alicia was at least speaking now, and didn't seem to be in such a zombie-like state.

"Sheriff," I replied, holding my hand out and shaking the Sheriff's hand.

"Mr. Bagans," he nodded, shaking my hand and then letting go. "As I was just telling Miss Wilde, she's free to return to her hotel to get some rest. We took her statement and made a detailed record of her account of tonight's events," Sheriff Borden said.

"Alright, thank you Sheriff," I said, relieved Alicia would be able to get away from all this, at least for the time being. "Um, do you need us to stay? Or…" I began, and the Sheriff spoke up.

"I was made aware by Miss Wilde that there is video footage of her event this evening?" Sheriff Borden replied, partly in a questioning tone.

I was a bit surprised Alicia had divulged this information, since nothing concrete can be seen in the video, but I figured she felt she should be as honest as possible.

"Yes, there is…but I've watched the footage, and you never see the remains in the video," I replied cautiously, wanting to protect Alicia from any embarrassment she might feel from the footage being viewed, but also understanding I more than likely didn't have a say.

"I'm aware, but we still need to view the footage to make sure. I understand you're probably concerned about our interpretation of paranormal activity, but we've seen all kinds of unexplainable things over the years while investigating this case," Sheriff Borden replied. "We'll also need any audio evidence you may have," Sheriff Borden added.

Well shit…

I assumed that might mean we'd have to turn over any EVP's Alicia may have gotten while investigating in the apartment. That meant we'd have to comb through all of her audio recordings and video footage, right now.

"Alright, I can take you to our audio and video techs, and they can get you any audio and video you need," I said.

"I appreciate that Mr. Bagans, but I'm afraid I will need you to stay on site for the time being, as you are in charge of your crew here? We may also need your expertise in interpreting the audio and video recordings," Sheriff Borden replied.

Damn it…

"I am, but my friend Aaron-" I started, but Alicia cut me off.

"It's okay, Zak," Alicia said softly. "I can go back to the hotel myself," she replied.

I frowned as I looked at her.

I didn't want her to be alone at a time like this.

"Maybe Ashley can go with you, I-" I started, but Alicia cut me off again.

"She should stay to help gather up the gear," Alicia said. "I'm fine…really," Alicia added.

I could tell by the look on her face she wanted some time alone, but I couldn't help but worry.

"I'll have one of my Officers drive her back to the hotel," Sheriff Borden said, glancing at each of us before focusing on Alicia. "You shouldn't drive after what you've just been through," he added.

That gave me a small feeling of relief.

"…alright," Alicia said softly, after a moment of hesitation.

"Good," Sheriff Borden said, nodding. "I'll go get someone," he added, before walking off toward some of the many officers on site.

Once he was out of earshot, I looked at Alicia.

"Are you sure you're okay to be alone…?" I asked, not wanting to pressure her, but needing to know she would be okay.

She nodded in response.

"I'll be fine…I just want to get a hot shower and crawl into bed, I'm exhausted…" Alicia replied softly.

I nodded in understanding, and despite my worry, accepted the fact that I shouldn't pressure her right now.

"Alright…" I said, hesitating. "I'll um…" I added, then felt unsure of what to say.

I was shocked when she suddenly stepped up to me, leaned up on her the tips of her toes, and hugged me tightly – her chin resting on my shoulder.

I quickly responded and hugged her back just as tightly, gently resting one of my hands on the back of her head, and gently stroking her hair in a comforting way.

"I'll text you when I get to my room…to let you know I'm there," Alicia said softly, her warm breath brushing over my ear.

I closed my eyes, and bowed my head down next to hers for a brief moment. It felt so good to be able to hold her in my arms. To feel her arms around me. The softness of her skin against my cheek, the smell of her hair…

"I'd really appreciate that…" I replied softly, and reluctantly let her go as she pulled back.

She nodded as she looked up at me.

"I know," she replied softly.

I smiled, very slightly, and noticed that Sheriff Borden was returning with one of his Officers.

"Alright…I'll be there as soon as I can…" I said softly, hesitated, and then leaned down and lightly kissed her forehead.

When I pulled back, my body relaxed at the sight of her smiling slightly at me.

"Okay," she replied softly.

"Miss Wilde, this is Officer Shaw," Sheriff Borden said, introducing the female officer standing next to him. "She'll take you back to your hotel," he added.

Alicia nodded as she looked at the Sheriff, and then at Officer Shaw.

"Whenever you're ready," Officer Shaw said.

"We can go now," Alicia replied softly.

"Alright, this way," Officer Shaw said, and then began walking in the direction of the mansion.

I suddenly felt my entire body tense up, but I didn't really know why. I assumed it was just me being worried about Alicia being alone.

"I'll see you later…" Alicia said softly, before leaning up and lightly kissing my cheek.

I couldn't stop myself from smiling, despite the horrible situation we were in.

"You bet…" I replied, and Alicia smiled slightly before she walked off to join Officer Shaw.