Their run to Hattiesburg was done in almost complete silence, only Alice's direction and Jasper's occasional input to veer from busy roads disrupting it. Lettie was silent as well, only responding quietly when Jasper would ask her questions or if Alice commented on their surroundings, but when there was nothing to be said, she simply looked ahead, various memories of herself and Edward over the last year playing in her head. Some were happy, just the two of them on their mountain or laying under the sun, but everytime the happy memory would play too long, her mind seemed to switch on itself, remembering a moment when he returned from a hunt, spots of blood he didn't catch on his clothes or an intense focus on the brightness of his eyes. Edward sighed to himself, stealing against whatever feelings wanted to take over from listening to her thoughts, and pushed on.
The asylum was somehow worse than the pictures they found. The once beautiful brick building was practically collapsing on itself, large sections of the structure worn from age and lack of care. The main building still stood strong, though large parts of the facade were covered in greenery, creeping vines quickly spreading thanks to the recent spring showers. There was hardly a window that wasn't broken on the bottom floor, graffiti and abandoned belongings scattered across the courtyard. The once sprawling fence was all but rotten wood. The only thing out of place were the two cars parked out front, an older van and a newer sedan, making the building look even older by comparison.
A desolate asylum was one thing - disgusting, but much easier to move around in without having to worry about intruders - but this was another beast entirely.
Amature filmmakers.
Edward could hear them giggling a mile away, old car and clunky film equipment not doing a very good job at keeping them discreet, not to mention the horribly fake screams. They stopped just on the other side of the fence, enhanced hearing allowing them to get an idea that those young adults were making a mess of the already destroyed inside without being seen.
"Yeah! Just like that!" someone inside called, followed by the loud cracking of something heavy. "Mess that up a little more. A little more…okay, perfect! Now, take it from the top."
"I don't know, Vera," someone else started, voice monotone, as if he was reading off a script. "This place doesn't look too friendly."
"Oh, come on, Chad! You said we could do it wherever I wanted, and I want to do it here!" another person responded, voice far too preppy to be natural.
"But, it's gross in here."
"Come on, Chad. Don't be a sore loooooser…"
"Oh, they're really bad," Alice commented, face scrunching up.
"Cut, cut! Okay, perfect you guys!" There was scramble, like things moving, two more voices muttering to themselves. "The office scene is next. See you up there in five!"
"Wait, no!" Alice's panic was evident. "The office, that has to be where the files are. If they mess something up-"
"What was that?" Without the preppy infection, it was almost impossible to tell it was the same person speaking as before, if it hadn't been for the whine at the end. "Guys! Seriously? Just because we're filming a horror movie doesn't mean you get to scare me whenever you want."
"What are you even talking about?" the other actor said, voice far more animated than when he was acting.
"That stupid noise! The breathing, the tapping?" When no one responded, she stomped her foot. "Are you serious right now? If whoever is doing that doesn't stop, I'm going to be so pissed."
"Okay, okay." The voice raised, no doubt the director, calling out to the room. "Whoever is scaring Bria, could you please stop!"
"You're not gonna do something more?" The director sighed.
"There's four of us here, not counting you. They get it, okay?"
"But, it's really freaking me-"
"What was that?" the male actor asked this time.
The cast and crew quieted, and the vampires waiting outside sharpened their senses. Faintly, almost as quiet as a mistaken breeze, a voice was heard.
"Jaska…Jaska…where are you…?"
"Okay, seriously," Bria whined, stomping her foot again. "This is so not funny."
A loud thump made everyone inside shuffle, some letting out fearful whimpers.
"What is that?" Jasper whispered, almost as if he was asking himself.
"A spirit," Lettie whispered back. To this, all three of them whipped to look at her, disbelieving. "I can sense another, just on the other side. A spirit."
"Jaska…Jaska…where…oh, my Jaska…"
"Who is doing that?" the director demanded, voice trembling. "If it's for the movie, save it for when cameras are rolling-"
"What is-" A thump, then a scream. Inside, the human's blood was pounding, adrenaline kicking in as their fight or flight was triggered by something. A spirit.
"What the hell is that?!" the director screamed. Another thump, and a second round of screams. Loud footsteps echoed in the building, five humans all scrambling for the exit. They were out of the door in the next minute, practically tearing it off its hinges in their desperation. They were in the car and speeding away before the door could swing shut.
The four onlookers simply stared at the scene for a long moment.
"I don't think they'll be back for a while," Jasper said after a moment, residual fear coursing through his body. Edward gave his shoulder a sympathetic squeeze.
In the building, the faint sound of the ghost's voice continued.
"Is it safe to go in there?" Alice asked Lettie. Lettie looked between her and the building for a long moment.
"I am…unsure. I have not met very many malevolents."
Alice looked at Lettie for a long moment, then stood assuredly. Lettie quickly scrambled off of Jasper's back to join her.
"Where are you doing?" Edward asked, disbelieving.
"There may be answers in there, answers about my past. I can't just wait around all night, not when it's so close." When neither male stood with her, she huffed, and turned to Lettie. "Come on. It's you and me then, because these two boys are too scared."
"Alice, we have no clue what we're going up against if we go in there," Jasper tried to reason.
"Then give me the necklace, and Lettie and I will figure it out," she said easily, holding her hand out. Lettie took a quick look at Alice and adjusted her stance, bumping out her hip and crossing her arms.
"Yes! Alice and I will uncover the truth if you are too frightened," she agreed.
"No one is going anywhere without the others," Jasper reasoned, but Alice continued to stick her hand out. After a heated staredown, Jasper sighed, stepping out from behind the bush.
"You're going?" Edward hissed. Jasper just shook his head, defeated.
The inside was just as dilapidated as the out, a thick layer of dust and grime covering every surface. Despite not having talked about a plan, Edward and Jasper stood protectively on either side of the girls, who practically walked shoulder to shoulder, tentative steps giving away their fear. The entrance was far more grand than needed, a large staircase behind a larger front desk taking up most of the space. On either side of them were heavy doors, no doubt to get to the other wings of the building. Now that they were closer, the whispers of the malevolent were easier to make out.
"Jaska? Where are you? You're too good at hiding," the gentle voice said, echoing through the halls.
"The office should be over here," Alice whispered, thankfully pointing in the opposite direction of the voice. They followed carefully behind her, mindful of anything on the ground that would make too much noise.
For how destroyed the rest of the building looked, the offices seemed to have taken the least damage, helpful signs still somewhat legible. The long hallway was lined with various rooms, all seeming to be related to the operation of the building. They passed a filing office, a nurse's closet, a linen closet, and several doctor's offices, before finally making it to the end of hall, a once shining plaque that labeled it Administration. The inside looked like a time capsule, relatively untouched bar the smell of decay. A large water patch on the ceiling contributed to the ambiance.
"There must be something in these files," Alice whispered, walking over to one of the metal filing cabinets. "Since we don't know my last name, why don't we all just pick one and start looking through it. Around 1900-1930s should be our best bet. Lettie, do you mind keeping a look out for that spirit?"
Lettie gave her a firm nod, stepping through the closed door. Both Jasper and Edward took her lead, heading to the cabinet closest to them.
Though some files lasted through the years, paper just beginning to yellow and become brittle, others were heavily affected by the untamed moisture in the air, ink smudging until it was illegible or even fusing until certain drawers were a touch away from disintegrating. It was hard, as well, as most files did not have photographs or descriptions attached to them, nor did they go into very much detail about the reasons they were there, nor the treatment they received. Still they persisted, moving any potentially useful files to the heavy desk in the middle. Each of them were on their third cabinet before a noise was heard.
"Oh, hello." The vampires in the room flinched, head whipping towards the door. Though unmistakingly the same ghostly voice they'd been hearing, it now had a softer, almost childlike quality to it. "Who are you?"
"Oh! Hello. I am…new to this building."
"You should watch yourself. The nurses don't take kindly to strangers." The voice lowered to a whisper. "We might get punished for sneaking in here."
"I apologize," Lettie replied, sincerity pushing through. "I shall leave shortly."
"No!" The voice went shrill, before instantly turning normal again as it continued, "No, stay! I haven't had a new friend in a very long time. Won't you play with me?"
"Play…?" Lettie hesitated a moment. Jasper and Alice spared a glance at each other before quickly returning to their cabinets, hands sifting through faster. Edward couldn't help himself, and stepped close to the door. "Play, yes. Why don't we play."
"And become friends?"
"Yes, we may become friends."
"My brother is playing hide and seek with me right now. Do you want to join us?"
"Oh! I have not played that for many years."
"It'll be so much fun! You become seeker. I've been it for too long. Count to one hundred, then come find me!"
"No, wait-!" Just as his hand was reaching for the door, a body flew through it.
Unlike Lettie, who looked just as real as his family did, this spirit was otherworldly in its appearance. From the way they were speaking, Edward had assumed Lettie was speaking to a child, no older than 10, but the woman before him looked older than any of them, possibly in her mid to late 30s. She was skinny, almost hauntingly so, but there was a brightness to her cheeks, as if she spent most of her time smiling. She was draped in a plain blue dress, a thicker version of the modern paper one they gave out at hospitals, that practically swallowed her whole, shoes too big dangling from her feet. The same feet that were hovering in the air, making her near eye level with Edward's 6'0" stature despite being closer to Alice's height proportionally. Her dark hair was sticking out in all sorts of directions, thanks to the short buzzcut it looked like she was growing out of. Her eyes, however, were milky, making her brown eyes look blue.
"Who are you? You're not doctors." Lettie rushed through the door, panic on her face.
"These are…-" she started, but the words died on her tongue when he met Edward's eyes, the first time since their unfortunate incident. Edward quickly looked away. "These are my…friends." He hated that her hesitation sent a jab into his heart. "They take care of me."
"Like our nurses do?" the ghost innocently asked.
"Yes." Lettie reached out, gently touching the other ghost, trying to bring her down to the floor. "I imagine so."
"Then they aren't good people." In an instant, the ghost's voice distorted, milky eyes turning completely opaque, her mouth falling into an overstretched wail. Her smiling lips twisted into a snarl, and any progress Lettie made trying to bring her down disappeared as the ghost rose threateningly into the air.
"Go! Run!" Lettie called, scrambling to grab onto the woman. With an invisible push, Lettie was sent sprawling to the floor, face falling into anguish. Her eyes clouded over as the image of her Father being carted away filled her mind, a newly turned ghost Lettie yelling at the passersby to save her Father, but no one being there to console her.
"Lettie!" Edward tried to step forward, but the ghost lashed out, swinging her arm. Edward only just evaded, forced to take a step away. From the floor, Lettie let out a quick sob.
"Oh no!" Just as quickly as it appeared, the terrifying image of the ghost returned to that of a woman, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. "I didn't mean to-"
"It's alright…" Lettie took a shuddering breath, waving the ghost away as it approached her. Still, the ghostly woman lowered herself until she was crouched beside Lettie, hugging her tightly. Lettie reached one of her hands out to pat the ghost gently.
"My friend…my friend…" the ghost sobbed, hugging Lettie tighter. "I'm sorry, my friend. Please don't leave me too."
"It's alright, it's alright," Lettie soothed. She tilted her head up, looking past Edward to Jasper. She flickered her eyes to the door, signaling they should leave while they could.
Like hell he was going to leave her behind.
"Lettie, are you alright?" he asked, staying where he was. At the sound of his voice, she looked up, finally meeting his eyes, her own softening as he refused to look away.
"I didn't mean to," the ghost whispered to herself, pushing closer to Lettie. "It never listens to me. It always hurts people I don't want it to."
"I'm alright, Teddy." When none of them moved to leave, she sighed, pulling herself away, with great resistance, from the ghost. "I am sorry, for what fear the nurses have caused you. But these are my friends. They shall not hurt you, nor will they hurt me."
"Lettie…" Lettie shot him a warning look before he could say more.
"My name is Leta, though you may call me Lettie, as you are my friend." Slowly, Lettie and the ghost stood up, the woman almost hiding behind Lettie as she turned them towards the others.
"My name is Terhi," she said quietly, not yet looking at the others.
"Hello, Miss Terhi. It is very nice to meet you." Lettie received a small smile from the woman, before turning her to Edward. "This is my dear friend, Edward. The handsome blonde fellow is his brother, Jasper," she gestured towards Jasper, who had taken a protective stance between the ghost and Alice, "and that is-"
"Mary Alice?" Terhi asked. The name sent a shockwave through the room. Terhi didn't seem to notice, nor care, confusion quickly turning to happiness. "Mary Alice! I found you!"