Chapter 18: Chapter 18

The basement was pitch black,she was as blind as if her eyes had been gouged. Her body washed cold. She brought her fingers to her eye sockets, they were still there. She turned back to the stairs and tried to run up, but her foot fell through each one like it was a mere projection. So how had she walked down them? She leant forwards to touch the stair and felt a fabric fall down her arm, soft and velvety.

Cold metal touched her forehead, one grope told her it was a pointed hat, like a fairy tale crown. She grabbed it and a mirror appeared in front of her, glowing like a television screen. It was her, broken face and all, dressed like some picture book queen.

She swallowed.

“The queen must die,” isn't that what the ghost said?.

Without sight of any knife in the mirror the image began to bleed from the neck. She raised her hand to feel the sticky warm fluid about her throat. She screamed; the image laughed. In a blink she was in dirty jeans once more, facing the ghoul. “Choose a card.”

Nuella shook her head mutely. She'd been here an hour tops, or this was some nightmare. She breathed. It wasn't real, how could it be.

“Choose a card.” She shook her head. “Why refuse me?” she asked.

“This is a dream! You're not real. Now I demand you melt into a puddle, then this damn haunted house will dissolve and I'll wake up in my bed.” I managed to say out of my cracky male voice.

The ghoul laughed. “Do you think you could have survived so long without eating or drinking? Why don't you think back to that day you spent under the bridge, what about us? You said you love me. What really happened? Blocked it out have we? I would too. You came to a sticky end, my love. Then you came to me. I can't manipulate the living half as well as I can the dead. And that's what you are. So let's stop all the pretence and get on with the game. Choose a card.” she said with tears in her eyes.

Within another switch she was walking naked towards me with a baby in her hand,I could hardly see her or the baby,she looked so angry,but yet so in love with me.

"I want to be with you Ethan,I love you I need you so much,our baby needs you". She said holding her hands like she was about to drop the baby on the ground.

I ran towards her but wasn't able to get closer before she dropped down on the floor bleeding,she reached out to hold me but something held on to me,I couldn't reach her.

She screamed out my name and before I knew it she was gone,just like that,she was gone with the baby.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!!" I screamed on the very last pitch of my voice. "Nuella!!!!!" I cried out.

I jumped out of bed only to hit my full weight on the ground, realizing it was only a dream.

Canada and Mark immediately rushed in to help me up but I refused, I didn't want anything from them, yet I couldn't lift myself to reach my wheelchair.

"Let me help you boss," Mark offered to help.

"I won't be needing your help,not from you or any one!" I said in a very harsh tone.

I tried to move but it only led to more hurt, I didn't want to show how much pain I felt but I know it was as visible as my face was to them,my leg wasn't all that hurt,I was bleeding,I was in much more pain then they can imagine.

I tried to reach for my chair and I landed back on the cold tiles. I watched Canada running towards me to help and without thinking I pushed her from reaching me.

"Leave me alone!" I yelled at her, trying to reach my wheelchair again. "Shit!" I yelled out.

I watched as they both tried to help me but my ego wouldn't just let me be helped. "Get out!" I command shame and consume me.

"Let me just help you into your wheelchair," Mark said.

"Get out now! Both of you..." I said as tears rushed down my eyes.

I wanted to hold still but I couldn't,I just couldn't hold myself anymore, Mark and Canada were quick to help me up into my wheelchair,the deafening sounds of my son filling the spaces inside my room.

"I want us to move" I said with my cracky voice. "Mention?" Mark asked

"Tilt Cove" I said, feeling more at ease. "Why there," he asked.

" I want to find a peace man,I want some air," I told him. "Ok we leave tomorrow huh?" He asked.

"Yeah" I nodded in agreement with him.

Just as he turned his back to face me. "Am sorry" I apologised.

"What?" Mark playing dumb with me.

"For letting myself cry in front of you two, I shouldn't have done that" I said sounding do stupid. I could hear them giggle not so loud as they both turned to leave the room.

"But am really sorry Maryam" turning to face Canada.

Mark Immediately exited the room for both of us, I could see how Canada froze and her face turned pink.

Her eyes almost dropped out of her socket, it had been long since anyone called her that,she knew I meant what I said when I called her by her real name.

"Ehn.. ehnm. You shouldn't apologize to me Ethan,I shouldn't have listened to you" she said.

" No no, I am, I am really sorry for pushing you away and telling you to leave when I know how much you cared,and how you took care of me and how many times you have been here for me,I just really want to say am so sorry for all the wrong ways that I've treated you and all... Am so sorry" I sincerely apologised.

"I forgive you Ethan,I should hope you get better soon" is all she said before she turned her back to leave me and shut the door right behind her.

"I hope Tilt Cove doesn't sound so bad," I asked, trying to read the expression on her face. "What!" She asked so surprised

" Yes Canada,I can't live without your amazing meals" I said out loud. "Ahhhhhhhhh, thank you so much" she said, more excited than I expected.

She left the room saying thank you at every very second and running down the stairs to the kitchen.

I was left all alone,and those nightmares began to haunt me once more.