10.
In the car, Emilio drove, and Zara sat in the passenger seat. They both were sure that for a moment at least, the spirit from the house was sitting on the back seat. When either or both looked, the back seat was empty. Emilio began to pick up speed before noticing that there were two playing cards lying face down on the dashboard. He attempted to reach for them when Zara slapped his hand.
'What are you doing?' asked Zara. 'Do you want her to kill you?'
'You know what that thing is? And what does playing cards have to do with anything?'
'It is how she claims her victims, or at least one way she has of seeking her revenge.'
'What? This makes no sense.'
'It makes perfect sense. I've been hearing these stories all day; strangers keep on coming up to me ...'
Before Emilio could enquire any further a siren went off. A lone police officer on a motorcycle pulled them over. With the rain still falling, the officer approached the driver's side of the car and lifted the visor on his helmet. Emilio wound down the window.
'License and registration please,' said the officer.
'I apologize officer if I was speeding ...'
'License and registration please' repeated the officer.
Emilio complied. After a moment or two the officer would make another request.
'Sir, will you and the lady both please step out of the vehicle?'
'What? Are you serious? It is raining and we both are in our night clothing.'
'Sir, please exit your vehicle, I will not ask you again.'
Both Emilio and Zara did as they were asked, covering themselves up as much as they could. The officer reached into the car and took the two playing cards off from the dashboard. He turned them over. Shining his torch in the nighttime darkness revealed a two of hearts and a three of hearts.
The officer then shone his torch into the car. On the back seat there were two more playing cards. These two playing cards seemingly turned themselves over revealing a queen of hearts and a ten of hearts. The officer stood up straight and remained like that for a moment or so. Emilio and Zara could only just look at each other.
'What's all this about?' the officer asked before discovering two more playing cards that so happened to be within his own notepad.
The officer looked at these cards, turned and fell backwards but did not hit the ground. His being, his body lay with his heels on the ground with the rest of him hanging at an angle as if an invisible entity was holding him by his shoulders. The officer moved towards his motorcycle as if this invisible entity was dragging him towards it. The officer then got on his bike and somehow seemed to be able to drive off despite how he had appeared to be.
'Emilio c'mon, we need to get away from here.'
'This is crazy. Right, but you have to tell me what the hell is going on here. I want to know what you know.'
Seconds after having moved on in the car, a small bright light began to come towards Emilio and Zara. Before either of them could realize exactly what it was, a thump hit them head on. It was the police officer's motorcycle. The collision flipped the officer and over the car and he came down landing on his back right in front of it.
Emilio, managing to stop the car without hitting the officer, got out and headed straight for him. The officer no longer had his helmet on. His eyes were wide open, and blood trickled from his nose. With great difficulty he spoke two words before taking one last breath.
