Until the very end ~ Lockwood & Co

12. Money

As I walked into the house, I heard a loud bang from the living room. Fuck, these idiots !
I ran as fast I could to them but as I entered I just saw Lockwood leaning over Lucy so close.
My heart was pounding in my chest loud, basically screaming. Normally I would have told myself to calm down. Just my boss. No feelings involved. But the last days had been exhausting. The pain of my previous injury nagging me and my feelings haunting me.
So I didn't told myself to calm down, I turned around and stormed upstairs, banging my door with all the force I could figure out.

Am I dramatic ? I probably am. But does that really matter ? I don't think so.
"Hel!"
I could hear George screaming from the kitchen.
I'm not here. I don't hear you.
I turned the music on my headphones a little bit louder. I could still hear them but it was loud enough to ignore them.
"Hel! Come downstairs!"
Not gonna do that but thank you for the effort. I laid down on my bed, glaring at the ceiling. There was not much to do in the times of the problem but sometimes starring at the ceiling and blasting music through your headphones is enough.
I flinched as suddenly Lockwood appeared. He started to talk but I gestured towards my headphones. Didn't they get that I wanted to be left alone ? He looked at me impatiently and I sighed, taking them off.

"What?"
"We need to talk, all together, downstairs."
I sighed, looking at my headphones longingly before laying them away.

I let myself fall on the kitchen chair next to Georgie. The only person I liked here at the moment. This better be important or I'm gonna cause a scene.
"Like I already told George and Lucy."
He looked at me like I did something wrong.
"There will be no pet-projects."
"I still don't understand why."
Lucy interrupted.
"There are bills to pay."
"Uh what bills ?"
Good question, Georgie. Good question.
Lockwood handed a paper, which he took out of his jacked, to George, who opened it. I looked over his shoulders , not wanting to wait until George started to read out loud.
"WHAT?"
I looked at Lockwood in shock.
"This can't be true. Why didn't you say something ?"
"Because it's my name in the door. It's my responsibility. I'll find a way."
"How ? We badly break even when things are going well!"
I nodded , in agreement , before looking at Lockwood again.
"And it's not even going well right now !"
"What about a loan. This place must be worth a bucketload."
Before Lockwood could answer I turned to Lucy shaking my head.
"This house is not something we..."
I stopped myself.
"I mean Lockwood will give away for money. It's way more worth than any money could be."
"Sorry, didn't think of that."
"He's already borrowed against it to set up the business. Jesus, Lockwood, we're screwed!"
"No, no we're not. All it takes is a few big cases."

The telephone started to ring as if it was a paid actor.
"Maybe that's one already."
Lockwood made his way to the telephone as I looked at George in disbelief.
"We're fucked."

"Who was it ?"
"Wrong number."
He was lying. To 100%.
"Listen. Exactly how famous did you say Annabel was?"
"You're fucking with me right now."
I stated , looking at him in disbelief.
"Hel, we need the money."
All the emotions inside me bubbled, everything was getting to much.
"She tried to kill us! She was in this house ! We will die."
"Rather die , then loose this job. Why can't you use your talents one to help us? We need the money for EVERY prize. You're literally made for this !"
Fashbacks were crashing my mind. Screaming, feelings . Even the air smelled like death.
I took a long look at Lockwood before I spat out
"You're just like them."
Before I turned around , running up the stairs. This time locking the door behind me.

"Open the door."
I didn't.
"Hel, cmon , let's talk ."
I didn't move.
"George and Lucy are out. I send them away. We need to talk before we start the job tomorrow . We can't keep going like this."
As I didn't answer , I thought he gone away but then I could hear a sound. I turned around in disbelief , as Lockwood pushed my door open.
"How-."
"I've got a spare key for every room here. Didn't wanted you to know but -."
He shrugged. I turned around again, not looking at him.
"Why're you being like this ?"
"Me ?"
I sat up.
"Why am I doing something wrong. You're the one risking our life for money!"
"Nothing will happen."
"Sure, because playing around with ghosts is not dangerous and NOTHING EVER went wrong."
Lockwood pressed his lips together , making me regret getting loud. I sighed, covering my face.
"Listen , Woody, It's just- ."
I looked through the window. Before talking again.
"I don't want to die."
"Neither do I."
He sat down beside me.
"No- you- you don't get it."
"Why ain't I getting it?"
I shook my head, before deciding how I will behave further.
"It doesn't Mather. It's not the time for this story."
He tried to interrupt me but I kept talking.
"I will help but if there's a moment in which you're going to far, I will tell you. If you want it or not."