Whispers of the Heart

Chapter Eight

Susan and Mikah rushed to Abby's location after being notified by Michelle that something had happened to her. They found her on the floor, unconscious. Both of them slid to their knees alongside her, Mikah scooped her up into his arms and called her name.

"Abby! Abby!" He said as he gently patted her cheeks with his fingers.

"Abby wake up," Susan said, her hand squeezing Abby's.

Abby coughed and moaned, then slowly opened her eyes. Susan let out a gasp when she saw them, for they were not Abby's usual bright blue color, but they were green and they glowed. Susan yelped when Abby yanked her hand from Susan's and then grabbed Susan's wrist. Susan sucked in a breath as they locked eyes. The Green Lady had entered Abby's body and linked to Susan. She showed Susan what had happened to her in the past. This caused Susan to breathe erratically as she experienced the Green Lady's murder as if it were her. She finally broke free from the Green Lady's grasp and fell back onto her butt. Her hands stretched behind her to hold herself up. Her eyes never left Abby's face.

While Susan sat back on the floor, the wind began to pick up within the tower and swirled around like a tornado. Dust, papers, and leaves flew around them as Abby's body started to lift from the floor. Her arms were outstretched as the Green Lady's laugh exploded out of Abby's mouth. Her golden hair swirled around her head, flowing with the wind. Mikah turned his handheld camera on Abby, while Susan stood beneath her in shock.

"YOU THINK YOU CAN HELP ME!" The Green Lady spoke through Abby. "NO ONE CAN HELP ME!" She cried out.

Her laughter turned to an ear-piercing scream which caused the windows in the tower to shatter. Then suddenly the wind stopped, and the papers and debris dropped to the floor, along with Abby. Mikah and Susan dropped down next to her. Mikah brushed her hair from her face, while Susan checked her pulse.

"She's got a strong pulse, but she won't wake up," Susan said to Mikah.

"Michelle, Erik! We need to pack up and get the hell out of here fast! Abby won't wake up!"

Erik and Michelle had witnessed everything that had happened to Abby but were helpless to do anything about it. All they could do was to make sure that they were able to document everything. When Susan called them over the walkie-talkie, they knew that they had no time. Susan and Mikah carried Abby back to the staging area while the rest of the team ran through the castle to gather up their equipment. Susan stayed with Abby while Mikah helped the others. Once they had gathered everything up, they packed the two vans, placed Abby in the main van, and drove from the site as quickly and safely as they could.

Since she was not in any danger medically, they chose not to take her to the hospital, but back to the suite that she shared with Christopher. Susan called Christopher while on the way so that he could be prepared for when they arrived. Of course, things were going to hit the fan when they arrived. Christopher had always been nervous about Abby's ghost hunting, especially when he learned of her gift. He knew that she would be more susceptible to the effects of spirits, and one of his biggest fears ended up taking place.

They pulled up to the hotel where Christopher and Abby stayed. Susan and Mikah noticed Christopher outside as he paced back and forth, then stopped suddenly when he saw the two vans pull up. He ran over to the first van and flung the side door open, worry and fear plastered across his face as he gazed upon Abby's unconscious body. He leaned in, took one of her arms, and pulled her up so that he could lace his arm under her shoulders, while his other hooked under her legs and lifted her out of the van.

Christopher carried Abby into the hotel. He walked past the check-in, gawking eyes and whispers, and went straight to the elevators. He did not worry about the others, they knew where to go and what to do. His sole priority was to get Abby to their room and see if he could wake her up. When the doors to the elevator opened exited and went straight to their suite, and kicked the door open after he taped his key card to the lock. Then took her straight to their bed.

Christopher lay Abby down gently, then began to remove her shoes, jacket, and dirty clothes. He stripped her down to her underwear, then got a bowl of warm water and a small towel to wipe her down gently. He cleaned off all the dirt and muck that hand stuck to her face and arms from the castle, then dressed her in a pair of her soft lounge pants and shirt. He sat next to her, one hand held her right hand, while the other slowly caressed her face.

"Abby, my love," he said softly, his face close to hers, "please open your eyes."

He fought his emotions. Tears tried to burst from his eyes, but he didn't want to lose himself. He needed to be strong so that he could be there for Abby when she finally woke up. He continued to talk to her softly, his fingers gently caressing the top of her hand. After several hours Abby's eyelids began to move, her fingers twitched and her breaths picked up. The sudden changes in Abby startled Christopher awake and he gripped her hand tighter as he looked at her. Her eyes opened and she let out a soft moan as she turned her head and looked at him.