Ghost

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"You'll be safe tonight, Julie." Mr. Borne says kissing her forehead. She lies in bed, shaking with red eyes. "Head on home, kiddo. Please be safe." he says walking towards the door. Reese is leaning on the door way and nods his head. They both walk out of Julie's bedroom, leaving her alone.

She puts her head on the pillow under her and closes her eyes. Silence fills the room, but not her head. Violent screams and bloody bodies fill her brain like a never-ending slasher flick, where she's the sole survivor. Waves of the voices of her deceased friends flood inside her mind.

"I love you." she mouths. John's voice grasps her senses as she dreams of him. "I love you." she hears, over and over again. "I'm going to kill you."

Julie springs from her bed, shrieking and holding her heart. More tears pour from her mourning eyes as she lie on the floor, haunted by a ghost that won't die. She continues to scream, but no sound comes out of her mouth; just a faint and broken squeal. Calls for help won't save her from the dark that is taking over her mind, taking over her. Her friends are trees being taken by the winter season; dead. A cold hearted killer. She stumbles over to her bed, soaked in sweat and fear. Her weak body rolls over to the side as she places her head on the pillow. Slowly, her eyes begin to close once more. The voices still speak to her, but she remains still as she listens to what they tell her. Words of forgiveness linger around her, slowly whispering their way out of her head and into the dark.

Bright yellow burns through the curtains as the morning sun projects through the window. Julie rubs her eyes as her phone alarm buzzes on from her dresser. She gives out a light yawn, despite her voice being a bit cracked from all the screaming and crying she's done this week. Her arms reach out as she stretches her slim figure, slowly swiping off her blankets. Sleepy hands scratch her head as she stands from her slumber and steps in front of the mirror next to her dresser. She gazes at herself, her over sized shirt covering her knees. After a few minutes of staring at her reflection, she walks over to her dresser and grabs her cell phone. As she presses the home button, she pauses. What if the killer left her cryptic messages? What if.. what if..

She unlocks her phone and reads a text from Reese: Good morning Julie. I hope you're okay.

She smiles at this and locks her phone again. The dresser creaks as Julie opens it, pulling out an old wrinkled shirt from it. She slams it shut and proceeds to take off the shirt she slept in and puts the other shirt on, smiling.

In a pair of black leggings and an old shirt, she steps down to the first floor of her home, bare feet on the carpet. There, she finds her father sitting on his chair, highlighting a few papers on his desk. He looks up and smiles at her.

"Good morning, sweetheart." he says looking back down at his papers.

"Dad, did you find anything on the missing bodies?" she says leaning on the door. He looks up at her and takes off his glasses.

"No, nothing yet."

"What about John?"

There is a pause.

"Well?" she says.

"No, nothing yet, doll. I'm trying my hardest. I decoded the encryption on the video and I stayed up all night looking to see what it meant. I'm so sorry." he says shaking his head. Julie nods and proceeds into the kitchen. John's still missing. Or maybe just his body is. What if he's dead? No, he's teasing them. He is holding him hostage, but where? She grabs an apple from the bowl of fruit on the counter and takes a chunk out of it, still thinkative. She returns to her father's office and sits on a chair next to the door. He looks at her again, putting his highlighter down.

"We have to protect Reese." she says taking another bite from the apple.

"I know. It's alright. I sent half the squad of our watchmen to his home, so now we only have two watching us."

"Good."

"Julie, I want you to know that I am trying my hardest to find out what the hell is happening."

She looks at him, holding the apple in her hand.

"I know it's hard to stay strong in a huge situation like this, but you have too. You've made it so far, my love. I am proud of you. I remember when I first held you in my arms, I just kept thinking you were going to be the one who changed my life. And you were. You are so special to me, Julie. You're as sweet as the apple in your hand."

"Yeah? Well, I think this apple is getting rotten from the inside."

"Don't let that little shit worm eat you inside out. Fight it."

"Dad, once you catch this worm, he'll turn into a ghost."

"That's right, Julie. Just another dead thought to be left in the past."

"Some ghosts don't die.. Look at Mom. She's not really dead, but she still haunts me. I still tell my friends she's dead, because I can't cope knowing she's gone. Damn it, Dana was the only one who knew of her."

"She was never a good mother.."

"But I still miss her. And I think I really need her now."

"She's gone, and she isn't coming back. She has caused this family too much harm."

"I know, Dad. I know. I'm sorry I brought it up." she says taking another bite from her apple. Mr. Borne shakes his head.

"Anyway, you've been missing a lot of school." he says.

"I know.."

"Well, after the day ends, we're going to go talk to Mr. Howard about your attendance."

"Okay, sounds good, I guess. But isn't there a game today?"

"Damn, you're right. Oh well, I'm sure he'll hang with us for a bit." he says closing his highlighter.

"Eh, whatever."

"I needed to talk too him anyway. I need to convince him to set early dismissals due to the murders. Sheriff Kane went there last time and he rejected the idea, so maybe if I go, he won't reject it."

Julie laughs and shakes her head as she listens. "Good luck."