Red Ribbons on Her Wrists

The beginning of the end

Smith: So you're telling me you're about to go on a wild adventure with a ghost, and you had no reserves about it. In fact if I can be frank, it sounds as if you were developing feelings for this girl. Who if I can remind you is dead by your own acknowledgement. Didn't that strike you as wrong? I mean any relationship you could have possibly had would have only ended in heartbreak for both of you.

Young: I wouldn't say I had feelings for Thalia, at least not the ones you're talking about. Well not at first I didn't but that's going way forward in this story, and I promise you'll understand come closer to the end. I felt at the time sad for her, I was already heart broken over her, and I wanted to help her if I could. I had no reserves because I think subconsciously I was looking for an adventure, I was restless and now I had all the freedom in the world to do what I wanted. I had my own place, no more girlfriend literally nothing to hold me back. My schoolwork definitely suffered but in the end it wouldn't matter anyways.

Smith: You're not a doctor then? Why would that not matter?

Young: *chuckling to himself* All in due time, trust me it would ruin everything if I told you now. Back to the story? She nods with a curious look in her eye. Ok so Ashley was unceremoniously tossed from my apartment and now it was just Thalia and me. We stared at each other for a while I stood from my couch and she stayed by the door. I didn't dare even breathe for fear she'd disappear or I don't know maybe freak on me. You think I'm sweet? I asked dumbly and she smiled that same breathtaking smile from the picture. "Of course." She said. "You'd have to be after all this effort you're putting in just to know me." It was my turn to smile her compliment made me feel warm, and humble. "You know you're the first person to be able to see me in ten years, I usually stayed close to the shop hoping someone would notice me but no one ever has. So after years of being invisible I just tried to stay out of the way and live up here where no one was." What happened to you? I asked the question that had obviously been plaguing me since I'd heard her father's story. "I don't know, and I think that's why I'm stuck here." Did you kill yourself? I noticed for the first time she had two delicate red ribbons tied to her wrists. She looked down to them self consciously. "I don't know."

I want to know what happened to you I said out loud but more to myself, finally fully acknowledging id never be content until I knew. She forced an awkward smile, "me too." She said. Then she crossed the space between us and put her hand out gently towards me and touched my cheek.

Smith: How? You couldn't touch her how could she touch you?

Young: I guess you're right, touch was the wrong word, it was like when a gentle wind caresses your cheek...It wasn't solid but I could feel it. I could feel her and it was the most extraordinary sensation I have ever felt to date in my whole life. Better then sex to be honest. I gazed at her then quickly turned away, I felt shy around her I didn't know why. She was just this astonishing ethereal beauty to me. This all consuming mystery and it made me very uncomfortable. Landon looks away and laughs quietly. I was always felt that way around Thalia, one minute I was in awe the next it felt like bugs were crawling under my skin. She just had this way about her, she'd be totally normal and then I remembered she was dead and get spooked all over again. But that night, the one I had accepted that she was a ghost and I was obsessed with trying to find out what happened to her, I felt nothing but ease. It was like all of my life had been leading up to that night. I'd been born and raised to do this for her.

Smith: What do you mean by that? Because your mother was spiritual, I understand why you'd be comfortable with a ghost but what could possibly prepared a pre med student to open a ten year old cold murder investigation?

Young: I guess I forgot to divulge that my father is a homicide detective. Landon smiles a big goofy grin and I feel myself falling for this boy. He was retired by the time id moved into my place and he'd been in a different jurisdiction then Thalia case. I'm sure he had heard of it but felt no need to mention it to me. I don't know, maybe he should have. I don't think it would have stopped me from moving in but at least I might have been better prepared for her ya know. Well then again maybe he didn't know or didn't remember, I'm sure the old man forgot plenty of real life nightmares during his time on the force. Lord knows I wish I could forget what I found out.

Smith: Mind letting me know what that is yet? Might help keep me here, ya know stop me from leaving your crazy ass...

Young: Like I said before, in due time sweet heart. Besides you're not going anywhere or you'd been gone by now. There was that damn smile again. He ran his hand through his chin length curly brown hair and winked one of his green eyes at me. I sighed and rolled my own eyes toward the ceiling. Damn this boy he was in my head. That night I bombarded her with questions that she just didn't have answers for. She remembered literally nothing from that day... Not even waking up or going to school or if she ever made it home from school. So I decided just to get some of her background that went a little like this.

LY- you have any sisters or brothers?
TJ- yeah one older brother, we didn't get along. He was my parents favorite. I guess I was a difficult child, had a lot of attitude my mom said, and he was easy. He was smart, handsome, and kind, pretty much everything you'd want your son to be. I think that's why I became so timid when I got older. I just wanted to live up to what my brother was, what he meant to them.
LY- I think you're pretty great. She smiled at me and I caught my breathe. She might have had attitude but her parents could not deny that she was beautiful. So I'm guessing you weren't close with your parents then?
TJ- I loved them.. And I know they loved me, but they didn't know the real me and I don't believe I knew the real them.
LY- what do you mean?
TJ- well I knew my mother she was an open book. I mean the woman could smile and chat easily with complete strangers. She was a very.. What's the world personal person, she was never afraid to tell everyone about her family.
My dad was much more reserved, in fact I barely remember him at all. He was at work a lot I know the shop had always just managed to scrape by. So he was always in a pretty foul mood, well more so to me then the others. A shiver came over her, she visible shook in front of me. Can we please talk about something else?
LY- Sure. Did you have a boyfriend? At this she giggles and the cutest dimples show in her cheeks.
TJ- no, no boyfriend. A lot of interested parties but I didn't want any of them. I've always been a solo act of sorts. There was one guy... But we broke it off several months before... Before it happened.
LY- did you break it off with him? Was he ever violent?
TJ- yes.
LY- yes what?
TJ- she looks away, staring at my bare wall, searching for something in the nothing. When she turned back her eyes were sad and I don't almost haunted. Yes to both.