Death Has A Name

Chapter 17

Melanie awoke to darkness; her whole body ached as If a bus had hit her. As she looked around, she realised she was nowhere she recognised. There was no light to see by and she began to feel panic rise in her chest.

“It’s okay.” A voice said to her.

Melanie’s head whipped round to where the voice had come from.

“Where am I? Who are you?”

“I haven’t a clue where we are, and I’m Harper. Don’t you remember me?”

She thought back to the name and something tugged at her memory.

“Where are you I can’t see you.”

“I’m right in front of you. Are you blind?”

“No I’m not blind it’s just too dark in here. Have you got a light? A torch – something?”

“You are kidding right. It’s too bright here.”

“Okay joke’s on me. Now do you have a light or not?” Melanie held her arms outstretched, Harper immediately grasped her hands and the bright light dimmed and the darkness lightened.

“WHAT was that?” Harper asked.

Melanie now saw the man she had seen earlier. His face had a lot more colour that it had when she had first seen him. He seemed fuller somehow – more filled out. Nothing like the scarecrow of a man who had asked for help.

“I have no idea.”

Harper let go of Melanie’s hand and immediately the light blinded him and Melanie fell back into the darkness. They each groped the air for one another; as soon as they touched, everything became more bearable.

“Well that answers that question. Who are you?”

“Melanie – and am I right in thinking your mother was called Beth?”

Harper stared at her, wondering what it was she knew. “Yes.”

“So you’re the link. I know what’s happening. You’re close to losing aren’t you.” It wasn’t a question and Harper felt what little confidence he had slowly drain away.

“Yes.”

“Well, whatever this place is. I doubt we have much time. I know the demon is stronger so listen. This is what we need to do.”

It could have been an hour or a day in the place they found themselves; in reality, it was no more than mere seconds. Melanie realised she was her Grandmother’s conduit and Harper was the broken promise. Between them they came up with a plan, one they hoped would work.