American Fantasy

Ghost in the Wall

"In spite of everything life is not without hope." – Marilyn Monroe

Addie hobbled behind Napoleon, they had arrived early in the morning. Napoleon smiled as he explained jet lag to her.

"It sucks," Addie complained.

"You'll get used to it," Napoleon opened the door, inside was one small bed, along with bags scattered across the floor. "Gaby bought you some clothes since we had to leave so quickly."

Addie smiled tiredly, "that's so nice. I don't recognize any of these brands, which means they must be fashionable."

Napoleon pulled back the covers on the bed, Addie kicked off her shoes.

"There are pajamas in there, you can get changed. I'm right across the hall if you need anything," Napoleon intended to leave her at that but Addie wrapped her arms around him.

"I'm glad you're not dead, Leon."

"I'm glad you're not dead either, Addie," Napoleon rubbed the back of her head. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Addie sorted through the bags, she them up in the small wardrobe beside her bed. She found pajamas and slid them on.

"Silk pajamas, who am I, a princess?"

"I wouldn't imagine a princess staying at a hotel like this," a low, male, voice came through the wall.

Addie squealed and jumped back, reaching for the umbrella she had laid down on the bed, "who's there?"

"I'm a ghost," the voice cracked up a bit at the end of the word 'ghost'. Addie put down the umbrella and put on hand on her hip.

"Oh really? Well, Mr. Ghost, how did you die?" Addie walked to the wall by her bathroom, she pressed her ear to the wallpaper.

"It was so long ago, but I believe it had something to do with my affair with Queen Victoria, I was her stable boy, you see-" Addie walked to the other side of the room and found the point where the voice was originating. "-I knew it was wrong but in my heart I knew-" Addie banged hard on the wall with her fist. "-ow."

"Haha, found you," Addie gloated.

"Eh, it was fun while it lasted," the 'ghost' gave up, his voice moved farther away. "You must be Adelaide then."

Addie sat on her bed, facing the wall, "and how do you know that?"

"My commander, Illya Kuryakin, he works with your brother," Addie criss-crossed her legs.

"Oh, yeah, that name sounds familiar. Do you know why we're here?" Addie played with the edge of the pillow case as she talked. If the girls back in her class knew that she was talking with a Russian, she could only imagine what they would say.

"Their last mission had some loose ends, we're here to tie them up. Well, that's why I'm here,"

"Are you an agent too?"

"Yes," a Russian agent, the only thing worse than a Russian. "And you are..."

"Not an agent, extremely not an agent. I'm more of a lover than a fighter." Addie heard soft laughter from beyond the wall. "So, I guess I'll see you in the morning, Mr. Ghost."

"Most people call me Pavel."

Addie pushed her feet underneath the covers, "goodnight then, Pavel."

"Goodnight, Adelaide."