Ghost of You

Twenty One

Stevie woke up early, showered and got dressed for her appointment. Lindsey was already dressed for work but he was acting strange.

"Did something happen?" she asked and he shrugged, sipping his coffee. "Alright, well you're coming to the next one, right?"

"Yes, of course."

"Have a good day" Stevie said. "I love you"

"I love you too" he said, kissing her. He rubbed her belly then watched her leave. Waiting a moment until he saw her pull out of the driveway from the window. He went upstairs and changed his clothes, knowing he needed to work quickly in the attic or else Stevie would catch him.

He wanted that stupid mirror gone and he wanted it gone now...he'd never admit it but the item scared him

Putting his hands on either side of the mirror he lifted it up, carefully walking with it to the stairs, it was big enough that he could lean over and lower it down, placing it on the floor before coming down the attic steps, picking the mirror up once more he walked through the house towards the front door

Walking down the drive with it he placed it down on the sidewalk, leaning it against the tree, taking one last look at it "Don't hate me Steph."

Meanwhile, Stevie had the strangest feeling. She put it down to nerves as her blood pressure was being closely monitored to make sure she wouldn't have any problems in her final trimester. She bit her lip, smoothing her ever growing belly. Her name was called and she went in to see her doctor.

Lindsey went back up to the attic, carefully trying to clear out as much as he could. Some of the items were too large to bring down and he kicked a box in frustration, a few photos flying out like feathers, fluttering to the floor. For a split second, he saw himself and he gasped, flipping the pictures over and shoving them into the pages of a random photo album.

He was in serious denial and didn't want to open his eyes to the fact that the unknown did indeed exist, there was another side

Finding a wooden crate, he shoved the albums, and any other loose photos he could find in there, carrying it downstairs and placing it outside in front of the mirror

Going back to the attic he took a black bag, shoving the dress, hat and boots in there, putting a few more lighter items with them and once again taking it to the front of the house

Lindsey heard crying, looking around he saw nothing. He continued, cleaning up any evidence he had been in the attic at all. He went down the small stairs and latched the door shut. He took a shower and changed his clothes again just in time for Stevie to come home.

Vanessa stood by the window, clearly distraught. Stevie caught sight of her before she even walked into the house.

"What's wrong?" Stevie asked quietly, as soon as she walked in.

"I'm never going to get Fletch back! And Ro has gone now to!" Vanessa sobbed

"Why honey? We will get them back I know we will!"

"No! They've gone! They aren't coming back!" She was beside herself

"Why? Vanessa what's happened?!"

"The mirror! The mirror has gone! Lindsey's cleared the attic and the mirror has gone!" She got out through sobs

"That can't be true" Stevie said. "He's at work."

"No..." Vanessa said. She clutched her stomach, sobs consuming her and Stevie too felt the pain.

"Please, calm down. The baby." Stevie winced, rubbing her bump.

"I can't..." Vanessa said, disappearing.

As soon as Vanessa vanished, Stevie felt a little relief from the pain but that feeling was quickly replaced by a horrible sick feeling. She stumbled into the kitchen for a glass of water. Seeing Lindsey, she gasped.

"You did it, didn't you?" Stevie asked, eyes wide.

"How was the doctor?"

"Don't change the subject."

"I made you some tuna salad. It's in the fridge. I bet you're so hungry."

Stevie turned, taking a sip of her water. Her head was suddenly pounding and she felt like she would pass out.

"Stevie, what's wrong?" Lindsey said panicked

"Don't you dare touch me!" She stepped away

"What's wrong?"

"Don't play so fucking dumb! The mirror, where is it?" She pointed a finger at him

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'm in this pain because you got rid of that mirror!"She shouted

"How has that got anything to do with it?" He asked dumbly

"I told you, and I know you've seen them. The little girl, the woman...have you seen the man?"

"You've lost it!"

"You're the most stubborn man in this world! Our little house guest is distraught over the loss of that mirror."

"Our son?" Lindsey's eyes were wide with concern and confusion.

"Vanessa!" she shrieked.

"I don't know who that is!"

"Get it back" Stevie growled.

"You need to go to bed, you don't look very good"

"Get it back!"

"I left it outside the drive by the tree..." Lindsey finally admitted, Stevie thinking back to when she drove in

"I don't remember seeing it on the way."

"If it's still there you couldn't miss it, someone must of already taken it."

"If they have I swear to god I'll kill you! You've put our baby in danger doing this!" She half cried half yelled at him

"You're crazy."

"Shut up!" She screamed before running out the door and down the drive

Lindsey tore after her. "We need to go to the hospital."

"No, you need to go out and find that fucking mirror!" she shouted, losing strength.

"How could I possibly find it? They took the pictures and everything!"

"Pictures?"

"Stevie, I..."

"Don't say another goddamn word!"

"Your hormones are--"

"Are what? My hormones have nothing to do with this! She is me, I am her...if she is in distress so am I and so is this baby. She walks around this place in pain and it has been transferred to me. You go find that mirror or..." Her vision started to narrow and his voice as he finally spoke seemed so far away. He reached for her, trying to stabilize her when she collapsed onto the front yard just outside of his grasp.