Ghost of You

Twenty Five

"Baby, while I'm at work, you stay put." Lindsey said, rubbing Stevie's belly. He was dressed for work, already having taken the last sip of his morning coffee. "This has gone by so fast! I can't believe he will be here in just three weeks or less!"

"Speak for yourself. I ache from one end to the other. He's giant, I'm giant and I'm beyond ready to hold him"

Lindsey chuckled. "I'm ready too. Please try to rest"

"I will. I only have a few last minute things to--"

"No way, leave them to me. I don't want you exerting yourself"

"Alright honey, have a good at work!" Stevie said sweetly, planting a sloppy kiss on his lips and waving him off, turning back around she closed and locked the front door, Lindsey telling her he wouldn't feel safe if she didn't, she'd never tell him she wasn't safe anyway

Deciding she would make herself some breakfast she went into the kitchen, popping some toast in the toaster and switching the kettle on, she was trying desperately to ignore the dark shadow looming in the corners and the chill she kept feeling run through her. Stevie was buttering her toast when she felt something behind her, not daring to turn round she carried on, the energy behind her at its strongest then suddenly disappearing, leaving a clunk, Stevie shot round to find nothing, nothing but a pair of scissors and a small pile of her blonde hair

She put her toast down on her plate and dusted off her hands. She reached back and felt a huge hole in the haircut her stylist had just completed the week before. Tears filled her eyes and she huffed, but pretended it didn't bother her. She sat down at the table, her hand drifting back to the first couple layers of her hair. She heard a loud maniacal laugh and cold metal against the back of her neck. She turned around and the thud was heard again. The scissors didn't have time to close as she had turned around too quickly. She hurried up to her room and clipped up her hair, not wanting to lose anymore of her beautiful golden locks. She sighed, smoothing her belly.

"I hope she doesn't bother you" Stevie told her little boy. The fact that she would bring him home to this house with an angry spirit around terrified her. She went to the phone and called her hairstylist again saying she needed an emergency appointment. She granted it, hearing the tears in her client's voice and Stevie rushed downstairs, grabbing her purse. She took a bite of her toast and went out to her car. Josephine stood at the window, a disturbing look on her face. Her hair had fallen down in messy curls around her face and there was blood on her dress. "What has she done?" Stevie wondered aloud, pulling out of the driveway.

Lindsey pulled into the drive a few hours later, whistling as he came through the front door, walking into the living room he looked at his wife, having to do a double take

"Why the fuck did you cut your hair? I loved your hair!" He said distressed and a little angry

"I don't want to talk about it..." tears came to her eyes

"Well we're going to."

"Vanessa's sister did it, she's the same one that's been doing everything bad around here, she pushed the wardrobe!" Stevie cried, Lindsey not helping but believe her

"She cut my hair Lindsey..." she sobbed, running her hands over where her hair used to fall

"It's okay baby, it's just hair, it will grow back, less for the baby to grab anyways hmm?" He wrapped his arms around her, automatically feeling the safety of his embrace

"I guess" she sniffled . "I've never had it this short in my life."

"You're beautiful no matter what"

"I don't know what I did to deserve this."

"Absolutely nothing."

"I don't even know what to do to stop her."

"I will do anything to make her go away. I don't want her endangering you or our son."

"I'm scared" she wept.

"I know but I will protect you" he said, holding her tightly.

"Lindsey, I beg you, please get these last few weeks off work, I don't want to be here alone." She looked at him seriously

"I promise you I will do the best I can baby!"

"Thank you. He's getting scared Lindsey."

"What do you mean?"

"Noah, he isn't moving as much, I think she's scaring him." Stevie cried

"I'm going to send the Bitch right back to where she came from, I can promise you that!" He said angrily.
All of a sudden every single door in the house slammed shut

The lights went off and a gust of wind blew through which was impossible now with all the doors shut. Suddenly, Stevie was picked up in midair by her throat and Lindsey watched in horror as she coughed and grabbed at the invisible hand.

"You little whore" a voice said. "Sleeping with my husband...tsk tsk"

"Put her down! She's done no such thing!" Lindsey shouted.

"I cut your hair, I should have cut your throat" the voice warped into something even more other worldly.

"Put her down! I swear to god, if I could, I'd kill you again and send you straight to hell where you belong!"

The force dropped Stevie to the ground, and she screamed. She clutched her side, that being where she hit, and Lindsey tried to help her up.

"I killed your best friend, Fletcher, I'm not afraid to do anything anymore"

"What?" Lindsey grew more frustrated, unable to see the source of their torment.

"Don't you remember your friend...boyhood pals...?" The laughter grew loud and shook the walls and windows with such a force that one of the living room ones cracked in a spiderweb formation. "He was a good man until he wouldn't give me what I wanted....you wouldn't have a baby with me but you would have a little bastard with my baby sister. Mother was right about you, Nessie, naughty girl." the scratchy voice continued.

"She warned me about you, always said you were looking at Fletcher in a way that you shouldn't, I never thought you'd whore yourself out to him though"

"Do not talk to my wife that way!" Lindsey yelled, a sharp slap could be heard and he felt it, but never saw it

"You will do to mind your mouths, the pair of you, don't think I won't harm that little bastard of yours!"

"You will not touch him!" Stevie screamed turning into a mama bear

"Just like I didn't touch Lindsey just now, or cut all that pretty hair off?" Stevie stayed silent, just crying, Josephine letting out an ear piercing laugh before vanishing

Lindsey immediately ran for Stevie, scooping her up a little bit too swiftly.

"Ouch!" she hissed.

"We are going to the hospital." he said and she shook her head.

"I'm fine, I just want to go to bed"

"Stephanie, we need to make sure nothing is broken." Stevie rubbed her belly, still wincing in his arms. "Are you alright? Don't lie to me"

"Contractions" she said, breathing through the pain.

"Hospital, now"

"Lindsey, please" she begged.

He looked at her then nodded. "Okay but if you have any more contractions, we are going"

"Okay" she wept. Hearing her agreement, what choice did he have beyond carefully taking her upstairs and laying her down?