The Hauntings

Chapter 23

It's been almost two weeks since Scarlett has quit being the lead backup dancer to Elizabeth shows. However life has carried on as normal, the same routine, the same screaming, adoring fans. But Elizabeth can't help feeling more alone than ever.

She's close to her team, they laugh, joke, go out for drinks. But her best friend is missing. She longes for those crazy giggling few hours before the shows and the adrenaline fuelled after show parties. Elizabeth loves her job not only because she adores singing but the fact that she was doing something with her constant, her best friend.

Obviously Elizabeth hadn't moped around she had texted with countless 'I'm sorry's', 'I miss you's.' and 'can we meet up for a chat's' but all she received back was a massive silence. Elizabeth evidently hadn't stopped at that, she'd rung Scarlett. At first she had been hung up upon and now her calls just continue to ring until it goes to voicemail. She even went to the extent to visit Scarlett's apartment a couple of times. The place always looked deserted with it's darkened rooms and it being completely motionless but Elizabeth had a sneaky suspicions that Scarlett was hiding in there.

The only conclusion that Elizabeth can think of is perhaps she needs to give Scarlett some time to come around. But it has been two weeks and her strings of hope are unravelling. Hadn't she had enough time to cool off and get over herself?  In fact she hadn't even seen Francis since then,either.

She didn't miss him as such but Elizabeth has an unrestrained urge to make him realise the damage he has managed to cause. That revelation would certainly come with pent up rage and violence from Elizabeth's part.

Bet he's hiding like a coward, now.  

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Scarlett chucks her keys on the table in the lobby, flicking her shoes off at the same time, giving some air to her tired feet. 

It has been another exhausting and frustrating day at the academy. She's beginning to think that she just doesn't have the patience to be a dance teacher. The students just don't listen sometimes. Whether that's because they have some severe hearing issue or some muscle coordination problems, she just doesn't know but it is definitely one of the two. How hard is it to control their own bodies or at least copy her? Apparently plenty hard. 

Yes, she has become one of those grumpy old teachers that have a sharp temper if the students threw a wrong move. She detests those sort of teachers herself, yet she has become one of those. What a hypocrite. 

Scarlett's phone rings, the upbeat tempo filling her cozy, quiet apartment. She rolls her eyes it's probably Elizabeth again, trying to force her to meet up so she could 'explain'. Nothing needs explaining. Why can't she just get the message and leave her alone? Hasn't she done enough to hurt her? Nowhere near enough, it seems in Elizabeth's eyes.

They're probably canoodling of somewhere and prancing of  into the countless sunsets and waking up together in the multitude of sunrises, they moronically hope to share for eternity. Well, good luck to them. It's not going to last. Elizabeth will soon come bumbling back with a broken heart. 

But it isn't Elizabeth calling. It's her Gran, she probably wants her to pick up some milk or butter before Scarlett comes to visit her tonight. 

"Hello Gra-." 

"Lett..ty. Letty. I...need...you." Christine's words rasps down the phone her breathing hitching as her voice fades in and out, after each word. Breathing being evidently laborious for Christine.

"Gran? Gran?! Yes. What's the matter? What's happened?" Scarlett heartbeat rises in panic as so does her voice.

Her hands automatically grab her car keys and she shoves her feet in a pair of shoes laying around, not caring if they are the same pair or even on the right feet. She's got to get to her grandmother no matter what.