A choice of the Heart

Chapter Six:

A/N: Sorry It's been so long since I updated, lots going on, trip to NYC, birthday, and moving. But I'm back now! And I'll try to update again soon!

This chapter, much like this entire story, is dedicated to the real life beauty Kiki, one of the best friends I could ever have the misfortune of crossing paths with. Happy Birthday, my lovely Air Force Girl!

Mouse! 

Chapter Six:

Once they were done eating, they brought their dishes to the sink, and Jeremy started running the water to wash them.

"Jeremy, thanks, but I can do it. You go home, tell your mom thanks for the food, and say hi to Vanessa." Kiki instructed, he went to argue, but he didn't really need to be here anymore, since Devin was back.

He looked up at the boy and received a quick nod, as though he was relieving him of the duties. So instead of fighting, he just nodded and grabbed his coat.

"Try to get some more sleep tonight Kiks, I'll be expecting to see you at school." He fake ordered, Kiki smiled and offered a mock salute. With that, he left, and Kiki turned to do the dishes.

"That boy really cares for you doesn't he?" Said a voice, Kiki nodded, then stopped, turning around quickly. That was definitely not the voice of Devin. He wasn't anywhere in sight either.

Maybe he was watching TV? It was just a line on there? Kiki tried to convince herself of this fact, but when she went to continue the dishes, she heard it again, even closer.

"Hmmm, so you can't see me yet, only hear me?" It asked, Kiki ignored it, hoping that whatever this was would go away. "Don't be silly, child, I know you can hear me. Trust me, love, I am far from the scariest thing you are going to see here. Anyways, Karen asked me to help." This made Kiki pause, and she spun around, catching a glimpse of light blue.

She was still alone though.

"Who are you?" She asked, feeling so stupid talking to the air. She glanced around, just waiting for someone to pop up and tell her it was all a prank.

"Me? I'm no one really, just a friend here to help." The voice was coming from a little to her left, so she turned that way, still not seeing anything.

"Am I hallucinating?" She asked, running a hand over her face. Maybe if she was, then this weird half consciousness would tell her. Instead, she received a simple laugh. It was a quick bark, like it wasn't so much funny as it was pathetic.

"No dear, I'm afraid you're not. I know that note didn't explain much, that's why you need to talk with Devin. He can explain better." The voice said, seeming to shift a little closer. Kiki took a step back, feeling even more on edge.

"How do you know about the note?" She asked in an accusing tone, crossing her arms.

"I know about everything that happens in this house. It is my house after all." Said the voice, a twinge of something in her voice. Kiki realized that it was sadness, and it made her heart hurt a little, though she wasn't sure why. "I lived here for 37 years, me and Walter did. We raised our sons in this house, and played with our grandkids here, and eventually, we died here."

That line took the breath away from Kiki as she realized what she was saying.

"Y-you're a g-ghost?" She asked, eyes shifting at just the idea. Kiki had believed in ghosts before this, at least in passing, but this was the first time she was experiencing anything like it in real life. But, for some reason, this ghost didn't scare her, she felt calm, even if a little on edge.

"Well, yes, I suppose that is what I am." She said, "Though, I prefer the term Delilah. That is my name after all." She chided, and Kiki felt herself shaking her head. This wasn't how she pictured an encounter like this going. She was expecting to be scared, met by a lady in a white dress and long black hair. Or creaking floors, or scary noises. Not...this.

"Okay, Delilah..." Kiki tried the name, finding herself more able to believe what was happening with each passing moment. Even with the creativity she knew that this was beyond something she could make up herself. This just made her feel even more unsure. "What do you know about this...note. Power, whatever it is." There was a pause, and for a second Kiki thought that maybe Delilah was gone, then, a sigh.

"I told you, I was just told to make sure you saw the note, and that you put on that necklace...where is it?" Delilah asked, sounding panicked. Kiki fished in her pocket, pulling it out and untangling it. If Kiki hadn't known better, she swore she could feel the sigh of relief from Delilah. "Thank goodness, put it on dear, it's going to protect you. You are going to need that. Do not take it off, ever, understand?" Kiki went to ask more questions, but she felt a strange feeling in her stomach, causing her to choke off the question.

"Oh dear, it seems I've overstayed my welcome. I must be going, you won't be able to sustain me much longer. Please, dear, talk to Devin, he's gonna need to help you."

Kiki wasn't sure how she knew, but she could tell that the ghost was gone, leaving her with more questions than she had answers.

She was going crazy, that was the only explanation that fit. She needed to talk to Devin, but she felt so tired, and she found herself laying on the couch instead, closing her eyes.

"Kiara, if you are going to sleep, at least do it in your room. I wanna watch TV." Devin's voice woke Kiki, but her eyes felt so heavy, and it was such a task just to open them. She could feel her stepbrother's presence next to her, and she felt a hand lay on her shoulder.

Then, a gasp.

"Kiki! You're burning up! What the hell? You were fine less than an hour ago!" He sounded angry, but there was definitely more to it than that.

Finally, with all her strength, Kiki opened her eyes, the chocolate brown colour clouded with a haze more that just physically. "Dev, tired, weird lady, couldn't see her." Kiki tried to explain, knowing that she wasn't making any sense, but not sure how to fix it. "Hurts." She said, realizing there was a pounding in her head, she lifted a heavy arm to hold her head.

"Kiki, I have no idea what you're trying to say, let's just, let's get you to bed." He decided, sighing and helping Kiki stand.

The younger girl made it about three paces before he shaky legs gave out and she started tumbling. She was caught by strong, tattooed arms, that encircled her. When Devin realized that this wasn't going to work, he lifted his sister, none to gently, and tossed her over his shoulder.

Once in her room, he dropped her on the bed, making quick work of her shoes and dragging the blankets back over her. Finally, he collapsed into the chair next to her, scrubbing his face.

"God, you really are nothing but trouble, huh." He said, talking to himself, not expecting an answer. He received one anyway.

"Sorry, don't know what's wrong. Got tired after...Delilah." At that name, Devin's head snapped up and he was above Kiki's head, looking grim.

"Who?" He asked, his voice more serious than Kiki had ever heard it. Kiki tried to answer, but her mouth felt so dry, and she was so tired, so her eyes slipped closed.

"Tomorrow, too tired now..." And with just that, she was asleep again. Devin felt his heart pounding, and he couldn't think, too much happening in his mind. He ran his hands roughly through his hair, messing it up even more. Then, he looked down at his stepsister, before letting out something similar to a growl and leaving.

So much for TV, he thought, he was way too wound up now to concentrate on anything. Instead, he went to the basement, and tossed on his gloves, hitting the punching bag as though it was all that inanimate object's fault.

"Life can never be easy, huh." He said, throwing another punch. "First dad, and then mom and Ed, and now, you're gonna do this to Kiki? What's your grudge, huh!" He all but screamed into the air, cursing whatever being was behind all this pain and complications. He spent another 30 minutes doing this, before he was tired enough to pass out, his clothes still on, and without even a shower. He could shower in the morning.

Yeah, tomorrow morning, everything would be better, it had to be.