I knew I was dead before I opened my eyes. I felt strange. My body felt like it was disconnected, somehow, like I had nothing tying me down to the ground. I opened my eyes and instantly recognised the interior of the Glass House. Only it was all wrong. Everything was in black, white and grey. I slowly sat up and winced, grabbing at my chest. I looked down and was startled to see a huge gaping hole in my chest, blood gushing out and drenching my shirt. I furrowed my eyebrows. I couldn't feel a thing. I pinched my arm hard. Nothing. I stood slowly, then grabbed at an armchair that was close to me when I stumbled. My hand went right through it. I stared at it, then at my hand. It looked solid. Apparently not.
I suddenly heard a scream, and my head snapped to the side. Natalie.
I dashed down the hallway and grabbed the door handle, ready to fling it open. My hand passed right through it. "No!" I yelled, grabbing at it again and again. My hand went through it every time. I suddenly had an idea and slowly stuck my head through the door. It worked. I was outside.
I was shocked when I saw Natalie kneeling next to me, cradling my head in her arms. My eyes were wide open, but they were dull, all the light gone. My once caramel eyes were now a straw colour. I frowned. That was Old Justin. I was New Justin. I started walking down the steps, but something held me back. Physically. It was like a wall, the harder I pushed the more solid it became. I gave up and tried calling out to my mistress.
"Natalie! Natalie I'm here! Here!" I shouted as loudly as I could. She didn't respond, her sobbing and screams continued. The vampires that had attacked us were nowhere in sight. Michael stood behind Natalie, silent tears rolling down his face. My poor boy. Eve was in his arms, her lips parted in horror as she stared at my lifeless body. Shane stood a little way off, his hands slack. His shoulders were slumped, his face blank. Where was Claire? I spotted her a few moments later. She was sitting next to Natalie, a bloody stake in her hands. My breath caught. Had Claire staked me? No, she wouldn't. But I hadn't seen my killer's face...
No, that was ridiculous. I was Claire's Protector, the penalty for killing me would be worse than death. I saw the tears streaming down her cheeks and realised she had tried to save me. She had taken the stake out. Natalie gently brushed some hair out of my eyes, and started sobbing harder. I hated to see her like this. I wanted to comfort her, but couldn't.
"Michael! Eve! Shane! Anyone, please, can you hear me?" I shouted. No one acknoweledged me. I was a ghost. I was trapped. Forever.
