Deception

-13-

     The silhouette laughs as JC grips his hand while glaring at him. Her wisps send a force towards him, sending him flying and pulling out the dagger. She gasps and falls onto the ground.

     "JAY!" Lira screams and growls at the Entity.

     She turns to him and very faint blue wisps surround her as her eyes turn that color. She punches the wall and takes a chunk, throwing it toward him. He dodges it but she speeds towards him, the faint blue wisps following her. She grips his throat.

     "Leave," she growls and he grins as he disappears.

     She looks back at the telepath, all of the wisps leaving and her eyes go back to normal. She runs over to her and places the redhead in her lap, tears tempting to fall from JC's eyes as she places a hand on her friend's face. Lira's eyes start to tear up as she takes her hand.

     The wound was deep into her stomach, blood visible through her dress. The telepath places a hand over it as she smiles at her best friend.

     "Li. This Manor is not what it seems. It only shows you what it wants you to see. L-" she pauses as she winces. "Please, leave. Leave me. Tell Abe I-I'll miss him."

     Lira shakes her head, the tears falling. "No, stop. Jay, you have to leave with me. Please. I-"

     "Do you know who that was? That was the Entity of the house. He is dangerous," she warns her as her breathing becomes very raspy.

     "Jay, I'm not going anywhere. Please!" she cries but JC sheds a tear.

     "Li... You are the sister I have never had and I thank you for that... I don't know what I would do without you..." she says as her eyes stare off.

     "No, I thank you. I don't know what will happen when you leave and I-" she starts but JC wipes a tear from the brunette's eye.

     "I would do this all over again for you to be safe," she whispers as she takes her last breath, her entire body going limp and eyes go grey, the heartbeat heard in this distorted world going silent.

     Lira gently shakes her. "Jay...?"

     She doesn't answer.

     She shakes her again.

     "Jay?!" she asks but the tears continue.

     Lira shrieks, the entire room shaking from her scream, the distortion fading.

     Abe's eyes dart toward the noise and he runs up the stairs. As he gets up the stairs, he hears the girl scream again. He runs to the room, looking in to see the brunette hugging the dead body of his lover. He places a hand over his mouth, staring in horror.

     "Jay..." Abe starts and Lira's head shoots up at him, gripping the redhead closer.

     The detective walks over to the two and sees the tear streaks on Lira's face. He places an arm around her, side hugging her. He touches JC's face, wiping a tear from her face as some start to form in his eyes. He looks at her wound then looks at Lira.

     "What. Happened," he asks.

     "I don't even understand, myself," she whispers as she holds the redhead.

     They start to hear commotion downstairs, both looking toward the door then they look back at JC. Abe places a kiss on her forehead and gets up, his gun ready. He looks towards Celine's door, wanting to try and open it again. Lira looks at her friend, her eyes giving off a very faint blue glow.