“Elise!” he shouts, stopping me in my tracks. “I’ve got it, just sit down.”
I turn around, glancing up at him, his expression serious and guarded. “Sure, okay,” I put my hands up. “Sorry.”
Ascot goes to work, broom already in hand but how, I have no idea unless he grabbed it when I wasn’t looking.
This is awkward. I was only trying to help.
He scoops the last of the broken dish and empties the dustpan in the trashcan under the sink. He quietly sets the broom to one side and looks away, troubled. “I’m sorry, Elise,” he whispers, shaking his head. “I, uh, can we do this another night?”
“Oh,” I whisper, stunned at the sharp turn of events.
“Here,” he wraps the chicken parmesan with two kitchen towels. “Please take it,” he reaches out. “I, I need to take care of something.”
“No, I-I’m not hungry anymore,” I blurt out, embarrassed, “you keep it, I gotta go,” I rush toward the door without looking back. Ascot calls my name as I sprint down the flight of stairs, humiliated and trying to get away.
Please don’t come after me.
I’m at my front door in a flash, anxiously grabbing for the key in my front pocket. I yank it out, scrambling for the lock, my heart racing, my fingers fumbling. Finally, I hear the click and charge in, slamming the door behind me. I close my eyes and lean against the back panels, relieved and panting.
What the ever-loving hell just happened?
“Elise,” Sylvia whispers and I glance up. “What’s wrong?” she stands only feet from me in full form, a worried look on her face.
I shake my head, palming my face. “You didn’t see that?”
“See what? I was too busy investigating the portal.”
I suck in a breath. “Oh shit, I forgot about that,” I lower my hands, reaching for a tissue from the coffee table. “What did you see?”
“Oh no, you’re too upset, you go first.”
“I-I really don’t know what happened,” I look away, replaying it in my mind. “One minute we’re drinking wine, having a good conversation and the next, Ascot’s face goes white and he breaks a plate. When I get up to look for a broom, he wigs out.”
“Hang on,” Sylvia takes my hand. “Slow down and tell me everything you said.”
“I did,” I sniff, looking up at her. “I mean, the only other thing…” I pause and tilt my head.
“What?”
I reach down and slip off my shoe. “This? Could this have set him off?” I whisper.
“I’m not following you,” Sylvia studies me as I think back.
“My foot,” I say, trying to piece it together. “His face changed when I talked about it.”
“Why would he be upset about that?”
“I don’t know,” I scratch my head. “He’s the one who brought it up and asked if it was still sore.”
“What did you tell him?”
I shrug. “I told him it miraculously healed overnight.”
Sylvia turns her head sideways. “It did?”
“Yeah, it was kinda weird to be honest,” I say, still perplexed. “Anyway, Ascot knew I stepped on the rug when it was still wet,” I look up at her. “Then I made a joke about him having magical fish.”
“Is that when he broke the plate?”
“Yes,” I wipe my nose with the tissue.
“Humm…” Sylvia looks away. “That kind of makes sense.”
“I’m not following you.”
“The portal,” she whispers, glancing back at me. “The dead are attracted to it because of its healing powers.”
“Huh?” I make a face. “Why would the spirits be drawn to that? I mean, they’re already dead.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not sure, I was only able to communicate with a few, but somehow they’re under the impression that they can be resurrected.”
“What?” I blurt out. “I hope you told them that’s impossible,” I blink several times. “But, how is that connected to the water leak?”
“Again, I’m not sure. Our communication was interrupted when you suddenly left.”
“Oh,” I frown and walk to the kitchen. “Could it be possible the two things are connected?” I reach for a glass.
“Maybe,” she whispers. “I’m starting to wonder if the water really does have some kind of healing power?”
“Oh,” I hold the glass under the faucet, filling it midway. “I see where you’re going, now,” I take a drink. “But why would that be a problem?”
“Well, my dear that is what you need to find out.”
Chapter Six
Hours have passed and I’m still wide-awake, going over the conversation I had with Ascot. The more I think about it, the more Sylvia’s thoughts make sense. Maybe Ascot is attracting spirits through the portal? Could he possibly have capabilities similar to mine? And what about the water leak? He did seem pretty eager to take care of it right away, hell, he practically insisted...
My phone dings and I reach for it on the nightstand. It’s a text from a number I don’t recognize, so I click on the green message box.
“This is Ascot. I got your number from the management company.
We need to talk, can I come see you?”
I gasp.
Holy shit!
My thumbs begin to tap the screen.
“Now?” I type and hit send.
Three dots pop up, and then:
“Yes. It’s urgent,” he texts back.
What the?
I throw the blankets off my legs and leap out of bed, dropping the phone. I quickly lean down, slightly dizzy from the sudden motion and pick it up. My mouth goes dry as I read his text again and type:
“Okay, give me 5 minutes.”
I toss the phone on the bed and race to the closet, looking for something decent to wear other than my usual skimpy t-shirt and underwear. I grab a pair of jeans, folded in my closet and the blouse I had on earlier draped over a chair. Quickly, I get dressed and dash to the bathroom, running a brush though my hair. Then open a drawer, finding one of my ChapSticks and swipe it a couple of times over my lips.
“At least your eyes aren’t puffy from crying,” I whisper to myself.
This’ll have to do.
I switch off the light and make my way to the living room. The apartment remains eerily quiet, no good or even bad spirits trying to get my attention. It’s kind of nice, but still, very strange. Maybe they’re all upstairs?
Reaching over, I turn the lamp on next to the sofa just as three soft knocks sound at the door.
That was fast.
Maneuvering around the coffee table, I slam my toe into the wooden leg and yelp, covering my mouth as I hop through the pain.
“Elise?” I hear Ascot’s muffled voice from the other side of the door.
“I’m okay,” I turn the knob and lock eyes with him, his expression washed in concern. “Come in.”
“What happened?” he asks, watching me limp to the kitchen.
“It’s nothing, I just banged my foot,” I shake my head. “Do you want something to drink? Water, tea?”