by Lisa Coots
“Nothing yet, but Serena just told me some disturbing stuff. Do you trust her dreams?”
“Dreams?” Relieved, he coasted down the exit looking for a place to park.
Pulling into a restaurant parking lot, he listened to Ben describe Serena's dream. The thought of Serena in a white dress made him feel weird. The blood on the dress and Richie returning made his blood boil.
“So, she's saying the night Richie died, Claire went missing and they found the graveyard, was her dream?”
“Yes.”
“But you think it's not over. Why?” Trying to understand Ben’s concern, his gaze wandered to the flashing arrow sign.
“They're planning to go dress shopping. Wedding dress shopping.”
“What?” The image of Serena in a flowing white dress came to mind again. “Do you really think something will happen? I don't know, Ben.”
“Look, I'm going out to the graveyard. We might be missing something there.”
“Why do I need to come back? If they're going shopping, they won't be at the house.”
“Serena is planning to have dresses brought to Coeur du Bayou for them to try on.”
“Why? Is she trying to provoke him?”
“I don't know, but she's not telling us everything. I had to practically drag the dream out of her.”
“I'm coming back. Let me call Sebastian. We might need help.” Mason already reaching for the key in the ignition, made the decision instantly. He wasn’t sure what Serena had in mind, but he’d rather be close by.
“Yeah, if you think so.”
“What?” Ben's less than enthusiastic response had him questioning his decision.
“Just maybe, Gabe might be more helpful. If you think we need help.”
Mason sighed as he made the connection Ben was trying to point out. Sebastian was an unapologetic ladies man. He flirted shamelessly with every female he came in contact with. After meeting Evan, it was sure to be trouble down the road.
“Yeah, you're right. Sorry, I wasn't thinking.”
“Look, just come back. You might get something that's not obvious to Serena. Or maybe figure out what she's up to.”
“Up to?” The suspicion rose up quickly, and he cursed himself for it.
“I can't understand it. She doesn't want her friends hurt, but she's going ahead with this. Maybe she just doesn't see it.”
Ben was trying to reason it out for himself. Mason could hear the sharp click of his camera. Obviously at the graveyard, he was determined to keep moving forward.
“Oh, Rena..,” Mason whispered half to himself. “She does Ben. She knows exactly what she's doing.”
“I don't.”
“She's showing him she's not afraid.” He remembered the fierceness in her eyes when she cursed Richie for coming into her home. No, she wouldn't let him take over, but foolishly her friends would be there, too. “Ok, I'll come back. Maybe we can distract her with Anna.”
“She doesn't want to do that again,” Ben reminded him.
“Well, then maybe we'll try with Jake.”
Mason had plenty of time on the drive back to Coeur du Bayou to go over everything leading up to the time Serena had run off.
When he brought her home with him, everything had been fine. There had been some awkwardness, sure. Ending his engagement to Eva so abruptly had been a shock to his family, but they had all warmed to Serena immediately. Sebastian a little too much. Mason’s feelings for her had been so overwhelming he had fought with Sebastian. His jealousy quickly drove a wedge between them. Sebastian’s need for attention had him flirting with Serena just to spite him.
The team was promising. With the rise of reality TV in the ratings and so much talent on their team, he knew their chances of getting their own show were better than good. Eva, his ex-fiancé had been the one pushing them into the TV show. Actually, he had suspected it was Sebastian's idea from the beginning. His little brother had used Eva to get him to agree to the idea. Sebastian had always longed for the limelight, and Eva was ambitious. Her business sense and confidence had appealed to him when they first met.
By the time Eva was out of the picture, they were well on the road to TV-land. With stars in their eyes, they set up an investigation at a notoriously haunted house. They began their work like any other job, but this time with cameras in their faces. It was challenging, especially for Ben, who really preferred to be behind the camera, but they all soon adjusted to their roles as would-be celebrity ghost hunters.
Then, just as they became comfortable with constant surveillance and camera crews under foot, funding was pulled, and a lawsuit threatened. Then Serena disappeared and he discovered the money was also gone.
His first instinct was to blame Sentinel, a rival ghost hunting team, but when the money disappeared, too, he had to rethink. Serena leaving so suddenly, right at that crucial time, had him drawing obvious conclusions.
Pulling his bags out of the car, his eyes were drawn to the house. Serena's house. Something wasn't sitting well with him. The jealousy maybe. The front door opened, and the frantic look on Ben's face alarmed him.
“Mason… Man.” Running a hand through his closely cropped hair, Ben sighed with relief.
“What is it?”
“She had another episode in the kitchen.”
Hurrying to the kitchen, he found Faith sitting on the floor, her back propped against a cabinet. Evidence of tears showed on her face.
“What happened?”
“It was so real…,” she whispered.
“Tell me.”
“The recorder’s running,” Ben said in a soft voice behind him. “The meters went off down here. I thought it was an earthquake or something.”
“Tell me,” Mason prompted Faith again as he sat next to her on the floor.
“Pie. I was making a pie for him. I sneaked it out to the barn for him. I was going to leave it there. He leaves gardenias there for me.”
“Ok. The barn is close by then. Here on the property?”
“I think so, yes.” Faith sniffed rubbing at her nose.
“You left the pie?”
“He was waiting for me.” She smiled sadly. “We... We're in love, but my father can't find out. He doesn't like him because he's from across the river. After, we...” Her cheeks bloomed with color and she looked down shyly. “I walked him to the ferry. Through the woods so no one would see us together.”
“Ferry?” Mason didn’t like the way she kept slipping from her own thoughts into this new persona.
“He lives across the river and only comes to town to work.”
“Why were you crying? Were you scared?” Mason reached for her hand, holding it gently in his. He sensed a subtle variation in her speech pattern as she shifted from her own agitated reaction to the eerily calm thoughts, feelings and memories of Anna.
“No, I'm sad,” Faith continued, now firmly in Anna’s aspect.
“The baby?” he asked, suddenly feeling a sorrow that was deep and overwhelming. It hung on his shoulders like a weight pulling him to the ground.
“No, my mother died upstairs.” Faith pointed to the ceiling. “She’s been so sick since we moved here.”
“She showed you her mother dying.” He squeezed her hand, knowing the pain she had just experienced.
Faith stalled in her reply. A surge of painful regret rippled across her face. In a beat she refocused and met his gaze. “She was with him when her mother died. She's so sad and she wanted to go back to him, but she has to wait until he comes for her.”
“Where is everybody?” Serena's voice echoed through the foyer.
“In here,” Ben called out.
“Hey, I thought you were...” Her dark eyes took in Mason, and Faith on the floor. “I told you to leave her alone.”
“We didn't do this. She was in here alone when it happened.” Ben used his patient voice as he clicked off the recorder.
“Anna wants her to see,” Mason said simply watching her face change from ang
er to understanding.
“Anna?” Faith asked softly.
“The ghost lady.” Serena smiled sadly as she knelt down to be eye level with Faith.
“Oh. Her name. How did you find it? On the grave?” Looking to Ben, Faith gulped loudly.
“Umm...” Ben looked uncomfortably from Mason to Serena. “No, you told us.”
“No, I didn't know her name. Did I say that?” Rubbing her head, she sat up straighter trying to recall.
“Not today, hun. In the session,” Serena answered, her dark curls hid her face as she hung her head. She knew what was coming next, and Mason could tell she wasn’t happy about it.
“I want to see the video.”
CHAPTER 13
“This isn't a good idea.” Serena cast a worried glance at Mason over Faith's head, who sat next to her on the love seat fidgeting.
“I agree, but she wants to see it.” Mason paced the parlor floor waiting for Ben to return with his laptop.
“Yes, I do. I don't remember anything really. This time it was so clear. I was there.” Faith wrung her hands.
“Rena, obviously the ghost is going to show us one way or another.” Mason could feel Serena’s dread. Once Faith saw the video everything could fall apart. If what she saw frightened her, she might leave Coeur du Bayou never to return.
“I want Jake here. He should be here,” Faith announced rubbing her hands on her jeans.
“We talked about this.” Serena was quick to caution her friend.
“Please, do a session with him. I need to know.” Grabbing Serena’s hands in hers, Faith pleaded desperately.
“Know what?” Obviously surprised by Faith’s surge of emotion, Serena’s brow furrowed with concern.
“It's him, isn't it? I'm her and he's the guy.” With watery eyes, Faith looked from Serena to Mason for confirmation.
“No, Faith. Just calm down.” Serena shook her head making her curls fall forward over her shoulders.
“I can't. I felt it. It was real!” Pulling her hands away from Serena, Faith rubbed them over her face.
“Ok. I'll just set this on the table.” Ben held out his laptop as he entered the room, stopping at the awkward silence.
“I called Jake,” Faith blurted out.
“What? When?”
“I want him to see. Maybe he'll remember.”
“I could just bring the laptop to him,” Ben offered lamely.
“No, he's on his way.” Faith’s determination was clear. Mason watched her closely. If she was acting strangely, surely Serena would notice. As soon as the front door opened Faith jumped up off the sofa, meeting Jake as he entered the room.
“Hey, babe. What's going on?” His brown eyes were focused only on Faith.
“I'm ok. I had another episode.”
“Oh. So you're ok?” Still in his work clothes, Jake regarded them nervously before pulling Faith towards him.
“Yeah, I'm ok, now.” Faith wrapped her arms around his waist.
“You need me to take you home?” Jake asked softly into her hair.
“No, I want you to watch this with me.” At Faith’s request, Jake looked over her head questioningly.
“It's a video of her session. I'm still not sure she should see it.” Serena stood making her objection clear.
“Why? What happened?”
“Umm, nothing. She just answered some questions,” Ben answered, setting up his laptop on an end table.
“But I don't even remember the questions or answering them. That's why I want to see it.” Faith’s voice was persuasive, her ponytail swayed with each shake of her head.
“How come she doesn't remember?” Jake asked nervously.
“It's common with hypnosis.” Mason could feel Jake’s uneasiness. With the past experiences his apprehension was understandable.
“Oh yeah, I think I had heard that somewhere.” Pulling at his work shirt, he noticed his clothes. “I should have stopped to take a shower first. I just.... You sounded upset on the phone.”
“I'm ok, really.” Faith gave him a quick peck on the cheek then turned to Ben. “Can we do this?”
“Faith..,” Serena started to object again.
“Rena, she wants to see it and there's really no reason for her not to. Maybe it'll put their minds at ease.” Mason reached out a hand to touch her shoulder, he longed for more. He wanted to comfort her, to hold her.
Glancing over her shoulder at him, she nodded. “Go ahead then. I'll be in the kitchen.”
Letting out a sigh, he followed her a few steps to the foyer. It seemed one of them was always walking away.
Suddenly turning to face him fully, Serena grabbed his arm. The heat was instantaneous. “I thought you left?”
“I thought I needed to leave. Right now, I think me being here for you is more important.” Mason stared into her eyes. Their connection went beyond words.
She let go of his arm and nodded silently before leaving the room. Mason wanted to follow her out, to tell her she was wrong about them. Instead he focused on the room around him. Traces of lingering sadness, and something else he couldn't place.
Ben sat Jake and Faith down on the love seat and pulled an end table with the laptop in front of them. Once they were settled, Ben started the video. Mason knew Ben was watching them closely for signs of distress. He heard his own voice telling Faith to relax and he felt the room again. Something felt off to him.
When Anna started answering him, he heard Jake’s sharp intake of breath. Jake took hold of Faith's hand as the questioning continued. Finally, the video ended. Everyone sat in silence waiting for Faith to say something.
“Her name is Anna.” Faith smiled at Jake squeezing his hand. Excitement was not what Mason had expected.
“Yeah, that was weird.” Jake pulled at his shirt with his free hand, and looked down at this shoes.
“Jake, you ok?” Ben asked concerned.
“Yeah, it was just weird seeing her like that.”
“Yes, it can be unsettling,” Mason tried to reassure him.
“Can we go now?” Jake asked Faith directly.
“Yeah, sure. Let me get my stuff and tell Serena bye.” Faith left the room, a happy smile on her face.
Jake immediately stood and faced him. “What was that? It wasn't her voice!”
“Calm down, Jake. She was under hypnosis.” Ben closed the laptop and stood.
“I don't like it. Don't do it again.” Unconsciously he pulled at his shirt repeatedly.
“Serena has voiced the same concerns, so we've decided not to proceed with the sessions. So we're good.” Mason gave him a friendly smile.
“Serena didn't want her to?” Dropping his hands to his hips, Jake’s brow raised with suspicion.
“I told you. Her main concern is her friends.” Trying his best to smooth over Jake’s uneasiness, Mason shrugged calmly.
“Can't you just do an exorcism or something to get this over with?” Jake’s voice was wrought with fear and desperation.
Mason felt the change in the air before he could answer. A door upstairs slammed. The light fixture overhead started to hum.
Faith and Serena came back into the parlor looking behind them nervously.
“You should go,” Serena said to Jake.
“Yeah, good idea.” Jake reached for Faith's arm, still warily eyeing the light fixture. “Come on, babe.”
“I think you should take a break for a few days, or so,” Serena suggested, her eyes wandering from the ceiling back to Faith. “We all do. So take few days off from here. Don't worry about food, we'll be fine.”
Ben grumbled, but nodded in agreement.
“Wait.” Faith dug her feet into the antique rug when Jake tried to pull her to the door. “I'm not running away from this.”
“Actually, I was thinking we'd all go away for a while. Mason has things to take care of and Ben has a lot of reviewing to do. Y'all should all go.”
“Serena… No! We've got a wedding to plan, remember?” Faith
ignored the slamming door. Overhead the hum grew louder.
“You and Claire can work on the food plans and whatever else.” Serena tried again to corral them to the door.
“What about dresses?” Faith still wasn’t budging.
“We can do that when I get back. There's plenty of time.”
“Back?” Mason's curiosity mixed with a tinge of panic that she would leave this place and he wouldn't be able to find her again.
“I also have some business to take care of.”
“Ok. I'll stay here and review and keep an eye on things for you,” Ben offered.
“I don't need you to stay Ben.” Serena obviously frustrated with Ben for voicing his intentions in front of Faith, crossed her arms in front of her.
“I know, but everything's here and set up already. I think I should just stay here.”
“And y'all should take a trip to the city to go dress shopping. You'd have more to choose from,” Mason suggested casually. His gaze was drawn to the candlestick on the mantle.
“You called him.” Her eyes narrowed on Ben. “I knew it.”
“I don't think it's a good idea, and I'm sure I'm not the only one,” Ben defended his actions.
“Rena, we can talk about that later. After we all take a few days and come back. It'll give us all time to consider the evidence and figure out how to proceed.” He envisioned taking Serena home with him, or just a few days on a beach somewhere. Images of their tanned bodies intertwined in the sand sprang to mind.
“I'm set up here. I'm not leaving.” Ben shoved his hands in his pockets, and shrugged.
“Well, what about my baking?” Faith asked.
“You have a cake due soon?”
“No, but... What about.. Ugh.” Faith slapped a hand to her forehead. “I was supposed to make pies for the diner.”
“Faith, you can use my kitchen. Just for a few days. Gil will understand if you don't have any for tomorrow.” Jake rubbed a hand over her arm.
“He might, but I don't.” She yanked her arm away from Jake and glared at Serena. “What's different? It happened before. I'm fine.”
“Look, let's just take a few days and come back.”
“Ugh, whatever.” With a final snort, Faith pushed Jake towards the heavy wooden door.