Talking to Dead (The Banshee Series Book 1)

by Amaris Marx

  “I understand. You take your time. Meanwhile I’ll try to find Jonathan’s family address,” the ghost guy said and then the air shimmered and he disappeared.

  Franz smiled and looked at Azalea.

  “I’ll call your boyfriend in. Lucas and Daniel are both worried.” Franz said and left the room. Moments later both guys walked in. When they saw Azalea awake they released a sigh. Daniel walked towards her and kissed her lightly on her lips.

  “I’m glad you’re okay.”

  Chapter Nineteen – The Note

  Three days after Azalea woke up she was let out of the hospital.

  "Finally," she sighed as Franz picked her up. Franz chuckled and shook his head.

  "I'm sure it wasn't that bad," he said and Azalea groaned.

  "I had to be in bed for three days while they ran hundreds of tests on me. It was annoying and boring. Do you know how hard it is, lying in bed while your best friend is missing? How hard it is, knowing that you have a gift that can help her but you are just a beginner and don't know how to use it? It's hard grandpa." Azalea sobbed and Franz hugged and comforted her.

  "It'll get better. It's always hard at the beginning but it gets better," Franz said to Azalea and she nodded still sniffling a bit. "Let’s go home. We'll talk about the situation there," Franz said and drove off. While they were driving, Azalea couldn't help but think what would be different if she hadn't got the Banshee gift. She would probably be even more bored at the hospital. Since she could talk to ghosts she had some company and, even though they were dead, they were interesting to talk to. But still some of those ghosts - the hospital was full of them - gave her the creeps. Those three boring days she helped Thomas - the ghost from her room - find the killer’s family. Since most of the day all the computers were occupied they could only use them at night.

  It's not like Azalea knew the passwords and all that but Thomas had been there for a long time and he knew how to use the computers without really leaving a trace. It was supposed to be a ghost thing.

  They didn’t find anything. It looked like either the guy didn’t have any family or wasn’t in the records. Those things made Thomas angry and Azalea felt bad for him. He didn’t deserve this destiny. She learned that he had a girlfriend and that they promised each other to meet again and create a family after the war. It never happened and sadly he didn’t have a chance to see her for the last time.

  They also tried finding her records but they couldn’t find her. It seemed like they didn’t even have patient files before. That saddened Thomas too. He hoped to find his peace and also see if the love of his life found herself another man to start a family with.

  “We’re here,” Franz said and woke her up from her thinking. Azalea just nodded and walked into the house. What she didn’t expect was that Daniel would be waiting for her. And while he was waiting for her, he talked to Leticia (Franz’s sister). Daniel lifted his head and his gaze met hers. He grinned and stood up.

  “Azalea,” he breathed out relieved and pulled her into a hug. “I’m glad you finally got out. I was worried they’d find something and keep you there for longer. I’m also sorry that I didn’t visit you. I tried to keep Lucas occupied since Anny’s missing. He is so down and confused at the moment.”

  Azalea smiled, understanding how worried he must be for his best friend.

  “It’s okay. I’m just happy you two are getting along again. I felt kind of guilty for causing the fight between you two,” she said and Daniel shook his head.

  “It wasn’t your fault so don’t feel guilty. I think Lucas just wasn’t pleased with me finding a girlfriend. I admit I was a bit of a player before you but I’ve changed and that’s what bothers Lucas the most,” Daniel said and looked at his watch.

  “I have to go home. I’m supposed to have dinner with my parents and I’m going to be late,” Daniel said quickly and pecked her on the lips. “Bye.” He said and left. The sudden rush confused Azalea and for some reason her gut didn’t believe him.

  “That was weird,” Franz said as he came in. Azalea just shrugged and went to the kitchen. She really wanted to eat something better than that hospital food. Finding some lasagne leftovers she took them out and placed them in the microwave. Waiting for the leftovers to heat up she sat down at the counter where a pile of letters were lying.

  Just then Franz walked in and noticed Azalea.

  “There’s a letter for you in that pile,” he said and Azalea quickly searched for it. When she found it she opened it and looked over it. It was a short one and it wasn’t signed. It said:

  I have what you and your friends are looking for. She looks quite delicious just like your sister was and I believe I’ll get a taste of her soon. You have four days to figure out where we are before I have my taste.

  Tick, tack – the clock is running.

  Franz noticed the confused expression on Azalea’s face and looked over her shoulder. He read the letter and took a deep breath.

  “We have to tell the police about this. They can look for the fingerprints or something,” Franz said quickly taking the letter from her hands. He called the police and told them what was going on. Once he finished the call he looked at Azalea. She was shaking a bit and breathing harder. She was having a panic attack.

  “Azalea.” He called waving a hand in front of her face. She wasn’t responding. “Azalea!” he yelled then and shook her. That woke Azalea up from her daze and she looked at him with fear written all over her face. She suddenly broke down and sobbed into Franz’s shirt. He patted her back, comforting her.

  After a few minutes she stopped and leaned back.

  “I’m sorry,” she muttered and stood up. Franz wanted to tell her that it was fine but she left the kitchen before he could. Azalea went to the bathroom to freshen up but when she looked at herself in the mirror an image flashed in front of her.

  Gasping Azalea looked in the mirror again. This time the image was clearer. It looked like a room. She quickly looked away and called Franz. He ran into the bathroom and looked at Azalea concerned.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked when he saw Azalea’s eyes full of fear.

  “When I look in the mirror I see images,” she explained.

  “What do you see?” Franz asked and Azalea hesitated at first.

  “I saw a room but I looked away before I could see more,” she answered and Franz realized her gift’s power was expanding.

  “Look in the mirror again and don’t look away before I say so. While you’re looking explain what you see.” Azalea shivered from fear but then looked in the mirror. An image formed in front of her. But before she could say a word the doorbell rang and the image disappeared. Franz looked curiously at Azalea but she just shook her head.

  “It’s gone.”

  Chapter Twenty - Another Rescue

  The police station was full of people and it was getting really loud. Azalea was getting frustrated with them. No one did anything; they just stood there shouting things no one understood. Lucas was the only one next to Azalea who never said anything and just observed the situation.

  After the mirror vision Azalea had, the police showed up at their house and looked at the note. They put it into a plastic bag and took it with them and also asked Azalea and Franz to join them. They went to the police station and soon after the police contacted Anny’s parents about the new evidence the chaos began.

  “Azalea!” Franz called his granddaughter and when she looked at him he motioned her to follow him. She did and soon they were in one of the offices.

  “What?” she asked and Franz pointed to the mirror.

  “Your Banshee gift is expanding and obviously you can see the crime scene or Anny’s situation if you look in the mirror,” Franz said and Azalea wasn’t surprised by that. She kind of expected him to say something like that.

  “So you want me to look in the mirror and find out where Anny is?” she asked and Franz nodded.

  “Fine,” she sighed and slowly lifted her gaze to t
he mirror. She wasn’t prepared enough though. The second she looked in the mirror a horrible image flashed in front of her eyes.

  ****

  A man standing next to Anny’s feet with a knife in his hand was grinning evilly.

  “You’re mine now. Your friends didn’t find you soon enough,” the man said to Anny and she whimpered.

  She couldn’t believe that this was happening to her again. ‘Why me?’ she thought and wriggled trying to get out of his grip.

  “Stop!” he growled and something flashed in his eyes. But Anny didn’t stop, she fought back and luckily her parents had forced her to learn some self-defence because of the last kidnapping. Kicking him in his groin he howled in pain and stumbled backwards.

  Anny quickly stood up and tried to escape but the guy stopped her.

  “You’re not going anywhere until I say so.” The guy said grabbing her and dragging her to the bed. He took some cuffs and cuffed her hands and ankles.

  “You’re mine!”

  ****

  The image disappeared and Azalea stood still in front of the mirror. She couldn't register what she’d just seen. ‘Daniel?’ flashed through her mind.

  ‘No, he can’t be. He was with her when Anny disappeared. He’s known her for his whole life, he couldn’t have killed Holland. There must be another explanation for this.’ She thought to herself. She couldn’t understand how Daniel was the man who’d kidnapped Anny.

  ‘My own boyfriend betrayed me?’ she questioned herself.

  Franz noticed her inner battle and frowned.

  “What did you see?” he asked but Azalea didn’t respond.

  “Azalea!” he snapped and gained Azalea’s attention. Still pale faced she turned to him and looked at him devastated.

  “It’s Daniel,” she said and Franz finally understood her expression.

  “Are you sure?” he asked and she just nodded.

  “We have to tell them,” she said and left the room. Franz followed and tried not to say anything. It bothered him that she had to see her own boyfriend was the kidnapper.

  “I saw who the kidnapper is. I recognised him and I’m sure you’ll be able to find him,” Azalea said loud enough for the whole room to hear. Everyone’s attention was focused on the young teenager standing there, in the middle of the room with a now stoic expression.

  “Who is he?” Lucas asked, he was dead set on finding the guy and beating him up. Azalea cringed and hesitated to tell him. After all Daniel was Lucas’ best friend. She took a deep breath and said:

  “It’s Daniel. I saw him with Anny; he was getting rough with her and said she’s his. I’m very sorry Lucas. I wish it wasn’t true either.” Lucas paled and looked away. He couldn’t believe it, his best friend was the one who’d done it? Lucas was getting angry and wanted to hit something.

  “You’re lying,” he seethed and charged at Azalea. He grabbed her shoulders and pushed her against the wall.

  “You are lying. My best friend wouldn’t do that. He couldn’t do it. He was with you!” he shouted and Azalea cringed away.

  “I’m sorry Lucas but I saw what I saw and I can assure you I’m not lying,” Azalea said and pushed Lucas away.

  “And how did you see it? Are you some kind of a psychic? A witch?” Lucas asked and Azalea just shook her head.

  “I’m neither. I’m a Banshee and since you’re Irish I’m sure you’ve heard of it.” Lucas laughed out loud obviously not believing it.

  “I don’t believe you. You’re crazy and I’m disappointed in myself for even starting to fall in love with you,” Lucas snarled and left the room.

  Azalea was left without words. Not only did Lucas yell at her, he also said he was falling in love with her. She could barely believe it. He always acted cocky and arrogant around her, saying he didn’t like her and was only around because of Anny. She took a deep breath and pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind, forgetting about them.

  “We should find Anny and rescue her. We don’t have much time left,” Azalea said and everything else passed in a daze. The police officers made a plan and then divided themselves into three groups. Franz decided to stay behind because he was too old for this kind of action but Azalea joined the officers.

  ****

  “You have to stay in the car. We cannot have you harmed in any way. You’re too valuable for us to lose you,” one of the officers said and left the car. Azalea watched from the inside of the car. The groups were armed and entered the house.

  The house was quiet similar to the one Daniel actually lived in but it was already a bit destroyed. Something was bothering Azalea though. She saw Daniel with Anny and she was sure it was him there but she was still confused. She didn’t understand how Daniel could’ve kidnapped Anny while he was with Azalea. And how Daniel could be the one who’d killed Holland while living here, in Ireland.

  ‘Maybe he is working for someone or someone is working for him.’ A voice inside her head said and she actually considered it as an option.

  After a while the police officers exited the house with Daniel cuffed and Anny on a stretcher. When Azalea saw them she left the car and ran towards Anny. Luckily she was awake and not harmed too much.

  “I’m so happy you’re okay,” Azalea said to Anny and she smiled weakly.

  “I’m okay because you rescued me. Thank you,” Anny said and Azalea shrugged.

  “It’s my responsibility to keep people around here safe, especially my best friend.” Anny nodded and looked towards Daniel.

  “It wasn’t him who kidnapped me. The man was older and looked like Daniel’s father, which is weird since Daniel only lived with his mom. I think Daniel was forced into this and the boss is his father,” Anny explained and Azalea nodded in understanding.

  The paramedics put Anny into the ambulance and drove off while Azalea walked towards Daniel. Glaring at him she stopped right in front of him.

  “How could you!” she seethed and he just shrugged.

  “My father is the one who is actually at fault here. I’m just working for him and he let me have some fun with the girl. He is the one who plans all this stuff and he is the one who killed your sister,” Daniel said and Azalea just glared at him. Her stomach was rolling and nausea filled her. She was disgusted with him and with herself for actually falling at his act.

  “I hate you!” she snarled and Daniel shrugged again. “Where’s your father?” she demanded and this time Daniel grinned.

  “He left a day ago. He knew you’d find him and he can’t go to prison yet. He has some more business to do,” Daniel said and then the police officer pushed him in the car and drove off.

  Azalea was for the second time today, left without words. A shiver ran through her body. A shiver of fear. She couldn’t believe that the real murderer was still free, that Holland’s murderer was still free.

  “Azalea…” a voice woke her up from her daze. She looked up and saw a police officer.

  “I’m fine,” she said knowing he was going to ask. “Let’s just go. I want to go to the hospital and see Anny.” The officer just nodded and they left.

  ****

  Azalea arrived at the hospital where she saw Lucas and his parents talking to the police. She waited for them to finish before approaching them. Once the police finished the conversation and left she stepped closer to the family and caught Lucas’s gaze.

  He quickly looked away but Anny’s parents noticed her.

  “Azalea darling, we are so thankful for what you did,” Anny’s mom said and Azalea just smiled shyly.

  “It was nothing. I had to help. After all she is my best friend,” Azalea said but Mrs. Sloane – Anny’s mom – shook her head.

  “You did something while we just waited. That tells me something. I’m thankful for that.” Azalea just nodded and Mrs. Sloane pulled her into a hug.

  “I should go. My grandfather must be worried. I’ll visit Anny tomorrow,” Azalea said stepping away from the hug. She waved and left.

  Chap
ter Twenty-One – Apology

  It’d been a week since the rescue and Azalea was getting tired. Every step she made out of the house, the reporters shoved their microphones in front of her. For the past week their driveway was full of reporters wanting to talk with Azalea. Somehow they’d found out about her gift and someone had told them what she did. That bothered Azalea. Franz told her that the Banshees were supposed to be a secret but now everyone in this town knew about their existence. Franz wasn’t happy about it because for some reason he was afraid that the news would spread and the whole world would know about the Banshees.

  “Azalea, you missed a week of school. You are going to school today,” Franz said sternly and Azalea scowled.

  “If you can get rid of those reporters, I’ll go to school,” Azalea bargained and Franz shook her head.

  “The reporters are here because you couldn’t keep your mouth shut about it and you have to deal with it!” Franz said and passed her her school bag. “You’re going to school and that’s final.”

  So Azalea went to school and had to deal with the reporters her whole way to the school. Since school was close enough for her to walk she had to. She tried to get rid of the reporters by running but it didn’t work. She only hoped that the school wouldn’t be full of reporters.

  But luck wasn’t on her side that week. The second she stepped into the school, the kids were around her, congratulating her and asking her if she really was a Banshee. For Azalea, who wasn’t used to being the centre of attention, the whole thing was tiring, confusing and overwhelming.

  Finally, Ruby showed up and dragged Azalea away from the crowd.

  “Thank you. I felt like I was going to pass out with all the attention I was getting,” Azalea said and Ruby grinned.

  “Yeah, you’re getting a lot of attention today. I guess being a Banshee has its perks,” Ruby said jokingly but Azalea just frowned.

  “I hate this whole thing. I mean I like helping people but I can’t handle this attention,” Azalea said and Ruby looked at her strangely.