ã€ŠMansion of Dolls (Short Stories)ã€‹


 The Hospital - Part 1: A Girl with Striking Eyes

    Rachael Blake let out a tired breath. For the past hour, she had been working on math problems that made no sense to her.

    Since nine in the morning, she had been in the library studying for the past two years, to the point where it practically became her second home. This library was the North York Central Library, the second-largest in Toronto. With seven floors, she often enjoyed being on the third floor, where she could work and watch people as well, for she would take the time to draw others when not doing her school work.

    I wish I had my laptop for this. Rachael thought as she removed her glasses to rub the creases of her grey eyes with her index finger and thumb. To heck with it. She pulled out her sketchbook and began to draw. It didn¡¯t matter which, be it objects or people. She continued to draw things or people who walked by until she heard someone coming over to sit across from her, choosing to sit close to the window. She¡¯s back again. Rachael thought as she peered over the top of her sketchbook to a girl.

    She had seen this girl coming simultaneously from Monday to Friday for the past week. This girl with relatively pale skin, and warm brown hair that was past her thin shoulders, almost to her chest, and side bangs along the left side of her forehead. But what would hold many people¡¯s attention was her eyes with just how striking they were¡ªa light blue surrounded by a dark blue ring.

    Her eyes could be seen as other-worldly, but Rachael knew that others could have such eyes. She had looked up different eye types for references and practice. Yet seeing such eyes in person rather than from a computer screen was another matter.

    Rachael had no clue who she was, yet she felt that she had seen this girl countless times from somewhere. She didn¡¯t know where.

    Shouldn¡¯t she be in school? Rachael thought rather dully as she looked at the girl. After all, it was the middle of September. Heck, the girl looked even younger than Rachael, but then again, Rachael knew it was hypocritical to think that since she was homeschooled. Only she didn¡¯t do it at home but at the library.

    This girl could very well be doing the same thing.

    Yet something told Rachael that wasn¡¯t the case. The books the girl would have on hand didn¡¯t look like something a person would typically have for school.

    Rachael then noticed the girl pulling out a laptop from her backpack. Followed by a cordless mouse before typing away with such speed on the keyboard. She then stopped and looked at her phone before looking back at her laptop with a faint frown. She leaned back in her chair as if to get a better look at her screen before doing something on her laptop again, closed it and put it under her arm, looked to Rachal, who was nearly startled by this, and asked.

    ¡°Sorry to ask this, but could you watch my bag for a moment? I need to find a book.¡±

    ¡°S-sure¡­¡± she said, surprised by the sudden request.

    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll be as quick as I can.¡± She then left her bag in the chair and went off somewhere. When she came back, she had two books. They were thick hardcover books, and from their looks, they looked to be history books. ¡°Thanks for watching my stuff,¡± she said as she sat back down with her laptop and books.

    Then simply went back to what she was doing on her laptop.

    Curious, Rachael asked. ¡°Is it for school?¡±

    The girl paused and looked back at Rachael. ¡°Hmm? Did you ask me something?¡±

    ¡°Are you working on something for school?¡± Rachael asked again.

    ¡°Oh, this? No, it¡¯s something I¡¯m working on for myself. I¡¯m researching for a story. It¡¯s something I¡¯ve wanted to do for a while. What about you?¡±

    She didn¡¯t expect to have the question shot back at her. ¡°Me?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve seen you here often enough. You draw, right?¡±

    That surprised Rachael. How¡¯d this kid know that? And as if sensing her thoughts, the girl merely said.

    ¡°The way you position yourself, I¡¯ve seen you look back and forth from what you were looking at to your sketchbook. And I noticed some of your sketches when I headed out one day. You¡¯re really good. Are you self-taught?¡±

    ¡°Thanks, and yes, I am.¡± Then she added hesitantly. ¡°Do you¡­ do you draw?¡±

    She smiled faintly. ¡°No, I wish. I¡¯d get extremely frustrated when I can¡¯t bring out what I want through drawing, since it never looks right, so I do so through words. If I can describe what I want through what I write, then that¡¯s enough for me. Though I¡¯d like for some of the things I write to be turned into a comic or manga someday, that¡¯d be neat.¡±

    ¡°What kind of stuff do you write?¡±

    The girl thought about it for a moment. ¡°Anything really, though not so much in the romance department since whenever I read another person¡¯s story to find something to give me inspiration, I discover it¡¯s stupidly toxic.¡±

    Rachael paused. The way this girl spoke made her come off as older, but¡­ that couldn¡¯t be right. ¡°How long have you been writing?¡±

    ¡°Almost three years now, what about you? How long have you been drawing?¡±

    ¡°About five, but I still have a long way to go. I¡¯m nowhere near where I want to be.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t everyone? I think your art is amazing, from what I could see.¡±

    Rachael tore out a piece of paper from her notebook and wrote down her web address before handing it to the girl. ¡°Here, you can check out more of my art if you want.¡±

    She leaned forward and took it, then took a piece of a page from her spiral notebook, wrote on it, and then handed it to Rachael. ¡°I¡¯m on there too, though I only post what I write and sometimes on the off chance artwork I commission someone.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t too surprising to see that, given that this girl wrote stories meant she had to be on some sites for her writing.

    ¡°Anyway, I have to cut my time short. I need to be somewhere, but I¡¯ll shoot you a message, see you later.¡±

    ¡°Wait!¡± the girl stopped to look at her with a slightly puzzled look. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±

    She laughed to herself. ¡°Right, sorry about that, a lot on my mind this past little while¡­¡± She then closed the distance and extended her left hand. ¡°My name is¡­¡±

    * * *

    Rachael lay splayed out on her bed; her black and white cat curled on her stomach as she stared up at the ceiling in a daze. ¡°Taryn Lowell¡­¡± she sat up as her cat rolled off her stomach and lay beside her and meowed in protest at the sudden move but went back to sleep anyhow. She told me her name, and now I¡¯m even more certain I¡¯ve heard of her before. But she couldn¡¯t check because not long after she got home, her mother needed her to buy some things at the store, the same with her Dad. Rachael thought she¡¯d be able to find some info online when she got home only to see that her brother was in the midst of a gaming session on their only computer. Then there was dinner, finishing her schoolwork and a bath. With her laptop being fixed thanks to her cat Soy using it as a take-off pad to leap across her room, her access to technology was a bit limited.

    Screw it. I¡¯ll use my phone. As she connected her cell to her home¡¯s WIFI, Rachael received several notifications, all from a user she didn¡¯t recognize, at least at first. It was Taryn¡¯s username.

    SilentNinjaCats.

    Rachael snorted. Before picturing her cat as a ninja and laughing. Before looking at her notifications, Taryn had favourited and commented on several pieces that Rachael posted, going into details about the linework, offering some outsider perspective and giving support for her art.

    Rachael smiled. This girl did seem like a good person. She then went to Taryn¡¯s page and began looking at what she had. There were many people following, and as Taryn had said, she mainly posted her stories though not many commented on them. There were several short stories, all horror-based, one that looked to be ongoing, a supernatural mystery, and one fan-fiction based on a game that Rachael wasn¡¯t too familiar with. Taryn didn¡¯t mention that she also posted pictures of places she went to.

    Taryn seemed to be particle to abandoned places given what photos she took. Several of those were liked and commented on in the composition and where she might have been. Taryn said she wasn¡¯t an artist but had an artistic eye.

    Amid her poking around, Rachael saw a post of something else, a link to another site. Going to it, Rachael found that Taryn also had a gaming channel that seemed to be doing well. Taryn even made videos of abandoned places on occasion.

    Rachael followed her back after looking at a few of Taryn¡¯s works, Rachael kept that nagging suspicion that she felt like she knew Taryn vaguely, so she decided to look it up.

    And what she found startled her, causing her to make a loud squeak of surprise as she fell to the floor. Her bedroom door burst open as her brother, who was physically the total opposite of her, was tall and very thin with dark brown hair and eyes framed by a pair of black-rimmed glasses. Confusedly, he looked at his older sister. ¡°Rachael, are you okay?¡±

    Rachael had fallen off the bed from her surprise which also startled her cat and ended up in a rather compromising position. ¡°Yeah¡­ yeah¡­ I¡¯m good.¡± She sat up and rubbed her hip when she fell off her bed.

    Her brother looked at her with concern. ¡°You sure?¡±

    ¡°Yup, I¡¯ll bruise to hell and back, but I¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    ¡°Okay, call if you need something.¡± then left to head back to what he was doing.

    Rachael looked back at her phone, her mind still reeling. The girl she met, Taryn Lowell, was the daughter of the Chief of Police in Toronto, Johnathan Michael Dimitri Lowell, who was appointed to the position three years ago. Not only that, but Taryn¡¯s mother was also a well-known Prosecutor working for the Crown, dubbed ¡°The Iron Law¡± with how she had won almost every case given to her, a woman that was a force to be reconned with.

    And there was more, with how both sides of Taryn¡¯s family held a reputation for fighting in both world wars, coming back with honours.

    However, some of it had been redacted, especially with two members of the Lowell family, giving almost little to no information about what they did.

    While on Taryn¡¯s mother¡¯s side, there was at least stuff she could find. But as of now, Rachael felt overwhelmed with the knowledge and turned off her phone as she tried to grasp the situation. There had to have been a reason why Taryn wasn¡¯t in school. She could have looked it up but felt like she was intruding on Taryn¡¯s personal life.

    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    After all, Rachael just met Taryn.

    So, for now, she¡¯d just pretend that she hadn¡¯t seen a thing about Taryn¡¯s life, and act like normal with her if Rachael were to see her again in the library the next day, which was likely.

    * * *

    ¡°You look like you want to say something,¡± Taryn said while going over her research, causing Rachael to go stiff. The next day at the library, Rachael met with Taryn at the same spot as before. And it wasn¡¯t long before Taryn said what she did.

    How in the world did the girl react so quickly? Rachael was doing her best to act normal, or was she just that obvious?

    When Rachael didn¡¯t respond right away, Taryn continued. ¡°You looked me up,¡± it wasn¡¯t a question. Her blue gaze flicked to Rachael.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Rachael said. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have done it.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t see an issue with it,¡± Taryn said completely unbothered. ¡°My name¡¯s pretty uncommon, it¡¯s only natural to check and see. Though now I¡¯m curious, what did you look up?¡±

    ¡°Just your family history,¡± Rachael admitted. ¡°I kind of went from finding out who you were then down a rabbit hole of your parents and family history during the Second and First World Wars.¡±

    Taryn was silent for a moment. ¡°That¡¯s all?¡±

    Rachael nodded. ¡°Yeah, it was a lot to look into, but I just left it alone after that, though I wasn¡¯t expecting it.¡±

    Taryn propped her chin atop her left hand, no longer looking at the book. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°You,¡± Rachael clarified. ¡°How you act and talk. You¡¯re so down-to-earth, yet mature sounding. I always thought that a kid from such a life would be, I don¡¯t know, kind of stuck up?¡±

    Taryn just watched her quietly before asking. ¡°You think I sound mature?¡±

    Rachael¡¯s gaze became puzzled. That was Taryn¡¯s question? ¡°Uh¡­ yeah?¡±

    Suddenly, Taryn laughed, trying her best to stifle it with her left hand, but not before Rachael caught a glimpse of something. Of Taryn¡¯s teeth, her eye teeth, both top and bottom, looked sharp.

    Teeth like a vampire.

    Something like that was a bit of a surprise, must have been genetic.

    ¡°How old do you think I am?¡± Taryn asked.

    ¡°Um¡­¡± Rachael shifted in her seat. ¡°I think you might be¡­ twelve¡­? Or thirteen, maybe¡­?¡±

    Taryn stifled another laugh, her head down resting atop the library table. She then raised her head as she continued to snicker before shaking her head. ¡°I¡¯m not that young.¡± When she sobered, Taryn said. ¡°I¡¯m fifteen.¡±

    Rachael fought the urge to let her jaw drop. Taryn was a year younger than she was!

    ¡°How old are you?¡± Taryn asked.

    ¡°A year older than you,¡± Rachael said honestly.

    ¡°Oh, neat.¡± She glanced at her book before looking back to Rachael. ¡°Is there anything else you were wondering about?¡±

    Rachael thought about it. ¡°Do you have any siblings? Pets?¡±

    ¡°I have an older brother, a cat and a dog.¡±

    ¡°What kind of cat and dog?¡±

    Taryn pulled out her phone and then passed it to Rachael, where a German Shepard was fast asleep and a black cat, which looked to be a year old, sleeping on top of the dog.

    ¡°The cat¡¯s name is Ebony, and the dog is named Frisket.¡±

    ¡°Cute,¡± Rachael took out her phone and showed a picture of her black and white cat, Soy. ¡°This is my cat; her name is Soy.¡± She then pulled her phone back. ¡°Though that¡¯s an interesting name for a dog, he doesn¡¯t look like a¡­ what¡¯s your dog¡¯s name again?¡±

    Her cheeks became a little pink from embarrassment. ¡°Frisket, and yeah, I know. But try telling six-year-old me that when I¡¯m obsessed with ReBoot. The name kind of stuck, and my Dad thought it was hilarious, though he¡¯s glad that our dog is not as insanely powerful as the dog from that show. Our house would be done for.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯d your Mom think?¡±

    ¡°She thought it was perfect if he lunges at bad guys like the dog in the show would with enemies. Even got a collar with an Icon like from the show.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen the show, is it good?¡±

    ¡°Considering it pioneered CGI animation a year before Toy Story, I¡¯d like to think so. The first season is a bit clunky given they were on a week-by-week basis for an episode, but it gets better as it goes on. And the jokes are great even now.¡± Taryn then changed the subject. ¡°So, what¡¯s your family like?¡±

    ¡°Oh, well, I have a younger brother. And my Mom and Dad.¡±

    ¡°How much younger is your brother? Two years, three?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s four years younger than me, though he and I look nothing alike. What about you and your brother? How old is he?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s twenty-one, and we don¡¯t look alike. But then, you don¡¯t have to look similar to those who are family to you.¡±

    So, he¡¯s six years older than her? ¡°What does he do? Is he in college?¡±

    ¡°Right now, he¡¯s in the Army,¡± she said. ¡°Joined with his friend when they were sixteen years old with parental consent. Both of them thought it was the best choice for them.¡±

    Rachael paused. The tone that Taryn used sounded almost sad, but her eyes held a type of anger. Anger that Rachael wasn¡¯t sure who it was directed to. ¡°Did you not want them to go?¡±

    ¡°Yes and no. Yes, because it was their decision in what they wanted to do for themselves. And no, because I just don¡¯t want them to get hurt or die. But given that I was twelve when I found out, there wasn¡¯t anything I could do. But regardless, I wish them nothing but the best and that they stay safe.¡±

    Rachael couldn¡¯t help but feel that there was more to this but chose not to pry. ¡°What about you? Since your family¡¯s known for joining the army, do you plan to as well?¡±

    Taryn was silent, her gaze falling to the book. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯ll happen.¡± She replied. ¡°I have a medical condition, which would make it difficult for me if I joined.¡±

    Rachael was a little surprised by this, there didn¡¯t seem to be anything remotely wrong with Taryn, but then again, Rachael had been dealing with severe anxiety, so much to the point where she couldn¡¯t enter high school. She never had an issue like that before when she was a kid, only when she turned fifteen did it come about. Not all problems could be seen.

    She wasn¡¯t about to ask what Taryn meant by it, but to her surprise again, she sort of did.

    ¡°It¡¯s actually why I¡¯m not in school right now. I probably won¡¯t be going back until October, at least I think.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    Taryn shrugged in response. ¡°It¡¯ll be hell when I get back to school, but in the meantime, I don¡¯t plan on thinking about it.¡± She then changed the topic. ¡°Say, are you hungry?¡±

    Just thinking about it, Rachael¡¯s stomach growled. ¡°Kinda¡­¡±

    Taryn smiled faintly before packing up her things. ¡°Then why don¡¯t we get something? Is there anything, in particular, you¡¯re up to eat? Or anything you can¡¯t have?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m lactose intolerant, but I have something to take so it won¡¯t bother me.¡±

    She looked at Rachael with faint concern. ¡°You sure?¡±

    Rachael shrugged in response. ¡°Oh yeah, never go home without it. But since you¡¯ve asked, there¡¯s a place I¡¯ve wanted to check out for a while now. It¡¯s a ramen restaurant. The one down the street?¡±

    ¡°I know the one you¡¯re talking about; I¡¯ve been there a few times. A family I know often has me watch their kid from time to time and loves it. Though he loves a lot of places, he¡¯s not picky when it comes to food. Unlike me.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re picky with food?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯ll eat what I¡¯m given, I just eat what I dislike first and then eat what I love last. If I can get whatever I order without it being too much of an issue, I will. Like anything with cilantro, it tastes like soap, though that¡¯s a genetic thing. Then there¡¯s coriander, ironically from the same plant, but I just don¡¯t like it and will avoid it like the plague.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± she asked as she put away her things, only to pause and look back, feeling like someone was watching her. There were other people, but none seemed to be looking at them.

    ¡°Something wrong, Rachael?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Oh, no, it¡¯s nothing.¡± Rachael paused briefly to look back. Guess I must have imagined it.

    As the two walked through the busy street to get to the restaurant, Taryn paused when she saw an intimidating Asian man, leaning up against the wall wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans, scowling at his phone. Tattoo¡¯s coming out from the sleeves of his shirt and resting at his elbow. This guy looked like bad news.

    Rachael¡¯s anxiety slowly began to creep up, worried about what might happen if they got on this guy¡¯s bad side.

    ¡°H-hey Taryn? Maybe we should go somewhere else to eat instead?¡±

    Taryn looked at Rachael, puzzled, then as if reading her mind, she looked at the scowling man. ¡°Oh.¡± Was her first response. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry, Rachael, he¡¯s not a bad man.¡±

    Rachael frowned. ¡°You know him?¡±

    ¡°I watch his grandkid.¡± She then called out. ¡°Honda-san!¡± then something in Japanese. Something that was the last thing that Rachael expected.

    The angry man looked up from his phone, his scowl deepening before his brows shot up, and he responded. ¡°Lowell-chan?¡± then asking a question in Japanese. Probably about why she was here and not at school. His gaze then went to Rachael, who fought the urge not to flinch. ¡°Who is she?¡± he asked, switching to English.

    ¡°A friend,¡± Taryn replied.

    ¡°A friend?¡± he repeated as he walked over to them. ¡°I thought you said you were bad at making friends.¡±

    She scoffed at his playful jab. ¡°Not all the time. What are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°Waiting for an order, what about you?¡±

    ¡°Planning to go in and eat, is it busy?¡±

    ¡°You just missed the lunch rush, so it should have calmed down. Planning to order the same thing as last time?¡±

    ¡°Probably? Anything on special?¡±

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s Wednesday, so it¡¯s the same as before.¡± he paused. ¡°I¡¯ve noticed Isabella isn¡¯t around. Did something happen?¡±

    Who¡¯s Isabella? Rachael thought, glancing at Taryn, who smiled at the man.

    ¡°She¡¯s around,¡± that was all she said when the door opened up, and a man waved Honda over. ¡°Looks like your order¡¯s ready, tell Hiro I say hello, okay?¡±

    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll let him know, same to you and the others.¡±

    The two then fell into another conversation while they ordered, waited and ate their food, yet that same question of curiosity kept popping up. Isabella wasn¡¯t Taryn¡¯s Mom, and she had no older or younger sister to speak of. It might have been an aunt, but somehow even that seemed wrong to her.

    So, she asked. ¡°Taryn? Who¡¯s Isabella?¡±

    Taryn stopped walking back to the library, looked back at her with a smile and spoke. ¡°She¡¯s family.¡± Then she continued back to the library. ¡°Or at least that¡¯s how I see her, we hold no blood relation, but she¡¯s been there for me ever since I was small. And I¡¯m grateful for that. That I even have someone as wonderful as her in my life.¡±

    Rachael fell silent. The amount of love in Taryn¡¯s voice was genuine, making Rachael wonder even more what it was that this girl, a girl who was a year younger than she, had been through to sound like that.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Taryn said, making Rachael jump faintly. ¡°When we get back to the library, you have to show me some of your sketches. If you don¡¯t mind, I love to see your progress.¡±

    Rachael smiled. ¡°Sure, but just so you¡¯re aware, my rough sketches are pretty bad.¡±

    ¡°So? You¡¯ve seen my comments on your finished work. I think they¡¯re great! You should make a comic, manga or webcomic.¡±

    ¡°You think so?¡±

    ¡°Yeah! You¡¯d be good at it!¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not good at writing stories, so I¡¯ll think about it.¡±

    ¡°Cool, let me know what you come up with. My grammar is bad, but I can give you some ideas if you need them.¡±

    Rachael¡¯s smile grew, knowing more could wait over time. She picked up speed to walk alongside her. ¡°So, where¡¯d you learn Japanese anyway?¡±

    ¡°From Honda and his grandkid. If you¡¯d like, I can ask him to teach you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll think about it.¡±

    * * *

    It was nearly five in the evening when Taryn unlocked the front door to her home. Her parents wouldn¡¯t get back until at least eight. She could hear the dog barking in the backyard as Ebony came over with a meow, purring loudly when in contact with one of her family members.

    ¡°I¡¯m back, Ebony.¡± She said before taking off her shoes at the front door, throwing on some sandals and heading to the back. The moment she opened the door, however, was when Frisket pounced, taking Taryn to the floor with licks and tail wags to welcome her home.

    ¡°Yes, yes, I get it. You¡¯re happy to see me, now off, boy.¡±

    The dog wined but did as he was told before sitting near her as Taryn got up on her knees, and with both hands, ruffled the German Shepard¡¯s face.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be like that, you know I love you.¡± She then looked back to the front of the house when a shadow loomed over her. Of a woman with pale skin, ebony black hair held back in a low bun, and lavender eyes. Dressed in a black suit and was about the same height as Taryn¡¯s mother when she didn¡¯t wear heels. Taryn smiled at the rather expressionless woman. ¡°Hey Isabella, is something wrong?¡±

    Isabella, a woman who was employed by Taryn¡¯s Uncle, not long after the incident with her aunt when Taryn became injured from broken mirrors. She was like a silent shadow, much like Taryn¡¯s grandfather and uncle, who could move without so much as making a single sound. Something that Taryn still practiced and hoped to be just as good at someday. What Isabella did before never came up, nor did it matter. She did her job, protecting Taryn while watching from afar and handling those who intended or wished harm to the girl.

    ¡°No,¡± Isabella said. ¡°However, I do wish you¡¯d not say those things.¡±

    ¡°What? That I see you as family?¡± Taryn asked as she stood up. ¡°But it¡¯s the truth, you know me. The whole me and you accept it. Plus, you were one of few besides my parents who raised me, so why not see you as family?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think people would find that strange when they discover, if at all, that I¡¯m your bodyguard?¡± Isabella says as Taryn heads back to the front entrance of the house to collect her things to head to her room.

    ¡°If they discover it,¡± Taryn repeated. ¡°You said it yourself, if. And if they do and their tune changes, then it happens. I don¡¯t think Rachael would react like it¡¯s a bad thing.¡±

    ¡°Taryn, you¡¯ve only known her for two days.¡±

    ¡°Yes, and she could have kept looking up information about me but stopped.¡± She countered. ¡°She isn¡¯t the intrusive type. At least, that¡¯s what I think. She¡¯s respectful of people¡¯s privacy; that¡¯s not something a lot of people would be willing to stop doing when they start to look into who I am.¡±

    Isabella¡¯s eyes faintly creased into a look of concern. ¡°Still, I believe we should let Bob look into her more, just to be safe.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Taryn said as she placed her stuff on the end of her bed. ¡°You¡¯ve already looked at her parents, that¡¯s enough. Don¡¯t go digging into her life just because she¡¯s someone I¡¯m becoming familiar with. We know her parents are regular office workers while her Dad has a side gig as an actor. I don¡¯t want to know any further than what she knows of me. She has no clue of what happened recently, or what I¡¯ve dealt with growing up. It¡¯s only fair I respect her as she¡¯s respected my privacy.¡±

    ¡°And if she finds out?¡±

    Taryn said nothing.

    Isabella waited.

    The silence became dense before Taryn finally spoke.

    ¡°If she finds out, then we¡¯ll see. I don¡¯t want to think of that possibility. Not now. I¡¯m tired of doing that. Tired of thinking about what others will think when they know. Tired of pretending. I just¡­¡± she sighed. ¡°I¡¯m tired. Really tired. I just want to be me.¡±

    ¡°You are,¡±

    ¡°Not with everyone,¡± Taryn told her firmly. ¡°Not in public.¡± She let out another breath before looking at Isabella with a sad smile. ¡°You know I won¡¯t tell her. Not unless I absolutely have to. I mean, who¡¯d want a friend that can see the dead in reflections?¡±

 The Hospital - Part 2: Threats of Violence

    For the next couple of days, Rachael and Taryn would meet at the library; going over their projects, and tossing ideas back and forth on what could be made better. Only to leave for three days for something and come back slightly changed.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Rachael gasped.

    Taryn paused while giving Rachael a questioning stare as she removed her coat. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°To you!¡± Rachael snapped, making Taryn even more confused. Before pointing to Taryn, or more specifically, to a specific area of her body. ¡°What the heck happened to your body when you were gone for three days?¡±

    She looked at her chest before looking back at Rachael with an arched stare. ¡°Puberty?¡±

    ¡°Was it the size of a truck?¡± Rachael said flatly.

    ¡°Do I look that weird to you?¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s just jarring. You barely had anything and then, boom! Boobs.¡±

    Taryn snorted. ¡°If that¡¯s your response, then you can thank my genetics.¡± She was surprised when she needed to buy some bras that her size was a C-cup, given how thin she was, Taryn hoped they¡¯d remain that way.

    ¡°I wish I had genes like that,¡± Rachael sighed.

    ¡°I think you look fine¡­¡± she would have continued if not for her cellphone buzzing, looking at the caller ID, a frown lightly creasing her brow. This wasn¡¯t a number she knew. She then answered the call. ¡°Hello?¡± her eyes darkened as her expression became grim. ¡°Oh?¡±

    Rachael paused. That was an odd tone of voice.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but things like that won¡¯t change my mind. So why not instead of sending me threats you revaluate your life?¡± then hung up. She sighed as she leaned forward in her chair, rubbing her brow with her left hand. ¡°This is all I need right now¡­¡±

    ¡°What happened?¡± Taryn didn¡¯t respond. She just stared at her phone. ¡°Taryn?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to get something to drink. I¡¯ll be back in a bit.¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay.¡± Rachael watched Taryn leave. She decided to go back to her schoolwork and artwork. About five minutes had gone by, then ten, then fifteen.

    Taryn still hadn¡¯t come back.

    Worry began to rest on Rachael¡¯s shoulders. What was it taking her so long?

    ¡°Excuse me,¡± Rachael jumped when a woman¡¯s voice suddenly came from behind. Rachael quickly turned around to see a woman in a suit, with lavender eyes and black hair done in a low bun. ¡°If you need, I can watch your belongings.¡±

    Rachael looked the woman over. Unsure she should trust this stranger, her kind smile made the girl think she meant no harm. ¡°Um, are you sure?¡±

    The woman smiled sweetly. ¡°I don¡¯t mind, go on ahead.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Rachael got up with her phone, trying to track Taryn down, thankfully she didn¡¯t have to go far, since Taryn was still on the same floor. Tucked away in a small corner as she looked out a window. ¡°Taryn?¡±

    She glanced at Rachael; her striking blue eyes looked exhausted.

    Rachael sat down next to Taryn on a bench where Taryn remained silent.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Rachael¡¯s gaze fell to Taryn¡¯s hands, where her phone continuously buzzed. Texts were popping up again and again.

    ¡°At the beginning of the school year, something happened. Because of that, I¡¯ve been dealing with things like this. It got even worse three days ago.¡±

    ¡°Can I ask what it was?¡±

    Taryn leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees as she gazed out the window. ¡°I found a dead body in the forest behind my high school¡­¡±

    Rachael looked at her, slightly surprised, eyes going wide.

    ¡°And the spam of texts relates to that.¡± She unlocked her phone as the texts kept coming through. The amount of vile vitriol being sent her way was disgusting.

    ¡°Do you know the number?¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡± She then made sure the texts would be muted. ¡°But I know someone who can deal with this, my parents have known since the start.¡±

    Rachael frowned, still confused. ¡°They don¡¯t know who you are?¡±

    ¡°They know exactly who I am. All the more reason for this disgusting hate I¡¯m getting. They don¡¯t care. But the one sending this, in particular, is in for a rude wake-up call.¡±

    ¡°You know who it is?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got an idea who it is, but I probably won¡¯t know for certain for a while. But because of this, it might be sooner.¡±

    Rachael looked back to Taryn¡¯s phone. Seeing the texts continue. And what she saw looked atrocious. ¡°Why not block this guy?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s for evidence. If I can catch this person, then I have evidence for harassment, death threats, and so much more.¡± She then turned her phone silent and stood up. ¡°Before we head back, I¡¯m grabbing a drink.¡± She rounded the corner where a vending machine was for drinks, pulled out a wallet that had a chain attached to her belt loop, took out some money, pressed a button for canned pop and handed it to Rachael. ¡°As an apology for ditching you like that.¡±

    ¡°Oh no, don¡¯t worry about it. I prefer ginger ale anyway.¡± To Rachael¡¯s surprise, Taryn bought a ginger ale and handed it to her. Rachael laughed. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to do that.¡±

    ¡°Maybe, but I thought this was the best way to apologize.¡± She then turned to head back to where they had left their stuff. The woman from before, who offered Rachael to watch their belongings, saw them and discreetly got up and left.

    ¡°Drat,¡± Rachael muttered. ¡°I wanted to say thanks, I guess she had somewhere to be.¡±

    Taryn remained silent. To break that silence, Rachael went over to her belongings pulled out a sketchbook and extended it to Taryn.

    ¡°Here, there was something I wanted to surprise you with. But after what happened; I think now would be better.¡±

    With a puzzled look, Taryn took the sketchbook from Rachael, and what Taryn saw surprised her. Inside the sketchbook were dozens of background sketches that Taryn knew from the photos of places when she explored abandoned buildings. The black ink and shadows from watercolour paint gave these images a whole new feeling. The photos showed what once was, with the light it gave a sense of warmth and a bit of loss but in the drawing, there was a sense of unease and foreboding.

    ¡°Wow,¡± she paused when turning another page to see a girl, who looked about their age or younger with short dark curly hair, and dark skin but with patches of white. The nameless girl had Vitiligo and was dressed in jeans, a loose white shirt, a black leather jacket, and black combat boots. Taryn realized that these clothes were what she had worn a few days ago.

    The same girl explored areas of these abandoned places on the next page, along with another person who turned out to be see-through¡ªdressed in a dress shirt and dress pants with black suspenders with a trench coat and fedora resembling a detective from the 1930s. This man was a ghost that this girl could see.

    ¡°I thought about what you said. That I could make a comic, but I couldn¡¯t come up with anything. That was until I looked back at the photos you posted online. And I started to come up with ideas. The thing is, I drew the characters, but nothing else comes to mind. So, I was wondering if, maybe, you¡¯d like to write a story about them?¡±

    Taryn looked back at the sketches, though Rachael couldn¡¯t help but feel that Taryn¡¯s demeanour slightly changed.

    ¡°Do you not like them?¡±

    ¡°Hmm? No, I think they¡¯re great.¡± She then indicated to the man in the coat. ¡°He¡¯s a ghost, isn¡¯t he?¡±

    ¡°Yeah!¡± Rachael answered quickly. ¡°I thought with the atmosphere; it¡¯d be an interesting concept, a ghost trying to solve his own murder gets help from a girl who can see and even speak to him and, in the midst of it, solve other mysteries together while also trying to solve his death that happened almost a hundred years ago.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like you have the concept right there.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but that¡¯s as far as I got. I can¡¯t seem to come up with a good introduction.¡±

    Taryn looked at it again, silently, eyeing the ghostly detective. ¡°Could you give me some time? I want to think about some ideas.¡±

    * * *

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s kind of ironic?¡± Bob, Taryn¡¯s other bodyguard, who was insanely good with computers, asked as he dug in cellphone records from his computer. His skin was a warm dark brown while his dark brown eyes remained fixed on the screen. His hair had been kept neatly trimmed in small black dreads as he wore the same suit as Isabella, the only difference being that he had a yellow and black Icon pin from the show ReBoot pinned to his lapel, something that Taryn gave him when she was little since his name was the same as the main character in the show.

    Taryn was lying on the couch just behind him, glancing at the man. They were currently in the basement of her family¡¯s home, the place that was set up for her to do gaming and for the second bodyguard to work on the family¡¯s security. But on occasion, Bob worked on his computer and monitored those who joined her stream and used to check other technical things that Taryn didn¡¯t understand. Not that she minded. ¡°In what way?¡±

    He paused to look at her. ¡°You know, the whole ghost thing. Don¡¯t you find it kind of ironic given what you¡¯ve seen and dealt with?¡±

    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    Taryn merely shrugged as her cat came over and laid out along the top of the worn leather loveseat. ¡°Not really? I mean, yeah, there¡¯s a girl who can see ghosts, but she can talk, see and hear them. While I can¡¯t see without a mirror, nor can I hear them either.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s true.¡± Bob agreed as he went back to his search. ¡°Does she have any other abilities?¡±

    ¡°Nope, just seeing and talking to ghosts.¡±

    ¡°Ah, just one for two then.¡± He stopped typing. ¡°Taryn,¡±

    She sat up; Bob¡¯s tone had turned serious as he motioned for her to take a look. Making the short distance, she peered at the screen over Bob¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°What do you want to do about this?¡± he glanced at her. ¡°Should we tell your Father?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a no-brainer,¡± then she fell silent as she stared at the screen.

    Bob then changed the subject slightly to what they had talked about earlier. ¡°So, how far did you get in writing this story for a¡­ comic? Manga?¡±

    ¡°Comic, and about six pages or so.¡±

    He cast her a knowing smile. ¡°Did you name them?¡±

    ¡°The ghost detective¡¯s name is Joseph McGraw, while the girl is named Taylor Price, I¡¯m still working on some ideas but nothing¡¯s concrete yet.¡±

    ¡°Well, why not get some inspiration?¡± he offered, spinning in his chair to face her. ¡°Want to head to the mall? You can bring Rachael too; Isabella and I can hang back so as not to bug you both while you two brainstorm.¡±

    Taryn scowled at that remark. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t bug me,¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but it might bug your new friend, right?¡±

    ¡°Right, yeah¡­ sorry. I forgot.¡±

    Bob snickered. ¡°Hey, not everyone¡¯s used to bodyguards. You forgot, and that¡¯s okay.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± But that just shows you aren¡¯t just bodyguards to me. ¡°I¡¯ll see if she¡¯s up for it and let you know.¡±

    * * *

    Rachael readjusted her messenger bag as she made her way through Yonge Sheppard Center, a mall that was close to the library. It would have been the first that she would have met Taryn somewhere other than the library itself. It was a bit crowded, but given that it was nearly the middle of the week, something like that was expected, though Rachael had never been to this mall before. As she made her way to the food court on the second floor, she soon spied Taryn sitting at a table looking at her phone, partly leaning back in her seat as she tilted her head back, before putting away her phone and lifting a camera. She was taking a picture of the ceiling or something else before looking at it.

    ¡°Did it turn out good?¡± Rachael asked. Taryn didn¡¯t even jump in surprise as she looked to see Rachael and smiled.

    ¡°Yeah, if you like ceilings.¡±

    ¡°There are some pretty artistic ceilings out there,¡± Rachael admitted with a nod. ¡°So, if it¡¯s an artistic ceiling, then I think I¡¯d say yes to that.¡± She sat down across from her. ¡°I wondered what kind of camera you used for your photos.¡± However, the camera looked to be a few years old.

    ¡°I got it for my birthday, something that I¡¯ve loved for a long time. Next to my writing, and speaking of¡­¡± Taryn pulled out some folded papers for Rachael. ¡°I started working on a script, though it¡¯s still rough, very rough.¡±

    After a minute of reading it, Rachael said with a faint grin. ¡°You were right, your grammar is bad...¡±

    ¡°I warned you,¡± Taryn said but noticed how Rachael seemed to be taking it seriously. ¡°I know it¡¯s not script form. I¡¯m just not used to writing it like that.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine, besides the errors, you put a good level of detail in what you want to show and what you want someone to say. It¡¯s not bogged down with constant chatter or an endless number of details. You mentioned you¡¯ve been writing for three years. What started it?¡±

    ¡°It was therapy, at least a first. I¡¯d write about myself, and then it evolved from there. Norman, my therapist, often says that writing things out is a good way to remember things when you¡¯re having trouble recalling something important but can¡¯t grasp it. Like it¡¯s right in front of you, but that memory is made of fog like whatever it is you¡¯re trying to grasp just slips through your fingers.¡±

    Rachael paused. She sounded poetic, calling a memory that a person can barely recall fog like it was something physical. It wasn¡¯t something a fifteen-year-old would say in day-to-day conversation. But that conversation fell short when Taryn jerked when something came flying in her direction, only for it to be caught by a dark-skinned man in a hoodie and jeans sitting in the next group of tables just a bit over from them.

    ¡°Hey, the hell, man?¡± he snapped at a group of boys who looked to be in their teens. ¡°What you think you¡¯re doin¡¯ throwin¡¯ shit?¡±

    Taryn glanced down at what the man had placed on the table. It was an eraser. Taryn visibly cringed when she saw it. Like she was frightened by it.

    Rachael gasped. ¡°Taryn? Are you okay?¡±

    But she didn¡¯t respond. Her blue gaze was still fixed on that solitary eraser.

    ¡°See! I told you!¡± a teenager boasted with a laugh, pointing in their direction, at Taryn, dressed like a punk rapper with baggy pants that were hanging below his waist and a baseball hat worn backwards to hide his messy dark brown hair as his pale, freckled arms flail in joy. ¡°She freaks out whenever someone leaves one or throws one at her.¡± Then mocking her reaction. ¡°Ah, oh, no. It-it¡¯s gonna hurt me nooo!¡± he looked to Taryn smugly, who now glanced at him, her left hand going into her jacket pocket. ¡°Fucking freak, is your brain all messed up because of what you saw? But then it¡¯s always been screwed up, hasn¡¯t it Dead Girl?¡±

    Taryn remained silent, her gaze locked on the boy, the moment it had whatever expression she had vanished into a blank canvas. ¡°Come on, Rachael, we should go.¡±

    ¡°Y-yeah¡­¡± Rachael could feel her heart racing as Taryn put her camera in her bag as they went to leave, only for her to stop dead in her tracks when he boasted on when they walked past keeping her distance.

    ¡°It¡¯s this fucking privileged bitch¡¯s fault that my friend¡¯s in jail. And for what? You think he was there; he did nothing to that chick!¡±

    Taryn stopped dead in her tracks. ¡°Nothing?¡± she repeated before turning to look at him, her gaze filled with rage. ¡°You said it was nothing?¡± then did something no one expected.

    She laughed.

    But there was no warmth in it. There was no emotion, just cold blanketed anger. Taryn looked at him and the other three dead on with a gaze that held killer intent.

    ¡°He violated and killed a girl who was just two years older than me!¡± she seethed at them. ¡°That¡¯s what your friend did, along with four others. And you say it¡¯s nothing? You¡¯re disgusting. If you want to stand by a rapist and murderer, then go ahead, that¡¯s on you, and those who are with you.¡± she could see the look the other two seemed to be a bit unnerved, probably never thought that they would be called out in public, good.

    ¡°How proud do you think his mother is for what he did? How proud are you? Because I¡¯ve seen you make jokes, laughing at how funny it is. Or even¡­¡± She pulled out her phone. ¡°How funny it is to send rape and death threats to a person who has access to finding the one sending them? And who just sent the screenshots of these texts to the perpetrator¡¯s parents.¡±

    He cackled, not believing a word as he took a step forward to try and intimidate Taryn, who stood her ground, cold as ice. ¡°Oh yeah? It could be anyone, how the fuck do you know it¡¯s even me, bitch?¡±

    Without a word, she hit a button on her phone, and a loud ringing could be heard coming from the boys¡¯ direction. Where the one who laughed about throwing the eraser paled.

    ¡°That¡¯s how.¡± She said. ¡°I don¡¯t even know your number, but I have a friend who was awesome enough to rewrought the texts to the original recipient when they found whom it belonged to. But that¡¯s not the normal one you usually carry. It¡¯s in your other pocket.¡± he glanced at his pocket from where a phone was just barely visible before it too began to ring. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to answer that?¡±

    He took several steps back but stopped when she said.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t run if I were you. It makes you look worse than what you already are. Plus, the police are probably already at your house, finding the other five phones you used to harass me and send death threats.¡± She then looked at him with a cold stare. ¡°So, tell me, who¡¯s the bitch now, John?¡±

    Visibly shaken, John rushed her, fist raised. ¡°Fuck you!¡± intending to punch her in the face only to be taken down by the man in the hoodie who had moved without anyone else paying close enough attention to the ensuing aggression.

    ¡°Man, you sure got a mouth,¡± he says, the slang he used gone. ¡°You think she¡¯d be alone in a place like this?¡± the boy struggled against his hold, but the man wasn¡¯t phased. ¡°Keep fighting me, and I¡¯ll dislocate your arm, kid. You sent some real nasty stuff, stuff I¡¯d be more than willing to make you lose your arm for good.¡± Hoodie man hissed at the boy, who looked as though he was about to wet himself. ¡°You threatened her, and now you have to suffer the consequences for it. And it won¡¯t matter if you¡¯re a minor, I¡¯ll make sure of that.¡±

    Security soon arrived, and the man in the hoodie held up what looked to be some type of ID or badge.

    ¡°I¡¯m a bodyguard; this piece of work thought it would be smart to hurt my charge. There¡¯s a police detail outside that you can take him to,¡± he hoisted John on his feet. ¡°And his dumbass friends to the police station.¡± He added when the teen¡¯s friends hadn¡¯t made a move, even recorded what was taking place. Probably thought that they thought that the other teen would hurt Taryn and post it online.

    And now they were being hauled off with security to the police where parents would be called, and if they were found not to be involved, they might be let off with a warning.

    In truth, Taryn didn¡¯t want to make things worse for people, but she knew that things could get worse before they got better.

    ¡°So,¡± Rachael sat next to Taryn in the parking lot, waiting for Bob to come and get them. ¡°Was that planned?¡±

    Taryn¡¯s head snapped to her. ¡°What-no!¡± she all but shouted. ¡°Are you kidding? We were going to be dealing with it tomorrow by showing his parents the evidence, but, looks like I¡¯m going to have to deal with it today.¡± She let out a breath and pushed back her bangs, revealing an apparent scar on her forehead. ¡°I understand if you don¡¯t want to keep being friends with me because of that.¡±

    Rachael frowned at that. ¡°It¡¯s not like you went looking for a dead body.¡±

    Taryn didn¡¯t say anything.

    ¡°Besides, he was a creep. Worse than a creep.¡± Rachael paused, then asked. ¡°Is there a lot like him at your school?¡±

    She shook her head. ¡°No, thankfully. But a lot of people talk, and whisper about things they know nothing about. And it sucks.¡±

    ¡°Tell me about it. Well, not that I¡¯d know, never did go to high school.¡±

    ¡°So, you are homeschooled. I wasn¡¯t sure.¡±

    ¡°You could have asked,¡±

    ¡°It didn¡¯t seem appropriate to do that,¡± Taryn said. ¡°Besides, we¡¯re still getting to know each other. I thought it¡¯d be rude to ask right out of the gate.¡±

    True enough. Rachael thought, before glancing back to Taryn again. ¡°I have anxiety,¡± she said. ¡°It¡¯s why I¡¯m homeschooled, whenever I tried to go to my high school, I suddenly felt like I couldn¡¯t breathe. Yet, when I¡¯m in the library or mall, I don¡¯t get it as much. It¡¯s still there, but not as much as it would be if I were in school. I don¡¯t even know how it developed. It kind of just¡­ happened. I know that probably sounds strange to you.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think it is. It¡¯s just something you have and have to deal with. There are a lot of people in the world who have things that are not physically seen, like me. Just because I look okay doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t have my own issues.¡±

    Rachael looked at Taryn. Could she have some invisible disability? But given that she wasn¡¯t open with it, Rachael chose not to push for more personal information and instead asked something else that¡¯s been on her mind. ¡°Was that jerk close to the one who did it?¡±

    ¡°He said so himself, I can only assume yes at this point. Given all the things he¡¯s texted me. I never really understood that type of loyalty, I mean, I get it if someone killed another because of self-defence, but what they did¡­¡± Taryn shook her head. ¡°How idiotic can someone be when it comes to things like this?¡±

    ¡°Did you know the girl?¡±

    Taryn didn¡¯t answer right away. ¡°I had only ever seen her once in passing before she died. She seemed nice, from what I noticed. To have such a thing happen to her was awful. It¡¯s pretty messed up, plus other than what I¡¯ve said, I can¡¯t go into it for legal reasons.¡±

    ¡°You found her. I can¡¯t imagine what that would have been like.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not pleasant,¡± Taryn responded softly as her fingers interlaced with one another and her gaze remained on her hands. ¡°Sometimes, it¡¯s hard to tell if they are dead or not. But it can be just as disturbing, if not more so when you can¡¯t tell.¡±

    Rachael soon realized what Taryn meant. ¡°It¡¯s not your first time?¡±

    She gave a short bitter laugh. ¡°No, no it¡¯s not.¡±

    Rachael noticed Taryn¡¯s tone of voice. She sounded almost defeated by this notion. Was it because of her parent¡¯s job or something like it? Yet, that didn¡¯t seem to be right.

    ¡°Do others know? I mean, besides your family.¡± Rachael asked, the curious part of her brain pushing past her logic of not asking.

    ¡°People make assumptions; I never deny or agree. I¡¯d rather it all be mired in the grey line because people will say whatever they want, whether it¡¯s true or not. We deal enough of that with a tabloid that¡¯s been following my family for years. They make stuff up all the time. It gets so tiring, having to deal with people like this. People who hang around you because of what you are, not because they care about you. They just care about clout. I hate it.¡±

    ¡°Well, I like you for who you are,¡± Rachael said, drawing Taryn¡¯s attention. ¡°I know that we still don¡¯t know much about each other. But I think you¡¯re neat.¡±

    Taryn looked at her surprised. ¡°Even after what you¡¯ve seen today?¡±

    Rachael waved her hand dismissively. ¡°What happened was never your fault. And the fact that you stood your ground was admirable, I could never do that. But you know, if you do have bodyguards, they don¡¯t need to hide from me.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re not hiding from you, Rachael, they¡¯re merely doing their job. But if you¡¯re okay with it, then, maybe tomorrow, you¡¯ll see one of them.¡±

    The following day, Rachael went to the library, and to her slight surprise, she saw the woman with lavender eyes sitting down one seat away from Taryn, reading, or pretending to read, The Count of Monte Cristo, keeping an eye on those who walked by.

    The woman saw Rachael, gave a nod of acknowledgement and merely went back to what she was doing in total silence. Rachael did wonder about this woman, though, really, she just found it kind of cool to see a bodyguard in real life. And couldn¡¯t help but wonder what might be in store for her and Taryn as growing friends.

 The Hospital - Part 3: The Principal of Things

    ¡°Hey, Taryn, I have a question. You¡¯ve been to a lot of abandoned places, right?¡± Rachael asked when she was going over a script that Taryn had written.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been to several over the years, is there a place you¡¯re curious about?¡±

    Rachael took out her phone and passed it to Taryn. Looking at it, Taryn recognized the photo instantly. ¡°That¡¯s a photo of a hallway from Marie Rose Memorial Hospital. It¡¯s been closed down for years. It¡¯s been popular for those who explore abandoned places like myself. You can even find videos about it online.¡±

    ¡°Is it far?¡±

    Taryn paused at her question. ¡°Depends on how you get there. The best way is by the subway then two bus rides. Unless you have a car.¡± She stopped what she was doing to look directly at Rachael. ¡°Rachael, what is it that you want to do there? If you need references, then you can look online.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right I can, but I¡¯d still want to go since the script you gave me goes into detail about an abandoned hospital. I thought if I went to one, I¡¯d get a better feel for it.¡±

    Taryn was silent for a moment. ¡°I don¡¯t really recommend going to that one.¡±

    ¡°Is it unsafe?¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say unsafe, per se. Just¡­¡± she hesitated, then sighed. ¡°Let me check it first. And if you still want to go, then we can make a game plan to do so.¡±

    The sudden shift in Taryn¡¯s tone was odd. She sounded, concerned about something there. This hospital was abandoned so anything could happen, but¡­

    There was something else.

    Something that Rachael wasn¡¯t sure about. Something she couldn¡¯t place. Could it have been because of the incident at the mall yesterday?

    Rachael opened her mouth only to close it shut just as fast. No, she shouldn¡¯t have to think about it too much. Taryn must have had her reasons to act this way. ¡°Okay, that sounds good to me, thanks Taryn.¡±

    *    *    *

    ¡°Out of all the abandoned hospitals, she just had to pick that one¡­¡± Taryn muttered as Isabella drove her home, glancing at her before saying.

    ¡°You could always bring her to another one you¡¯ve been to before,¡± Isabella suggested, knowing that there were at least three others Taryn had been to in the Ontario province.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid if I do, then she¡¯ll want to go to that one even more.¡± She fell silent for a long moment. ¡°Isabella?¡±

    ¡°We have time before you need to head home. I¡¯ll take some shortcuts. Let your parents know first.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡± Taryn pulled out her phone to let her parents know what was happening currently. All the while hoping nothing would go wrong on this upcoming excursion.

    *    *    *

    Rachael glanced at her phone for the fourth time as she made her way up an unfamiliar street. Taryn had texted her address and a message to wear things she wouldn¡¯t mind getting dirty and good running shoes.

    She was dressed in worn-out jeans, an old dark grey hoodie and a faded shirt, and her strawberry blonde hair had been pulled back into a bun to keep it from being in the way when exploring. But this whole ordeal made her nervous, the first was because they were going to an old spooky abandoned hospital, and the other was the possibility of running into Taryn¡¯s parents. Rachael couldn¡¯t help but be worried about how they might see her given her current attire.

    By the time she reached the address, Rachael had come to a full stop when seeing Taryn¡¯s home. To Rachael¡¯s surprise, it looked normal. Not over the top or one of those newly built homes but one that looked to be a turn of the century. It even had a plaque making this home protected so it wouldn¡¯t be torn down.

    It had two levels, three if you counted the little window for the attic, the first and second floors made entirely of dark red brick accented by a type of dark brown wood. There was also a single-door garage attached that had a side door leading to the front patio. The garden itself looked to be well maintained as there was a garden hose attached to a sprinkler, the kind that kids would run through to play near a tall oak tree, there also looked to be a birch tree in the backyard.

    Rachael made her way up the stone path to the front door. Then hesitated. She arrived rather early because of the bus and now wasn¡¯t sure if she should knock or not.

    Maybe I should have texted her.

    That was until the door opened and a tall blonde woman with grey-blue eyes stood at the entrance of the home. Olivia, Taryn¡¯s mother, looked pretty even without makeup. Dressed in jeans and a casual cream cotton blouse with selves that stopped just past the elbow her glasses rested atop her head and her blond hair was held up in a clip.

    ¡°You must be Rachael,¡± the woman said with a friendly smile. ¡°It¡¯s nice to finally meet you,¡± she then stepped back to allow Rachael to come inside. ¡°Would you like something to drink? Coffee? Tea? I have a kettle going at the moment so you might have to wait a bit. Or would you like water?¡± the woman paused to look back to see Rachael hesitating. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You¡¯re allowed to come in, I promise I don¡¯t bite.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Rachael said softly as she entered the house and closed the door.

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    ¡°You can take off your shoes. We have guest slippers in the closet next across from the bench.¡± Taryn¡¯s mother said then asked again. ¡°Is there anything you want to drink?¡±

    ¡°Water¡¯s okay, thank you.¡± Rachael sat down on the bench and removed her shoes, finding herself rather humbled by this woman. Given Olivia¡¯s work, Rachael assumed that she would be rather harsh and judgemental, only to find her to be much more mellow and relaxed. ¡°Um, Ma¡¯am? Do you know where Taryn is?¡± She asked as she made her way over to the kitchen passing the living room and saw a mix of different kinds of furniture, unlike in some other homes, like Rachael¡¯s, which had matching furniture from the same place. Several oil and watercolour paintings of some landscapes or places lining the walls by artists that Rachael recognized as some well-known Canadian painters. One was by a student from the Group of Seven, a group of famous Canadian painters. And a bunch of plants.

    Rachael¡¯s mother could only dream of keeping so many alive.

    Only to pause when seeing some photos that rested atop a hutch made of oak, of Taryn when she was younger, and two other young men, one must have been her brother, while the other, possibly a friend, another photo of Olivia and what looked to be Taryn¡¯s father when they married and another when they had Taryn. And of another man with Taryn when she was maybe three or four, maybe this man was the elusive Uncle that Rachael heard about and another man who seriously looked like an older version of Mads Mikkelsen to an almost uncanny degree. Possibly Taryn¡¯s grandfather?

    ¡°She¡¯s in the basement with Isabella, going over some things for your excursion to Marie¡¯s Hospital today. Honestly, it¡¯d be better if it was torn down but legalities and all that keep it in perpetual limbo.¡±

    Rachael paused from looking at the photos to glance at Taryn¡¯s mother, the woman almost sounded disappointed.

    ¡°You sound like you¡¯ve been there,¡± Rachael said as she joined the woman in the open kitchen where she took a seat on a stool by the kitchen¡¯s island as Olivia offered a glass of water with some ice.

    ¡°I have, but that was years ago when it was still a functioning hospital. It was discovered that something was happening behind the scenes, and because of it, it was closed down. Several groups and organizations tried to revive the building for different uses over the years, but it never got off the ground and was left to rot.¡±

    Rachael had done some research on the hospital. Marie Rose Memorial Hospital closed due to overwhelming malpractices along with the suicide of a doctor brought about its inevitable closure. Out of curiosity, Rachael asked. ¡°Where you there for work?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Olivia fell silent as if contemplating what to say next. ¡°My daughter was hurt due to the negligence of my sister; she was brought to that hospital because it was the closest one at the time. Some mirrors broke and Taryn was hurt because of it. It was there that I noticed something was off about the hospital, so I looked into it. Which brought about an investigation that inevitably caused it to close its doors. But since then, some people, like my daughter, often go exploring there. I have never seen the appeal of it, but it¡¯s something my daughter enjoys and my husband will sometimes go with her. On occasions, she¡¯ll find something like a ring or a necklace or something else and then we try to track down a living relative who might want it.¡±

    Hearing that surprised her. ¡°I¡¯m surprised that you let her do it at all, given what you and your husband do for a living.¡± Rachael then quickly closed her mouth realizing she might have said something rude. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have said that.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Olivia said as she went to the stove where a kettle whistled, and went to make a mug of tea. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t be the first to question it given our jobs. But, regardless of what we do, we¡¯ll raise our children in what we think is best.¡± She then turned and leaned along the edge of a counter near the stove. ¡°Besides, children are not carbon copies of their parents. I see why she enjoys exploring abandoned places, with the history or what others might have left behind. When she¡¯s posted videos of said places, I¡¯ve always enjoyed seeing where she goes.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve never gone with her?¡±

    ¡°My cases tend to keep me locked in my office, be it in my work building or here. My husband used to get more time until his promotion to Chief of Police. But she¡¯d never go alone.¡±

    ¡°Because of her bodyguards?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Olivia corrected her. ¡°Because of the building itself. It might not be structurally sound. My daughter has had a rather different outlook on life, given at a young age she¡¯s had to deal with things other kids haven¡¯t. And when wandering through old abandoned places she finds that being with another person is best, because when you¡¯re alone anything could happen.¡±

    Rachael was silent, she wasn¡¯t sure if it was because of what Taryn¡¯s parents did. But it made sense because Taryn did seem different from most people their age. She was very down to earth and rarely seemed to swear, but that might have been due to how Taryn was raised by her parents, but then there were times that she would have a type of look like she had seen something that regular people don¡¯t. What could the reason be for that?

    ¡°Speaking of which,¡± Olivia turned and made the short distance over to a set of stairs that led down to a basement. Cupped a hand over her mouth and called out. ¡°Taryn, your friend is here!¡± soon followed by something quickly coming up the stairs, where Taryn looked wide-eyed and confused at her Mom.

    She was dressed in dark blue jeans and a black baseball T-shirt that had the Harley Davidson logo with skulls and roses, while her hair was tied back in a ponytail, something that made her thin, almost delicate facial features all more apparent.

    Her gaze then went to Rachael before looking to the clock that was above the stove and then back to Rachael. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you text me that you were early?¡±

    ¡°Sorry¡­¡± she was about to when she arrived but had been slightly thrown off when Olivia answered the door.

    Taryn cast an unamused glance at her mother. ¡°You could have told me sooner Mom.¡±

    Her mother smiled and shrugged. ¡°I could have, but there was still plenty of time before her arrival, and I needed the excuse to take a break. Are you and Isabella ready to head out?¡±

    ¡°We are,¡± Taryn said as Isabella came up from the basement next, lavender eyes looking at Olivia. Clear in seeing what the other young woman knew of Taryn, and what to keep silent. ¡°You ready?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡±

    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go then.¡±

    ¡°Be careful when you¡¯re out there,¡± Olivia said as she kissed Taryn on the cheek.

    ¡°I will, we should be back at six at the latest,¡± Taryn said with a smile that looked childlike as she looked at her mother with love before the two parted.

    ¡°You be careful too,¡± Olivia said to Rachael as Taryn headed out with Isabella to a waiting car. ¡°And one more thing,¡± her tone suddenly grave as Rachael looked at her with slight confusion. ¡°If my daughter tells you something, listen, no matter what it is.¡±

    Rachael paused when putting on her shoes to briefly look at Taryn¡¯s mother, she couldn¡¯t glean anything from the woman¡¯s expression, but then Oliva smiled gently.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll get some inspiration for your comic; I wish you the best out there.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Ms. Fortier.¡± Rachael wished to add more but a sudden phone call drew the older woman¡¯s attention. So, Rachael chose to leave it at that and head back out to where Taryn was with Isabella.

    As she sat in the backseat of the car while Taryn sat in the back next to her.

    ¡°Something wrong?¡± Taryn asked.

    ¡°Your Mom¡¯s really nice.¡± When Rachael looked at Taryn, she saw her smile happily. ¡°She doesn¡¯t seem like your typical lawyer.¡±

    Taryn laughed softly. ¡°You¡¯re not the first to react that way when they meet her outside of work. If you want to come by again, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll get used to it.¡±

    ¡°Is your Dad the same?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, My Mom, my Dad, my Brother, my Uncle, my Grandfather, and even me, obviously. That¡¯s just who we are.¡±

 The Hospital - Part 04: A Faceless Man

    When they reached Marie Rose Memorial Hospital, Rachael couldn¡¯t help but feel a growing sense of excitement, yet that excitement came to an abrupt halt as she looked at the abandoned building the bright sun shined down on them and yet a sudden sense of dread rested on her shoulders. It was a feeling she couldn¡¯t shake.

    It was the middle of the day, and the hustle and bustle of a busy city could be heard all around them and yet¡­ that all felt insignificant, as though the building was the only thing that mattered here. As though it would swallow her whole.

    Over four floors in total, with the fourth floor looking to be slightly smaller than the other three and was predominantly made of red brick and cement. At a glance, you wouldn¡¯t be able to tell it was abandoned right on the offset with how little damage or vandalism there was on the outside. But if you looked closer at the state of disrepair, it was clear that this place hadn¡¯t been in use for a long time.

    Originally built back in 1952 and then renovated with a fourth floor and a new wing built back in 1972. Marie Rose Memorial Hospital wasn¡¯t one of the largest hospitals in Ontario, but it certainly was a contender for its time. At least from the research that Rachael was able to find.

    It had two parking lots, four entrances, an ER, seven operating theatres, three trauma centers, a maternity ward, and enough room to house at least one hundred and fifty beds for patients who needed to stay overnight. There was even a built-in gym for rehabilitation and a garden/park area built on hospital grounds.

    She had seen pictures of it back when it was thriving, but somehow, seeing it in person felt different. She didn¡¯t know how, or why, but something deep within her told her to be careful.

    Rachael stumbled back but stopped when she felt two hands resting on her shoulders.

    ¡°Careful,¡± Taryn says, her hands remaining firmly on the other girl¡¯s shoulders. ¡°It¡¯s pretty intimidating, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I¡¯m so glad I didn¡¯t suggest we come here at night! Her thoughts practically screamed as she looked up at the old building. Only to turn and see Isabella driving off. ¡°Where is she going?¡±

    ¡°To park the car,¡± Taryn answered with a questioning stare. ¡°Just because it¡¯s an abandoned building doesn¡¯t mean we can park wherever.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± was all Rachael could say. Then looked to the parking lot that was beside the hospital and what she saw slightly surprised her. ¡°There are other cars here.¡±

    Taryn¡¯s brows faintly furrowed. ¡°Other abandoned explorers maybe.¡± She then squinted at the cars as if trying to get a better look. ¡°I think I recognize some of them.¡±

    Before Rachael could ask, someone called out suddenly from above, making the girl jump. ¡°Hey, Taryn! Is that you!?¡± they both looked upwards to the second-story window. And the young man with brown hair and sandy blond highlights laughed. ¡°It is you! I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d be coming here.¡±

    ¡°Hi, Damian,¡± Taryn called back. ¡°This was kind of an impromptu trip with my friend.¡±

    ¡°Your friend?¡± he then saw Rachael. ¡°The girl with the bun and glasses right? She¡¯s cute! Hi, Taryn¡¯s friend!¡±

    ¡°Oh uh¡­¡± she waved shyly. ¡°H-hi!¡±

    Taryn leaned to the side and with a teasing smile she whispered. ¡°He thinks you¡¯re cute~!¡±

    ¡°Shush¡­¡± Rachael muttered her face bright red.

    Taryn chuckled in response as Rachael went on ahead of her, the moment she passed, Taryn¡¯s smile faded as she looked up at the building.

    For a moment, Taryn recalled a certain man who worked in this place a long time ago. A man by all appearances looked like a kind individual doing what he could for those in need as a doctor in this hospital.

    But the truth of a person, their real self, was always just below the surface.

    And what that man was really like, was nothing short of what many would call a monster.

    ¡°Taryn, what¡¯s the hold-up?¡± Rachael asked when she realized Taryn hadn¡¯t moved from where she stood.

    ¡°Just thinking of some places that I can show you,¡± Taryn said as she joined Rachael¡¯s side. ¡°I¡¯ll see if Damian can show some of his photos. Seeing as he thinks you¡¯re cute, I¡¯m sure he¡¯d be more than willing.¡±

    Rachael felt her cheeks heat up with warmth as she remained silent.

    ¡°That didn¡¯t sound like a no~.¡± she teased.

    ¡°You¡¯re enjoying this¡­¡± Rachael muttered.

    Taryn gave her a sly smile. ¡°What gave that away?¡±

    Isabella stood at a distance watching her charge interact with a new friend, a friend that she was still skeptical of, but it was good seeing Taryn act a little more like her age.

    However, something bothered her.

    Her lavender eyes stared up at the hospital, and for a moment she thought to have seen someone, possibly in a doctor¡¯s lab coat, but as she squinted in the harsh autumn sunlight trying to get a better look, that person was gone.

    This place, even though she wasn¡¯t a skeptic, she felt deep in her bones that this was a place to be warry over. Given who resided here. Her gaze then went back to Taryn, Isabella only hoped that the girl knew what she was doing.

    *    *    *

    Taryn showed Rachael around some areas of the abandoned hospital¡¯s first floor. Seeing the medical rooms, lounge area for patients or family members, operating rooms, gym and even the local garden/park in the center courtyard that was still being maintained by those who snuck in and secretly grew veggies or other plants.

    Out of what she had seen so far, the garden was her favourite. It felt peaceful and safe.

    Though the building was abandoned, what surprised Rachael was just how little had been tampered with, destroyed, or outright vandalized by others who came here before them.

    They even came across old construction equipment, probably when the city was trying to turn this place into something else after its foreclosure.

    During all of this, Damian showed Rachael his photos of some of the places he went to in the hospital, giving her suggestions and a few photography tips or what to look out for if she wanted to recreate it with her drawings. They even swapped emails so he could send her some of his photos, all the while ignoring Taryn¡¯s knowing smile.

    But things took a strange turn when Josh brought something up in conversation.

    ¡°Hey Taryn, I know this might be awkward to bring up since it¡¯s been almost a year, but I wanted to let you know that Aaron¡¯s doing better.¡±

    Rachael looked a little puzzled. ¡°Did something happen?¡±

    ¡°He started freaking out,¡± one of Damian¡¯s friends, Greg, answered. ¡°He kept saying his face was taken. That he couldn¡¯t see.¡± He shrugged. ¡°No idea why, but he started going on like that when he came out of the basement.¡±

    ¡°Taryn found him there at the bottom of the stairs, she managed to pull him out,¡± Damian added. ¡°But he¡¯s doing better now.¡±

    Rachael looked at Taryn¡¯s back, she hadn¡¯t said a word about the whole thing.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad,¡± she said after a moment. Then asked an odd question. ¡°Is the door closed?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Greg answered. ¡°It looked closed when we passed it.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± Was Taryn¡¯s only response.

    Rachael looked very confused, so asked to get some context of this conversation. ¡°You guys said Aaron was in the basement when he started to act that way. Do you know what he was down there?¡±

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    ¡°He went down there to take photos,¡± Taryn answered. ¡°Aaron¡¯s always been good at photography, I even learned a few things from him. He read from some online forums that he could get some interesting pictures if he went into the basement. Since that¡¯s where the morgue and even an incinerator, which supposedly still works, are kept down there. But it¡¯s not a place anyone should go.¡±

    Rachael looked at Taryn, rather puzzled. ¡°Is it falling apart?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m told it¡¯s rather pristine, it¡¯s just not safe.¡±

    Before Rachael could ask anything else, the makeshift group had their attention pulled to look at the end of the hall when one of the young women, Alice, drew their attention.

    ¡°Hey! I found the observation room for the operating theatre!¡±

    ¡°For real?!¡± Greg replied, excited by this sudden find. ¡°Where is it? I¡¯ve been looking all over the place and couldn¡¯t find it!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s on the third floor near the wall of photos. Right by Old Faceless!¡±

    Faceless? Rachael thought, only to glance at Taryn, noticing the faint change in Taryn¡¯s stance, her back straightened at the mere mention of¡­ whoever this was.

    ¡°You guys haven¡¯t been upstairs yet, have you?¡± Damian asked.

    Rachael shook her head while Taryn answered. ¡°Dude, we just got here.¡±

    ¡°So, she hasn¡¯t seen it yet,¡± Damian said, looking at Rachael, who then took Rachael¡¯s hand and led her. ¡°Come on, stairs are this way.¡±

    Taryn did her best not to smile when seeing Rachael¡¯s flustered expression, but what smile she did have slowly faded to a blank slate as her gaze shifted to the broken glass that was beside her. Her eyes moved as though she was watching someone, yet no one was there.

    ¡°Taryn?¡± Isabella¡¯s voice drew Taryn¡¯s gaze to her. ¡°Is something wrong?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she answered honestly. ¡°But, stay near Rachael, just in case.¡±

    ¡°Taryn, that¡¯s not my job.¡±

    Taryn looked at her guard with a firm gaze. ¡°I can handle myself with those of the dead, Rachael can¡¯t. If something goes wrong, help her first. I won¡¯t forgive anyone, not even myself if something were to happen to her.¡±

    Isabella clenched her jaw, but she wasn¡¯t about to argue with her charge, yet this was an anomaly for Taryn. Normally she¡¯d keep others, besides family, mostly, at arm¡¯s length. And she had, emphasis on had. During these past few days, the two had become closer, possibly due to both being in the artistic field. While with others it was a cordial friendship that wasn¡¯t in-depth.

    Still, she had a job to keep Taryn safe.

    And if worse came to worse, she¡¯d sacrifice that girl to keep her charge safe. Even if that meant never being forgiven. No matter how much that thought hurt¡­

    *    *    *

    The operating theatre wasn¡¯t as grand as Rachael thought it¡¯d be, but it was interesting. There were even seats like the stands of a stadium to watch the surgery. Though seeing the operating room from here made her feel slightly uncomfortable, she wasn¡¯t sure why. Yet while taking photos, she noticed Taryn leave.

    With a slight frown, Rachael followed only to find her standing in front of a wall with her hands in her pockets.

    ¡°You okay?¡±

    Taryn glanced at Rachael, the expression she had when looking at the wall, was one that Rachael couldn¡¯t identify, yet she seemed so far away.

    ¡°I¡¯m alright,¡± Taryn answered with a faint smile. ¡°What about you?¡±

    Rachael looked at her puzzled. ¡°What about me?¡±

    ¡°This is your first time exploring an abandoned building. What do you think of it so far?¡±

    ¡°Creepy.¡± She answered without a moment of hesitation and with a serious look in her grey eyes, Taryn stifled a laugh. ¡°Well, it is!¡± she added. ¡°Being in a place where people used to be but aren¡¯t now¡­ it¡¯s weird. Just remnants of them. It feels wrong. And¡­ sad.¡±

    ¡°Life can be sad.¡± Her gaze then went back to the wall of photos. ¡°But it¡¯s just proof that this place existed, that there were once people here. If you want, you can look at it like an archeological dig. This is just something that people up and abandoned.¡±

    She looked at Taryn with a flat expression. ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m serious. What¡¯s the difference between ten or two hundred years anyway?¡±

    Still holding that same flat expression, Rachael answered in a deadpan tone. ¡°One hundred and ninety years¡­¡±

    Taryn laughed faintly. ¡°True, there is that.¡± her expression sobered slightly, with only a hinting smile remaining. ¡°But it¡¯s still true in some regard. After all, this place will never be used as a hospital ever again. It will simply be left to rot.¡±

    Rachael didn¡¯t know what to say to that.

    Then her gaze drifted to the wall of photos that looked to be of the staff that worked in the hospital. This included not just the doctors or nurses but anyone and everyone who had worked at the hospital. Like an honorary wall of fame of sorts.

    They had come up a set of stairs where they hadn¡¯t seen this supposed wall of doctors since Alice had merely taken them up a set of stairs that she had come down from. But seeing this wall with so many faces that she didn¡¯t recognize, the names on the frames all covered over with black paint. Though if she looked hard enough, she could spell it out. Yet one photo was different from the others.

    The photo was of a man, the plaque for his name had been completely removed, ripped off with perhaps a crowbar and his face had been completely covered in black spray paint, making it look like his face had been swallowed up by a void.

    Nothing else but that. It was freaky.

    ¡°That¡¯s Faceless,¡± Taryn said suddenly, causing Rachael to jump.

    ¡°W-Why is he called that¡­?¡± the defacement of a photo she could get, but completely removing the plaque with the person¡¯s name? Why not just remove the photo itself?

    Only to answer the question herself, when she saw that every photo had been bolted into the wall and that a special kind of tool would have been needed to remove it.

    ¡°It¡¯s because no one wants to remember his name, and the defacement of his photo, made the nickname stick.¡±

    Rachael still couldn¡¯t understand why but then remembered what Taryn¡¯s mother mentioned about the hospital.

    ¡°It was discovered that something was happening behind the scenes, and because of it, it was closed down. Several groups and organizations tried to revive the building for different uses but it never got off the ground and was left to rot¡­ I noticed something was off about the hospital, so I looked into it. Which brought about an investigation which inevitably caused it to close its doors¡­¡±

    Something about that bothered Rachael. Like it was some kind of open secret that she wasn¡¯t privy to. Nothing that she found online revealed any information, at least from what she could find about the hospital itself.

    ¡°Did he do something?¡±

    Without even five seconds gone by, she answered. ¡°He killed people.¡±

    Silence hung between them before Rachael finally found her voice. ¡°Wh-what?¡±

    ¡°More accurately, he was a serial killer. An Angel of Death.¡± Taryn continued, as though she didn¡¯t hear Rachael speak up. ¡°This hospital was his hunting ground. You could say he was invisible, at least his crimes were. But this isn¡¯t talked about in the open. It¡¯s pretty much a secret of what this man had done. Or at least it was. There¡¯s a memorial table downstairs. Those who died from malpractice which caused this place to close. But some of them were his victims.¡±

    Rachael just looked at the photo.

    ¡°When he realized that the police were on to what he had done, he killed himself in the hospital morgue.¡±

    She turned to Taryn, slightly confused. ¡°How do you know that?¡±

    Taryn looked right at Rachael and told her. ¡°Because I was the one who outed him to my Mom. While I was at this hospital for something unrelated, I learned by chance what he was doing and told her. I was only five at the time¡­¡±

    Shit. Rachael looked around the empty halls of the hospital, the wear and tear of it, as it had been left to rot for over ten years. ¡°Your Mom mentioned that the government has been trying to turn the building into something else and failed several times. Do you know why?¡±

    ¡°Probably because of the ghosts.¡±

    ¡°Ghosts?¡± Rachael repeated, taken aback by this sudden nonchalant declaration. ¡°People think this place is haunted?¡±

    ¡°It is haunted,¡± Taryn replied softly. ¡°The man I mentioned, people have said to have seen him in the hospital¡¯s basement, it¡¯s where the morgue is located.¡±

    Rachael frowned. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you saying his name?¡±

    ¡°Because he doesn¡¯t deserve it. People like him, don¡¯t deserve to be remembered. I¡¯d rather him be a faceless individual for the rest of time. Instead, it¡¯s the victims that should never be forgotten. But for whatever reason it¡¯s always the other way around. And as time passes, those stories of those people will become nothing more than entertainment for others to watch.¡±

    Rachael flinched at the amount of vitriol that Taryn had in her voice, but then quickly put two and two together realizing what Taryn was getting at. ¡°Wait, are you saying that someone found out, and tried to turn his story into a TV show?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    That baffled her. ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Because he was handsome,¡± Taryn said in the most disgusted tone Rachael had ever heard from her. ¡°Do you know what kind of mess that would cause? The damage it would do to the families of the victims and even those who barely managed to get away alive? So many streaming platforms don¡¯t give a shit about the integrity of the victims. They just want money.¡± Taryn looked at the defaced picture of the man with contempt. ¡°My Mom told me that she¡¯s been trying to get the Prime Minister and other leading bodies of government to pass a law that such platforms need to have the families of those who were tied to such a loss, no matter how far back, even if it¡¯s one descendent remaining, to ask for permission in allowing to tell their family¡¯s story in connection with a killer. Along with ample monetary compensation for going forward, but if that family member says no, even if it¡¯s just one, it must end there. And if there are none then a chunk of that money the companies get from their revenue goes to relief programs. But as of yet, no one seems remotely interested. My Mom¡¯s still trying, even if it¡¯s more or less a side project of hers.¡±

    Heck of a side project. Rachael thought as she looked at the photo. ¡°Taryn,¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    ¡°He didn¡¯t¡­¡± she hesitated for a moment. ¡°He didn¡¯t go after you, did he?¡±

    Taryn glanced at Rachael. ¡°If you¡¯re asking if I was his ¡®type¡¯ then no, I¡¯m not. I wasn¡¯t even remotely on death¡¯s door when I was brought in. Some might say otherwise given how I looked at the time¡­ Though I¡¯m sure if enough time passed, and if he was never caught; then he could have very well escalated to that point with healthy people.¡±

    She gripped the strap of her shoulder bag with both hands. ¡°Do you know how many he did that too?¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know. Too young at the time.¡±

    He killed twenty-six people that we know of in three hospitals, and irreparably harmed at least another seven. Isabella thought. Those seven now have chronic health issues as well as debilitating disabilities. At least five that died were children, close to her age back then. She signed the cross and made a silent prayer for those five children and other victims.

    ¡°But that¡¯s pretty much ancient history now, you know the memorial I mentioned?¡± Taryn added noticing Isabella¡¯s silently praying. ¡°Several explorers tend to come and leave things for those killed hoping their souls will find peace. It¡¯s one of the places I wanted to show you. It¡¯s on the ground floor by one of the other entrances. Want to go see it now?¡±

    ¡°Sure,¡± she said with a nod. ¡°I¡¯d like that.¡±

    As Taryn led the way, Rachael found herself looking at the defaced portrait of the man one last time. And was glad that such a monster no longer exists in this world.

 The Hospital - Part 05: Trapped

    Taryn led Rachael to another part of the building with Isabella not too far behind them. Rachael wasn¡¯t sure if she would ever get used to Isabella following at such a distance, but given where they were; having someone who would keep an eye out for anything strange was slightly comforting to know.

    Taryn wasn¡¯t bothered by this. She didn¡¯t seem to care. Given that she must have had Isabella, and whoever else, guarding her for however long, was just another day in a life for someone like her.

    But it did leave Rachael wondering, just how bad was it that Taryn needed a bodyguard with her wherever she went? Who was out for her, and why?

    Well, the ¡°why¡± was probably the easier of the two to figure out, her father was the Chief of Police, and her mother was a well-known lawyer who worked for the Crown, in their careers that must have put dozens upon dozens of people away for whatever crimes they committed.

    It would leave a rather large target on their backs. But then, why go after the parents, when their daughter was a much easier target?

    Just thinking that sent a chill down Rachael¡¯s spine.

    Yet, nothing seemed to bother Taryn, not in the slightest.

    Rachael did find it odd that her new friend explored abandoned buildings as a hobby, but then some did ghost hunting as a hobby, claiming to be a medium that could see ghosts and other spirits. Just look at how many TV shows there were for that kind of entertainment. Heck, Rachael looked up exploring abandoned places on YouTube and found a hundred thousand videos or more. Clearly, there was some form of enjoyment to be had. She even found a few of Taryn¡¯s videos.

    There was even a video about this very hospital.

    But the more Rachael thought about it, something kept nagging at her about that one doctor, and his sudden death.

    ¡°Hey, Taryn, can I ask you something? It¡¯s about that Faceless guy.¡±

    Taryn paused to look Rachael¡¯s way. ¡°What about him?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just curious but, do you know what happened to his body?¡±

    Before Taryn could answer Isabella did instead. ¡°His body was cremated, and his ashes were tossed in an undisclosed location, my best guess, the garbage dump. His family wanted nothing to do with him, even struck his name from their family tree. Wanting him to be completely erased and forgotten. It¡¯s actually because of them that so-called attempt at making a show never got off the ground, with the amount of money they threw to shut up those producers it¡¯s kept any other attempts dead on arrival.¡±

    Taryn looked at the tall woman, stunned. ¡°How do you know all that?¡±

    She folded her arms across her chest. ¡°From your mother. She gave me all the details when your uncle assigned me to be your guard. Same with your grandfather and certain events when you were very little, and telling me about your fear of mines.¡±

    ¡°Mines? Like the kinds where a man would go into the ground and dig out coal or precious metals or gemstones?¡± Rachael asked and looked to Taryn, utterly bewildered by this revelation while her friend just gave a pointed stare at Isabella. ¡°You have a fear of mines?¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t have an official name, but in my case, I see anything of a track or a mine cart while underground, I freeze in place.¡± Taryn looked slightly uncomfortable. ¡°And yeah¡­ I know it¡¯s dumb.¡±

    ¡°No, not dumb, just¡­ different.¡± Rachael paused. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t your fear be more akin to Claustrophobia though?¡±

    Taryn shook her head. ¡°No, that¡¯s being stuck in small dark, tight spaces, and I¡¯ve crawled through many a hole in the dirt to get to a place. Ask Isabella if you don¡¯t believe me. Like I said, there isn¡¯t a name for what I have existing so there you go.¡±

    Yet Rachael couldn¡¯t help but wonder. ¡°You afraid of anything else?¡±

    She let out an exasperated sigh but answered. ¡°It¡¯s not a fear, per se, but you¡¯ll never see me go into a carnival house that¡¯s full of mirrors.¡± She shuddered at the thought. ¡°I can¡¯t stand that place.¡±

    This was something Rachael didn¡¯t expect. ¡°Anything else I should know?¡±

    Taryn was quiet for a moment. As though she was contemplating something before answering. ¡°Just those two things, it¡¯s not that I have a fear of a bunch of mirrors, I just¡­ dislike it. Like I¡¯m being watched by too many people all at once.¡±

    ¡°And the mines?¡±

    Taryn shrugged. ¡°That I¡¯m not sure. I¡¯ve tried going into a mine before, there¡¯s one on my grandfather¡¯s property. But¡­ I can¡¯t even get close to it. It¡¯s like, whatever it was that caused this unnamed phobia, was suppressed by something. I couldn¡¯t tell you what that something was, though.¡±

    ¡°Maybe you could if I was with you?¡± Rachael offered and Taryn smiled.

    ¡°That¡¯s a nice sentiment, but let¡¯s focus on the place that we¡¯re in now before going anywhere else, yeah?¡±

    They continued their trek in the abandoned halls, Taryn glancing up at a portion of the ceiling on the second floor, commenting on water damage, and how it looked like it would fall through at any time. That it¡¯d be best if this section should soon be blocked off from any exploring.

    Lest anyone becomes caught in the falling ceiling or worse, end up dead.

    ¡°What¡¯s above it?¡± Rachael asked.

    ¡°I believe there¡¯s a bathroom, the fourth floor was an addition along with the west wing, and, well, its layout is different from the other three floors. I have no clue why it was designed that way with those additions, but there you go. Just be careful, you see a lot of ceilings like this with collapsed roofs or even exposed wires. If you do, it¡¯s probably best to just go back the way you came.¡±

    ¡°Noted.¡±

    They continued onwards, back down to the ground floor and heading in a different direction from where they first entered before Taryn stopped at another entrance of this old hospital. The door had been blocked off, covered in layers of thick plywood and old furniture piled to stop anyone from coming through this way. Next to that pile was a mural and a table with both fake flowers and living flowers that had long since dried up, mementoes and notes were placed near the photos of people who had passed away.

    To Rachael¡¯s surprise, Taryn knelt before the altar made the sign of the cross and spoke in Latin with her hands clasped together and head bowed.

    ¡°Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Te decet hymnus Deus in Sion, et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem. Exaudi orationem meam, ad te omnis caro veniet.

    Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.¡±

    Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. Thou art worthy to praised, O God, in Zion, and to thee shall prayer be offered in Jerusalem. Hear my prayer, for to thee shall all flesh come. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.

    ¡°I thought you weren¡¯t religious,¡± Rachael stated, rather stunned at hearing her speak in Latin of all things.

    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°I¡¯m not, I¡¯m agnostic at best.¡± Taryn stood and looked at the memorial table. ¡°My parents were Roman Catholic; both left the church for their reasons at different stages of their lives. And when I was born, they left me to choose if I wanted to attend church or not when I was older. And while I don¡¯t believe in one sole creator, I do believe in the existence of a higher power and that of an afterlife. Be it up or below, or somewhere in between.¡±

    Rachael frowned. ¡°Then how do you know Latin?¡± her question was answered when she saw Taryn glance at Isabella who was doing her own prayer in Latin. ¡°Ah.¡±

    ¡°Do you know Latin?¡± Taryn asked.

    ¡°A little,¡± Rachael said with a faint wave of her right hand, only to realize that Taryn was waiting for more. ¡°I had to do research once for a piece of artwork, and I wanted to have what looked to be a carved epitaph in the background. For the epitaph I picked Latin.¡±

    ¡°Huh, that¡¯s pretty neat.¡±

    The two fell in silence as Rachael looked at the photos of those who had died, some elderly, some not. Two were children. It made Rachael¡¯s stomach turn just thinking who might have died at the hands of such a monster. But seeing those two kids¡¯ photos from their school yearbook smiling brightly, hurt more than Rachael thought it would.

    Fighting back the urge to cry Rachael removed a small plushie cat keychain from her bag and placed it on the table between the two children. ¡°It¡¯s not much, but¡­ I hope they like it.¡±

    ¡°I think they would. They both had a cat in their families.¡±

    ¡°What are their names?¡±

    ¡°Amy, and Ben. They went to different schools, but lived close to one another, if you can believe that. Their families are pretty close to each other now.¡±

    ¡°And what about her?¡± Rachael pointed to an elderly woman with a large grin.

    ¡°Nora, I was told she loved to knit. She made this large blanket, won a competition, and she has many grandchildren.¡±

    ¡°Him?¡± she pointed to a middle-aged man with a baseball hat and shades.

    ¡°Tom. He ran a local little league, big on watching baseball, bigger when it came to hockey. He¡¯s a Maple Leaf¡¯s fan.¡±

    ¡°And her¡­?¡±

    This continued with Taryn giving names to every photo, talking about small snippets of these individuals¡¯ lives. Smiling while doing so, even though these people were gone, as long as others talked about them, they¡¯d never be forgotten.

    That was until Taryn received a call. She scowled when she saw it. ¡°It¡¯s Damian.¡± She said before answering it. ¡°Damian, why are you calling? We¡¯re all in the same building.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re stuck.¡± Was his response.

    Taryn¡¯s body straightened. ¡°Where are you? How many are with you?¡±

    ¡°Everyone, but you, your friend and the silent shadow.¡±

    ¡°Where are you Damian,¡± she repeated, ignoring Damian¡¯s nickname for Isabella.

    ¡°The operating theatre.¡±

    Taryn¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°How? The door shouldn¡¯t have a lock.¡±

    ¡°The hell if I know.¡± He said flatly. This wasn¡¯t his, or Taryn¡¯s first time hearing of somebody being stuck in a room and unable to get out. ¡°Think you can help?¡±

    Taryn looked at Rachael before answering. ¡°I¡¯ll be there soon. Hang tight, Damian.¡± Then ended the call. ¡°Damian and the others are trapped in the operating theatre.¡±

    Rachael¡¯s frown mirrored Taryn¡¯s and Isabella¡¯s that followed. ¡°How?¡±

    ¡°I have some ideas; this building is old. Not everything will remain the same. The longer things are in use, the more they¡¯ll decay. This hospital was already old long before its closure. The doors are probably just stuck, although¡­ they should be able to get out by prying the doors apart with three of them there.¡±

    ¡°Then let¡¯s go rescue them,¡± Rachael said before the three headed back the way they came, quickly reaching the second floor. Only as they ran something above them gave way, a loud sickening crunch caught all of their attention. Causing Rachael to stop in her tracks, and Taryn to slow down to look back at her friend.

    ¡°Taryn!¡± Isabella grabbed Taryn, pulling themselves forward after Isabella pushed Rachael back, causing her to fall a distance away just before the ceiling crashed, taking a piece of the floor with it. Leaving nothing but a sudden gaping hole between Rachael and Isabella who held Taryn close to her chest.

    Taryn turned in Isabella¡¯s hold and called out.

    ¡°Rachael are you okay!?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m fine.¡± She managed. Holy shit. She thought as she looked at the now gaping hole that was just three feet ahead of her. If Isabella didn¡¯t push her when she did, Rachael would have been crushed. ¡°Wh-what about you and Isabella?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re fine,¡± Taryn said as Isabella helped Taryn stand, and the three now looked at the new hole before them. ¡°Damnit¡­¡±

    And yet, Taryn didn¡¯t move. Rachael realized why; Taryn didn¡¯t want to leave her alone.

    ¡°I can head back to the memorial,¡± Rachael offered.

    Taryn looked at her, faintly concerned about leaving her alone. ¡°You sure?¡±

    She nodded. ¡°Y-yeah, it¡¯s not like I could just jump over this hole in the floor like a Super Mario level. I¡¯ll head back the way I came; I¡¯ll be sure to keep my eye on the ceiling too. So you¡­ you don¡¯t have to worry.¡±

    Still, Taryn hesitated.

    ¡°Taryn I¡¯ll be fine on my own for a bit. Go and help your fellow explorers.¡±

    She still didn¡¯t seem all too keen on leaving Rachael, but Isabella wouldn¡¯t let Taryn be by herself either. Only with a reluctant sigh, she gave in. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be back as soon as I can.¡± And then ran off with Isabella leaving Rachael to head back alone.

    ¡°Okay¡­¡± Rachael said to herself as she let out a slow breath. ¡°I just need to head back. Easy¡­ real easy.¡± She glanced at the hole. Wood, metal, and wires protruded from the hole like deadly spikes as she swallowed the lump in her throat. If she hadn¡¯t stopped when she did, and if Isabella hadn¡¯t pulled Taryn out of the way, they would have been severely injured, or worse, dead. Rachael shuddered at the thought. ¡°Yeah okay¡­ let¡¯s get away from the hole.¡± She said to herself as she inched back.

    Turning around Rachael walked back the way they came, looking in the abandoned rooms whenever she heard a sudden sound, only to see a rat or something had clattered to the tiled floor. Doing this by yourself is way different than with a group. She thought. She hadn¡¯t been scared when she was with Taryn and the others, but then she wasn¡¯t alone. The feeling of unease crept up her spine as she slowly made her way through the hall, and went slowly down the stairs, stopping in her tracks when she heard a creak of metal. ¡°It¡¯s just the building settling¡­¡± she told herself. ¡°It¡¯s not falling apart¡­ It¡¯s not falling apart.¡± When she finished going down the stairs, she let out a deep breath. ¡°Okay¡­ I¡¯m good. I¡¯m good.¡±

    Rachael felt a sense of relief when she was back at the smaller entrance, back at the altar of photos, yet something was different. The keychain that she left as an offering was gone.

    ¡°What the¡­ where¡¯d it go?¡±  She looked under the table but saw nothing. It couldn¡¯t have just gotten up and moved on its own. So where did it go?

    Rachael received her answer when she heard a low groaning creak of a door. Its hinges squeaked like nails on a chalkboard. A door that had originally been boarded up, but the planks of wood had fallen to the floor as if the nails had been removed one by one.

    That was weird.

    Hesitantly, Rachael walked over to the door, noting the stairs that led down.

    This went to the basement.

    She squatted down to get a better look without heading down the stairs. Through the long narrow hall, she saw something in the middle of the floor.

    Her keychain.

    Bewildered, Rachael looked back to the table. How in the world did it get from the table to the basement? It was even standing upright, facing her. Like someone had deliberately placed it there. Slowly Rachael stood, while mulling over what to do, she felt as if someone was behind her. Whirling around, she saw no one there.

    Her breath came out in short bursts. This was starting to freak her out.

    That was until she heard something clattering down the stairs.

    ¡°My phone!?¡± she said out loud in confusion as she grasped her sweater pocket where it had been originally. It must have fallen out when she turned around too quickly. It had happened before. But why now of all times?!

    She looked back in the direction she came from then back to her phone, moving from foot to foot. She shouldn¡¯t go down there. She shouldn¡¯t go down there.

    Damnit why¡¯d it have to be her phone?!

    She flinched when she heard a familiar ringtone.

    Change the World the first opening from the anime Inuyasha.

    The ringtone she chose for Taryn.

    ¡°Shit¡­¡± Rachael cursed under her breath.

    Taryn was probably calling to see if she had gotten to the ground floor without any issues. Rachael didn¡¯t move, and the ringing kept going until it stopped. And then started again.

    Rachael cringed. ¡°Damn it¡­¡± she cursed. ¡°Don¡¯t be pissed, Taryn.¡± Against her better judgment, she slowly made her way down the concrete steps, gripping the railing tightly as she did so as the ringing now went into its third loop. Taryn must have been really worried to be calling this much.

    Given what was happening, who could blame her?

    Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Rachael quickly rushed over to pick up her phone. Yet the moment she went to answer, it stopped mid ring.

    Did she hang up?

    That was possible given that she and Isabella were trying to reach Damian and the others. Still, she needed to call her back and let Taryn know she was okay.

    Rachael turned to head back up the stairs, going through her call log only to freeze in place at what she saw.

    Taryn didn¡¯t call her.

    At all.

    ¡°Wha¡­?¡± was her only response. That didn¡¯t make any sense. She heard her phone ringing. It rang four times in a row, she couldn¡¯t have been hearing things. She even saw the screen flash with Taryn¡¯s caller ID image. So then how?

    But such questions would come to a halt when she heard the familiar groaning creak of that same door. The very door that led to this basement. It was closing.

    No! With a gasp, Rachael ran up the stairs to stop it, but it was too late. The door had closed and to her horror. It was locked.

    No matter how hard she tried the doorknob it wouldn¡¯t budge.

    She gripped the doorknob so hard her knuckles went white from how tightly she held it. There was no use, it wouldn¡¯t open.

    She was trapped.