The Steel City Girl

The name is Marissa. Marissa Nicole.
This is my second Sugarloot account, but this one is so all the wonderful people on Sugarloot, can read my book. The Steel City Girl.
I will try to update often. So bear with me a little here.

All the places in the book are true. There really is a William Penn hotel in Pittsburgh. The Starbucks locations are all real. Even Baldwin Manor is a real place. I wanted to make the book in Pittsburgh because I knew what it is like here. I couldnt wrtie a book based in New York City, because I've never been to NYC. The only thing not real is the characters. When I write about Primnato Bros. Sandwhiches you HAVE to look under my pictures and see it. (They are sooo good!) Because you have not seen or eaten a sandwhich until you eat one of these! If you have any comments about the book please tell me! I love to hear peoples opinion!!

Hayden's Favorites! =)

Hollister
Aeropostale
Abercrombie
Coach
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
Matt
Alec, Mom, Dad, Aunt Kate, and of course Ryan!
Chocolate
And more to come!! =)





The Steel City Girl.
Prologue.
The name is Hayden Anne McIntire. It may not sound glamorous, but I like it. If you need a mental picture of me this might help. I have dark chocolate brown hair, and georgous green eyes. Not to brag or anything. I live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, yes in the Steel City! Don't you jump to conclusions, Pittsburgh's a wonderful place. I like to think of it as a mini New York City. I mean you have Starbucks, great shopping, and instead of the Statue of Liberty, you have Point State Park. I have a twin brother, his name is Alec. It's wierd he is probally my best friend. He pretty much looks like me except with shaggy hair that flips to the side, and my dads deep blue eyes. Speaking of parents, my dad is an author and my mom is an artist. They're great. When they travel Alec and I get to stay home. They are gone now, Paris or London, maybe both. I don't know. My Aunt Kate comes to make sure Alec and I are OK. He is normally at the Penguin games and I'm stuck at home watching them. We're sixteen if you were wondering... My life revolves around photography, chocolate (duhh), pink, orange, and dancing. My pictures sometimes have a "ghostly" touch. Speaking of ghosts, did I mention I can see them? Must have slipped my mind.



Chapter One-My Life

My mom said I could see ghosts from the moment I was born. With Doctors, nurses, and a bunch of dead relitives standing around me all I did was cry! My mom knows because she can see them too.
It was around seven-thirty when I woke up. I quickly washed my face and did my make-up. I then rummaged around to find my favorite pair of Abercrombie jens, a Hollister sweatshirt, and my Coach Tennis Shoes. "Where the heck is my wristlet?!" I thought outloud. I flopped back down on my bed to think of where I put it. "The kitchen!" I told myself outloud...again. I ran to the kitchen to find my Coach wristlet laying on the counter. I left Alec a not saying I was going to Starbucks and that I didn't know when I was going to be back. I bounded out of the kitchen, and out the front door of our suite. We live in the William Penn Hotel. Once out of the hotel I started off for the nearest Starbucks. The early morning sun gently warmed my dark Slovak skin. I wish you could see what I see. Everywhere I turn there are ghosts. It's neat, I talk to them when I can. I look a little strange when I start talking to them in public. Alec can see them too, I guess that another reason we are so close. I quickly realized that there was a Starbucks back in the William Penn. Oh well, I thought, the excerise felt nice. I felt like a little kid in a candy shop, looking around at my beloved Pittsburgh. The warm, weak February sun shining on the tall buildings, that looked like they had just woken up. With the sun rising and gently kissing them good morning. You might be wondering why I'm wearing just a sweat shirt in February. I have two words for you. Global Warming. There had been unusually warm weather for the past week or so. When I turned the corner I found my long awaited destination. Starbucks! A tall young man, maybe in his late 20's, opened the door for me. "Thank you!" I said with a wide smile on my face.
"Any time." replied the tall man. For a Saturday morning, and not even eight, Starbucks was like a bee hive; busteling with activity. I scurried into line and quickly decided what to get.



Chapter Two-The Girl in the door

When it came my turn to order, I got a Chi tea and a gaint chocolate chip cookie. The breakfast of champions! I shuffled to the side, while my food was prepared.When I got my food I got a Pittsburgh Post Gazzette and a table to sit down at. I was startled when my EnV started vibrating. Quickly I retrived it from my wristlet to seew who it was. It was a text from Alec. I brushed my sidebangs away from my eyes and began to read the text.

From:Alec where r u?

Being to lazy to text him back I called him. "Hey it's Hayden." I said when I heard him pick up the phone.
"What freakin Starbucks are you at! The one in Alaska!" replied Alec, clearly joking.
"No you dork! The one by thhe courthouse. I didn't feel like going to the one in the hotel" I asid breaking off a piece of my cookie. "Alec, theres one here."
"What, really! Tell me more." said Alec.
"She's wet, her clothes are soaked. She is just standing in the door, letting people walk through her. I feel short of breath since shes here.." I said to Alec.
"OK I'm on my way." Alec said then he hung up. My life was all ready too much like the T.V. show Ghost Whisperer, I didint always help them cross over. That was not by any means what I did. I talk to them, yes, but crossing the over to the other side. THAT, that my friend is their decision. I sat and drank my tea and waited for Alec to arrive. When he finally did arrive, he walked around the girl in the door.
"Did she say anything to you?" asked Alec.
"No, she has just been standing there looking at that guy." I said nodding my head toward the man who opened the door for me.
"Do you think they are related?" questioned Alec.
"They do not look alike. Maybe they were married." I said
"Maybe, she knows we can see her. She'll probally follow us home." said Alec
"She's not a puppy dog Alec!" I said hitting him in the arm.
"You never know. It could happen, they have before. You know it as much as i do. Once they find out you can see them. They WILL NOT leave you alone, until you talk to them." Alec said sounding serious all of a sudden.
"Lets go." I said, springing from my seat.
"Go where!?" questioned Alec. "We are going to Baldwin. Well more speciffically Baldwin Manor."I told him.
"Wait, why!?"
"So many questions." I said rolling my eyes, "Because Enstein, Aunt Kate lives there, she can see them too. Shes mom sister, thats why! she might be able to help us." I concluded walkin gout of Starbucks, with Alec at my heels. the ghost watched us leave, and was then following us.
"I told you so!" Alec said matter of factly. I gave him a smack across the head."Theres the stop for the Manor bus." said Alec.
"I know, I not blind!" I retorted. Within minutes we were on our way to Baldwin Manor. Aunt Kate was more like a second mother to me and Alec, rather than an aunt. The ghost had followed us onto the bus, imagine Alec's surprise! This ghost was creeping me out! Ever since I saw her, I felt short of breath, like someone was choking me. I didn't dare to tell Alec that, he would worry about me too much! All because he was older than me by twenty minutes! I didnt blame him though. I worry about myself sometimes.
"I know you can see me. I understand why you wont alk to me. Please help me! You have to help me! Shake your head if you will." said the ghost. I nodded my head, then she disspeared.
"Where did she go?" said Alec
"I dont know but she will be back."I told Alec trying to smile. Unfortunaly he knew how tense I was.
"You know I'm here for you. When a ghost bothers you they normally bother me too. Mom and dad will be comming home next Saturday, and we have Aunt Kate. We can help her." Alec said before we stood up and got off the bus. I just shrugged my shoulders. Deep down I knew he was right, but I had a bad feeling, that this ghost would be different.






Chapter Three-Help

"Good she is home." said Alec as we walked up to the door. I looked over my shoulder to see the ghost there. I suddenly wanted to run home and hide under my covers. It was to late. Aunt Kate opened the door and looked at the ghost. Then her grey eyes looked at us, I smiled sheepishly.
"I swear you two are like Ryan when he was little! Except he brought home little critters, and you bring ghosts!" said Aunt Kate with her brown hair coming out of the pony tail. I smiled as Aunt Kate let us in.
"Ryan get down here and say hello to your cousins!" Aunt Kate yelled. From upstairs my fourteen year old cousin ran down into the doorway. He has shaggy brown hair, his moms grey eyes. And guess what! He can see them too, it's a family trait on my moms side.
"Not you again! Ryan said to the ghost."I told you to cross over not bother my cousins! You almost killed me!" yelled Ryan.
"What is going on here!" said Aunt Kate. Alec and I just stood there dumbfounded.
"Her name is Sophie, she drowned. I found that out from what she did to me." said Ryan.
"Ryan, what did she do to you?" asked Alec.
"She made me have visions, that I was drowning! For people like us those visions are life like." said Ryan
"Well you found out how I died. Now for Gods sake will you help me!" shouted Sophie. The angrier Sophie got the harder it was for me to breathe. I fainted. When I fainted I became Sophie the night she died. I found myself, well Sophie, at a bar in Station Square. There was this man, who was telling Sophie too much, and asking for to much in return. The manager who overheard the conversation, threw the man out. When Sophie left the bar the man attacked her. Before I could find out more I awoke to find everone standing around me.
"What did you see?" asked Alec.
"She didn't die of natural causes or suicide. She was murdered."I said before I started crying.




Chapter Four-More
I laid on the couch, and stared at the ceiling, with only Ryan for company. Aunt Kate and Alec had gone into the kitchen.
“Tell me what you saw. Maybe it is like a puzzle, and I might have the rest of it….” whispered Ryan.
“She was at a bar, in Station Square. Saddle Ridge I think, and this man, he was going too far. So he got kicked out. When Sophie left, he was waiting for her. That’s all I saw,” I said as I hugged my knees to my chest.
“I saw the same but more. When he got her, he hit her over the head with something. She went unconscious, he took her down to the river, threw her in. That’s all I got,” he said throwing his hands in the air.
“She seemed harmless. I wonder why she made your vision so, deadly. Nothing makes sense,” I said and turned over my shoulder to see Sophie there.
“You said you would help me! I will do as much as I can for you to understand,” said Sophie.
“Leave her the heck alone,” said Alec forcefully. Alec was not someone to mess with. By no means was he weak, you could tell he was strong just be looking at him. He could even creep out a ghost.
“I can’t do that,” said Sophie before she again, disappeared. I looked around at Aunt Kate’s pale blue living room, and screamed on my inside to go home, and Alec could sense it.
“Aunt Kate, can we take Ryan back to the hotel with us?” asked Alec.
“I don’t see why not,” said Aunt Kate.
“Can I stay over mom?” pleaded Ryan. There was a long pause before anyone spoke.
“Ask your cousins, it’s ok with me.” said Aunt Kate.
“Sure” I said in a weak voice.
“Go up and pack kid,” said Alec, giving Ryan a playful punch on the arm.
“I’ll drive you back to the home. I do not want him to have to lug all that on the bus.” said Aunt Kate. I didn’t hear much of what she said, I was a million miles away.
“Hayden and I can bring him home tomorrow around eight, if that’s OK with you,” said Alec towards aunt Kate.
“Yes, yes that’s fine Hun.” said Aunt Kate.
“Oh gosh! It’s almost eleven! How long was I passed out for?” I asked.
“Long! Let’s see we got here around nine, you do the math.” said Alec with a smile on his face,
“It’s OK sweetie. Whatever that ghost is trying to tell you is important. Pay attention to details, both of you! Most importantly, be careful!” said Aunt Kate.
“We will, and so will Ryan,” said Alec standing up and straightening out his 6’4 frame. I was a tiny 5’4! Ryan came down the stairs at a full gallop.
“Do I need to bring a sleeping bag?” questioned Ryan.
“No you can sleep in the guest room,” I told him.
“OK, then I’m ready to go,” said Ryan.
“Well then, I will bring the car up to the front just let me find my keys,” Aunt Kate told us.
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“Thanks, Aunt Kate!” I said when we got out of the car. When we walked into the hotel, Alec went to Starbucks, while Ryan and I went up to the suite.
“ Are you OK? You hit the floor pretty hard back at the house,” Ryan told me s I opened the door.
“Yes, I’m OK, still a little shaken up I guess,” I told Ryan.
“I’m hungry, can I go get something to eat?” asked Ryan.
“Sure there is some leftover soup from last night in the fridge.” I said.
“That sounds good.” I walked into my pink room, and flopped not so gracefully onto my pick and orange polka dotted bed-spread. I searched for my stuffed animal that I had since I was about four. When I found the flimsy brown horse, and I hugged it close. I laid on my bed and stared out my window. I was startled when I heard a knock on my door.
“Hayden, it’s Alec. Can I come in?” he questioned.
“Sure,” I said completely lifeless.
“Are you OK? You didn’t say anything during the car ride home, the only words you said, well was thanks to aunt Kate,” his deep blue eyes were looking in mine for an answer. I tried to ignore him, but he continued to stare at me.
“I’m scared. I didn’t want to tell you because I knew you would worry too,” I told him as I squeezed the stuffed animal tighter. Alec swore under his breath.
“ Leave her alone for a little. Maybe she will leave you alone and bother me for a little,” said Alec “Anyway, try to get some sleep. I’ll keep an eye on Ryan.”
“I can’t let you do that. But I do have an idea. Tonight, the three of us will go over to Saddle Ridge, down by the river. Sophie might come to us there,” I said.
“Go to Saddle Ridge? That country bar? What does that have to do with anything?” said Alec.
“When I fainted I saw Sophie down at Saddle Ridge. Whatever happened to her down there led to her death.”
“When do you want to go? We could take the bus. The last one that runs over there is at seven,” Alec told me.
“We can take that one. I don’t want to stay out too late,” I said. Alec got up and left after we finished talking.
<><><><><><><><><><>
I did exactly what I did not want to do. I fell asleep. The dream turned into a nightmare in a matter of seconds. In my dream everything was filling with water. I was being held prisoner in my won “dream’”. My desperate, pleading cries fell on deaf ears or so it seemed. Alec and Ryan come thundering into my room.
“Hayden! Hayden! Wake up!” Alec shouted, shaking me. I woke up in a cold sweat, and again began crying.

<><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Hayden, it’s okay. We’re right here, don’t worry,” Ryan told me. Like I was listening! I was a little to busy shaking and crying to hear much. I was completely out of my mind!
“Look, we don’t have to go to Saddle Ridge. We can stay here and lay low,” said Alec.
“No,” I said firmly trying to hide the fear that was swelling inside of me. The fear came gushing out like the Monongahela River into the Mon. Warf after a rain. Alec had to hold me, just for me to stop shaking. Alec and Ryan stayed with me, honestly, I didn’t want them to leave. Besides my family knowing about my gift two people outside of the family know. My best friend Georgia Ray, and my boyfriend Matt. Georgia Ray has been my friend since kindergarten. I trust her with my life so in second grade I told her. I looked for my phone and started to text Georgia Ray, trying to keep my mind off of what had happened.
TO: Georgia Ray FROM: Hayden I really need to talk to you.
I sent the message, and in less than a minute she sent a reply.

TO: Hayden FROM: Georgia Ray I don’t get a; Hey what’s up?! Just an I need to talk to you. What am I? Your personal Dr. Phill? ha-ha.
We sent texts back and forth, I told her what happened and she tried to help me.
“Are you going to be okay if we leave?” asked Alec.
“Yes, I’ll be fine,” I said forcing a confident smile on my face. When deep down I was petrified. Alec and Ryan stood up and left me alone. After a while Georgia Ray stop texting me so I gave up on talking to her. Nothing makes sense right now, I thought to myself.


Chapter Five-Puzzles
Minutes turned into hours as I sat in my room. My room was dead, nothing seemed to be living. I emerged from my room around therein the afternoon to find Alec and Ryan gone. I didn’t know what to do with myself, so I grabbed a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream from the Freezer, and a spoon. I flopped down onto the couch and attacked the ice cream. I just sat there waiting for Sophie to show up. In my head I kept replaying her piercing, intense grey eyes. The last time I has seen her, she had been almost dry. I closed my eyes, pictured her, ad again attacked the ice cream. I unfortunately saw her blonde curly hair, her pale skin, and her eyes. I would rather be in a room with a lion, than see those eyes! I thought about cuddling with a lion before I was willing to see her again. Just my luck, I head all the sinks come on and I knew she was in here somewhere. I turned off the sinks and returned to the couch to see Sophie on it, completely relaxed, and dry.
“I still have to deal with you, huh?” I said.
“Yes, yes you do. You’re a lucky little girl,” said a smug Sophie. Yeah lucky me I thought.
“How was your sleep? Dream about anything nice?” asked Sophie, her eyes stabbing me.
“Yes actually, a wonderful death wish!” I retorted.
“Really! I wonder how that happened?” said Sophie with a smile on her face.
“It was lovely, you should try it sometime,” I said, “Oops! You can’t. Too bad, so sad.”
“Don’t get smart with me Hayden,” said Sophie, “You, you little miss perfect, still need to help me. I will bug the living heck out of you until you do help me. I don’t have to tell you what will happen if you don’t, you already know,” said Sophie, who was know standing right next to me. I was not going to how her that I was scared.
“Oh, you should be getting a visitor soon. He should be able to help you,” said Sophie with a sinister grin, before she disappeared.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>

I hate to admit it, but Sophie was right. I heard a knock at the door, and went to open it. Lone behold, it was Matt. I was shocked, I was expecting someone, but not this someone.
“Hey, can I come in?” he asked
“Sure, sorry I wasn’t expecting anyone. Well I was expecting someone, just not you,” I rambled.
“It’s ok, I can’t say I planned on coming over. I just had a dream, well nightmare, that told me to come here and what to talk about. It was pretty creepy,” Matt said with his deep brown eyes looking into mine. He bent over and kissed me on the cheek. It may have been a just simple kiss on the cheek, but it meant the world to me. I looked up at him with his strawberry blonde hair, his brown eyes, and I thought he was perfect. He played sports, worked, and he still made time for me. We walked into the living room and sat down on the couch.
“So, what happened in this nightmare?” I questioned.
“My neighbor came to me in it. She said to talk to you. That’s pretty much it,” he said.
“Wait, Sophie was your neighbor?”
“Yes, she lived next door. She and her husband moved in about three years ago, and last month she disappeared. Her husband, Ben, stayed at the house because Sophie loved it so much,” said Matt, “Wait, how do you know her?”
“She started haunting me,” I said.
“That explains a lot,” he said.
“I just met her this morning, and I’m beginning to hate her. She has tried choking me, and she tried drowning me in my nightmare,” I told Matt.
“Hayden, you know I’m here for you,” Matt told me.
“I know, and I’m so happy that you are,” I said laying down and resting my head in his chest.
“What are you going to do about her? Ben doesn’t even know what happened to her,” said Matt.


Chapter Six- Seeing Things

Her image stayed in the water. I broke away from the group to look for Sophie. Let me tell you, that was not any easy task. I knew she was there, I could feel her. It was like she was watching my every move. “Sophie! Sophie, stop playing games! Come talk to Ben, so you can cross over!” I shouted.
“There is more to the puzzle,” I heard Sophie say in a whisper.
“More to what? Your death? Yes, there’s more, I know that, but that’s police work.
“Tell Ben to help you. Take him to Saddle Ridge with you. Please,” said Sophie. I ran my fingers through my hair, “OK, I will, but can you please just show yourself.”
“I will, but don’t tell Ben. I don’t know what to say to him,” said Sophie in a pleading voice.
I bit my lip, “OK, I won’t...I promise,” I said. When Sophie appeared her eyes looked scared. But thankfully all the anger had been drained.
“Sophie, you have to tell me what happened to you, if you want me to help you.”
“I know, I know, but not now. He is still out there,” said Sophie in a hushed voice.
“He who? Who is he?” I said looking her in the eyes for the answer.
“The man. You will find out tonight,” said Sophie before disappearing.
“Hayden, who are you talking to?” asked Matt. I jumped at the sound of his voice.
“Sophie. Is Ben still in the Kitchen?” I rambled.
“Yeah, he is with Faith. She wanted a snack, so I came to find you,” said Matt. I ran past him back to the kitchen. He was sitting at the table feeding Faith applesauce.
“Ben, tonight I plan to go to Saddle Ridge tonight, will you come with me?” I asked as calmly as I could.
“Sure, but why are you going to a bar?” he questioned.
“That’s where Sophie was killed, and if I go, along with my brother and my cousin, we might be able to see what happened to her. But, if you come, then you could build on what we find out,” I explained.
“What about Faith?” Ben asked. Matt sensed how important this was to me and quickly said, “ I’ll watch her for you.”
“Matt are you sure? I could stay home, or take her to my mother’s,” said Ben. Matt shrugged his shoulders, “Yeah sure. I really don’t mind. Faith is a sweetie,” said Matt.
“Ben, please come. It will help Sophie,” I said desperately. Ben caved in quite easily, “OK, I’ll come.”
“Yes!” I said jumping up in the air.
“OK, here is my home number,” I grabbed a piece of paper and a pen, to scribble down the number, “Here is my cell number, too. We plan to head over there around seven.”
“Works for me. But do you want me to drive? It will save you the cost of a bus ticket,” said Ben.
“OK, it’s a deal! Ben I think we just might be able to help Sophie,” I said with a confident smile on my face. This time it was true.




Chapter Seven-The Almost Answers

Seven o’clock came faster than expected. I came home to find both Alec and Ryan had returned from their journey. Where they had gone I don’t know. Around 6:45, Ben called my cell phone and told me he was leaving. “Okay, I will meet you in the lobby by Starbucks,” I said. I quickly hung up the phone, and called out to Ryan and Alec. “Coming!” they said in unison. I waited by the door with very little patience, “Ryan! Alec! I’m going to leave you two! It’s already seven!” I shouted. Just as I opened the door, I felt as if someone or something was watching me. I turned around to see Ryan and Alec behind me. “You ready to go?” questioned Alec. “I’ve been ready! Oh and I was right!” I said. “About what?” asked Alec as we walked out the door and towards the elevator. “The man Sophie was looking at when we were at Starbucks, was her husband. He is the one taking us to Saddle Ridge. His name is Ben,” I explained. “Where are we meeting this Ben?” asked Ryan. “The Starbucks, in the lobby.” I said, “There he is!” I said pointing him out. “Hayden!” he said waving to me. “Hey Ben! This is my brother Alec, and this is my cousin Ryan. They can see ghosts too.” “Interesting,” said Ben, then he clapped his hands together,” Well are we ready to go?” “Sure,” I said along with Ryan and Alec. We walked outside to find Ben’s black Cadillac CTS, parked on the curb. Ben opened the front passenger side door for me, and I slid in. “You are very good with the whole manners thing. That is the second time you have held the door open for me,” I said with my genuine smile. Ben smiled back, and closed the door. He then opened the back door for Alec and Ryan. “Thanks, Ben,” said Ryan. Ben got into the car, started it up, and we drove off. “Hayden, I can’t help but think…well,” said Ben. “What if this doesn’t work?” said Ryan moving up in his seat and poking his head in between the two front seats, “ I get it all the time,” said Ryan shrugging his shoulders, like it was nothing. “Yeah that’s it,” said Ben, “Not to doubt you or anything. I just have this feeling that Sophie wants me to go, and yet I don’t know what will happen.” “You have no idea,” I said looking out the window. And in the windows reflection I saw Ben glace over at me. “I can’t believe he is actually going!” said Sophie. Alec, Ryan, and I jumped at the sound of her voice, and Ben’s eyebrows went up in confusion. “Sophie, what do you want?” asked Alec. Ben turned around in his seat when we reached a red light. “She’s here? Now?” said Ben. I nodded my head. “Tell him, tell him thanks,” said Sophie. “She says, Thanks,” said Alec shrugging his shoulders, in confusion. “For what? Sophie, thanks for what?” questioned Ben. “For meeting them and coming,” said Sophie, looking around the car at Alec, Ryan, and I. “For meeting us, and coming to Saddle Ridge,” said Alec. “Sophie, I have a feeling your up to something,” said Ben. “Ben, what are you talking about?” I questioned. “She is up to something. Sophie may be dead, but I can still tell when she is up to something. I can feel it,” said Ben as we crossed the Smithfield Street Bridge. “What do you think I’m up to?” asked Sophie to Ben. “Sophie, he can’t hear you,” said Ryan. “She wants to know, what you think she’s up to,” I told Ben. “I don’t know, it’s Sophie. She would say that she was up to nothing, and then nothing always turned into something!” said Ben, moving his hands off the steering wheel and into the air. I sat there studying Ben. This was the first time I seriously looked at him. He had red hair that was short; it flipped up a bit in the front, he had a strong face, and hazel eyes. I had to admit Sophie had, had a good life. She had a beautiful daughter, and a handsome husband. I thought it was just horrible her life was taken from her. “Here we are,” said Ben as we pulled into a parking spot. “So, who wants to get out of the car to solve a murder mystery first?” questioned Ryan. I rolled my eyes and got out of the car. Alec followed, along with Ryan, and Ben last. I saw Sophie down by the river, “Down there,” I said. And of course I led the way. “What is the plan?” asked Alec. “We get together in a circle, and hold hands. Sophie should help us with the vision. Ben when we are done you can fill in the blanks,” I said. “Hayden, how will that work?” asked Ben. “Well if I’m right, if I hold hands with Ryan, and Alec, the vision will be stronger, and clearer. It should be more powerful with the three of us, rather than me. It’s the whole two heads are better than one. In this case three heads,” I said to Ben, taking Alec’s and Ryan’s hand in mine. We formed a circle and we closed our eyes. Then we heard Ben slowly back away. We waited, and then just as expected Sophie showed us what happened. We (well Sophie) were back in the bar, but things were clearer now. The man who was talking to her had a name tag on now. His name was Ross. There was a girl on Sophie’s right side, and she was desperately trying to get Sophie to talk to her and not this Ross. No matter how hard Sophie tried to talk to the girl, Ross kept talking to her. They got up to move to a different part of the bar. Ross followed, and grabbed onto Sophie’s wrist. “Ross leave me alone!” struggling to get free from his grip. “C’mon, if you wanna night, come with me. Baby let’s go,” said Ross, with his words slurring together, because he was drunk: very drunk. Sophie broke away and ran to the ladies room for shelter, with her friend at her heals. The manager came over to Ross. “Ross, I can not have my employees walking around drunk, and talking to customers like that. You need to get out of here and get some fresh air. Hopefully you will come to your senses,” the manager said to Ross, taking him by the arm and basically kicking him out. Ross looked at him in disgust but did not refuse. Sophie’s friend saw him go and ran back into the bathroom. “Sophie, he is gone,” said her friend. “Kellie, I want to go. I told Ben I would be home by ten,” said Sophie wiping away her tears. “Miss, I am very sorry. Is there anything I can do for you?” asked the manager, as Sophie came out of the bathroom. “No, no I’m fine,” she said, “Kellie, Happy Birthday, I will see you tomorrow.” “OK…Bye, Sophie,” said Kellie waving to her friend, and looking at her with worried eyes. Sophie took one last look at Kellie and walked out the door. When Sophie reached her car. She dug for her keys, in her purse. Little did she know, Ross was coming up behind her. He covered her mouth with one hard, and wrapped the other around her waist. “Baby, we will have a nice time tonight. Just keep quiet and don’t struggle, everything will be OK,” Ross said. Sophie could smell the whisky on his breath. She went with him, and knew something was not going to go right. He walked down to the river, and laid Sophie down on the ground. He laid down next to her and took one of her long, blonde, ringlet curls in his hand. Ross kissed her, and kissed her neck. Then things went too far. Sophie got up and tried to run. Though drunk he was, Ross had good reflexes, he quickly grabbed a rock and hit her on the head. Sophie collapsed, and her body lay limp on the ground, like a rag doll. “Oh God, what have I done?” said Ross to himself. He picked up Sophie’s body, waded into the water as far as he could go, and just let it go. I fell to the ground, and Ben ran over to me. “Hayden!” shouted Sophie and Ben to me at the same time. “Hayden, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!” Sophie said, with tears streaming down her face. “Sophie, it’s OK. I’m OK,” I said, “Ben we have a pretty good idea of what happened.” “Alec and Ryan came over to us and they were ‘ghostly’ pale. “What happened?” asked Ben. “Alec explained everything, and it sent chills up and down my spine. “Oh God, Sophie. I knew you shouldn’t have gone. But it was Kellie’s birthday,” said Ben, clenching his fists. “Ben, I love you! Please don’t every forget that! You tried to tell me not to go. You had that gut feeling. But I was stubborn, I wanted to be with Kellie to celebrate her birthday. I’m so sorry!” sobbed Sophie. Alec told Ben what Sophie said, and Ben just sat there taking it all in. “Sophie, it is not your fault your dead,” said Ryan. “Yes it is! If I didn’t go out to my car at that time, or gone out to my car when Kellie was leaving, or even better not gone at all, I would still be alive. And you kids wouldn’t be tangled up in this mess!” said Sophie. I was still laying on the ground, trying to piece together what had just happened. “Sophie do you see the light by any chance?” I asked her. “Light? The only light I see right now is the God darn moon!” said Sophie. “Great! More work to do!” said Ryan flopping back down to the ground. “Tell Ben what I said earlier,” Sophie told me. “Alec already did,” I said. “I don’t care tell him again.” “Ben,” I started, “Sophie loves you, and she always will.” Alec turned around to see someone walking towards us. “Ross,” whispered Sophie, her eyes wide with amazement. “Everyone act normal. Not like we are talking to a dead person, or we know what he did. Just keep it good in the hood,” joked Ryan. Alec laughed and hit him on the head. Sophie walked over to Ben and stood beside him. Ben looked at where Sophie was standing then looked at me. I nodded my head to answer the question in his deep green eyes. Ross was closer and getting closer by the second. It felt like my heart was about ready to jump out of my chest. Then much to my relief he walked past us. “Nice evening.” Ross said, looking back at us, looking right where Sophie was standing. “Right, Sophie?” he said.

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Book comments
Kate
you're such a great writter!
Posted 02/17/08 - 03:42 pm
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Posted 02/10/08 - 07:18 pm
Kassie VOTE TENS "i love cedric-edward"
Luv the book Missadoodle!!
Posted 02/05/08 - 06:02 pm