The smell of burnt ash remained strong in the air. The blackened charred building still emanated heat even though the flames were long extinguished. Beatrice stood on the edge of the dampened sidewalk just staring bug eyed seemingly into space. Mae stood beside of her remaining silent not even sure what she could say, what would you say to someone who’s truly lost everything, perhaps even her will to live... they both had bolted out of the car while it was moving no less.
Officer Molly quickly pulled over to the side of the road. Traffic was virtually nonexistent no one else was on the road, it was quiet with the rawr of her police cruiser engine now silenced. The sun peaked out from behind a few rogue clouds shining it’s bright light down onto the three ladies who gathered in front of the building. Birds chirped happily nearby in a tree a few yards away, they were fortunate to not lose their nest or their eggs.
Bea just blinked her eyes repeatedly wishing the haunting image of the battered and burnt up building would just vanish. "Can’t I... j-just for once catch a freakin break, just... j-just for once..." the frustrated crocodile begged to herself as she weakly raised her hands up covering her face. "Why.... why did this have to happen... how?" She repeated desperately her tone low and trembling as Mae motioned a paw resting it on the croc’s shoulder. Mae still didn’t speak she just wanted to subtly remind her that she was there.
"This is..... th-that’s right, this is your apartment complex..." Molly uttered softly taking a minute to scan the building up and down with a look of genuine concern evident on her face. "How awful... I don't understand, I didn't hear anything about this over the com these past two days..." Molly raised a paw up scratching her chin as she reached for her walkie to call in for a report. "B-Bea..." Mae uttered weakly as the dejected crocodile slowly began wobbling closer toward the front of the building. Bright yellow police tape warned daring adventurers that the building was unsafe for occupancy and off limits.
"Bea, Bea wait... m-maybe... maybe you shouldn't..." Mae repeated as she trailed a few steps behind Bea who didn't even acknowledge her she merely remained silent. Mae didn't want to stop her she knew it would be pointless but she couldn't let her go in alone. Bea grabbed the police tape tightly at the front door yanking at it sending the loose crumpled up tape falling to the ground. "Bea...!" Mae yelled aloud as she followed after her. Stepping inside the main lobby area it was dark and wet the smell was even more intense within the building it smelled strongly of smoke the walls and floors were blackened with busted holes in several areas. There were many puddles of water on the floor where water had gathered left over from the fire fighters trying their damnedest to save the building and it's occupants. The elevator cables must have snapped or been damaged by the fire because the elevator itself was halfway in the basement with the doors stuck half open. It was like something out of a horror movie. Mae glanced back and forth taking in the scene as an ominous and frankly eerie tension filled the air making it rather heavy she gulped while reluctantly following her friend.
Both Mae and Bea trekked cautiously up the stairwell their footsteps echoed through the empty desolate building that seemed to creak and rumble as if it was about to give. Crumbles bits of broken drywall fell off of the walls and ceilings as the two made their way up slowly but surely. A horrid feeling began to swell up within Mae as they drew nearer to Bea's floor. With each level they ascended Mae took quick takes down the hallways seeing many broken doors and tons of brunt up belongings scattered about throughout the halls she even thought she spotted what appeared to be a body bag on one floor a chill ran up her spine at the sight. "This is just awful... I... I can't believe this happened..." Mae thought to herself as she stared down to her shoes not wanting to see the destruction. All of a sudden a reoccurring scene popped up in the back of Mae's head as she recalled back to that night, she could still hear the flicking sound of a lighter and see a little spark she thought of when she had smacked Bea's cigarette out of her mouth.
"Bea...." Mae called out softly while coming to a quick halt she anxiously rubbed the back of her neck feeling very uneasy the deafening silence was indeed uncomfortable though broken by the subtle brief instances of the creaking wooden steps. "B-Be..." - "I have to do this... I-I just need to see it... okay..." Bea finally spoke up interrupting Mae who grew concerned at hearing the emptiness in her friend's tone it felt cold and devoid of emotion. The stairs continued to creak and crackle snapping as if they were going to break and collapse underneath them. Mae especially had to be extra careful what with her immense sturdiness. There was a hole in the ceiling up above thick cables from the building's internet and power dangled from the gap they were torn up and shredded with the ends brunt. Bright sunlight shined in through the gaping hole nearly blinding the two ladies as they neared the top only a few steps away. A few tears swelled up on the croc's face as an image of her father briefly flashed through her mind she snorted harshly. Dust particles were faintly visible in the rays of sunlight floating freely through the air.
Time seemed to slow as the two maidens approached Bea’s front door to her apartment it was left wide open. Now inside Mae spun around seeing the burnt up furniture it was charred and ashy only the metal frames remained and burnt outlines on the wallpaper where they resided. “Bea... I’m... I....” Mae mumbled as she knelt down picking up a picture frame that was lying on the floor she had nearly stepped on it. Luckily it was a metal frame the glass was broken however the picture inside seemed only slightly singed with burn marks around the cracks of the glass. It was a photograph of Bea and of her parents at a fall festival from a few years past wide smiles were visible on their faces something Mae hadn’t seen in a very long time. A single glistening teardrop fell splashing onto the shattered glassy picture frame. Mae could see her reflection in the shattered glass it was faint but distorted almost unrecognizable she gulped swallowing harshly while standing up clutching the photo frame holding it up to her chest Mae felt somehow responsible for this disaster the guilt was overwhelming her.
“I’ve got to be the worst... just the worst. I come over here to save my friend and what do I do, I fucking burn her house down to the ground... her hopes..... her dreams...” Mae thought to herself as she watched Bea slowly disappear down the darkened hall way. “I’m... I’m sorry Bea....” Mae uttered apologetically just beneath her breath before raising a paw wiping her eyes clear and sniffling lightly trying to snort some loose snot that was in mid free fall. The sound of a loud crash suddenly erupted out of nowhere startling Mae the TV on its stand unexpectedly fell forward crashing onto the ground the old glass tube TV set broke sending shards of glass covering the floor. “YES YOU WILL BE SORRY....” A screechy ear piercing tone spoke out from the either as Mae’s eyes shot open in utter surprise while her heart raced at the sudden loud sound as the ominous voice filled the air around her. The tension in the room grew thicker as the now paranoid feline raised her guard looking around, her fur stood on end sensing danger and blood lust. “HEHE!!! HAHAHA!!!!!” The disembodied voice snickered sinisterly filling the room with laughter Mae instinctively stepped backwards she slipped the photo frame in between her armpit as she smacked at the air in front of her flailing her arms up and down in a hilariously defensive manner.
Mae’s breathing sped up becoming erratic she shrieked as her back pressed up against the grimy destroyed wall it creaked and wobbled unsettlingly as if she might fall through. Shreds of grimy wallpaper clung to the back of Mae’s shirt as falling pieces of drywall fell sprinkling on her shoulders. Startling herself Mae couldn’t understand what was going on she couldn’t control her breathing and was unable to calm down. The emotions of dread guilt and horror overwhelmed her amidst the abundance of thoughts feelings and memories spiraling within her mind Mae suddenly recalled back to the fall festival of several years ago.
“Blugh!” A mid teenaged Mae spat in disgust watching while sitting on the counter top in the ol pickaxe. “Wait a second how did I....” She thought to herself the cat felt hazy all of a sudden like she might barf. “Oh don’t you look cute in an apron!” An older female croc spoke while leaning forward smooching another croc. It was Bea’s parents the owners of the ol pickaxe they were happy as long as they had each other and their daughter. Beatrice stepped down the stairs holding a few hammers and pickaxes unsafely bundled in her arms. “Oh deer please be careful honey.” Bea’s mom egged on in a concerned tone as she broke the hug with her hubby. “Yea, yea I kno... how many times have I stocked hardware, I’ve got it.” Bea returned reassuringly while walking out past the counter. “Hey Bea...!” Mae spoke out while reaching for her shoulder to give her a tap. While Bea was walking Mae’s hand seemed to phase right through her, the confused cat’s eyes distended as the realization set in. “I’m, wait... am I a ghost?” She questioned raising a brow while pressing in on her chest to no avail. “Huh?”
“Mae are you and Bea almost ready?” An elderly man called out his voice soothing and inviting to Mae who suddenly jumped at hearing it. Mae turned around slowly her eyes lit up seeing her grandfather standing in the doorway sunlight radiating from his form a wide smile on his face as he approached her. The elderly cat placed a paw on his granddaughters shoulder she suddenly felt corporeal as the lighting in the room changed as did the mood. “Yea we’re almost done, we’d be done even faster if somebody would help me!” Bea urged in a slightly dismissive tone followed with a light chuckle. “Fine I’ll help!” Mae replied with a sigh as something strange began to happen. Mae watched as her own self hopped off the counter she felt odd but was finally sure of what was going on. Mae slowly turned looking around seeing the well kept shop she hadn’t seen it this way in years. She took a few more quick glances at her grandfather and of Bea’s parents a pit formed in her ghostly stomach seeing them. A few tears ran down the sides of Mae’s furry face as she closed her eyes.
Ghostly Mae remained sitting on the counter she breathed inhaling deeply taking her chance to calm down she could feel the overwhelming feeling of dread and a sense of impending doom creeping upon her once more. Something seemed to keep it at bay for the time being hearing the faint laughter of Bea’s parents mere feet away was such a soothing sound she just barely opened one eye peeking to her right over at her grandfather whom was wobbling around with his cane she couldn’t look directly at him lest her eyes get teary once more deep down though she knew this wasn’t real, well it was but at the same time it wasn’t.
“Ahhhhh!!!!” A girlish scream filled the little shop as everyone jumped and dashed down an isle. “Oh my gosh Mae are you alright?” Bea questioned feeling deeply concerned as she knelt down beside of her friend sitting on the floor holding her paw. Bea’s parents and Mae’s grandfather quickly gathered around they all noticed in unison a hatchet on the floor its edge tinted with blood. “I’m... I’m alright...” Mae replied from the floor sitting on her rump. “I freakin slipped on something and that axe cut me those things are real sharp!” Mae continued while staring at the gash on her paw bright red blood oozed out a few drops fell dripping on the floor. “Oh my goodness Mae sweetie you have to be careful what will your mother say, you seem to get hurt every other time you come here!” Bea’s mother spoke as she knelt down quickly wrapping Mae’s paw in a clean rag she pulled out of her back pocket. “I’ve been a bit accident prone here lately...” Mae replied with a chuckle trying her best to brush off the pain of her throbbing paw she groaned a bit as Bea’s mother tightened the rag around her paw causing a tear to swell up in the little cat’s eyes.
Ghost Mae watched from afar feeling reminiscent of the good old days. “Accident prone yea you can say that again... I don’t think I ever grow out of that... ugh...” Mae thought to herself as she glanced down to her paw seeing a barely visible scar from where she’d cut herself all those years ago. Bea offered a hand helping Mae up. “You really should watch it Mae, this shop is a bit dangerous you could get your head cut off if you aren’t careful...” Bea spoke candidly before glaring angrily at her parents. “We should really get hazard pay for this kind of thing!” Bea uttered crudely this was her subtle way of asking her parents for money. Bea’s mom merely chuckled as she hopped up. “Well pay the girl dearie!” She whispered giving her husband a nudge on the shoulder while walking past he sighed while slowly reaching in the back pocket of his britches for his wallet. “Come on girls, you’ll be late!” Mae’s grandfather announced as he motioned for the door before stopping and giving a quick glance towards the back of the shop. Mae still siting invisibly on the counter gulped heavily at seeing her grandfather staring straight through her it was as if he could see her. Suddenly Mae’s grandfather gave a wide smile as he turned pushing the door open and walked out of the shop. Mae’s eyes widened in surprise unsure if this was just her minds way of comforting her or perhaps something else was at play she ultimately didn’t care regardless whilst she watched a younger version of herself and a slightly more cheery Bea rush out of the shop. The ghostly cat raised a paw whipping her eyes clear. “I miss you grandpa!” She whispered to herself as the smell of burnt furniture began returning and the scene around her faded away slowly she could hear a faint voice in the distance. “Stay safe Beatrice, I love you sweetie! You be careful as well Mae!” The soft female voice echoed repeatedly as Mae found herself once again starring fixated on the photo frame showing a beautiful happy family.
The frame slowly began to fall from Mae’s grasp as the deafening sound of a gunshot firing off filled the apartment complex. Time seemed to crash crawling to a halt for Mae who raised her head up as her ears rung to the loud piercing noise a pit formed in her stomach just as quickly she felt like she might vomit right then and there. She wanted to run as fast as she could but at the very same time she was absolutely horrified to turn the corner. Her ears continued to ring as she motioned toward the hallway the picture frame finally hit the floor the remaining glass inside shattered out but the photo inside was resilient. Mae couldn’t tell if it was just the echo or maybe the ringing but it sounded like she just heard another gunshot then another right after. Time sped up as Mae cautiously but swiftly proceeded down the hallway the sides of her mouth slowly began curling upward as she neared Bea’s room the door cracked open light flashed within. Mae pushes the door open as tears rolled down her cheeks to the sight. Bea stood in the center of the dusty charred room holding her dad’s smoking forty five in hand the slide was locked back signaling that it was empty. Bea loosened her grip as the weapon fell from her hand making a loud thud on the floor even though it was mostly burnt carpet and exposed compressed wood. “B-Bea... Bea!”
“BEA!!!” Mae yelled out trying to reach her with her voice and invoke a reaction from the croc. The cat quickly dashed at her the floor creaking beneath her as she drew near her breathing became erratic she panted heavily. Bea stood starring up at the ceiling little rays of sunlight shined in through the bullet holes she had made nearly blinding her though it wasn’t the only thing impeding her vision as tears swelled up like a flood. Bea’s body suddenly shook rocking back and forth as Mae crashed into her the feline quickly wrapped her arms around her connecting them across the crocs’ stomach. “Bea I... I’m sorry, I think..... I think I’m the one who did this... I-I’m sorry, I’m s-so sorry... Bea I’m sorry! I’m really... r-really... sorry! I’m... I-I...” Mae repeated several times her tone quickly becoming weepy and incoherent as she tightened her grip on Bea who merely chuckled in response.
Bea remained silent and simply exhaled deeply her mind remained calm somehow despite all of this destruction and chaos she felt at ease as if her troubles were blown away with the wind just as easily as a bullet igniting through the barrel of a gun. Bea felt the warmth of her friend embracing her tightly almost painfully in fact as tears continued flowing down her cheeks she just listened to her friend’s breathing and sobbing. “I’m... I’m okay Mae... and... this isn’t... this isn’t your fault... thi...” - ”IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT EITHER!” Mae suddenly screamed out interrupting Bea who simply sighed hearing Mae’s sudden outburst it was so like her. “Mae my entire life has been like one big fucked up roller coaster of emotions so much so in fact that for a while I’ve just been tired coasting day in and day out, just tired of the failure, the mediocrity and disappointment and... th-the only good things in my life that made it bearable are gone now... I’m alone now... I know that and it’s just me and no one else... and... and yet...” - “B-Bea... you’re not alone...! I... I... I’m st-still here....” Mae uttered cutting her off yet again her voice crackly and weak. “So is Gregg and Angus an-and my mom and dad... we are all here for you...” Mae continued her voice lowered to an intimate whisper. Bea merely sighed once more as her cheeks puffed out while the corners of her mouth peeked upward forming a small smile.
“Despite everything crashing down around me and burning up in an inferno of shit, even with me trying to check out and I know that feeling will come back... I’m afraid of what will happen when it does..... yet right now at this moment I... as I look at my life in shambles it’s like I’m in third person or something...” Bea spoke her voice starting to tremble as she began rotating around to face Mae who loosened her grip on the croc enabling her to move. Bea stared down to Mae who slowly raised her head up staring back at the croc. The rays of sunlight shining down over head through the bullet holes illuminated Mae’s face as sparkling tears glided down the short feline’s cheeks. Mae slowly pushed up onto her tipy toes as the two drew even closer toward one another their lips jointly interlocked connected in unison.
The building creaked loudly making several unsettling noises while in Bea’s room suddenly a plethora of dust particles shot upward dancing in he air around the two girls who slowly pulled their lips asunder as they both just stared into one another’s eyes for a just moment longer wanting to stretch that moment for eternity if only they could. Beatrice’s cheeks lit up turning a faint hue of red she felt a bit taken in as this truly unknown wave of emotions overtook her. Mae giggled softly in response to seeing Bea’s scarlet cheeks. “Oh come on Bea it’s not like this is the first time we’ve...” Mae questioned throwing a little fun as she daringly licked her lips still tasting the light scent of cigarettes not quite her favorite flavor though she didn’t mind. Bea chuckled a bit as she smiled heavily looking a bit dorkish. “I know... I know, it’s just all those other times I-I didn’t..... I didn’t feel like this... I dunno...” Bea tried to explain but honestly couldn’t come up with the words for her emotions, having lived such a bleak life and despite the more recent onslaught of death and destruction she hasn’t felt something resembling joy in ages not since her mother, now she didn’t think she could ever feel this way not with her dad having left her so suddenly and just a mere five day ago no less. “I... I don’t... know how I...” - “Bea come in here I need to show you something that I found!” Mae quickly urged Bea interrupting her as usual Bea had come to expect this from Mae though she didn’t mind. Mae grabbed Bea by the hand dragging her down the hallway leading her into the living room.
“Here look it’s...” Mae stopped unexpectedly, suddenly letting go of Bea’s hand the cat’s facial expression changed rather drastically as she stared at the floor her eyes quickly darted around the room searching desperately for it. “Where is it... I... I don’t understand, I don’t...” Mae repeated utterly confused as she flipped over a destroyed coffee table beginning to feel frustrated by the situation. Bea watched quietly as Mae searched the living room rather frantically. “Wh-what are you looking for...” Bea inquired softly to Mae who came to a screeching halt the cat dropped down to her knees as she covered her face with her paws. “I don’t understand, I saw it, I did... I had it in my hands I know I did... it was real, w-wasn’t it... agh! I’m losing it...“ Mae mumbled lowly as her head spun or rather it felt like the room was spinning and even rumbling. “Mae!” Bea spoke up in a frightened tone as she quickly looked around seeing bits of debris starting to fall from the ceiling around them as the room began shaking. “Mae I really think we should go!” Bea continued as she stepped behind Mae who remained unresponsive. The sound of rushing footsteps echoed throughout the building as it creaked and groaned from the pressure of being recently set ablaze it’s very foundation weakened to its core. The wind was picking up outside turning into a nice soothing breeze it brushed against the charred apartment complex the building itself whistled as air moved throughout the cracked interior and through the destroyed windows and out again on the other side. Officer Molly charged up the stairwell with a distressed look on her face as the building around her began to quake. “Mae! Beatrice! Girls! Where the heck are you?!” She hollered loudly her voice echoing repeatedly throughout the stairwell and down the many hallways the acoustics in here were rather incredible! She breathed heavily after having just dashed inside and up three flights of stairs she wasn’t quite in the shape of her youth. “I need to cut back on the donuts...” she joked trying to cheer herself up though it wasn’t working as a sense of fearful dread dawned upon the officer.
Mae kept thinking back she remembered it clearly it just happened not but five minutes ago she could feel it in her paws it was real wasn’t it, what even was real at this point. Mae’s head throbbed as she squeezed her paws pressing them tightly against her forehead she groaned out in anguish. “Ahhhhh! I don’t understand!” Mae screamed out in torment she couldn’t accept the fact that it wasn’t real it had to be she needed it to be real for Bea. Mae couldn’t find the photograph she held she wasn’t sure if it really happened or not how could anything so fragile survive this inferno a wooden frame and paper full of memories. The echo of Officer Molly‘s voice could be heard from the stairwell as Bea glanced toward the door that was wide open barely hanging on its broken hinges hearing her voice and the rushing sound of footsteps. The rumbling grew louder as the floor beneath Mae and Bea began to tremble as if it might give weigh beneath them. “Mae! We need to go, right now!” Bea yelled as she grabbed one of Mae’s paws and dragged her out of the apartment. The ceiling began collapsing above them as they made their way toward the hallway. Mae tried to brush off her raging headache feeling a bit disoriented all of a sudden as she tried to run keeping pace with Bea so that she wasn’t dragging her down. “Come on Mae keep up we gotta get the hell out of here!” Bea shouted over the sounds of the building collapsing on top of them as they both ran down the hallway hand in hand Bea held onto Mae’s paw tightly she’d assured herself that she wouldn’t let go no matter what. Mae wobbled a bit not knowing if it was because she just got out of the hospital or what, but she didn’t feel right something was wrong her head, hell her whole body seemed to ache all over even though she felt fine mere moments ago.
Mae’s vision doubled for a moment as she panted heavily her paw suddenly slipped from Bea’s grasp at the same time her legs suddenly felt numb as she tripped falling face first onto the floor. Bea gasped loudly as she tried to hit the breaks she slid a few feet while turning around to see Mae on the floor and the sight behind her was like that from a horror movie. The ceiling continued collapsing releasing large bits of concrete debris falling all around Mae who sluggishly tried to push herself up her ears rung loudly as she heard that same voice again it was so soothing. “Come on Mae, come on get up you weakling!” Mae screamed to herself as she turned her head looking behind seeing the building literally falling on top of her though maybe it was the sheer rush of adrenaline but everything seemed to slow for Mae who took a moment to breath as her pupils dilated widely. “Is this it...?” Mae questioned while her mind spiraled as the pounding in her chest quickened with her racing veins she exhaled slowly. “MAE!!!!!!” Beatrice screamed at the top of her lungs her voice pierced the airways practically shaking the building that was already coming down.
Here we are the second to final chapter in this story. Remember to Mel your eyes peeled for the final chapter soon then I’ll start posting the sequel. Terror in Bright Harbor.
