Haunted?

[Vivian's POV]

Two hours ago, Liam dropped me off at home, and I still couldn’t shake the smile off my face at the thought of him. The scent of his perfume and the warmth of his touch lingered in my memory. A noise from the window broke my train of thought, jolting me back to reality.

“This weather is so unpredictable,” I muttered angrily to myself, rising to slam the window shut. I walked over to my desk, trying to regain my focus. The rhythmic sound of rain tapping against the glass was soothing yet unsettling.

Glancing at the clock, I realized I had been lost in thought for over an hour. I had work to do, but my mind kept drifting back to Liam. I took a deep breath, attempting to clear my head. Opening my laptop, I started typing, but his image kept creeping back into my thoughts.

As I thought of him, my mind also flicked to my car. I lightly patted my head and grabbed my phone, noticing he still hadn’t read my message. I considered calling him about the car, maybe looking for an excuse to talk, but I ultimately hung up with a sigh.

I knew I had to see him again soon; I longed to feel his touch and inhale his intoxicating scent once more. A smile crept across my face as I drifted off to sleep, dreaming of a future I envisioned with Liam. We were meant to be together, destined to rule over our own kingdoms, untouchable by anyone, even the most powerful.

In the depths of the night, I found myself lost in a different kind of dream. This wasn’t a fairyland but rather a hellscape. When I became aware within my dream, there was no sun or moon, only an endless expanse of darkness and silence. A distant scream echoed, coupled with laughter in my ears—urging me to run, to flee from the horrors that lurked beyond, the demons that pursued me.

Suddenly, I sat up, heart racing. The strange dream had gripped me. I closed my eyes, trying to recall it, but only fragments remained, as if someone were attempting to convey a message through my dreams. Was it a puzzle meant for me to solve? All I could grasp was the image of someone offering me blood to drink, though whether it was human or animal, I couldn’t tell.

I felt an odd smell emanating from me, reminiscent of wet dog, as if I had slain a creature in my dreams. Checking myself in the bathroom mirror, I found no bloodstains, no signs of a struggle. But a strange mark marred my neck—a lingering sign that wouldn’t fade.

I scrubbed myself vigorously, muttering, “This isn’t working.” Frustrated, I emerged from the bathroom, spraying perfume in a desperate attempt to mask the odor. I exhausted four bottles, yet the scent stubbornly lingered.

[Phone rings]

As I stood before my bedroom mirror brushing my hair, my phone buzzed on the countertop. I glanced at the screen, noting an unknown number flashing in bold black ink.

“Ms. Jasper,” a voice came through the line.

“Yes, this is she.”

“Your car arrived at the garage this morning. You can pick it up in two days.”

[Car horn]

I pulled the curtain aside, spotting Liam waiting for me downstairs in his police uniform.

“Okay, I’ll see,” I replied, hanging up and anxiously scanning the room for something to wear.

[Horn]

Hearing the horn again, I rushed down the stairs but tried to maintain my composure. “You didn’t need to come this early; I would have arranged something.”

“If your ‘come’ is silent, just order your man. I’d be happy to serve you, Miss Vivan Jasper,” he said, opening the car door for me. I ignored his teasing and slid into the seat.

“Belt,” he said again, reaching for the seatbelt, but I stopped his hand, fastening it myself.

“Looks like you bathed in perfume today,” he remarked, hiding a smile.

“We’re running late, Liam O’Connor.”

“It’s fine; you’ll get used to it,” he thought to himself as he drove off.

“Why are you with him today? Where’s your car?” As we arrived at the police station, Emily, a girl with long blond hair and light green eyes, questioned me.

“What happened in the Nagosia murder case?” I asked, ignoring Emily’s inquiry.

“No report yet.”

“And what about Mrs. Matthew’s daughter?” I pressed, scrutinizing a photograph.

“A team’s been assigned; the case is still active. I suspect she had a boyfriend,” Emily guessed.

I shot her a silent look and returned to examining the photo.

Understanding the implication, Emily added, “There might be a love story. She left home for college but didn’t attend. If she faked her mother’s death to take time off, then she likely ran off with him. Mrs. Matthew may have opposed the relationship. Who kills their mother while alive? If it was a kidnapping, there would have been a ransom call, but none came.”

“I think—no, I’m sure—she ran off to marry that guy. Wow, Emily Jackson, wow,” I applauded myself.

“It’s serious, Emily,” I sighed, regretting my earlier assumptions as I studied the picture closely.

“Are you studying her features?” Emily asked again.

“This tattoo... I’ve seen it somewhere,” I murmured, placing the picture on the table.

“It was on the hand of the body found in Nagosia Forest yesterday,” Liam said, glancing at the photo and setting a coffee mug in front of me.

“How did you notice the tattoo so easily?” Emily asked, surprised.

He simply smiled at her.

“How can you say that confidently?” I probed.

“Because I believe I saw it. It was hidden in her wounds, but she had the same tattoo,” he replied assuredly.

“Where are you headed now?” Emily asked, intrigued.

“Hospital,” I said, almost sprinting outside.

“Wait, I’m coming with you!” Emily declared, grabbing the coffee mug and following me.

“Stop messing with your IV.”

“This IV itches.”

“I’m tired of lying in this bed.”

“Did you hear the sounds last night?”

“Like what?”

“Like talking in strange loud voices, crying, and—”

“And?”

“—howling. I’m pretty sure this place is haunted.”

“Haunted?” Laughter erupted from others in the room.