A Strange Encounter

"I thought you wouldn't make it," Chelsea finally said, she had dragged him to a table in the middle of the near-empty restaurant where she ordered them both some steak tartare.

"Sorry ..."

"It's fine, you only missed my amazing piece from earlier," she sarcastically says

"I'm really sorry," he apologized again, still confused.

"It's fine," Chelsea suddenly says, as if sensing his feelings, "I was only joking. If you're interested in hearing the piece though, I can play it for you once we get home."

"I'd like that," he replies with a small smile.

'Okay ... What's going on?'

[Interesting. It appears your link with her is making her think you two have some sort of connection]

'So she doesn't know she's dead?'

[No, she doesn't.]

'So this a memory she's replaying?'

[That's not how the in-between works. This is most likely what she imagine her perfect day would be like and because of your link with her, she believes you're part of her life. So this is her perfect day with her partner]

'Okay ...'

[She doesn't know about her murder so if you want to know about it you would have to go about this very carefully. Allow her to lead the conversation, use a term of endearment when speaking to her, joke a little ... Act as if you know her]

'... Alright'

Once they finished the course, Chelsea looks at him as she takes a sip from her glass of red wine, "wanna get out of here?" She asked

"We've only had an appetizer"

"Come on," she pouts, "the night's still young."

"... Fine," he sighs

They got up from their seats after placing the money for their dinner on the table before making their way out of the restaurant.

They walked in the cold, dimly lit street, under the twinkling stars in silence that felt comfortable for her while Hunter tried to collect his thoughts.

"Babe," she called softly,

"Mhm?"

"Do you know what is in four days?"

'Help?'

[Anniversary]

"Of course," he said, "it's our anniversary," he stated.

She smiles, interlocking their fingers and resting her head on his shoulder as they continued their walk, "I love that you remember," she stated, Hunter could hear the cheerfulness in her voice.

'How did you know?'

[It was simple, it had to be her birthday or your anniversary]

'Ah ... Let's chalk that one up to luck'

They took a turn, stopping in front of an amusement park. "Oh my God!" She exclaimed

"What is it?"

"Let's go for a ride or two," she said, she was giddy, like a child.

Hunter raised an eyebrow and Chelsea noted his hesitance, "oh come on, I promise I won't puke like the last time," she stated

Hunter sighs, "fine, we'd take as many rides as you want ... Just make sure you avoid my shoes when you throw up."

"Hey!" She moues, separating her hands from his and walking faster than him.

"I'm just kidding," he said, jogging a bit to catch up to her.

He placed his hands on the side of her face and turn her such that their eyes meet, "I'm kidding okay," he said, "smile for me?" He requested.

A smile appears on her lips as Hunter leans down and plants a kiss on her forehead. He throws his hand over her shoulder as they continued to the Ferris wheel.

"Seriously though, promise me you'd avoid the shoes, I like this pair."

"Hunter!"

"I'm kidding!"

.

.

.

Once they were done with the ride, they went around the park, trying all the rides and games until late midnight.

"What's that over there?" Hunter asked looking at a building not far from them. It looked like a haunted house but Hunter could tell it wasn't. There was a board in front of the house.

Hunter moved towards the house but Chelsea grabbed him by the shoulder.

"I don't think we should go in there," she said.

"Why not?"

"I don't know," she replies, Hunter could hear her heartbeat increase, "it just feels ... bad,"  she said.

"Let's go," she stated, turning on her heels and going the other way.

Hunter took one more look at the building before going after her.

'I'm guessing that's not supposed to be here?'

[No, it's not, and neither is that thing behind you]

Hunter turned around to see a ghostly figure with a skull head wearing a black cloak and holding a scythe floating toward him. It had no legs and its dark red eyes glowed with evil intent.

'What in the world?!'

[That's a phantom and you've exhausted your time here, you need to leave]

'What should I do?'

[Just focus on the bedroom, I'll handle the rest]

'Wait, what about Chelsea?'

[She'll be fine, so long as you're not here]

'Alright.'

Hunter closed his eyes, focusing on the room as instructed. He felt as though someone had flashed a light on his face.

...

Hunter opened his eyes, he was now back in Alastair's bedroom. He got up from the bed, feeling a little light-headed as he made his way out of the room and into the living room where Alastair looked to be conducting an experiment of some sort.

Alastair was looking at something under a microscope before jotting down some words in his notebook. He looked up at Hunter, "... And the sleeping beauty finally awakes."

Hunter frowns, "Do you ever stop?"

"Your pillow talking needs some work," Alastair rolled his eyes, "you should go now, Jade just pulled up demanding I send you out."

Hunter looked through the window, the familiar car was packed outside and the sun was now starting to creep through the morning clouds.

Hunter made a beeline to the door but stops once his hand reach the knob, he sighs before turning back to Alastair who was writing something in his book, "Alastair," he called

Alastair looks up at him, raising an eyebrow

"... Thanks," he says before walking out.

"Did anything happen?" Jade asked as he slid into the car

"Well ... I went to the in-between."

Jade sighs, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the plan, it slipped my mind."

"It's fine."

"Did you find anything I should know about?" She asked

"Well it was all rainbows and unicorns except for one building even Chelsea thought 'felt bad'"

"Can you describe the building for me?"

"It had a board at the front; 141 Phoenix street," he stated

"I guess that's worth following up on," she says with a small smile, "I know this all feels weird to you but I'm really glad you're doing it."

Hunter nods, "I take it we are headed there now?" He asks

"No, I'll go there with Leah after dropping you off at school."

"Why? We still have two days before the weekdays begin"

Jade shakes her head, "no, time works differently in the in-between."

"... Are you saying?"

"Yes, today is Monday."

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