Okay, I'm going to tentatively throw my hat into the ring here. Here's a little bit to start...more to come soon....

Chapter 1

October 31st--Halloween
11:45 pm


Tara smiled at Stanley as he walked her to her door. She had been dreading this moment all night and now it had arrived. He leaned down to kiss her goodnight, and she put her hands on his shoulders, stopping him. The look on his face was one of confusion, and she cringed inwardly, knowing what had to happen next.

Her mind drifted back to the evening they had just spent together, reaffirming her belief that this is what needed to happen. They’d made a very cute pair at Lucy and Sue’s Halloween party, dressed as Mickey and Minnie Mouse---everyone had said so. But for Tara, there was just something missing from her relationship with Stanley. While he was a perfectly nice guy, considerate, kind, and intelligent, Tara had found herself becoming bored with their relationship over the past month or so. Their personalities just weren’t compatible…the problem was that Stanley couldn’t, or wouldn’t, see that. It had been a couple of days since he had told her that he was falling for her, and Tara had been searching for the right way to end things between them ever since then. She knew she couldn’t put it off any longer, but she was suddenly at a loss for words as she looked into his kind eyes. “Can we take a walk?” she asked in a soft voice. He nodded and offered her his arm as they headed away from her apartment building, toward a nearby park.

Considering the date, the streets and the park were unusually quiet. “I’m surprised there aren’t any troublemakers out tonight,” Stanley observed as they slowly walked through the park.

“Strange, isn’t it?” Tara agreed. Stanley nodded and suddenly stopped walking. He turned to face her, holding her hands in his and eyeing her intently. He looked defeated, as though he knew what was coming.

“Is everything okay, Tara? With…with us?” he asked quietly, his eyes darting away nervously before meeting hers again.

“Stanley, I…I don’t know quite how to say this…” Tara paused, still searching for the right way to break it to him.

“You’re not happy,” he stated simply, a sad look in his eyes.

Tara almost backed down, not wanting to cause him any pain, but she took a deep breath, squeezing his hands before she continued to speak. “This just isn’t working, Stanley. You and I, we speak the same language, but when it comes down to it, we just aren’t meant to be. I’m sure of that. Somewhere out there, there’s a---“

“Stop,” Stanley said, cutting her off. “I know what you’re going to say; I’ve heard it many times before.”

Tara winced, seeing and hearing how hurt he was. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. The only things coming to mind were the usual clichéd lines that one used when breaking up with someone. She knew that was the last thing he needed right now.

“If it’s not meant to be, then it’s not meant to be. Don’t apologize,” he said stiffly. “I’ll walk you home,” he told her.

Tara nodded, and Stanley turned abruptly, heading back in the direction of her apartment. Tara followed him, a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. A rustling in the bushes behind her caught her attention, and she turned around, expecting to see some kids out enjoying the night. Instead, what she saw was something that made her blood run cold.

* * *

Oh my...you have my heart soft and hurting for Stanley but proud of Tara and BAM something scary is happening...can I say "emotional whiplash"...yes, I think I can.

You had better post again soon...one can only take so many cliffhangers in a day.

Seriously, great start Tina...love the creative way you started...so fun, so unique.

oh that was sad....

I liked Stanley...but Tara has to like him more,

looking forward to more soon!

Awww...too bad things don't seem to be working out for Tara and Stanley. But this "thing" that Tara saw.... Great start, Tina! Can't wait to see what it was that Tara spotted....

Yippee! Another entry in the challenge, and it's promising to be an absolute doozy of a story from Tina!
*sprogpaws does her version of Myles' chicken dance around the room*

What was that about tentative throwing your hat into that ring, Tina, that was a wonderful start! I was so hoping that someone would focus on the lives of the members of the team who don't get mentioned so much, and you've done it beautifully. While I'm completely behind Tara for breaking things off now, rather than letting them drift on when she knows it's not right, I am also completely gutted for Stanley - you really had me aching for him - pretty good going for a character we don't really know all that much about!

And as for what's in the bushes - ulp

Gotta say, Bigfan, love your choice of words - 'emotional whiplash' - that's it exactly!!!!

* * *

There, on the path behind her, was a young woman in her late teens, her mouth open in a silent scream. She had long hair, so blonde it was nearly white, with skin that was deeply tanned and in sharp contrast to the white dress she was wearing. Tara wouldn’t have noticed anything out of the ordinary if it weren’t for the look in the girl’s wide eyes. They were completely vacant, unseeing, void of any emotion. Shivers ran up Tara’s spine as those eyes appeared to stare right through her. Suddenly convinced that this must be some sort of Halloween prank, she turned around, calling Stanley to get his attention.

“What is it?” he asked. Tara turned around to find that the young woman had vanished. Walking quickly down the path, she scanned the area. There was no sign of her, and there was no way she could have disappeared so quickly. It made no sense. Suddenly feeling very foolish, Tara shook her head.

“I’m not sure…I thought I saw something. Must have been my overactive imagination,” she quipped. Stanley smiled, but Tara could see that it was forced. She fell into step beside him as they continued back to her apartment, trying to shake the awful sense of foreboding that the sight of the young woman had invoked. Not a real believer in the supernatural, Tara’s mind was racing. There was no possible way that the woman could have vanished into thin air. So, either Tara was hallucinating, or she’d just seen a ghost.

* * *

Ooooooh!

All of a sudden I've become a fan of being scared!!! I am loving this!!!

ok...who is the scary girl....i think i am a bit scared....i mean this is only the second post...and i dont like the look of this....anyone there? hello?

btw tina, this is great!

Eek... can I say I HATE scary stories...


Cant wait to read more......

Jen

Oh my, this is just a little bite frightening...I'm thinking JP got back today and she has a lot of handholding to catch up on...

so JP...I NEED YOU...I don't do scary very well...

GREAT start, Tina! Ok, I think I'll be able to read this as long as I either read it during daylight hours or turn on every light here in the house! Wow...can't wait to find out what exactly Tara saw.

Tracie, I'm here!!! I read Allison's first and got creeped out. Now I'm REALLY creeped out!!! And I still have another one to read!!!!! EEEEEEK!

Great job, Tina!!!

Thanks for the comments!! Here's a little bit more...my muse has been hiding on me, so I may not have any more to post for a few days...

* * *

A hot shower and a cup of herbal tea did nothing to settle Tara’s nerves. As she laid in bed, trying to fall asleep, the memory of the haunting apparition wouldn’t leave her alone. Always a very rational person, Tara had never given much credence to the world of the supernatural. But even she had to admit that there was something very…otherworldly about the girl she’d seen tonight. There were a number of possibilities, but the fact was that she did see something and was more convinced with each passing moment that it was a ghost. If that was the case, it would make sense that if something had happened to this girl, it was likely that it happened near where Tara saw her. She thought about the park and wracked her brain, trying to recall if she’d ever heard of any tragedies occurring in the area. Unable to think of anything, Tara promised herself that tomorrow she would do some research. It was a Saturday, and she had the day off, but she could go into the office if she needed to. Maybe Tara would be able to find some information in the FBI database that could help her with her search. Tara shook her head, wondering if maybe she’d lost her mind. Or maybe this was all a crazy Halloween nightmare…either way, something told her that she needed to try and get to the bottom of this.

* * *

Tina, you've got Tara down just perfectly!

Maybe you could tempt your muse back with some chocolate?

Ditto to Sprogs...you've nailed Tara...there has to be a reason and it has to be logical.

Just know we are hear waiting for when you add more.

Ah, tempting your muse back can be quite the dance...I hope you succeed soon, Tina! Looking forward to seeing Tara get to the bottom of this mystery!

Ok, I'm at school, checking during daylight hours...hoping that you post before I get home and it gets dark.

Here is a little more while it's still daylight...well, for some of us, at least!

Chapter 2
November 1st
11:45am

Yawning, Tara got up from her desk and poured herself another cup of coffee. Sleep had not come easily to her the night before, and when it had, her dreams had been haunted by images of the girl from the park. It was as if the vision had been seared into her memory. She’d been up by the crack of dawn, beginning her search from her home computer. Two hours later, she’d turned up nothing, so she’d showered, dressed, and made her way to the Hoover Building. It was now nearing lunchtime, and she still hadn’t found anything that might give her a clue as to the identity of the girl she’d seen. She wondered again if perhaps someone had just been playing a trick on her, trying to scare her. Rationally, she knew that wasn’t possible. The girl had been no more than three feet away from her one moment and had completely disappeared the next. There had been no place where she could have hidden…

Yet, rationality also told her that there was no such thing as ghosts. Maybe she would try and think of it more as an echo of the past. Somehow that sounded better to her than thinking of it as a restless spirit. A shiver ran through her, as she again pictured how the girl had looked. Walking back to her desk, she sighed, knowing that she was quickly nearing the end of her search. It was beginning to look like this was going to remain a mystery.

“I know why I’m here on my day off; what’s your excuse?” Tara laughed as she looked up at Myles, glad that he couldn’t know just how hard her heart was pounding in her chest. She must have jumped a mile at the sound of his voice. He looked at her in surprise. “Are you okay, Tara?”

“Just a little jumpy, I guess,” she replied.

“To say the least,” he said, an amused expression on his face. “I’m guessing you were deep in concentration?”

“Something like that,” she agreed.

“Well, I’m sorry to have interrupted. What are you working on?” he asked curiously.

Tara paused, wondering if she should tell him, not sure she was up to possible ridicule at the moment. “It’s hard to explain,” she said softly.

“Well, if you need any help, I’ll be over there, trying to find my way out of this mountain of paperwork,” Myles told her, motioning toward the two large stacks of files on his desk, and Tara grinned at him.

“Lose another bet?” she asked him.

Myles glowered as he settled in his chair and nodded at her. “One of these days, Manning will be the one doing my paperwork,” he assured her.

“But, in the meantime,” Tara said, raising an eyebrow at the massive stacks of paper before him. “Looks like Bobby is the one getting the last laugh.” She shook her head at him and turned back to her computer screen. Part of her wanted to confide in Myles, tell him what she’d seen and have him help her come up with a logical explanation for this. However, pride won out for the moment, and Tara silently continued searching through various old case files, hoping to find the answers she sought.

* * *

Oh, Tina, I'm so flattered! You're a sly one!

Hmmm...I'm wondering what Tara could possibly be researching. I mean, it's kinda hard to research something that just up and disappeared on you, isn't it? But...on the other hand, I'm just as nervous if Tara does discover something!

Tell him, Tara! You won't feel better until you do. And I'm with GA on this one: what is Tara looking for in those old files? Does she have something particular in mind, or is she just searching randomly?

Great work, Tina! I'll mail some chocolate to Canada if I have to!

I'm needing to ditto here...Tara tell Myles...verbalize your thoughts, you will definitely feel better. Myles only "acts" like a jerk in large groups...one on one he'll come through for you.

So spooky Tina. I would read your story before going to bed and now I'm sure to have dreams of a woman in white.

We need a ghost smilie for Halloween.

Great start!

Good point, bigfan. He knows Tara is a little 'kooky' but he also knows that she's got a sharp intellect and enquiring mind - he might tease her a little, but he'll be interested all the same.

Yes!!! A really scary story. I can't wait to see where this goes. Do you like Alfred Hitchcock?

you are writning Tara so well, and the whole story is great....just a bit worried.....i get scared easily!

great story!

Thanks for the comments, you guys! Here's some more....I'm forewarning you all that I'm flying without a net here and could very well end up falling flat on my face...here's a wee bit more, hopefully my posting will pick up later this week.

* * *

Forty-five minutes later, Tara ended her search with a defeated sigh and a heavy heart. She glanced over at Myles, who was watching her with a furrowed brow. “Feel like taking a break for lunch?” she asked him. She was beginning to feel disheartened and foolish and was in desperate need of some company and stimulating conversation. She knew that Myles could provide both of those, though he may not make the best confidante.

“A break sounds like a welcome relief,” Myles replied with a smile. Tara grinned at him as he stood up from his desk, reaching for his coat.

“Good!” Tara replied, forcing her voice to portray a cheerfulness that she did not feel. Myles eyed her thoughtfully as they left the bullpen together, and she could tell that he was still curious as to what she’d been working on, but for some reason he didn’t press her on it. The two of them quickly decided on a place to eat and leisurely made their way there, discussing the party from the night before as they did.

“You and Lucy made a very…interesting couple last night,” Tara commented with a smile. Myles winced at her comment and Tara immediately regretted it. “Sorry,” she said hastily. “You know what I mean.”

“I know,” he said with a chuckle. “I just have a hard time thinking of Lucy and myself as a couple, in any sense of the word. We’re only just beginning to work through what happened in the past, but we’ll certainly never be a couple again. Still, last night did end up being fairly enjoyable,” he admitted.

“Yes, it was fun,” Tara agreed, her mind shifting yet again to the events that followed the party.

“That didn’t sound very convincing,” Myles said, reaching out to open the door to the restaurant. He motioned for her to go in ahead of him. She was momentarily saved from coming up with a response as they were immediately escorted to a table and both started to peruse the menu. It wasn’t until the waitress had left the table after taking their food orders, that Myles turned his questioning hazel eyes on her.

* * *

Ah, Tina, I'm looking forward to this conversation! Glad to see you're back...you have been missed!

I like! I like! I like!

SO glad to see you're posting again; can't wait for more!

Tina...that was good!!!!

Building some anticipation...what will Tara share with Myles...how will Myles respond...will Tara finally tell Myles about the woman...will Myles believer her???

Oh, Tina, so many questions to answer...we are waiting (sometimes patiently, sometimes impatiently).

Chapter 3

“I’m not one to pry,” Myles began, “but something obviously has you bothered. If you need an impartial ear…”

His voice was sympathetic, and Tara figured that he probably thought that something had happened with Stanley the night before. It suddenly struck her that she’d barely given poor Stanley a passing thought since they’d parted company after he’d walked her home. She sighed as her gaze met Myles’, and she felt her cheeks color as she thought of telling him what she’d seen. But the truth of the matter was that she needed to tell someone, and Myles was here. “Thanks, Myles,” she said. “Just promise that you won’t laugh.”

Myles nodded. “I promise I won’t laugh,” he insisted.

“Okay,” she said, taking a deep breath. “Something really strange happened to me last night. I saw something…something I can’t explain.” She hesitated, still not certain she wanted to verbalize what she’d seen.

“Well, on Halloween night it’s not that unusual to see things out of the ordinary,” Myles reasoned. “I received a fright every time I walked by a mirror,” he joked.

Tara chuckled as she recalled Myles’ costume from the night before. He’d made a pretty convincing Gomez Addams to Lucy’s Morticia, with Levi rounding out the trio as Cousin Itt. “I wish I could say that it was something that simple,” Tara told him. “Stanley and I went for a walk in the park near where I live, and we were just on the way back, when I heard something. It was sort of a rustling sound, as though something was coming through the bushes. I turned around and saw a young girl standing just a few feet away from me.” Myles was listening intently and nodded for her to continue. “She had this look of terror on her face, and her mouth was open as if she were screaming, but no sound came out,” she added with a shiver. “I’m getting goose bumps just thinking about it.”

“Did you try and talk with her?” Myles asked, his curiosity apparent.

“I didn’t get the chance,” Tara replied. “I turned around to call Stanley, and when I turned back, she was gone.”

“Halloween prankster?” Myles speculated.

“Well, that’s what I thought at first. But, Myles, the spot where we were standing was pretty open. Other than a few bushes, there was nothing. No big trees nearby for her to hide behind. One second she was there, and the next she was gone. And her eyes…if you could have seen those eyes…they were...it was like she was staring right through me.”

“Does this…apparition have anything to do with you coming into the office when you could have been taking advantage of a rare day off?” Myles asked her.

Tara nodded, her cheeks coloring again. “I had a terrible time sleeping last night,” she explained. “And I couldn’t stop thinking about what I’d seen. The only explanation I could come up with was---”

“You saw a ghost,” Myles finished for her.

* * *

wow

well its out in the open now...Tara saw a ghost!

wonder how Myles will react to that?

Hmmm, Myles took that well!

So does this wonderful, approachable Myles stay for the duration, or do we open the next scene with a line of biting sarcasm?!?!

Can the nice Myles stay and play a little longer please Tina?!

I wonder what the resident cynic will have to say. I'm really going to enjoy this one.

Aw, I don't know...I think Myles can set his sarcasm aside for the moment. He can clearly see that Tara is upset; this could be one of those times when he really steps up to the plate.

Only you can tell us, Tina...

I don't think Myles is being sarcastic. He knows Tara is embarrassed anyway and Tara is trying to prove she didn't see a ghost...at least that's what I'm thinking.

Tina???? Hope we hear from you again soon.

Sidenote: Thanks for having her tell Myles...hated seeing in in this alone. And again, I have to say, Myles' shines when he's one-on-one.

Ooh, spooky (but not too spooky! {oh my, this is starting to sound like those maynards wine gum commercials})

Anyway, I love how you had Myles be the one who gets Tara to talk. I don't know, if it had been Jack or Bobby... well, it just wouldn't have fit the same way.

Can't wait to see what Myles and Tara dig up (assuming that Myles does want to help Tara!)

Please continue!

JoM

I agree with Jo. Myles can be sarcastic but he is usually very sincere in circumstances like this. Plus, he's too logical not to consider every possibility, including the angle of a true ghost.

Oh gosh, I am becoming more supportive of Myles every day. I think I am developing the Rerio syndrome. Does anyone have the cure for me? Do I want a cure?

Great job Tina. You have our attention and the tension is mounting nicely.

* * *

If not for the look on his face, Tara would have assumed he was teasing her. Yet, he was completely serious, and the sarcastic remark she had anticipated never came. “Do you really believe that’s possible?” she asked, still wanting some confirmation that she wasn’t completely crazy, but she was unable to keep a hint of incredulity out of her voice. She never would have imagined that Myles Leland III would be a believer in the supernatural.

“You’re talking to someone who was raised on ghost stories,” Myles informed her. “Whose grandparents owned a home that was actually rumoured to be haunted. From what you’ve described, I’d say that it’s more than possible that what you saw was indeed a ghost.”

This had been so far from the reaction Tara had expected that she was actually rendered speechless as she looked at the man sitting across from her. “What exactly were you looking for today?” he asked her.

“This might sound silly, but I was trying to find something that might tell me who the girl was. If it was a ghost I saw, I was hoping to find some information on any murders that might have occurred in or around the park,” Tara explained.

“Did you find anything?”

“Nothing,” she replied. “I knew it was a long shot, though. Honestly, I’m starting to wonder if I dreamed it,” she admitted, shaking her head. “Ghosts aren’t something I normally buy into. If I hadn’t seen her with my own eyes…”

“Did you look at the cold cases as well as the closed ones?” Myles asked. Tara nodded. “Perhaps her death happened so long ago that there is no record of it. Or maybe her body was never found. Did you check missing persons reports?”

Tara could almost see the wheels turning in his head. There was a sparkle in his eyes she’d never seen before, as he hypothesized over what she’d seen. “I did,” she confirmed. “But I didn’t see anyone who looked like the girl I saw. I have a feeling that she died in recent times, judging by the way she was dressed, and the way she wore her hair.”

Myles looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. “What did Stanley think of this?” he asked.

“Well, he didn’t see her, and I didn’t tell him about it,” Tara replied.

“Why not?”

“Stanley and I broke up last night,” Tara told him.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Myles said quickly. There was a moment of awkwardness between them, broken by the timely arrival of their food. As they ate in silence, Tara marvelled at the complexity of the man before her. Out of all her co-workers, she would have expected Myles to be the one who would try and convince her that what she’d seen couldn’t possibly have been a ghost. But, instead of trying to help her find a reasonable explanation, he had instead reaffirmed her belief that she had seen a ghost.

* * *

Oh goody it sounds like they'll look for a real ghost. Maybe the team could become the new Mystery Inc. Maybe they could moonlight looking for paranormal phenomana(?).

* * *

“Thank you for not making me feel like a fool,” Tara said suddenly. “You know, I have to admit that I never would have pegged you as someone interested in this sort of thing.”

Myles took a sip of his drink before replying. “On the contrary, Tara. I’ve always been fascinated by the subject.”

“Ghosts?” she asked.

“Ghosts, the supernatural, all of it,” he replied.

“I never would have guessed.”

“It’s not something I advertise,” he admitted. “Probably for the same reason you were hesitant to tell me what you’d seen.”

“Well, admitting it to anyone is admitting that it’s real. I’m really not very comfortable with the idea that I saw a ghost. Before I told you, I was ready to give up and maybe start seeing a shrink,” Tara said with a laugh. That wasn’t far from the truth…she’d certainly doubted her sanity since the night before.

“And now?” he asked, his brows knitted with concern.

“I do feel better,” she assured him. “I don’t think I’m crazy, but I still can’t believe that you and I are having this conversation. Have I entered the Twilight Zone?”

Myles laughed heartily at her. “I suppose that’s a possibility. Maybe you actually stepped into an alternate reality last night,” he suggested.

“Thanks, Myles. That makes me feel so much better,” she said, narrowing her eyes as she did her best to appear irritated. Laughter won out, and it felt so good to have her mood lightened. “Seriously, though…this all seems a little out of character for you.”

“I guess you don’t know me as well as you thought,” Myles replied quietly.

“I guess not,” Tara agreed, slightly surprised by the hurt expression in Myles’ eyes as he said the words. “But, thanks again for listening.”

“Anytime, Tara,” Myles told her. He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. Tara’s eyes met his for a moment, and she saw the hurt look replaced by something else...something unfamiliar. Before she could analyze it any further, Myles had pulled his hand away and turned his attention to the plate in front of him.

“So, tell me about this haunted house your grandparents owned,” she suggested, wanting a distraction from the strange awkwardness that had settled over the table.

“Well…it’s a long story,” he warned her.

“Don’t tell me that you’re eager to get back to that pile of paperwork?” Tara teased.

“Not in the least,” Myles replied. Tara listened in fascination as he launched into his story, momentarily whisking her away to another time and place and making her forget about the mystery that she was no closer to solving.

* * *

Yes, I know it's bad when I'm this excited about a hand-hold. Siiiiiiigh! rerio is an extremely content little fish right now, folks. Just keep those lovely scenes coming, Tina!

I like that it's Myles who for once is more open-minded than anyone would expect, and I think it makes sense. Coming from a family with a long history of tradition and heritage, he very well could have a healthy respect for things outside the ordinary realm. And I 'm glad for Tara; she has support now! But poor Myles...being so hurt that she hasn't noticed him before. Has he maybe had feelings for her, but not wanted to say anything? (What? I can hope, anyway! )

Great work...can't wait for more! Oh, and:
Yes! I always love bringing people to the side of the greater good.

Nah...trust me, MJ...you'll never regret switching to the dark side! :laughs:

Tina this is great and I'm just going to add that I'm starting to like the M/T combo...it's working for me.

Chapter 4

Tara and Myles parted company after lunch. He went back to the bullpen, prepared for a long afternoon of paperwork, while she went to go and run some errands she had been putting off. By the time she got home, it was time for dinner, and she was utterly exhausted. She was feeling sleep-deprived from the night before, and the events of the day had left her emotions in a jumble. She was still confused and undeniably shaken by what she had seen in the park the night before, and while talking with Myles had helped settle her nerves a bit, it had also triggered a whole new set of feelings that had nothing to do with ghosts.

Tara sighed as she looked through her refrigerator and cupboards. She was hungry, yet nothing appealed to her, and she had no idea what it was she craved. Knowing she had to eat, Tara finally decided on pasta. As she waited for the water to boil, her mind replayed the way Myles had looked at her in the restaurant as his hand had held hers and wondered when things had become so complicated. One moment he was simply a co-worker and friend kindly lending her an ear and the next…Tara shook her head, refusing to go there. Obviously Myles was just concerned for her, knowing that she was upset over what she had seen. It was nothing more than that.

The water was boiling, and she poured the pasta in the pot, her mind abuzz as she gently stirred. In the time it took her to cook the pasta and prepare the sauce, Tara had convinced herself that she must have misinterpreted the look in the eyes of her friend, which in turn made her question her own feelings for the tall blonde agent. Was she seeing something that she wanted to see?

When she had finished eating, Tara settled on the couch to try and find something on the television to distract her from her unsettling thoughts. She found an old movie that was just beginning, a classic she’d seen many times before, and stretched out on the couch to watch. Despite her best efforts, she just couldn’t get into the movie, and her mind began to wander. Feeling her eyelids grow heavy, she gave in to her fatigue, welcoming the relief that sleep brought.

* * *

* * *

Opening her eyes slowly, Tara realized that she was in the park again, wandering down the same path she had taken the night before. She was on her own, and there was an almost eerie silence, yet she instinctively knew that she was not alone. The goose bumps rose up on her skin as she turned around, finding herself face to face with the young woman she’d seen the night before. Her face was a mask of contorted fear; her eyes looking accusingly into Tara’s. Tara tried to move away, but her feet were leaden; she couldn’t move. Tears of fear stung her eyes as she stared at the girl. “Who are you? What do you want?” she asked in a shaky voice.

As she watched, the young woman began to speak, her voice coming out in a soft whisper. “Help me.”

“Help you how? I don’t know what to do,” Tara sobbed. Her eyes filled with horror as a jagged line appeared across the girl’s throat, causing her eyes to open wide with fear and agony. As blood began to pour from the wound, staining the white dress a deep shade of crimson, a scream tore from Tara’s throat.

* * *

I can answer that question: YES!!!!!!!!!


And as for the rest of this...Tina, I think you and I have been spending too much time together. We're creeping everyone out!
Do we have a shivering smilie? Because that's what I'm doing right now! The red stain on the white dress...ACK!!!

Bring on the scary stuff, Tina!

Wow, Tina! I never would have guessed your story was dealing with... medical problems in the cardiology departments. That was very gripping!! Girl, you're good at this scary stuff... but I already knew that. I know it's nothing new when you subject me to torture, or simply a good scary scene. I'm wondering if Tara was dreaming that she woke up and saw this, or was sleep walking, then saw the way that the girl died. Not sure on any of those theories, though. Keep it up, girlie!!

wow Tina!

poor tara, but i have loved Myles's reaction in all of this!

hope Tara can figure out how to help the poor girl!

* * *

She was still screaming when she woke up, tears rolling down her cheeks as she sat up. “It was only a dream,” she gasped, taking deep breaths as she tried to stop trembling. Standing up on shaky legs, Tara went to the bathroom and splashed her face with cool water. The reflection that greeted her in the mirror was certainly different from the one she was used to seeing. Her face was pale and her eyes wide and troubled. “Why is this happening?” she asked her reflection, shaking her head in disbelief.

Tara left the bathroom and walked into the kitchen, pouring herself a tall glass of water. Glancing at the clock on the microwave, she was surprised to see how long she’d been sleeping for—it was nearly ten-thirty. She shivered again as she remembered the dream. It had been so real---too real. This girl was clearly trying to tell her something, and Tara knew she would get no rest until she found out who this girl was and what she wanted. Suddenly knowing what she needed to do, Tara reached for her phone. His number was on speed-dial, and she waited patiently as the phone rang, hoping that he would be home to pick it up.

* * *

i really really hope that is Myles she is calling!!!