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“No reason to be nervous, we will go slowly and take breaks whenever you need too, I promise.” He said, feeling righted in putting his hand on my back and sending chills through my body for the first time in awhile. I nod as he introduces me to his cameraman, Joseph, who is nervously hurrying his equipment into place. It is only the two of them, a small crew it would seem but I do not know enough to be certain. “Sooo, Sean will be here soon? He’s scheduled to come back from Ireland today, correct?”

“He is on his way, he has some errands to run before, but he should be here soon,” I said watching him form a restrained smile.

“Well let’s get started and maybe we can be finished before he gets here.” I look at him oddly. “I mean that way it will be ready for him to review and then we can get out of your way and let you two enjoy your night together.” He expresses his minor reassurance, with an overbearing hover around me. “Okay Ava, if you will take a seat here, then we can get started.” I sit checking the rhythmic, radiating numbers once again … 4:30 … 4:31, my hands continue to shake. The lights come on and the crude set is in place. Cole sits near me, suddenly placing a microphone on me himself, while jerking the piece into place, he nearly causes me to come unglued. Joseph gives Cole a cue and Cole’s smile takes form once again. He introduces himself, then me and dives right in with questions. He asks me about Sean and I first, how we met, do we plan on getting married, when did I know I was pregnant, which is a question he is not suppose to ask. No questions in regards to Lillah, other than she exists. I eye him silently and he moves on. “Do you believe Sean is in love with you?”

“Yes. I do,” I said hesitantly, unsure why he would ask such a question.

“So I assume you are equally in love with him?”

“Of course, he’s the love of my life.”

He smiles mockingly, “that’s wonderful. And did you ever imagine that you would be involved with someone like him?”

“Someone like him?” I asked.

“You know what I mean, a celebrity, someone who can provide you with everything you could ever want.”

“No. I would have never imagined falling in love with Sean and he is all I have ever wanted. He doesn’t need to provide me with anything else.”

I watch carefully, taking notice of his suspicious eyes seemingly circle me into a corner. “Weren’t you worried that your past might hurt your relationship with him or is it that you used it to make him feel sorry for you?”

“No!” I demand staking my ground and steadying myself for the fight.

“No? A man was convicted of raping you, although he claims that it was consensual.”

“That’s absurd.” I huffed at him.

“It is? You did get into his car, didn’t you?”

“He kidnapped me and held me hostage for days. He tied me up and beat me viciously. The very idea that he thinks it was consensual, proves how crazy he is.”

“So you think he should have pleaded insanity?”

“No, he knows what he did and he knows it was wrong.” My body begins to shake in rhythm with my hands.
4:45 … 4:46, please Sean hurry.

“How do you respond to his repeated requests to talk to you?”

“Why would I want to talk to him?” I question nervously.

“He has seen many doctors that say he is telling the truth about what happened, he even passed a polygraph test. He just wants to talk to you and try to clear things up with you, so you both can go on with your lives.”

With a harsh chuckle, “I don’t believe it. He wants only to hurt people.”

“Hurt people or hurt you?”

“Both!” I yell back at him.

“Would you ever consider letting him apologize to you?”

“No, I don’t want to see him ever again.”

“Well then maybe Ava, it’s you that enjoys hurting people. He says you two had a secret affair and that he went temporarily crazy, when he discovered you were sleeping with your boss. Are you sorry for what you did to him?”

“I never had an affair with him and this interview is over!” I stand tugging at the microphone frantically.

Immediately Cole stands up taking hold of my arm. “Please Ava, I’m sorry. This is my job and I promise I will change the questioning but I have to ask what others are thinking. It doesn’t matter if they like me, but so far
you
are doing wonderful.” He said as I check the malicious ticking clock again …
4:53
… exhaling deeply I ease back down. “If you had a chance to say something to him what would it be?”

“Nothing,” I nearly whisper knowing that this interview is never going to make it to air, once Sean see’s it.

“Nothing at all?” Cole asked surprised. I shake my head, biding my time and glancing over at Cole as he licks his lips and adjusts his tie, while a familiar evil sensation slithers its way back to my spine. “What would you say if I told you I have a connection to Spencer Jefferies right now and he can hear and see you right now?” Cole said leaning in closer to me.

“I would say you better get the fuck out of my house!” I yelled, standing immediately to get away from him and his camera.

“Ava.” A chilling voice calls out from behind me and with a slow easing turn, I see his large domineering stature standing in front of me. Within a fraction of a second, the fear I once thought long gone, shackles me in chains once again.

“I told you to stay in the truck. We were going to do this through video until we were sure,” Cole said as Spencer’s gaze stays focused on his long awaiting target.

“You don’t tell me anything,” Spencer growled.

“What did you say to me?” Cole stands up confronting him but is easily thrown back. Joseph tries to step in and get control of the situation but is met with a gun to his chest and in that split second, his focus is off me, so I run. A gunshot rings out from behind me, halting my breath and my movements briefly. Guilt ridden, I look over my shoulder seeing Joseph writhing in pain, mouth to me – “Run.” I force my legs to move without looking back but catching up to me quickly Spencer closes my options off, circling me like prey with his wild black eyes and his gun waving at me.

“Stay away from me,” I said searching for a way out.

“You don’t love me anymore Ava? I love you, I still believe in us. I knew we would be together again one day,” he said as I close my eyes trying not to give into my fear. Shaking my head I maneuver away from him, as he dances around me - enjoying his game. I decide to inch my way to the wall that holds my only hope. “Don’t even think about it Ava, you do and I will kill you right here,” he said with his fiendish grin.

“You know you won’t be able to get out of here,” I breathe in deeply, watching him almost break out in laughter at me.

“Oh Ava, I am going to get out of here and I’m taking you with me. We can build that life that we always dreamed of having together. You know you love me.”

“I don’t love you. I love Sean,” I say watching his expression intensify and his posture sink down into his chest. “I had his child you know.”

“Shut up.”

“I’m going to marry him and I’m going to have more of his children.”

“SHUT UP,” he growls with rage, fisting his way closer.

“No! I love Sean and I’m going to build a life with him, not you.”

“SHUT … UP!” He yells closing his eyes, rubbing his face with hardened breaths while I rush for the alarm on the wall, setting off the screeching siren. Before I have a chance to relish in my small victory, he takes a hold of me. “You stupid fucking bitch!” He yelled, jerking out every ounce of fear within me into a terrifying scream. He begins to drag me towards the door and I fight him with every step until he throws me to the ground, kicking me and punching me with wild rage. With every hit he makes to my body, he beats out another ounce of energy and once he sees my surrender he picks me up and moves swiftly towards the door again. “Don’t worry, you’ll heal after we get home.”

“NO!” With one desperate kick, he drops me, leaving me crawling, and kicking my way out of his reach, until I feel the blow whipping my head hard to the floor. As I lay crumpled on the ground and screaming in pain, he turns me over and climbs on top of me. “Is this the way you want it! Really? Fine with me. Let’s go out in a blaze of glory together then. But before we go, let’s have one last beautiful moment. Let them see us die in each other’s arms, like it is meant to be.”

My eardrums burst as my echoing screams reach their limit. “Sean,” I cry.

“Stop saying his name,” he growls in my face.

“No, I love him not you, I love Sean, and I had his baby not yours.” I watch him snarl as he stands shaking and gripping his crimson face. “He makes love to me over and over. We laugh at you together.” Spencer begins spewing unrecognizable words at me, with vigor. “Do what you want to me but it won’t change anything.” I smile feeling my strength return as I stand slowly. “I will always love Sean and I will always detest you. You’re a fucking loser!”

Spencer lets out a trembling scream and fires his gun at me, hitting me and forcing me to the ground with my head spinning. “He’s never going to touch you again,” he said as I hold my wound tight. Forcing me up and into his arms, he holds my head to his, pushing the gun to the edge of my ear. “I won’t let him have you. Even in death, you will always be mine. We are going to die together. I found you first,” he sears into my face. My jaw is locked open, as I fight for breath. Staring at the joyfully dancing devil, swirling its triumphant numbers in my face … 4:59 …
5:00
. With a last breath, I call out for Sean and with a loud exploding crash, I hear … the shot.

I
magining the worst, I cannot drive fast enough. “Sean! What the hell is going on?” Randy yelled.

“Spencer Jefferies was released on bail and they can’t find him,” I said watching his eyes widen, obviously still not understanding my fear. “The reporter that bailed him out, is the one that is meeting with Ava right now.” Now my fear becomes clear as it washes over his face. “Take my phone and keep calling her until she answers.”

“I keep getting her voicemail Sean,” Randy said continuing to dial and I continue checking the time with my heart pounding harder and harder against my chest with every minute that passes …
4:50
… 4:51
… 4:52 ....
Once we are near the house, I can hear the alarm blaring verifying the worst of my imagination. With the iron gate in sight, I race towards it and not waiting for Boston, our gate guard to open it enough for my car, I jump out and run. He meets me at the gate looking beyond stressed, but hearing Ava’s screams I ignore Boston and try to get to her but I am stopped hard by Randy. “No Sean, you don’t know what’s going on.”

“Mr. Grant I tried to call the house but no answer and I heard gunshots.” Boston said vibrating.

“Did you call the police?” Randy asked trying to hold on to me. When I jerk my arm from his grasp I see his gun under his jacket.

“Yes, they are on their way,” Boston says easing his stress some.

“Randy give me your gun,” I demanded holding my hand out to him.

“Sean no, the police will be here and you should let them handle it.” I wave my hand out towards him, demanding him to give it to me. I can barely breathe as I listen to Ava’s screams, I continue to wrestle with Randy, only to be stopped by a single shot hushing her screams. Eager to hear her again, I wait only a second more as even her screams would be welcomed now.

“What time is it?” I yelled.

“What?” Randy yelled back in confusion.

“What is the fucking TIME?” I screamed at him.

“4:59!” Randy yelled back, preparing to fight me to keep me from running into the house.

“Give me the damn gun!” Not waiting for his permission, I reach into his jacket and take it from his holster. Randy screams at me as I run to her. With a sharp gasp, I hear her cry out my name.
She is
still alive.
With that knowledge, I crash through the door seeing him holding a gun to her head. Stunned he moves, foolishly allowing me a split second without the gun to her head and without hesitation, I aim and shoot knowing exactly where I need to put the bullet. The gun in his hand crashes to the floor a split second before Spencer’s lifeless body. I do not even take a breath before running to her and grabbing her before she collapses. I fall to the floor holding her, “Ava?”

“Sean? He’s here … you have to …”

Shaking my head, “he’s dead Ava. He’s dead.” She stares at me for a few seconds before she calms. “Are you hurt?” She nods looking down.

“He shot me,” she said pulling her hand away from the bloody mess.

“You’re going to be okay, I promise. The police are on their way and we will get you to the hospital and get you taken care of.” Taking my jacket off I wrap it around her shivering body. “It’s going to be okay, baby?”

“I love you.” She says over and over.

“Not as much as I love you.” I kiss her gently.

“I’m so tired Sean, I fought him so hard. I really fought him this time.”

“I know sweetheart but you need to stay with me for a little longer and then you can rest for as long as you want too.”
I made it by five she was supposed to be
all right
, stupid fucking ghost better have not got the damn time wrong.
Watching her struggle to keep her eyes open,
“
baby do you know I found the most beautiful place in Ireland?” I said caressing her cheek softly. “I think you’re going to love it but I am going to need your help.” Tears well up in my eyes as she stills. “And you will never believe this but it has ghosts there and they are a little too friendly but …,” I said trying to laugh and jarring her enough to open her eyes to me again. “Ava, don’t you die on me. Don’t you die on our daughter. We need you.” I said holding her tight in my arms. I yell for someone to help her but every sound I make, seems as if I am in a vacuum.
It’s not real, this isn’t real.
The police come rushing in, holding their guns at me but I won’t let go of her.