"I think she was murdered." She wasted no time getting to the point. "You know I can't see faces, only images. Sometimes I recognize the images once I've deciphered them, but for the most part, it's just shapes and colors. But I definitely saw she was in danger."
"Do you think Mr. Du Bois' did it." I asked.
"No. I think it was a woman. Which makes sense because for Isabelle to want to stay behind and wait for Du Bois, she would have to still believe in him. If she felt betrayed by him, she would have wanted to leave the mansion. And her death would have freed her. She wants to be here."
"Then could it have been Ms. Du Bois?" Ashley read my thoughts.
"Its possible. But like I said, I only see shapes and colors when I'm reading."
"But if she still trusts Du Bois, why did she try to kill herself?" Ashley inquired.
"Spirits tend to choose death when their purpose is not being fulfilled. It's like being stuck in a revolving situation one can't win. Even spirits can be driven to insanity. They think killing themselves is the way out. But they don't know only the host dies." Gale looked right at me when she said the last part. My stomach knotted. "She loved him very much." Gale added as she stood to leave. Before she got in her car she turned back to us, "She will be back soon. It's very important you figure out what she wants, time is getting short." We watched her drive away.
Ashley showered and changed in my restroom again and waited for me to finish before we got in bed. I was looking forward to holding her again. My brotherly instincts starting kicking in as I laid facing her. 'Why can't I control my thoughts? What I did was wrong and what I'm thinking is wrong. Stop it!' As I thought about Ashley, she was clearly thinking about Isabelle.
"So, what do you think she could possibly want?" She asked.
"I'm not sure. When I talk to her she just acts, 'in the moment', I can't get her to talk about much, she just wants to spend time with me." I was choosing my words carefully.
Ashley looked like she was thinking over my statement. "I know this sounds stupid, but I can't help but wonder about her last journal entry. She sounded completely betrayed. I wonder if that has something to do with why she stayed. Maybe she wants revenge or vindication."
"But how do we give her that?" I inquired. "Let her kill me?" I chuckled and Ashley let out a small laugh.
"No, maybe you need to give her what she wanted. Take her away from here. Make her think she won and that you two are going to be together - her and Du Bois I mean."
"But how can I do that? I'm not sure what will happen if we leave the attic together. What if you don't come back and she stays?" I asked and she didn't have an immediate response.
"Maybe you can help her pack and tell her y'all are leaving after a nap."
"I don't know Ash." I didn't want to say the real reason I was apprehensive, but there was no reason to hide the truth any longer. "What if she... you know... wants to." Ashley looked away. She must have been as embarrassed as I was about the subject. Then she said something I couldn't believe.
"Then give her what she wants." My heart dropped to my toes. Her eyes darted straight to mine. My breath was caught in my throat. "But only if you want to." She lowered her eyes again.
"But... its you an me." I was in shock. "We would be... you know... doing it." She didn't respond. It felt like hours passed before I could speak again. My mind was racing so fast I couldn't decide on what exactly I should say. "I can't do it unless I know you want me to. I can't feel like I'm taking advantage of you again." Her eyes met mine. Why stop there? I decided to disclose everything. "I'm afraid I'll like it more than I should. I'm already having a hard time not thinking about you in ways I shouldn't."
As soon as the words left my lips I regretted saying them. Here she was, lying in my bed having chosen to trust me again, and what do I do? I told her I think about her sexually. I was half expecting her to run from me but she didn't move. She stared at her feet as if afraid to make eye contact again.
"I'm sorry," was all I could say. I felt like I was always apologizing. She still didn't answer.
After a few minutes, she looked up and reached for me. "Come here." She grabbed my hand and pulled me close. She wrapped my arms around her. Her face pressed against my neck. My body did not miss a beat. Warmth spread over me and my manhood began to swell. Right as I felt it press against her she pulled her head away from my neck and looked me in the eyes.
"Kiss me."
A minute passed before I registered what she said. I almost asked if she was sure, but truth be told, I didn't want her to change her mind. I eased my lips to hers and closed my eyes. We kissed gently. I pull away and looked in her eyes. She moved in for another kiss. She put her arms around my neck and kissed me deeply. I completely lost control. I tightened my grip around her waist and kissed her with passion and lust. When we separated I could tell she was registering my feelings. Everything was new for her, but not me. I had been craving her since our last encounter. It was that moment that I knew I was in love with her. I would give my life to protect her. Isabelle or not, I wanted to be with Ashley.