All Hope Lost (15 page)

Panda looked suddenly frightened
.

Stop stalking me, I will call the police!

I’m sorry Panda, I did not mean to alarm you, but you
asked me to prove to you I was actually dead. And I am. I can prove to you that
I am in your flat right now.

Panda looked around suddenly,
then got up and started methodically searching each of her rooms. It didn’t
take her long, as her flat was fairly small. Finding no one lurking, she
appeared a little calmer when she sat back down at the desk.

You found no one in your flat I hope, just you and
your cat?

No I did not. That was a good guess, but you knew that
already. Trying to scare an old lady.

Before you came to the PC, you were reading a book on
the sofa, sat next to your cat.

Panda looked confused, and stared at her webcam. She
grabbed it and unplugged it from the USB cable.

Using someone’s camera is an offense you know.

I am not using your camera. I am already in your flat.
I will prove it.

How?

I will move that magazine on your coffee table. If you
believe me afterward, I can use some of my energy to show myself to you. Do you
agree?

Panda paused, her fingers hovering above her keyboard
waiting to type a reply.

Ok. Do it.

I waited until she turned
around and was facing the magazine. I focused on her, and she appeared fairly
calm. I just hoped I wasn’t about to give her a heart attack. I moved towards
the coffee table again, and her cat stood up on the sofa and watched me. Panda
noticed her cat was staring at something, it’s tail flicking from side to side.

“What’s the matter boy? What can you see?” she asked him.
The cat continued to stare, it’s gaze following me as I drew closer. I knelt,
and the cat sat back on it haunches, its ear flicking back and forth. I focused
on the magazine then carefully slid it to the edge of the table.

Panda squealed. “Oh my god! What was that? How did they
do that?”

I let Panda walk over, still cautious, and touch the
magazine. She picked it up and felt around it. No wires, no strings attached.
She frowned and dropped it back down, heading back to the PC.

How did you do that?
she typed quickly.

I smiled and replied:
Like I told you, I am dead, but
I have special abilities to use in the living realm. I cannot really tell you
more yet, but if you like, I can show myself to you.

Panda sat and thought for what
seemed an eternity. Eventually she placed her fingers to the keys and began
typing.

If you are able to, then I would like that. You are
not scary or grotesque are you?

I laughed at that, causing a
chill to emanate the room. Panda shivered.

Sorry you made me laugh. That was me and my cold aura.
It’s hard to explain. And no, I am not scary, but you may be a bit shocked. At
least I will be surprised if you are not freaked out. Turn around.

Panda spun in the office style
chair and faced the room, waiting. I walked into her line of sight, then
stopped near the coffee table once more, the cat watching me. Panda noticed the
cat seeing something again, then quickly spun round and typed:

Can my cat see you?

I headed back to the PC and instead of using the program,
touched the keyboard to type.

Yes he can.

Panda jumped then, as the keys
moved of their own accord, and spun back around. I was back at the coffee
table, and slowly brought myself into focus. Panda’s breath stopped a moment as
she took in my form.

“HOLY SHIT!” she cried, but was too engrossed on me to
flee.

“I won’t hurt you”, I spoke quietly, hoping a more
soothing voice would be calmer for her. However it was taking a lot of my
concentration to keep up the image and my voice. “Alas, this is taking a lot of
my energy for you to see and hear me. It would be best if I stuck to the
typing.”

Panda was staring, jaw hanging
open. Realising I had stopped talking, she stuttered, “Erm, yes, yes of course.
God I’m so sorry. I, I, just don’t know what to think right now. This goes
against everything. I mean
everything
I thought about the world.” I
faded my image, and spoke.

“It’s ok, it surprised me too when I found out what I
was.”

Panda spoke again. “What you are? You are a ghost of
sorts aren’t you?”

I made my way back to the PC and started typing.
Sort
of. I am not a ghost though. Ghosts cannot do much apart from float about with
other ghosts.

“So what exactly are you? What happened? Why are you
here? Why are you helping us?”

I laughed again at all the sudden questions causing the
dreaded chill to fall about us.

Well, I am known as a Daemon. There are many forms of
dead here on the other side, but only certain people become a Daemon. I am one
of those. As for what happened, it is as I explained in my main post. I was
raped and murdered by three men, who have since been caught and are now serving
their time behind bars.

I am here because of what happened to me, to you, and
to all the other people on the forum who are suffering from neighbours from
hell. I am doing this because it has been clear to me, and I think most of you
that we will never reach a positive outcome with the way the current authority
figures, those in power, run things. As far as they are concerned it’s all
about money, not people’s welfare. So I am here to help fix things for the
better. However that may be required, whatever needs to be done, I can and will
do it.

Panda read my message a couple of times before asking,
“So what did you do with my neighbours? The ones downstairs died. Was that
you?”

Well you had two noisy neighbours. One next door, one
downstairs. I scared the living daylights out of the one next door, I assume
she has not returned?

“No, it’s been very quiet the past few days next door.
What about those who died below?”

Yes that was me.

Panda gasped. “You killed them?”

Yes. Well, sort of.

“Well it’s either yes or no. Surely you are just as bad
as those who murdered you!?”

You are right. I did have conflicting emotions about
what I was doing. But as far as I was now concerned, I am untouchable. If I can
use my abilities to help you all, then I know I have done good. Besides I
didn’t kill them outright, I just broke the gas appliance to make it leak the
carbon monoxide. That is what killed them, not me. Don’t you think they
deserved it?

“Well I, I, never considered it to actually be done. I
had wished it upon them as it was making my life unbearable, but for it to
actually happen. I’m not sure how I feel now. At the time I couldn’t care less
when the fire engine and police and paramedics turned up. I was grateful for
the peace after such a bad night beforehand. But now, knowing this? I just
don’t know yet.”

I’m sorry if this is a shock to you. I don’t wish to
confuse you, but at least you have peace and quiet for the time being. I hope
that is helping, however it came about.

Panda smiled. “Well that is true enough. I haven’t slept
so well for a long time. Shame the place is still riddled with bed bugs!”

I had forgotten about those. Maybe I could help with that
too.

I will see what I can do about that, though I can’t
guarantee anything.

“Thank you Sharon.” Panda replied. She appeared more
relaxed. “Look at me. If someone walked in on me know they would think I’m
battier than a bat, talking to myself!”

I smiled.

I’m glad you didn’t run for the hills. I enjoy having
contact with the living.

“You are already in contact with others? Not just me?”

Oh yes. My house is now home to two men. One of them
can see and hear me without me needing to use my abilities. It’s great, it’s
not so lonely.

“I’m not sure I can imagine. At least I have my cat.”

Would you write a reply on the forum later about my
post, and that I am real. People might be more willing to listen to you, especially
as you are a moderator?

“Of course” Panda spoke. “You should visit the others
though first. Then maybe we can all reply together, and confirm you are
legitimate.”

I thought about it for a moment.

Yes that sounds wise. I will visit Megs next. Though I
may leave that for tomorrow. It is getting dark now and my new house mates will
be home wondering where I am.

“Ok, Sharon. Good luck. And I’m sorry we didn’t believe
you. After all, a dead person using a computer doesn’t happen all too often
these days!”

Very true.
I typed.
Good night Panda. Let me
know on the forum if you need my help with anything.

“That is very kind. You go now. Take care!”

I hopped back into the PC at
that moment, and travelled my way back along the line to my home. As I appeared
in the living room, Michael waved at me. “Hey, Sharon!”

“Hello Michael” I replied. “How are you?”

“I’m good thanks. I should be asking you though!”

I laughed. “I have had the most interesting day.
Unfortunately, I’m bound not to tell you where I have been. Mortals are not
supposed to know some things.”

Michael moaned. “Awww, please? I won’t tell anyone I
promise!”

“Honestly I cannot. There are much higher beings watching
my every move. If I make a mistake, I’m doomed.”

“Sounds nasty”, Michael replied.

“Anyhow, I have been to visit one of my forum friends.
Spoke with them and managed to show them myself briefly. Do you think Steve
would like that?”

Michael thought a moment.
“I’ve no idea with him to be honest. I wouldn’t worry too much, unless he specifically
asks you. And how did your appearance go then?”

I smiled. “It was tricky at first, I didn’t want to scare
the lady, but we finally got to talking, she spoke and I typed on her PC. It
was interesting.”

“Good. At least she didn’t try to exorcise you!” Michael
laughed.

“God I wonder if that would work on me? I don’t wanna
find out!”

“So what are your plans now, or tomorrow?” he asked.

“Well next I am going to rest up. I’ve had a busy day
that I can’t elaborate on. Then tomorrow, I’m off to visit another forum
member.”

Michael stretched and yawned
deeply. “Sounds great. Well if you don’t mind I’m also off to get some shut
eye. Early start tomorrow at work.”

“Ok, Michael. Good night.”

“Night, Sharon.”

The following morning I headed
straight into the laptop, and headed down the line to Megs house. I needed to
find out first, whether my haunting to her neighbour had worked permanently,
plus I had to reveal myself to her too.

At the other end, I hopped out
quickly to find Megs in her kitchen preparing breakfast. There was no one else
in the house. I walked through the adjoining wall into her neighbours’ living
room and found her neighbour watching TV. The two children were in the kitchen
eating their breakfast and for once, appeared calm. There was no noise apart
from the crunching of their cereal and dinging of spoons against bowls. I
decided to hang around for the morning and keep an eye on them. As the children
finished their breakfasts, they walked into the living room and spoke to their
mum to tell her they had finished. They didn’t shout or squeal, just spoke
normally, like normal people should. The mum told them to go brush their teeth
before school, and they ran upstairs. It was a little noisy but the mum didn’t
tell them to stop, she was glued to the TV again. I was glad I didn’t have the
time to find out what rubbish was on daytime telly myself. I heard it was
awful.

               
Five minutes later the kids came charging down the stairs, laden with book
bags, P.E kit bags and trainers. The mum turned around this time and told them
to keep the noise down. The kids sucked in their breath almost simultaneously,
and apologised to their mum and “the ghost.”

I decided I should reply, and
in a deep voice I spoke, “Heed my words, or receive the consequences.”

The mother quickly glanced around. “I’m sorry, we’re
sorry aren’t we kids?” she beckoned to them and they ran over to her. “We’re
sorry, we’re sorry” they chanted.

“Apology accepted,” I replied, “but remember, I am
watching.”

They were all nodding
frantically, the mother had her arms around her children either side of her,
protective. I headed back to the wall and walked through into Meg’s house. She
was also watching her TV, sat on her sofa and eating some toast. I missed being
able to eat.
Mmmm chocolate.
I sighed, causing a chill to circulate the
room. Megs put her toast down and feeling the cold, she picked up her hot mug
of tea and wrapped her hands around it.