Alli had never been to the Reagan Avenue Apartments, but she knew the address. It wasn’t the hardest part of town, but it wasn’t exactly known for its upscale status. Crime was a regular way of life here, but not the murders and rapes that regular popped up over in Lincoln Heights.
It still wasn’t where she wanted to be, even behind the bullet resistant glass of the Spirit-Mobile.
She dialed in Marilyn’s cell number again, but after four rings it went to voicemail. She rarely carried it and today seemed no different. Cyrus didn’t have one either, at least none he offered.
Why the hell did I let her go with that weirdo? I need to protect her from freaks like him.
The sky suddenly grew dark above the building. She rolled the window down and peered up towards the roof. A wave of blackness seemed to cover the building, as if a massive black sheet had dropped over it and Reagan Avenue.
Her eyes went wide as the spirits struck her. They passed through her, rested on and around her. They held themselves close to her, clinging to her as if in fear.
Dozens of them, spirits of all shapes and sizes. She didn’t usually feel them so easily, but they were not hiding themselves at all. They could feel her connection to them and they wanted her help.
“He’s here.” “Freedom.” “Help us go.” “Free us!” “Save me!” “I want to escape.”
The spirits were restless, dangerously so. Alli knew the reason was on the rooftop. She only hoped Marilyn and Cyrus weren’t in the middle of it.
She opened the car door.
The front door was open and unguarded. It seemed strange in this neighborhood, but Alli learned long ago to never question circumstance. Anything could be true when you dealt with the spirit world.
She took the steps two at a time. She prided her physical fitness, but over a dozen stories would tax just about anyone. She felt the tightness in her side by the time she hit the eighth floor. But it didn’t stop her. The spirits stayed with her, their endless whispers ignored. Her only focus was on Marilyn.
Alli knew she was up there and she was in trouble. She could feel it. All didn’t know how, but she knew Marilyn needed her.
And she refused to let Marilyn down.
Unlike the door at the ground level, the roof door was locked. Alli charged into it, but her petite frame just bounced off the large metal door.
The spirits howled around her. They cried for freedom, for safety and for repentance. But their calls could do nothing against the door.
“Damn it!” She kicked the door again, but it was no use. She couldn’t get through. Her Sticky Gun didn’t have the force behind it to open the door or break the tiny glass viewport to the roof.
She could only stand and watch. Only see Marilyn clutch against Cyrus. Watch the strange two figures walk towards them. And watch them all disappear in a flash of lightning.
“No! No! No!”
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