“The Beginning is the most important part of the work.”-Plato

Skye’s Pov…

At one point in my life I was normal, well as normal as one could be. I had loving parents and a great older sister, but after a freak fire and a brush with death my life changed forever. You see Death wasn’t ready to take me yet, he had plans for me, but as payment he took my parents and sister and gave me a gift I didn’t want. After the accident I lived with my grandparents before going off to college in Kingman to major in photojournalism. I got a job in New York right after graduation, much to my grandparents' dismay, but they knew I had to move on with my life so I wouldn’t get stuck in the past. Sadly I lost them two years after I moved to New York. After losing them I felt like I needed a breath of fresh air so when my boss and best friend, Elena told me about the opportunity to move to a small town in Maine called Bar Harbor to take nature scenic pictures for the magazine I jumped on it and I was at peace for the first time in years, but that peace didn’t last long. About a year after I arrived I started seeing the ghosts of the town who won’t cross over and once I started seeing them I knew Death wasn’t too far behind. I was able to fly under the radar for a couple months before Death’s first visit since my accident. 

Flashback

I was unloading the jeep with household stuff when I noticed a figure on my porch.

“I knew it wasn’t going to be long until you found me” I said, walking by him into the house.

“I’ve been around, but I wanted to let you get settled first” Death said, watching me set boxes down.

“Two months is longer than I thought you would give me” I said, turning around with my hands on my hips “what do you want?” I asked, but I already knew the answer.

“Help the ghosts cross over” he said, shortly.

“How come you didn’t bother me in New York? There’s thousands of ghosts there.” I said, looking at him.

“I’ve already got people there taking care of them for me, but I didn’t have anyone here and now I do.” he said, looking at me pointedly.

“Death there’s too many here for just me” I tried to argue, but I knew it was a losing battle.

“I know. I’ll be assisting you whenever I can, but I’m sorry to say that you’ll have to do a lot of the work by yourself” he said, turning and walking away before disappearing.

“Great” I said to myself.

End of flashback.

Since Death’s visit I’ve been doing what Death asked me to do. I’ve been helping ghosts crossover by helping them finish their business, but thankfully I got away with leaving notes on doorsteps and watched people read them and look around for the mysterious sender who wrote one last note for their loved one. Thankfully after a few months I was able to get everyone to crossover, but there is one ghost I can’t seem to talk to before he disappears on me but I don’t go looking for him. I’ve learned that they need to come to me, but something tells me he doesn’t know that he’s dead. 

It was a slow day at the bookstore. I had only had about four customers all shift, but it gave me time to work on my article for the paper back in New York and read my own books that I brought with me. Balto was laying at my feet as I typed away at the email for Elena. I don’t normally get close to my boss’, but the second I met Elena our souls just clicked and we’ve been best friends ever since. I finished the email then walked around the store fixing things that needed to be fixed before returning to the counter and my own book. When closing time rolled around I loaded everything in the jeep along with Balto and drove home. After getting home I changed into some work out gear and took Balto for a walk around town and along the shore line. When we got home I cooked myself something to eat before sending a few more emails to Elena before calling it a night, but later in the night I started tossing and turning when the beginning of the nightmare started. I sat up breathing hard and not being able to catch my breath. Balto stirred and looked up at me concerned.

“It’s okay, Balto. I’m fine” I said, patting his head, before laying back down, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to happen and soon.

During my shift at the bookstore the next morning a detective came in.

“Hello. Welcome in” I called, hearing the door chimes ring, feeling Balto stir below me finishing my email. I looked up and saw a handsome man with dark brown hair and hazel eyes standing at the desk “how can I help you?” I asked, looking at him.

“Hi. I’m Detective Morgan Black and I was wondering if you could answer a few questions” he asked, flashing me his badge.

“Um…about what?” I asked, looking at him confused, crossing my arms in front of me and sitting up straighter on the stool.

“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but there’s a couple that went camping and haven’t come back yet.” he said, looking at me, studying me.

“No I haven’t, but why does that concern me?” I asked, looking at him confused.

“Well, they’ve found one of the campers and he’s in pretty bad shape and I’ve been told that you’ve been seen out in the woods where they went missing and where he was found” he said, looking around the bookshop.

“Look, Detective Black, I work remotely for a magazine in New York and out there has the best scenic views compared to everywhere else I have been to in town. And they are the pictures that my boss likes, but I can see where this is going.” I said, looking at him, studying him

“And where’s that?” he asked, looking at me, confused. 

“It’s simple. I’m the girl who just moved to town that no one knows about. So, I’m your number one suspect right now, but I can tell you this: I wasn’t here when those campers went missing.” I said.

“And how do you know that?” he asked, looking at me.

“Because I’ve seen the flyers up all around town and I’ve helped with the search parties when I can, so I know they’ve been missing for at least three weeks, three weeks ago I was in New York. You can ask my boss at the magazine Elena Richards, she’ll tell you” I said, crossing my arms across my chest, but I didn’t miss his eyes briefly looking. Shit, I’m in trouble. I haven’t had sex in months and now he’s gonna be part of my fantasies.

“Okay, no need to get defensive about it. I was just asking a few questions” he said, pulling out a card “If I have any more questions or you think of anything feel free to call” he added, handing me a card.

“I will. Thank you” I said, taking the card from him as he left the store.

The rest of my shift dragged out and I had no other customers so I locked up early. After arriving home and locking the door and windows I poured Balto a bowl of food and made myself something to eat before settling in on the couch and putting on one of the many ambiances I have saved on youtube, while trying to quiet my mind, but I just couldn’t. My thoughts kept drifting back to the detective and how handsome he is.

“Shit” I said, trying to adjust on the couch, but it was no use. I knew I wouldn’t get the relief I needed any other way. It’s a good thing I decided to take my bra and panties off as soon as I got home. I put my bowl on the table, set the lights down low, and got comfortable on the couch. *sexual content ahead* I took a couple breaths before trailing my hand down to the waistband of my shorts before shoving my hand inside my shorts to find that I was already wet. Shit, I really need to get laid. I circle my fingers over my sensitive spot and let the fantasy take over. When my eyes open Morgan is above me with a wicked smile on his face.

“Look how wet you are for me” he says, circling his finger over my clit, I let out a breathy moan “Let me hear that again” he said, circling around again I couldn’t help it, I let out another moan, louder this time. “That’s a good girl” he said, as he kept stroking my already throbbing clit. I arch up and let out another moan “Oh, god, Morgan, right there, please don’t stop” I let out, continuing to arch in pleasure.

“Don’t worry, baby I don’t plan on stopping until you’re coming all over my face” he said, his fingers moving faster and faster. My back arched higher than I thought possible, my brain didn’t even register what he said until it was too late. I felt his tongue start lapping up the juices and I lost it. I came all over his face, I tangled my fingers in his hair and fucked his face as I rode out my orgasm.

When I came back to reality I had to clean up and take a shower before crawling into bed. When I woke up in the middle of the night it was freezing and Balto curled next to me.

“This can’t be good,” I said, making my way back to the living room. Balto was sitting up growling at something behind me. When I looked around all I could make out was a shadow figure.

“Leave town before things get worse for you” it said, walking towards me. I ran towards the front door calling Balto as I ran, the figure followed as I grabbed my phone to call the police because he was definitely human, but that didn’t explain the drop in temperature. I unlocked the front door dialing the police as I did so, but not before the figure pushed me out the door and down the stairs.

“That’s going to leave a bruise” I said, more to myself than anyone, before getting up and calling the police to report the break in. Ten minutes later and much to my dismay Detective Morgan also came out because not even a couple hours ago I was having a sexual fantasy about him, so of course the universe would play that joke on me.

“You okay?” he asked, looking at me

“Yeah, I’m fine. Might just have a bruise in the morning, but I’m fine.” I said, rubbing my arms. I dropped my blanket as I was running leaving me in my t-shirt and pants I fell asleep in. Without saying a word Morgan draped his jacket over my shoulders. “Thanks” I said, pulling it close to me in an attempt to stop the shivers. “I’m not even sure how he got in. I locked the door and windows” I said, looking at him.

“Do you know how he could have gotten in without alerting your dog?” he asked, looking down at Balto.

“I’m not sure how he did it. Unless he was waiting for me. I take Balto with me everywhere I go.” I said, petting Balto’s head.

“And no roommate and no one else with a key?” he asked, writing everything down

“No. I live here alone and as far as I know no one else has a key” I said, pulling his jacket tighter around me.

“That’s all for now, Skye. I’ll let you get back inside so you can attempt to get some sleep. Do you need us to keep a car here? At least overnight?” he asked, looking at me concerned, which intrigued me considering that earlier today he was treating me like a suspect.

“No. I’ll be fine. I lived in the big city by myself for months. I think I can handle country living. Come on, Balto” I said, retreating inside to close and lock the door and double check every window and the back door before going to bed.

Detective Morgan’s POV…

Despite telling me she’d be fine and against my better judgment I kept watch over her house the rest of the night. She’s hiding something and I was going to figure it out. I didn’t remember falling asleep until I heard a tapping on my window and found Skye standing there with her arms crossed. I shook away the tiredness and got out of the car.

“I told you I didn’t need a babysitter” she said, wearing my jacket from last night which almost made me smile.

“I know, but I would never leave a lady alone, especially after her house was just broken into.” I said, looking at her concerned.

“Fine. Would you like some coffee at least?” she asked, looking at me.

“That would be great” I said, extending my arm for her to lead the way and again against my better judgment I snuck a glance at her ass and oh boy I was in trouble. I looked around her little farm house and noted that she didn’t have a lot of decorations.

“I haven’t had time to decorate yet” she said, watching me look around her living room and kitchen.

“It’s still cozy in here though” I said, taking the cup from her hands “Thank you” I added.

“You’re welcome and thank you. I still have a lot of stuff packed that I just haven’t put up yet.” she said, sitting next to me at the bar, Balto at her feet.

“You’ll get there, it just might take some time.” I said, smiling at her.

“So does this mean I’m cleared as a suspect?” she asked, looking at me.

“Yes. I’m sorry for that. I didn’t need to be such an asshole.” I said, taking a sip.

“Apology accepted” she said, taking a sip from her own cup. Finally an hour later I made myself leave or I never would and that is not a good thing.

Skye’s POV…

The next morning I woke up sore and I found out why. I did indeed have a huge bruise forming on my side from where I was pushed off my porch.

“Good thing I don’t need to explain myself to anyone” I muttered, letting Balto out when I noticed Detective Black’s truck was still parked in the yard. I let out a sigh and put on his jacket from last night and walked outside, Balto trailing behind me as I knocked on the window waking him up.

“I told you I didn’t need a babysitter” I said, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

“I know, but I would never leave a lady alone, especially after her house was just broken into.” he said, stretching a little before climbing out of the truck. I watched the way his eyes brightened slightly when he noticed I was wearing his jacket.

“Fine. Would you like some coffee at least?” I asked, dropping my arms to my side.

“That would be great” he said, extending his arm for me to lead the way. While I was fixing his coffee I watched him look around my little farm house and noticed the lack of decorations.

“I haven’t had time to decorate yet” I said, watching him look around the living room and kitchen.

“It’s still cozy in here though” he said, taking the cup from my hands, our fingers brushing slightly “Thank you” he added.

“You’re welcome and thank you. I still have a lot of stuff packed that I just haven’t put up yet. Between the photos for the magazine and my shifts at the bookstore I haven’t had much time to decorate.” I said, sitting next to him at the bar, Balto at my feet.

“You’ll get there, it just might take some time.” he said, smiling at me.

“So does this mean I’m cleared as a suspect?” I asked, looking at him.

“Yes. I’m sorry for that. I didn’t need to be such an asshole.” he said, taking a sip.

“Apology accepted,” I said, taking a sip from my own cup. An hour later he made his way home so he could go to his own job.

“I should not have done that” I said, closing the door after he left and slid down to the floor.

I really needed to get ready. Today Elena needed some new ocean front shots. After I was ready I loaded Balto up in the jeep and headed to the waterfront. After taking the pictures that I needed I sat down and looked out at the ocean. I pulled the last family picture I have and looked at it.

“I miss you guys everyday” I said, stroking the picture.

“You could have been with them, too” I jumped at the sound of the deep voice beside me.

“Jesus christ. Would it kill you to make noise when you walk?” I asked, standing up and facing Death himself. Now before you jump to conclusions he is not a skeleton in a robe with scythe. He’s an average guy with black hair, brown eyes, and covered in tattoos. You don’t want to know how I know that, anyway moving on.

“Not here and no one else can see me so why make noise?” he asked, looking at me confused.

“I forgot Death had a sense of humor” I murmured walking back to my jeep “what do you want, Death? It’s been months since you last bothered me. Must be important” I said, turning to face him.

“What makes you think I want anything? You’ve been doing great at helping spirits crossover” he said, looking at me.

“With no help from you” I said, holding my ground against him.

“Yeah, well, I do have other priorities” he said, unamused

“I’m not your puppet that you choose to manipulate whenever you want to and just leave in the dark.” I said, turning away from him when I felt a stinging in my abdomen “what are you doing?” I choked out clutching my abdomen.

“Showing you that you are indeed my puppet and I can leave you in the dark for as long as I want to.” he said, a minute later the pain subsided.

“Motherfucker” I said, straightening up.

“That’s not nice, but anyway. On to the real reason why I’m here: you need to be careful with that Detective friend of yours” he said, sternly looking at me.

“Wouldn’t call him a friend, but what about him?” I asked, looking at him confused.

“He’s closing in on something that I’m not sure he wants the answer to” was all he said before he disappeared.

“What the fuck does that mean?!” I yelled after he was already gone.