My Very Own Little Ghost

[callyha]

Chapter 11

"Alf you ok?" Angelo asked as he walked up to Alf.

Alf wasn't able to string a sentence together.

All Alf did was point to the sand.

Angelo looked down.

All he saw was

he elo

He elo? I don't get it?" Angelo said

"What?" Alf said as he looked down. "The waves, they must have washed the message"

"What message?" Angelo asked, confused.

I stood and watched.

"It said Help Angelo" Alf said as he stared into Angelo's eyes.

"Who would write that?" Angelo asked

"Charlie" Alf replied

"Alf. Charlie is dead" Angelo replied. Not happy with Alf for having to say that.

"I know" Alf began to say before Angelo butted in

"Then why say something stupid like that?"

Angelo walked away.

I watched.

Poor Alf.

Have I made things worse?

************************************

Alf walked back into the house.

"Hey mate want to join me in a cold one?" Miles asked as he held a bottle of beer

"No thanks mate" Alf replied

"You sure?" Miles quizzed

"Yea"

"Didn't catch a fish?" Miles asked

"What?"

"Is that why you're in a grump. Because you didn't catch any fish"

"No"

"Then what is it?"

Alf walked over to where Miles was sitting.

"I think I've made a delicate Angelo more delicate" Alf confessed

"How? When? Why?" Miles asked

"How? By saying Charlie wrote me a message. When? About five minutes ago. And why? Because he asked me"

"He asked you who gave you a message?" Alf nodded. "What did the message say?"

"Help Angelo" Alf said

"Anything happen before that" Miles said, leaning in.

"Why are you been so intrigued? You're normally the first person to tell me I'm loosing it"

"Well, to tell you the truth, I think I have a ghost attached to me" Miles said

"Really?"

"Yea. But you carry on"

"Well, I was just stood in the sea waiting for a bite. When I got one. I reeled the line in, but when I got the line out of the water, there was nothing on it. But it was still heavy. Then the next thing I know, a message gets written in the sand" Alf said

Miles was leaning in with interest.

"So what about you and this ghost business?"

"Just ton the odd occasion, my keys have gone missing, then I find them, but they're hovering in the air. But not at a normal height. I can't reach them! And I'm not the only one. Leah says she's had things happen to her"

"Who is it?" Alf asked

"Well, what made you think it was Charlie?" Miles asked

"The 'Help Angelo' part" Alf replied.

*********************************

Ruby stood in the street.

She held herself as a cold wind swept around her body.

She stared at the building where it happened.

Black char-marks covered the bricks surrounding the windows. Broken glass was still glistening on the ground.

Ruby could still see the fire engines, police and ambulances gathered outside.

The panicked voices filled her ears.

"Mum" She whispered as a tear fell down her cheek.

******************************************

Angelo got home.

He slumped into the seat.

All I wanted to do was slap him- he was been stubborn!

Angelo glanced over at our wedding picture.

He sobbed when he looked at Charlie in her wedding dress, looking deep into his eyes.

He was parted form his sorrow when he heard the baby cry.

I just took a shower with the cockroach from hell. He's in there now fixing his hair- Marianne Graves

It's alive. And it's beautiful- Helen Sharpe

Grow feather and s*** in a tree- Gwen Phillips

[callyha]

Chapter 12

A short chapter

I have mentioned Alf's wife. i know her name, but am unsure if I have spelt it right.

Why me? I found myself asking.

I know one day everyone dies. But, not me. Not at 30.

I had a husband.

I had kids.

I was still young.

I guess everyone finds themselves asking the same question.

I remember Aden wondering why Belle died.

She was young.

She had her entire life to lead.

I remember that night.

I remember how Gary Tedman had everyone panicked.

I remember looking into peoples faces- seeing the terror in their eyes.

I remember looking at Ruby.

She looked so small in Gary's arm.

All I wanted to do was protect her.

Protect everyone.

I remember the cold blade been plunged into my chest.

I remember the screams coming from Ruby.

I remember dropping to to floor in the pool of my own blood.

Remembering this as I do now, I understand why Angelo and Ruby are sore at other when they try and help.

If it was Ruby that had been killed or Angelo, I would react the same way. Maybe even worse.

"All I said was what I saw" Alf told Irene

"And you believe that it's Charlie?" I rene asked

"Well, yea. I believe she wants us to help Ruby and Angelo cope with her death"

"Alf, people deserve to grieve in their own way. You can't meddle"

"Yea, but why would Charlie go to so much trouble?"

"How can you be sure it's Charlie?"

"Ever since I saw Alisa, I've believed in this sort of thing a whole lot more."

Irene looked at Alf.

She remember how Alf was when he was going through his tumor.

And how he was adamant that Alisa was there.

"Alright love. What do you want me to do?"

[callyha]

Thanks RR1 for the correction lol

sorry for late reply, i've been ill

Chapter 13

"And you think this will work?" Irene asked as she looked at Alf.

Alf nodded.

"Alright love"

Irene walked into her beach-side house.

Switching on the lights, she looked around.

Her house was empty.

But in a good way.

Annie and Romeo were on a little trip away.

I watched as she switched on the kettle.

She took out a cup from the cupboard.

"Thanks love" Irene said as she looked at the cup.

A tear rolled down Irene's face.

Looking at the cup, I realize it was the one I got her.

It was a thank you for taking such great care of Ruby during the 'truth' outburst.

It wasn't just a cup I got her, although, it was her favorite.

Irene poured the hot water into her cup.

I saw my opportunity.

As Irene turned to the fridge, I grabbed the cup.

Irene's eyes widened when she turned back.

"Where's me cup?" Irene asked as she looked around.

I laughed.

She was walking up and down her kitchen with the milk in her hand.

Eventually I let her know where her cup is.

Her mouth opens in amazement as I lower the cup back to the kitchen unit.

Irene stared at the cup.

She swallowed hard.

Irene placed the milk down on the side.

She walked around the where the phone is and dialed Alf's number.

"I've got an idea. And erm, I believe you. About Charlie and Ailsa"

How many is that now?

Four?

That sounds about right.

Maybe they can all help Angelo.

Maybe they can all help Ruby.

Maybe they can all help me.

[callyha]

Chapter 14

This focuses on Charlie a lot.

I gaze up at the stars.

Now I know what they are.

They are people who have died, looking down on the ones they left behind.

My star isn't up there yet- I still have to help Angelo and Ruby.

I wonder if they will ever look up and think if I'm looking down on them as they continue with their life.

As Angelo moves on and moves into his next relationship,

As Ruby finds that person she will spend the rest of her life with.

At this moment, now, I can't bare the thought of Angelo moving on, but its something that will have to be done.

Its not fair of me to 'ask' him to never let go of my spirit here.

He'll never let go of our love.

He'll never let go of the memories we shared together.

He'll never let go of the friendship we had.

He'll always love me, and think of me. As I will him.

But the one thing that he must do?

He must let go of his fear of moving on so soon after my death.

I know its easy for me to say it, I'm dead.

But the one thing I learned after my mother died?

I learned that if we let the grief consume us, then we will never be able to see what can be.

Ruby cried when she needed to-and look at how she was three months later. Happy, but never forgot the memory of mum.

Dad remember mum every single day- three months later he was having dinner with Morag.

And me? I let grief consume me.

It took Ruby, Roman, Jack, Irene, Morag (even though I didn't want her help), Leah and a few colleagues to help me get to where Ruby and dad were.

I don't want the same thing for Angelo.

I hope Leah, miles, Alf and Irene can help Angelo.

I just need to know how to help Ruby now.

She still blames herself.

Every night she cries herself to sleep, after writing in her notebook.

I just need to read it, just once, so I can find out what's going on inside my daughters head.

[callyha]

Chapter 15

Ruby walked along the street, heading towards the shop.

Looking over her shoulder she could hear people shouting.

Sounding terrified as they shouted.

Slowly walking towards the building, Ruby took her phone out of her pocket.

Ascending the stairs up the side of the building, Ruby crept higher, making sure she wasn't seen.

She peered in through a window.

She saw five people looking terrified.

Men, women and a small child.

Ruby gasped in horror when she saw what the man was doing to the child.

He had hold of the child by the throat.

A gun was been pushed into the child's temple.

Ruby pressed green.

Yabbie Creek Police

"Mum? Its Ruby, look get down here now, there's a man with five hostages. He has a little boy by the throat, with a gun pointing to his head"

"We're on our way. Ruby, hang up, and get as far away as possible"

Ruby hung up and began to descend back to the street.

Inside the building, the man heard something from outside. He dropped the child to the ground with a sickening thud.

The boy's mum rushed to his side.

The man held his gun to everyone.

"Move. And die"

The man headed to one of the windows.

He waited until he saw the school-girl become level with the window.

Crashing through the window, he grabbed Ruby.

Ruby screamed as she was grabbed.

Her arm grazing passed the glass, blood fell to the ground.

"Silly little girl, should have stayed at school" The man looked evilly into Ruby's eyes.

Ruby gulped.

In the police car, Angelo and Charlie were speeding through the streets. A back-up car was following.

"Did Ruby say anything else?" Angelo asked as he swung the car around a corner

"No, just that the guy has hostages and he's got a young child by the throat, with a gun pointing at his head"

Angelo sharply turned around another corner

"Angelo, slow down!" Charlie shouted as she grabbed the handel above the door

"That's exactly what you said on the night Reilly was born" Angelo laughed

"With good reason" Charlie replied

Angelo turned another corner. Charlie leaned forward and turned the siren off. She the radioed the car behind to do the same

"What you do that for?" Angelo asked as he looked at Charlie

"Element of surprise" Charlie replied.

Emerging from the cars, Angelo, Charlie, Georgina and Giles headed toward the building.

Back inside

Ruby looked around at the hostages.

She could figure out why this man had done any of this.

Ruby's phone bleeped.

"Give it to me!" The man shouted at Ruby.

Ruby shakily handed her phone to the man.

The man threw it against the wall.

"Silly little bitch!" Then man aimed his gun at Ruby's head.

Ruby sat upright in bed.

Sweat dripping down her face.

She breathed hard as she tried to get the images out of her mind.

Ruby wiped her face down.

Getting out of bed she headed down the stairs.

She sat down in Charlie's seat.

"Mum" She cried.

Grow feathers and s**t in a tree

I just took a shower with the cockroach from hell. He's in there now fixing his hair.

[callyha]

Chapter 16

Thank you for the comments

Ruby. My little Ruby.

She looked so lost sitting in the chair.

I came to her when I heard her call me mum.

I just want to help.

She looks scared.

I remember that look.

It was the same one she had after Trey had planted the bomb under the bus.

At least then, I could go over to her and wrap her in my arms.

Now, I can't.

I sit next to Ruby.

I gently place my hand on her head, stroking her hair.

I sit for a while.

Just stroking my daughter's long brown hair.

I look at her face.

She looks so peaceful when she's asleep.

I stand.

Walking over to the unit I see the last picture taken of us when we were a family.

Angelo, Ruby, Riley and I.

We looked so happy.

My little Riley.

I hope Ruby and Angelo tell him stories about me.

He was 10 months when I died.

Ruby fell to the floor. The pain in the side of her head took her breath.

"Next time keep away!" The man bellowed.

Outside

Charlie, Angelo, Giles and Georgina closed the roads.

Further back-up crews were assisting now.

Charlie was looking around.

"Charlie? What's wrong?" Angelo asked as he placed the road block sign on the road

"It's Ruby. She should be out here somewhere. I've got this horrible feeling Angelo"

"She'll be fine" Georgina said before Angelo got the chance"

Charlie forced a smile on her face.

"Whats the situation" Giles asked

"A Hans Keller has his former boos, his wife, his child, and some workers hostage."

"Do we know why?" Angelo asked.

"Hans was recently fired from his job, he claims its discrimination, his former boss says its because he was a sloppy worker. To put it mildly" Georgina briefed.

Inside.

Hans paced the room.

Ruby sat thinking about her life.

Was it a good life? Did she gain everything she wanted to gain?

Her answer? Yes. She was loved. She had great friends and a unique relationship with her family.

If I die right now. I'd die thinking happy thoughts. Ruby said to herself.

Outside.

The officers slowly climbed the stairs.

Angelo and Charlie went inside the building, whilst Giles and Georgina climbed the stairs on the outside.

Hans voice echoed through the building.

The officers follwed the voices.

Georgina and Giles found the window where Ruby was grabbed.

Radioing Charlie, the timed their ambush.

Ruby watched as Hans paced.

Every step caused Ruby's heart to jump.

She saw the terror in everyone's eyes.

What was going on? Why was this man doing this? Why a small child?

Questions went through Ruby's mind.

"Freeze police!" Georgina shouted as she, Giles, Angelo and Charlie burst into the room.

Hans looked at the officers with disbelief.

The officers glared at Hans, their guns aimed at him.

Ruby looked and saw Charlie.

A smile crept across her face.

Charlie never noticed Ruby sitting on the floor.

She was focused on Hans.

"Put the gun on the ground. And put your hands behind your head" Angelo said as he glared at Hans.

Hans did as he was told.

But before he put his hands behind his head, he grabbed a hostage from the ground.

Charlie's face dropped.

Anger filled her body.

Hans grabbed Ruby.

The horror in Charlie's eyes met the terror in Ruby's eyes.

Charlie's grip on her gun became shaky.

A hostage situation like this was always a difficult one.

But never has the one in the arms of the wanted been the daughter of a police officer.

Grow feather and s**t in a tree

I just took a shower with the cockroach from hell. He's in there now fixing his hair

[callyha]

Thank you for the comments!

Chapter 17.

"Rach? You got a minute?" Angelo asked as he approached Rachel.

"Yea, one sec" Rachel replied as she held her index finger up.

Angelo smiled.

He looked around the ward.

He saw a couple walking down the corridor with their new-born daughter.

A smile appeared on his face. Followed by a single tear.

"What's the problem?" Rachel asked as she stood next to Angelo.

"Its Ruby" Angelo said with a sigh.

"Oh" Rachel pointed to an empty room. "Shall we?"

"Lately she hasn't been herself. Understandably, I know, but, she's changed. She's having nightmares. I'm really worried about her" Angelo had to fight tears.

"Has she said anything about these nightmares?" Rachel asked

"No. Nothing. She's a closed book"

"Well, the only thing I can think of is the night Charlie died. Ruby must be remembering what happened"

"How am I supposed to help?" Angelo asked

Rachel looked at him. She felt sorry for him. He was a broken man.

"Just assure her that you are there for her and that she can always talk to you if needs be" Rachel said comfortingly

Angelo thanked Rachel and headed off to the station.

Something that was never the same since Charlie died.

As he walked into his office, he looked at the picture of Charlie, Ruby and Riley.

"I'll get him Charlie. I promise"

"Sit down!" Miles said to his class.

Chuntering, the students sat down in their seats.

"Sir?" Gonk said

"Yes?" Miles asked.

"Ruby ain't here again"

"Isn't" Miles corrected. Realizing, he looked up. "What?"

"Ruby sir, she's not here" Gonk replied, pointing at the empty seat in front of him

Miles rubbed his forehead.

"Read your books to chapter five. I'll ask three questions, if you get them right you can go play footie" Miles said as he headed out of the door.

The students looked confused.

"Gina?" Miles said as he knocked on the door.

"Yes?" Gina replied

"She's a no-show again"

"It hurts. I miss you so much. It's my fault you're dead. Riley isn't going to know his mum because of me. How can Angelo look at me? I'm the reason he's wifeless." Ruby sobbed. "And dad, I took his daughter away from him. How can he look at me? How can he still say with such love, that I'm his grand-daughter?"

Ruby stared at the headstone.

"It shouldn't say Charlie. It should say Hans" She screamed

I watch my baby fall apart.

Why can't I do anything about it!

She needs me!

Ruby curled herself up on top of Charlie's grave.

Closing her eyes, she thought of nothing but Charlie.

Three hours later......

"We got a lead" Georgina said happily.

Angelo punched the air.

"One step closer to nailing that bastard" He smiled

Angelo grabbed his keys and headed out of the station followed by Georgina.

"Have you seen Ruby?" Miles asked

"No, why?" Leah asked

"She didn't show up for school. Again"

Leah took her apron off. "Irene, Ruby's gone missing"

Irene looked at Leah.

"Excuse me? Ladies, gentlemen? Sorry but we are closing now, could you all gather your things and go. Come back tomorrow for a free lunch" Irene said as she ushered people out of the diner

Leah, Irene, Alf, Colleen and Miles all walked out of the diner and started the search for Ruby.

Grow feathers and s**t in a tree.

I just took a shower with the cockroach from hell. He's in there now fixing his hair.

[callyha]

Thanks you for the comments

Chapter 18

Ruby lay on Charlie's grave.

Shivering as the cold got through her body.

A tear trickled down her face.

"I'm sorry" Ruby whispered for the hundredth time.

Closing her eyes, she saw that night all over again...

"Rosetta. What? When? Right, I'm on it" Angelo hung up.

Swinging the car around he headed back to the bay.

"What the hell?" Georgina asked as she sat back in her seat

"Ruby's gone missing. I have to find her"

"What about him?" "Ruby is my step-daughter. She's more important!" Angelo shouted. Not meaning to, but it just came out.

"Ruby!"

Was all that was heard.

Lights flashing on the beach as people searched for my baby.

I just wanted to tell them where she was.

She's at my grave.

Crying.

Shivering.

Alone.

Charlie swallowed hard.

She looked over at her daughter.

Feeling helpless as Hans had her in his arms.

"What do I have to do to get rid of you!" Hans shouted, causing Ruby to flinch terribly

"Just put the gun on the ground, and let the girl go" Charlie said, not using her name.

Ruby looked into her mothers eyes.

"And then what? We forget this whole thing? You let me go? Your crazy" Hans replied.

Focusing on Charlie as he answered.

"Look. These people don't deserve this. Any of it" Charlie said

"Don't deserve it?!" Hans shouted as he walked over to Charlie, still holding Ruby.

"That bastard fires me, after I give him thirteen good years. And his reason? He wouldn't give me one. So don't you tell me he doesn't deserve it!" Hans got right in Charlie's face. He pressed his gun into her neck.

Angelo walked to him and put his gun in the back of Hans head.

Hans looked around slightly.

Charlie handed Ruby her bat.

"Step away from her" Angelo demanded.

Hans backed away.

Still holding Ruby.

When Charlie nodded to Ruby, Ruby hit Hans with the bat.

Hans screamed in pain as he release his grip on Ruby.

Angelo raced to Hans.

Gathering what energy he had left, Hans pushed Angelo of him.

"Go!" Angelo shouted to Charlie.

Georgina, Giles and Charlie started evacuating the hostages.

Giles picked up a woman who had broken her ankle.

Georgina picked up the child.

Walking down the stair as fast as they could, the officers and hostages made their way to the safety of the street.

Charlie was just about to follow Ruby down the stairs when she looked back.

"Babe just go!" Angelo shouted as he wrestled with Hans.

"Mum come on!" Ruby shouted. " Mum no!" Ruby shouted as she saw Charlie re-enter the room.

Hans had Angelo pinned against the wall.

Charlie grabbed her gun, aiming it above her head, she slammed in down on Hans' head as hard as she could.

Blood trickled from the small wound on the back of Hans' head.

He fell to the ground.

Angelo moved away from the wall.

Breathing heavily to catch his breath, Angelo went into the arms of Charlie.

Charlie stood, shaking.

"Can we get out of here?" Ruby asked. Still shaky from her ordeal.

Angelo nodded. "We need to call for back up and an ambulance anyway"

The three walked towards the door.

Hans lifted his head.

He looked over at Charlie.

Anger filled his body.

He took a lighter out of his pocket and through it to the back of the room.

Angelo, Charlie and Ruby turned when they heard the thud of the lighter hit the ground

"What the hell?" Angelo said as the cautiously searched.

Charlie glanced over at Hans' body.

Hans waited.

His head banging from where Charlie had struck him.

He reached to his trouser pocket.

He glanced at the officers and the school-girl.

The blade shimmered in the sunlight.

An evil grin swept across his face.

Outside

"What's that?" Georgina asked as she pointed to the window

"S**t! Fire!" Giles replied.

Running over to the police car, he radioed for a fire engine.

"Where the hell is she?" Angelo asked as he looked around the park

How can I tell them?

She's at my grave!

Grow feathers and s**t in a tree

I just took a shower with the cockroach from hell. He's in there now fixing his hair.

[callyha]

Thank you for the comments! x

Chapter 19

Charlie, Angelo and Ruby edged closer to the corner.

"Fire!" Charlie shouted

Angelo, Ruby and Charlie turned back to the door.

Noticing Hans had gone.

"Ruby, get outside now" Charlie demanded

"No, I'm not leaving you!" Ruby replied

"It's not up for discussion. Get outside" Charlie said again.

The smoke filled the room. Charlie and Angelo coughed as they searched for Hans' body.

Charlie felt herself go light as she took each breath.

"He's not here" Charlie spluttered.

outside

Ruby, Giles and Georgina looked up at the window.

The smoke funneled out like a funnel heading towards the sky.

"Where's the fire brigade? They should be here by now!" Ruby screamed

"They're on their way. You need to calm yourself down" Giles replied

"My mum and Angelo are up there. How am I supposed to stay calm!"

Hans moved about the room. Following every move Charlie and Angelo did.

The blade caught the flames as the engulfed through the wood beams.

"We need to get out of here!" Charlie shouted

Angelo looked to Charlie. Taking her hand, they headed for the door.

Hans watched with an evil glint in his eye.

He approached the door.

Angelo safely walked through the door.

Charlie wasn't so lucky.

Grabbing the police woman by her wrist, Hans pulled her backwards.

The grip Charlie had on Angelo loosened and Charlie fell back to the floor.

"Charlie!" Angelo screamed as he peered into the room.

Tears welled up in his eyes.

Anger filled his body.

He saw Hans. Holding a knife to Charlie's throat.

Charlie's entire body shook with fear.

She saw before her, her husband who she loved dearly.

She saw her teenage daughter, as beautiful as they day she was born.

She saw Riley. Her young son.

"Let her go. Take me" Angelo bargined

Outside

"What's taking so long?" Ruby asked with antisipation. "Something's wrong. I know it is!"

Ruby began to pace.

The window smashing to the ground caused the crowd to scream.

"That's it!" Ruby screamed.

Running, she headed for the building

"Ruby!" Georgina shouted, and chased after her.

Ruby and Georgina ran up the stairs.

They could her Angelo talking to Hans.

"He's got mum" Ruby cried.

"Ruby wait!" Georgina said, trying to grab Ruby.

"Please, let her go" Angelo begged.

Hans looked into Angelo's eyes. He could see the pain in Angelo's eyes.

He felt Charlie's body tremble with fear.

He slowly released Charlie from his grasp.

Charlie slowly moved away from Hans.

A noise outside the room startled Hans, Charlie and Angelo.

"A trap!" Hans shouted as he through his hand into the air.

"Charlie!"

"No!"

"Mum!"

Ruby woke with a fright.

Her body shook as her eyes flickered open.

"I'll kill him!" Ruby said, her eyes filled with anger, hatred.

"She's not here" Alf said to Leah.

"We have to keep looking for her" Leah replied.

"I'm fresh out of ideas" Alf replied.

Leah let out a sigh and looked around.

This was my chance.

I could tell them where Ruby is.

I walked up to Leah.

I took her torch off her and walk away.

"What the hell?" Alf asked as he looked at the moving light.

"It's Charlie. She's trying to tell us something" Leah said with a smile

"Yea, like how to have a heart attack" Alf replied.

"Come on. Lets follow" Leah said as she followed the light.

Thank you Leah!

Leah pressed some numbers on her keypad.

"Angelo? It's Leah. Look, I know this sounds crazy, but Alf, Miles, Rachel, Tony and I are following a light. I know it sounds stupid, but, what have we got to loose? Maybe its Charlie helping us to find Ruby. Ok, I'll ring you to let you know anything. Alright, bye"

Ruby walked.

Looking forward. Not back.

Each step she took she got angrier.

Hans' evil grin was all Ruby could see.

Grow feather and s**t in a tree.

I just took a shower with the cockroach from hell. He's in there now fixing his hair.

[callyha]

Sorry its been a while, but I just got back from New York :s

Thank you for the comments, I promise, I will write some funny bits in, but I just want to get how Charlie died out of the way first

Chapter 20

Everything happened in slow motion.

Hans pulling the blade from Charlie's chest,

Charlie clutching her bleeding chest as she fell to the ground,

Angelo placing his gun in his pocket and running to Charlie,

Ruby screaming out in horror as she watched her mum get stabbed.

I stop. Dead- If you'd excuse the pun.

I never remembered the exact details until now.

Ruby had always believed that she caused Hans to stab me.

That wasn't the case.

I remember hearing that noise.

A clanging coming from outside.

The wind blowing the ladder onto the wall.

Across town....

Ruby walked with one goal in mind.

REVENGE.

All she thought about was that day.

Blaming herself.

Tears streamed down her face as she thought of Hans. Sitting in front of the TV, laughing at a TV show.

Whilst Charlie, her mother, was dead. A memory.

Her pace quickened.

"Angelo, Its Alf. Any luck?" Alf asked as he stood.

Leah looked around for the light from Charlie's torch.

"She's gone" Leah said

"Well of course she has. She's probably crossed over. I saw it once in an episode of that show with Jennifer Love Hewitt" Colleen said as she stood, bored.

"Colleen, that was are only clue on how to find Ruby before she does something stupid" Leah said

"Look, she's a teenager who lost her mum in a violent way. The killer is still out there. We need all the help we can get" Irene said. A lump appeared in her throat as she thought of Ruby.

"We have to find her" Irene finished

"Any luck Alf?" Leah asked as she saw Alf hang p the phone

"The cops haven't had much more success then we have. We just have to keep looking" Alf replied

The group picked up their bags and headed off again in search of Ruby.

Morag walked in to the nursery.

Looking down in the cot, she was faced with a gorgeous little boy.

Blond hair like his dad.

Green/blue eyes like his mum.

And a cute little out fit curtsy of his big sister.

"Riley. I hope they find her." Morag whispered as she gazed at her step-grandson.

I look ahead.

I see someone walking fiercely.

I appear close to their side.

Its Ruby.

How am I supposed to slow her down?

I look ahead of us.

I see a thin branch.

An idea springs to mind.....

Grow feather and s**t in a tree.

I just took a shower with the cockroach from hell. He's in there now fixing his hair.