“Mike? Mike? Michael? Where are you?” A frantic voice rang out through darkened streets. The sound of quickening footsteps echoed in the seamlessly empty streets of Paris. Darting around a corner, Astrid huffed as her back slammed against a brick wall. Slowly peering around the edge of the building. A dark figure approached at snail's pace. The woman’s eyes widened in horror. Before rushing down a nearby alley. The enclosed space was pitch black and seemed to go on forever. No matter how much faster she ran. It never ended and was almost like she was running in place. Only stopping in her tracks when the sound of heavy footsteps sounded behind her. Freezing in place, Astrid turned around to face the source. A faint human shaped blob stood unmoving at the opening. Only the light of the moon above giving the silhouette any outline.

“What do you want?” The natural blond yelled with fear in her voice. The unknown person, thing, or whatever it could be. Didn’t mutter a single word in response. This only chilling her down to the bone more. Through she had a feeling it wouldn’t change anything. She stepped back ever so slightly. Only to be met right away with another brick wall. Turning to face the wall, her hands felt around for maybe a door. Just something to let her know she wasn’t trapped.

“Fuck, Fuck, Fuck!” Turning back to face the unknown stalker. Her face turned a ghostly white. So much so it almost glowed in the darkness. What was once just a single blob, had now became four. Coming in many shapes and sizes between all of them. “What the hell do you want from me?” Astrid attempted to yell out, but instead came out as more of a squeak.

“Why did we deserve to die?” Even with it having been so long sense that night. The familiar voice sent chills down her spine. Her hands shooting up to cover her mouth. Suddenly a light post above the figures turned on. Finally revealing those who stood before the women. A girl in her early twenties Skinned from neck to toes. Only her pale face having anything to it. A boy not much older stood beside her. Most noted able detail about him was the lack of a head. Which so happened to be in the cradling arms of the young women.

“Sure, I was rebellious and not the perfect daughter like Kat. But, who isn’t at my age? Does that justify cutting my life short?” There was no doubting who she was. Harmony Woodlins, or as her friends knew her, Hallow. Which could only mean the headless male was her boyfriend. Who Michael had cut down first on that night. What was his name? Astrid couldn’t remember even if she wanted to. Luckily the beheaded boy didn’t speak. His head just sat motionless in her arms, just like when it had rolled over onto her foot. The same dead and glossed over eyes. Almost staring into her soul, which she could feel even from all the way over there. Astrid's eyes unwilling moved to next to them. When a voice still so fresh in her mind spoke next.

“I’ve always heard stories about how cruel you Americans can be. But, Mon Cher you seem take the cake. No?” There was the creepy cabby that Astrid had only stabbed and killed a couple days ago. Blood flowed from him dripping, and creating a pool of crimson at his feet. How was this possible? They were all dead? Taking from this world by one means or another. The questions swirled around her panicking mind. Being brought back only but what she would consider the most chilling of the returned voice from the grave.

“That’s my little bookworm for you.” Astrid shook at the mention of that damn nickname he had for her. The fourth and final person stepped forward. Joining the others under the light of the street lamp. Wearing the very same red and grey hoodie he had on that faithful night. The night that you could say was the catalyst to all these other’s. The night that would ensure Astrid went out and met Brandon. Who would led to her meeting of Michael. She shook her head with now tears falling down her cheeks.

“No, you’re dead Dean. You’re all dead!” Slowly The male broke from the group. A small reflection bounced off the blade of the kitchen knife. Which was still buried in the top of his head. Flashbacks flooded her mind of that night. Having just found out by complete accident. That the man known as Dean, had been cheating on her. He invited her to the park along the river. Presumably to end their almost two-year relationship. He was looking out over the river as she approached from behind. She remembered how fast her heart was beating as she did so. He wouldn’t have chance to see her before the knife came down. Not going very deep due to her lack of strength. His hand rising slowly to his head shakenly. Turning around to face her one more time. Blood dripping down over his face. Mixed with tears, and a face that screamed why. Without a second thought she would push him over the railing. His body plunging down in the waters below. She remembered just standing there. In silence, and just watching as the lifeless corpse slowly sank into the depths below. The flash back ended as she left cold, wet, and clammy hands touch her cheek.

“We are all dead Astrid. By your hands. Taken from our families and loved ones. Why? Because you’re a spoiled little rich girl. Who's Mommy and daddy didn’t tell her no enough. So, you could do no wrong. Everyone was lower than dirt, and deserved what happened to them.” Dean rose back to his feet. Looking down at Astrid who had slide down the wall at this point. His eyes covered in shadow. Making them even more black than the ally just moments ago. A single drop of warm blood hit right in the middle of her forehead. Rolling down her face and past her lips. “What will you do when he leaves you? What will you do when even the serial killer gets tired of you?” Now tears began to run down the women face. As her head slowly started moving side to side.

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“No, Mike would never. He understands me. He truly loves me, unlike you. Him and I are partners! No cheating! No lies!”

“Are you sure about that? What do you truly know about him? Has he told you about his past?” Astrid struggled to speak for a moment before the words finally came out.

“No, but I don’t need to know his past to know he loves. We, don’t need to know that to have each other’s backs.”

“And, what if he doesn’t have your back?” Harmony spoke up from behind them. Now walking over to join at Dean’s side. “What if he’s just using you for his own means? Obviously, the life of others means as little to him as it does you. He’s probably just waiting for the moment you fuck up. Then, he’ll leave you out to dry.”

“I mean with that cute little spit fire now. Why would he need some whiney chienne? A whole publishing company compared to some hole in the wall bookstore. Sorry Cher, but he’d be better with the Petit femme.” Even the Cabby had joined in the taunting. Astrid covered her ear and shut her eyes close.

“Shut up! Shut up!” Shooting to her feet, she pushed past the corpses. Knocking into the headless body of Hollow’s boyfriend. Sending it falling to the ground with a thud. This wouldn’t stop Astrid from booking it back down the street. Removing her hands from her ears. She looked back to see all four bodies standing under the street light once more. This time not following like before. Just watching as she rushed down the road. Tears raining down like a waterfall from her eyes. After what felt like eternity of running once more. The freighted and disheartened women bumped into someone else. She tried to run away but was stopped by hands grabbing her arms. She fought and fought against their grip. Stopping once she her a not scary familiar voice.

“Astrid Mon Cher, what's the matter?” Looking up her blue orbs met the calming sight of Michael's green ones. Her face buried into his chest as her arms wrapped around his waist. Sobbing uncontrollably as what just happened transpired hit her like a ton of bricks.

“Mike, it was fucking terrible. I saw them! Everyone I’ve killed. Harmony, her greaseball boyfriend, a cab driver I haven't told you about, and my Ex. They chased be down, and told me that I was a bad person. That you didn’t love me anymore, and that you were going to leave me.” Michael’s hand reached up and began to gently pet the top of her head. Eventually calming the bookstore owner down. Pulling back as she looked up at him. Looking back he smiles tilting his head.

“Now think about how crazy that all sounds. This ex and cab driver I don’t know about. But I know for fact the brat and her boyfriend are dead. And dead things do not talk. If they did, we’d be in jail by now.” She nodded whipping the tears from her eyes. Giving a small smile back at him. “And besides. You what the craziest part of all this is?”

“What?” Astrid questioned sniffling a little.

“How can I stop loving you? When I never loved you in the first place.” Her smile dropped and her gut stung. Looking down with widened eyes. As the very knife she used to stab the driver, stuck out from her stomach. Slowly they lowered to the ground, as her hands rested on his chest. Once on her knees, Michael stood back up. Splatters of blood covered his face and button up shirt. Removing his glasses and whipping them clean of any blood.

“Mike?” Astrid said in a weakened voice.

“And for the millionth time my dear. Its Michael.” He burst into laughter as he began to walk away. She reached out her hand as he did so.

“Wait, Michael. No, don’t leave me” From the darkness he had just entered. The four corpses exited, as they surrounded her. All of them in a unison chant repeated over and over again.

“Astrid, Astrid, Astrid. Astrid.” Getting louder and louder as they continued. Covering her ears once more, which smeared her own blood on her face. Dean reached down grabbing her shoulder. Shaking her as he and the others continued to chant.

“Astrid. Mon Cher, wake up. We have a to start getting ready for our flight.” Suddenly just as soon as the nightmare started it ended. Her eyes shot open as she sat up in bed. Almost head-butting Michael while doing so. Her heavy breathing and slight sobs filled the room quickly. Looking at the writer with tears in her eyes. She took hold of the collar of his untucked green button up.

“Do you love me?” Michael raised his eye brow,

“Do I love you?” Astrid nodded with a serious look in her eyes. He just looked at her with a confused look on his face.

“Just answer me shitass!” His hand shot up as he chuckled.

“Yes Mon Cher. I love you with all my heart.” Astrid let out a relaxed sigh. Resting her head against his chest. Having finally calmed down a bit more. Michael’s finger hooked below her chin. Having her look up to him. “What’s this about?” Astrid smiled cupping his cheek.

“It’s nothing Mike. Just a bad dream.” He went to protest the nickname but stopped once she placed a finger on his lips. “Yes I know Michael. Now come on! I’m ready to get out of this fucking country and get back to Mr. Whiskers.” He just smiled and nodded in agreement as they began packing for their trip back home.